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 Bahamas (MMSI 311000749/Nassau port registry) to Cyprus (Limassol).

History - construction and ownership

Royal Caribbean International (RCI) is a US passenger shipping company, trademarked travel brand, and subsidiary owned by Royal Caribbean Group (RCG/shipowner). RCI was established in 1968 and currently has over 1/5 of the worldwide cruise market. RCI also has RCG's largest fleet by both vessel number and GT tonnage (ship sizes and capacities).

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 also 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 460 ft2 / 43 ft2 wraparound terrace).

The "Royal Suite Class" booking category (suite accommodations only) provides Quantum's highest paying passengers with the ultimate all-inclusive cruise experience of Royal Caribbean, marked by Coastal Kitchen exclusive access, 24-hour personal butler service, included gratuities, all-inclusive drinks, free Internet and thermal suite unlimited access. Spectrum OTS also has wheelchair-accessible cabins and virtual balconies (interior rooms with real-time oceanviews).

"Golden Suite" and Silver Suite" are new cabin categories (introduced on Spectrum OTS) with VIP amenities - exclusive dining room, bar-lounge, sundeck. The "Royal Suite Class" booking category (suite accommodations only) provides Quantum's highest paying passengers with the ultimate all-inclusive cruise experience of Royal Caribbean, marked by Coastal Kitchen exclusive access, 24-hour personal butler service, included gratuities, all-inclusive drinks, free Internet and thermal suite unlimited access. Spectrum OTS also has wheelchair-accessible cabins and virtual balconies (interior rooms with real-time seaviews).

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

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

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

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

Passengers on Spectrum of the Seas are offered plenty of dining options to choose from, with multiple choices for light bites as well. Reservations for all restaurants can be made online ahead of the cruise. Though not required, reservations are definitely recommended to ensure guests get to eat where they want, when they want. Food and service at the main restaurants are varied and offers an array of experiences.

Follows the complete list of Spectrum of the Seas restaurants and food bars.

• 3-level Main Dining Room restaurant (capacity 1844 seats) serves Chinese and International cuisine specialities with additional a la carte menu items. Menus rotate each day of the voyage.
• Silver Dining (Suite-passengers only) complimentary restaurant
• Golden Dining and Lounge (complimentary and exclusive / Suite-passengers only) complimentary restaurant
• Teppanyaki (Japanese Hibachi specialty restaurant)
• Wonderland's Dadong is a Chinese restaurant via a partnership with celebrity chef Dong Zhenxiang.
• Windjammer Marketplace is the buffet restaurant offering Early Breakfast, Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner. The restaurant is complimentary and approx 1/5 larger in comparison to Quantum-Class liners. Among the dishes offered at the buffet restaurant are noodles, pizzas by the slice, Teppanyaki (Japanese cuisine with iron griddle-cooked meals) and Chinese hot pot food.
• Chops Grille is a specialty steakhouse/seafood restaurant.
• Chef's Table (14-guest capacity, gourmet private dining package)
• Jamie's Italian Restaurant is via a partnership with celebrity chef Jamie Oliver.
• Izumi Japanese Cuisine is a specialty restaurant.
• The Cafe at Two70 (casual dining marketplace/cafe bar)
• "Leaf and Bean" is a Cafe Restaurant / Patisserie / Coffee Shop / Tea Room offering traditional Chinese beverages and snacks, authentic teas, coffee drinks, fresh-baked pastries and gourmet desserts.
• Solarium Bistro (healthy dining menu, fka "Devinly Decadence")
• Noodle Bar
• Splashaway Cafe (poolside indoor food bar)
• Sichuan Red (Chinese speciality restaurant) serves authentic cuisine specialties traditional to China's Sichuan province.

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

Guests on Spectrum of the Seas are free to enjoy 16 decks, with a top deck featuring solarium for adults, an outdoor pool, a new indoor pool with a roof system and H2O Zone kids' aqua park. Additional facilities aboard the cruise ship include a surf simulator, a rock-climbing wall measuring 40ft above the deck, a spa, a casino, and an outdoor movie screen.

Spectrum OTS (and all Quantum-Class liners) feature as unique facilities "iFly by RipCord" (skydiving simulator at a fee, reservations are required) and "North Star" (jewel-shaped glass capsule) rising 300 ft (92 m) above sea level for 360-degree views above the ship. North Star is at a fee and also can be privately booked (for special events). At "iFly by RipCord", each passenger is fitted with goggles, helmet and jumpsuit before jumping into the chamber (1-min sessions). These vessels also have Bionic Bar where "bartending robots" mix up cocktails ordered via a tablet.

Follows the complete list of Spectrum of the Seas lounges, clubs and other entertainment venues for kids, teens and adults.

• Royal Theater (1299-seat, features 3D Movies, aerial acrobatic performances and Broadway-style productions). Exclusively for Spectrum OTS, Royal Caribbean developed two original musical productions (both with hi-tech special effects) held at Royal Theater - "The Effectors" and "Showgirl! Present Future". The Effectors is themed on 4 superheroes - Captain Coreo (leader, has powers to control all movements), Lume (sassy supergirl, has the power to control light and all visual creations), Pixel (sexy and mysterious supergirl, has the power to control all images and projectionS) and Reverb (unpredictable superhero with enormous power to control sounds). Spectrum's superheroes fight Crash - the evil enemy who tries to control the world - and to hinder the show. The Showgirl production combines modern choreography, vocal performances, costumes, innovative video- and light effects.
• Music Hall (2-deck high live entertainment venue)
• Two70 Lounge (3-deck high relaxation lounge) features interactive floor-ceiling windows, a 6-person troupe (providing live entertainment), Vistarama media projection technology (transforming the lounge's wall-to-wall windows into a 135x22 ft / 41x7 m tall screen), Roboscreens (mobile screens "dancing" in synchrony with the music), special visual effects. Exclusively for Spectrum OTS' Two70 Lounge, RCI developed "The Silk Road" production. This show is themed on the world's diverse cultures and music of the countries along the Silk Road (a network of ancient trade routes connecting Asia with Europe). This original RCI production is combined with lounge's signature technologies Vistarama and Roboscreens. At Two70 is also held the "Expedition Two70" (reality gaming) featuring scenes like fantasy-type temples and ruins.
• Photo Gallery and Shop; SeaTrek Shop (diving equipment)
• Crown Lounge (fka Diamond Club Lounge & Bar for past guests only); Concierge Club and Lounge (suite- and past guests only); Golden Room / Card Room
• Bionic Bar, NorthStar Bar, Schooner Bar (piano bar); Sky Bar; Vintages Wine Bar
• Royal Esplanade (an area between the boutique shops and restaurants on decks 4 and 5; part of it is "The Via" with the Vintages wine bar, Port Merchants and Jamie's)
• Casino Royale; Casino VIP
• Star Moment (Karaoke Room for private parties and singalongs)
• Outdoor Movie Screen
• Cafe Promenade (24-hour; serves snacks and drinks, as well as 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
• North Star; FlowRider (surf simulator); RipCord by iFly; Jogging Track; Rock-climbing Wall
• Sky Pad topdeck aft-located bungee trampoline with optional virtual reality gaming headsets.
• "Battle for Planet Z" (laser tag course at Studio B) allows two 8-person teams to fight against each other to claim 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 (for American basketball), table tennis, fencing, archery. Spectrum OTS' SeaPlex has the fleet's first reality walls and flooring for interactive experiences. Outside the SeaPlex (on the exterior deck near the rock-climbing wall) will be positioned a large-size (33 ft / 10 m tall) animal statue (yet to be revealed).

Itineraries

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

The combined maiden voyage (51-day "Global Odyssey"/Barcelona to Shanghai) visited ports in 13 countries and was available for booking in 5 segments. From Hong Kong and Shanghai were offered also short breaks (4-day, one-port itineraries) to Vietnam (Danang) and to Japan (Naha or Kagoshima).

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

From homeport Shanghai, Spectrum OTS offered 4 roundtrips:

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

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

From Hong Kong, Spectrum OTS offers 3 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" (to Danang)

Following the Coronavirus crisis, in 2021 Spectrum OTS had to restart with cruises to nowhere from Hong Kong (July through November). The "nowhere" schedule included the following itineraries (all without call ports) 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 for these voyages included: Hong Kong residents only, no Interior cabins (Oceanview and above categories only), passengers 16+ years old to be fully vaccinated (with the 2nd dose received at least 14 days prior boarding) and providing a negative PCR test (within 48 hours prior boarding). Hong Kong Tourism Board's regulations also required operations at 50% of the boat's max passenger capacity.

However, on June 30th, 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 (since June 30, 2022) 3-4-night itineraries visiting Malaysia (Klang/Kuala Lumpur and Klang+Penang). Fares for the 3-nighters started from US$310 pp, for the 4-nighters - from US$390 pp.

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

In May 2023, RCI announced that Spectrum OTS in Singapore will be replaced by Anthem OTS in 2024-2025 (starting in October 2024). Spectrum OTS will be redeployed to China and homeported in Shanghai and Hong Kong. Starting in April 2024, Spectrum OTS from Shanghai will offer roundtrips to Japanese ports, including Yokohama, Tokyo, Osaka, Fukuoka, Nagasaki. Starting in December 2024, Spectrum OTS has scheduled 8x roundtrips from Hong Kong (China) to ports in Japan, Taiwan and Vietnam.

On August 16, 2017, with the steel-cutting ceremony officially started the vessel's construction. On November 8th (2017) was the keel-laying ceremony (held at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg Germany) which started the vessel's physical construction/assembly.

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

Spectrum OTS is the first "Quantum-Ultra" class liner specifically designed for operations in Asia (China and Asia-Pacific regions). As of 2017, RCI had 6 ships on order (under construction). The vessel's launch (float-out from drydock) was on February 25, 2019. Then it was berthed at the shipyard's outfitting pier to receive the funnel and North Star structure. The conveyance through Ems River to North Seas (for sea trials) was in March. Following the float-out of Spectrum OTS, into the covered building dock N2 was maneuvered back the hull of Norwegian Encore (NCL).

Spectrum OTS' conveyance from Papenburg Shipyard to Eemshaven Holland (down Ems River) was scheduled for March 19, 2019 (starting at 6 pm) and ending on March 21. Followed sea trials (in the North Sea) to check the vessel's technical equipment and navigation capabilities. Following the sea trials, the ship arrived in Bremerhaven Germany. Next is listed the conveyance schedule:

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