Spectrum Of The Seas

The 2019-built Spectrum of the Seas cruise ship is Royal Caribbean's first Quantum-Ultra-class vessel, with sistership Odyssey OTS (2021). Spectrum OTS was designed and built specifically for the Chinese market. Quantum-Ultra is an upgraded (enlarged and enhanced) version of RCI's Quantum-class ships Anthem OTS, Quantum OTS and Ovation OTS.

The vessel (IMO number 9778856) is currently Cyprus-flagged (MMSI 210563000) and registered in Limassol. In January 2023, the ship's flag state was changed from the Bahamas (MMSI 311000749 / Nassau port registry) to Cyprus (Limassol).

History - construction and ownership

Royal Caribbean International (RCI) is a US passenger shipping company, a trademarked travel brand, and a subsidiary owned by Royal Caribbean Group (RCG/shipowner). RCI was established in 1968 and currently holds over one-fifth of the global cruise market. RCI also operates RCG's largest fleet by both vessel number and GT tonnage (ship size and capacity).

All RCI liners have names ending with "of the Seas".

The Spectrum ship was specifically designed for customers from China and South Asian countries.

Decks and Cabins

Spectrum Of The Seas staterooms (2137 total, in 33 grades) include 142 Suites, 1487 Balcony, 142 Oceanview, 366 Inside (including Virtual Balcony), and 28 Studios (Balcony and Interior). Most cabins are sized 180-200 ft2 / 17-19 m2. Most cabin balconies are sized 55 ft2 / 5 m2. The largest is the Ultimate Family Suite (2350 ft2 / 218 m2 plus a 460 ft2 / 43 m2 wraparound terrace).

The "Royal Suite Class" booking category (suite accommodations only) provides the ship's highest-paying passengers with Royal Caribbean's ultimate all-inclusive cruise experience, including exclusive access to Coastal Kitchen, 24-hour personal butler service, included gratuities, all-inclusive drinks, complimentary Internet, and unlimited Thermal Suite access. Spectrum OTS also offers wheelchair-accessible cabins and Virtual Balconies (interior rooms with real-time ocean views).

"Golden Suite" and "Silver Suite" are new cabin categories (introduced on Spectrum OTS) offering VIP amenities, including an exclusive dining room, bar-lounge, and sundeck. The "Royal Suite Class" booking category (suite accommodations only) provides the ship's highest-paying passengers with Royal Caribbean's ultimate all-inclusive cruise experience, including exclusive access to Coastal Kitchen, 24-hour personal butler service, included gratuities, all-inclusive drinks, complimentary Internet, and unlimited Thermal Suite access. Spectrum OTS also offers wheelchair-accessible cabins and Virtual Balconies (interior rooms with real-time sea views).

Spectrum is Royal Caribbean's first ship with an exclusive Suites-only complex. The enclave is located forward on decks 13, 15, and 16 and consists of Golden- and Silver-category Suites grouped within a private complex. Golden and Silver suite passengers receive exclusive keycard access, a private lift, and access to a private restaurant and bar-lounge. Suite-exclusive amenities also include access to "The Balcony" (a private sundeck area on Deck 16) and "The Boutique" (a VIP shopping area on Deck 15 offering information and booking for private or customized shopping tours ashore).

The ship has 16 decks, of which 15 are passenger-accessible and 11 contain cabins.

Compared to Oasis-class ships, Quantum-Ultra vessels feature larger staterooms, more connecting family cabins, new studio staterooms (for solo travelers), and more numerous and larger restaurants.

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

Passengers on Spectrum of the Seas are offered a wide range of dining options, including venues for light bites and casual meals. Reservations for restaurants can be made online prior to the cruise. While not mandatory, reservations are recommended to ensure preferred dining times and venues. Food and service at the main restaurants are varied and offer an array of culinary experiences.

Below is the complete list of Spectrum of the Seas restaurants and food bars.

• 3-level Main Dining Room restaurant (capacity 1844 seats) serving Chinese and international cuisine specialties, with additional a la carte menu items. Menus rotate daily.
• Silver Dining (complimentary restaurant for suite passengers only)
• Golden Dining and Lounge (complimentary and exclusive restaurant for suite passengers only)
• Teppanyaki (Japanese hibachi specialty restaurant)
• Wonderland's Dadong (Chinese restaurant created in partnership with celebrity chef Dong Zhenxiang)
• Windjammer Marketplace (buffet restaurant offering Early Breakfast, Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner). The venue is complimentary and approximately one-fifth larger compared to those on Quantum-class ships. Buffet selections include noodles, pizza by the slice, Teppanyaki dishes, and Chinese hot pot.
• Chops Grille (specialty steakhouse and seafood restaurant)
• Chef's Table (14-guest capacity gourmet private dining experience)
• Jamie's Italian Restaurant (developed in partnership with celebrity chef Jamie Oliver)
• Izumi Japanese Cuisine (specialty restaurant)
• The Cafe at Two70 (casual dining marketplace and cafe bar)
• "Leaf and Bean" (cafe, patisserie, coffee shop, and tea room offering traditional Chinese beverages and snacks, authentic teas, coffee drinks, fresh pastries, and gourmet desserts)
• Solarium Bistro (healthy dining menu, formerly "Devinly Decadence")
• Noodle Bar
• Splashaway Cafe (poolside indoor food bar)
• Sichuan Red (Chinese specialty restaurant serving authentic cuisine from China's Sichuan province)

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

Guests on Spectrum of the Seas can enjoy facilities across 16 decks, including a top-deck adults-only solarium, an outdoor pool, a new indoor pool with a retractable roof system, and the H2O Zone kids' aqua park. Additional onboard amenities include a surf simulator, a 40-ft rock-climbing wall, a spa, a casino, and an outdoor movie screen.

Spectrum OTS (and all Quantum-class ships) feature unique attractions such as "iFly by RipCord" (a skydiving simulator available for a fee with reservations required) and "North Star" (a jewel-shaped glass capsule) rising 300 ft (92 m) above sea level to provide 360-degree panoramic views. North Star is available for an additional fee and can also be privately booked for special events. At "iFly by RipCord", guests are fitted with goggles, a helmet, and a jumpsuit before entering the wind chamber for one-minute flight sessions. These ships also feature the Bionic Bar, where robotic bartenders mix cocktails ordered via tablets.

Below is the complete list of Spectrum of the Seas lounges, clubs, and other entertainment venues for children, teens, and adults.

• Royal Theater (1299-seat venue featuring 3D movies, aerial acrobatic performances, and Broadway-style productions). Exclusively for Spectrum OTS, Royal Caribbean developed two original musical productions with high-tech special effects: "The Effectors" and "Showgirl! Present Future". The Effectors features four superheroes — Captain Coreo (leader controlling movement), Lume (controls light and visual effects), Pixel (controls images and projections), and Reverb (controls sound). They battle the villain Crash, who attempts to disrupt the show. "Showgirl! Present Future" combines modern choreography, vocal performances, elaborate costumes, and advanced video and lighting effects.
• Music Hall (two-deck-high live entertainment venue)
• Two70 Lounge (three-deck-high lounge with interactive floor-to-ceiling windows, a six-person live entertainment troupe, Vistarama media projection technology transforming the lounge's windows into a 135x22 ft / 41x7 m screen, and Roboscreens synchronized with music and special effects). For Spectrum OTS, RCI created the original production "The Silk Road", themed on the cultures and music of countries along the historic trade routes between Asia and Europe. Two70 also hosts "Expedition Two70", an interactive reality gaming experience featuring fantasy temples and ruins.
• Photo Gallery and Shop; SeaTrek Shop (diving equipment)
• Crown Lounge (formerly Diamond Club Lounge and Bar for past guests only); Concierge Club and Lounge (suite guests and past guests only); Golden Room / Card Room
• Bionic Bar; NorthStar Bar; Schooner Bar (piano bar); Sky Bar; Vintages Wine Bar
• Royal Esplanade (shopping and dining promenade on decks 4 and 5; includes "The Via" with Vintages Wine Bar, Port Merchants, and Jamie's Italian)
• Casino Royale; Casino VIP
• Star Moment (karaoke rooms for private parties and singalongs)
• Outdoor Movie Screen
• Cafe Promenade (24-hour venue serving snacks, drinks, and Starbucks specialty coffee)
• Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness Center
• Focus (Photo Gallery and Shop)
• Solarium Lounge (includes Solarium Cafe, pool bar, and adults-only pool deck); Solarium Bar
• Video Games Arcade; The Living Room and Night Club teen areas; Royal Babies and Tots Nursery; Adventure Ocean kids lounge area; Workshop (family venue); H2O Zone family and kids area; Kung Fu Panda themed activities
• North Star; FlowRider (surf simulator); RipCord by iFly; Jogging Track; Rock-climbing Wall
• Sky Pad (top-deck aft-located bungee trampoline with optional virtual reality gaming headsets)
• "Battle for Planet Z" (laser tag course at Studio B allowing two teams of eight players to compete for control of the galaxy's last planet)

SeaPlex (the largest sports complex at sea) offers roller skating, bumper cars, a circus school, a full-sized sports court (basketball), table tennis, fencing, and archery. Spectrum OTS' SeaPlex also features the fleet's first reality walls and flooring for interactive experiences. Outside SeaPlex (on the exterior deck near the rock-climbing wall) stands a large animal sculpture approximately 33 ft (10 m) tall.

Itineraries

Spectrum Of The Seas' itinerary program is primarily based on Asian roundtrips from China (homeports Hong Kong and Shanghai). The inaugural cruise (16-night Suez Canal itinerary) sailed from Barcelona to Dubai (departure April 18, 2019). The second relocation voyage segment (RepositionCruises.com) sailed from Dubai to Singapore (14-night "Spice Route Cruise", departure May 4).

The combined maiden voyage (51-day "Global Odyssey" from Barcelona to Shanghai) visited ports in 13 countries and was offered in five booking segments. From Hong Kong and Shanghai, short cruises (4-day, one-port itineraries) were also offered to Vietnam (Danang) and Japan (Naha or Kagoshima).

From homeport Singapore, Spectrum OTS initially offered three itineraries: a 3-day cruise to Port Klang/Kuala Lumpur Malaysia (May 18 roundtrip), a 4-day cruise to Penang Malaysia (May 21 roundtrip), and a 9-day repositioning cruise from Singapore to Shanghai (May 25) visiting Vietnam (Saigon, Nha Trang) and Hong Kong (overnight).

From homeport Shanghai, Spectrum OTS offered four roundtrip itineraries:

• 7-day "Best Of Japan" (Kobe, Yokohama)
• 5-day "Kagoshima and Okinawa" (Kagoshima, Naha)
• 4-day "Best Of Okinawa" (Naha)
• 4-day "Best Of Kagoshima" (Kagoshima)

For 2021, 30 departures from Shanghai were scheduled (4-, 5-, and 7-night roundtrips).

From Hong Kong, Spectrum OTS offers three roundtrip itineraries:

• 7-day "Japan and Philippines" (Naha, Salomague Island, Luzon Island/Subic Bay)
• 5-day "Best Of Vietnam" (Danang, Nha Trang)
• 4-day "Best Of Chan May" (Danang)

Following the Coronavirus crisis, in 2021 Spectrum OTS restarted operations with cruises to nowhere from Hong Kong (July through November). The schedule included the following itineraries (all without port calls) and departure dates:

• 2-night (July 30; Sept 5, 17)
• 3-night (Aug 5, 12, 19, 26; Sept 2, 7, 10, 23, 30; Oct 7, 14, 21, 28; Nov 4, 11, 18, 25)
• 4-night (Aug 1, 8, 15, 22, 29; Sept 13, 19, 26; Oct 3, 10, 17, 24, 31; Nov 7, 14, 21, 28)
• Booking requirements included: Hong Kong residents only, no Interior cabins (Oceanview and higher categories only), passengers aged 16+ fully vaccinated (second dose at least 14 days prior to boarding) and a negative PCR test taken within 48 hours before boarding. Hong Kong Tourism Board regulations also required operations at 50% of the ship's maximum passenger capacity.

However, on June 30, RCI postponed the homeporting and rescheduled it for September.

Spectrum OTS' first Singapore homeporting season (April 2022-2023) started on April 11, 2022. The schedule initially included only 3- and 4-night "cruises to nowhere" (Ocean Getaways), as well as (from June 30, 2022) 3- and 4-night itineraries visiting Malaysia (Klang/Kuala Lumpur and Klang+Penang). Fares for the 3-night cruises started from US$310 per person, while the 4-night cruises started from US$390.

In August 2022, longer voyages (5-, 7-, 9-, and 12-night) were scheduled for 2023-2024. The program included Hong Kong and ports in Japan (Tokyo, Osaka), as well as destinations across Southeast Asia — Philippines (Manila), Taiwan (Keelung), Vietnam (Saigon, Danang, Nha Trang), Malaysia (Penang), and Thailand (Laem Chabang/Bangkok, Phuket).

In May 2023, RCI announced that Spectrum OTS in Singapore will be replaced by Anthem OTS for the 2024-2025 season (starting October 2024). Spectrum OTS will be redeployed to China and homeported in Shanghai and Hong Kong. Starting in April 2024, Spectrum OTS from Shanghai offers roundtrips to Japanese ports, including Yokohama, Tokyo, Osaka, Fukuoka, and Nagasaki. Starting in December 2024, the ship has scheduled eight roundtrips from Hong Kong (China) visiting ports in Japan, Taiwan, and Vietnam.

On August 16, 2017, the vessel's construction officially began with the steel-cutting ceremony. On November 8, 2017, the keel-laying ceremony was held at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg Germany, marking the start of the ship's physical construction and assembly.

Traditionally, during the ceremony, newly minted "lucky" coins were placed under the hull's first building block (out of a total of 74 blocks). All mega-blocks (hull and superstructure sections) were constructed and pre-assembled at Neptun Werft Shipyard (Rostock Germany), then loaded via hydraulics onto pontoons and transported down the Ems River to the Papenburg shipyard.

Spectrum OTS is the first Quantum-Ultra-class liner specifically designed for operations in Asia (China and the Asia-Pacific region). As of 2017, RCI had six ships on order (under construction). The vessel's launch (float-out from drydock) took place on February 25, 2019. She was then berthed at the shipyard's outfitting pier to receive the funnel and the North Star structure. The conveyance down the Ems River to the North Sea (for sea trials) occurred in March. Following the float-out of Spectrum OTS, the hull of Norwegian Encore (NCL) was maneuvered back into the covered building dock N2.

Spectrum OTS' conveyance from Papenburg Shipyard to Eemshaven Holland (down the Ems River) was scheduled for March 19, 2019 (starting at 6 pm) and completed on March 21. Sea trials followed in the North Sea to test the vessel's technical equipment and navigation capabilities. After the trials, the ship arrived in Bremerhaven Germany. The conveyance schedule included:

• March 19 - 6:30 pm (waiting in Papenburg), 7 pm (passing Dockschleuse - the shipyard's river lock)
• March 20 - 1:30 am (passing Weener Bridge), 6 am (passing Jann-Berghaus Bridge / Leer), 10:15 am (arriving at Emsperrwerk shipyard), 11:45 am (passing Emsperrwerk), 1:15 pm (passing Emden Germany)