It didn’t come as much of a surprise to me when I was looking over my website stats and saw that the most popular series of cruise reviews was for my time spent on the inaugural sailing of Royal Caribbean’s Quantum of the Seas out of Bayonne, NJ.
After all, from the time the first piece of steel was cut until well after her launch, Quantum of the Seas was given a boatload of press due to the innovations being introduced in this new class of “smart ship.”
Since my Quantum cruise in November, I’ve received plenty of emails from people who have cruises booked on Quantum and her soon-to-be-launched, nearly identical sister ship, Anthem of the Seas. The number one question… “What were your favorite parts of the ship?” So, fellow cruisers here is my list of things you don’t want to miss on your Quantum or Anthem of the Seas cruise:
1. The North Star – This is the giant crane located on the top of the ship that holds an observation capsule that swings up and around the side of the ship to give unparalleled views of the ship and its surroundings. Unfortunately during my journey, there were technical problems that left the North Star out of service and when it came back online, the lines and wait time were too long so I didn’t get a chance to go up-up-and-away! Just because I missed out, doesn’t mean you have to. Get your tickets early and take a ride up in the sky as it’s something you will only experience on a Quantum-class ship.
2. iFly Skydiving Simulator – If you ever wanted to skydive but dropping out of a plane thousands of feet in the air scares the daylights out of you, iFly is for you. Safely situated above the FlowRider, iFly gives you the skydiving experience without boarding a plane. After a pre-flight briefing, you suit up for a few minutes in the simulator where giant fans propel you into the air to mimic an actual jump. Check out the video below that I took where one of the instructors was showing off his skills.
3. Starwater (Only on Quantum of the Seas) – This is a show that is performed in the back-of-the-ship multipurpose room called Two70. Floor-to-ceiling windows that give you incredible views of the sea during the day are transformed into virtual backdrops that will simply blow your mind and take you into a completely different world and have you hanging off the edge of your seat at times. There simply isn’t anything like this performance on land or at sea. It’s visually stunning, entertaining, and one of the best shows on the ship.
4. Wonderland – While there are plenty of options for dining on Quantum and Anthem of the Seas, Wonderland transports you to a magical world where food and drink are served in whimsical and artful ways. Portions are as large as the goblets signature cocktails are served in. Say goodbye to any preconceived notion you have about shipboard dining and be prepared to be dazzled during a dining adventure that starts from the moment you walk up to the restaurant’s entrance. It was my absolute favorite dining spot and am happy to hear that it’s going to be included not only on Anthem of the Seas but Harmony of the Seas – the newest Oasis-class ship – that’s coming soon.
5. Bumper Cars at SeaPlex – I wasn’t the only old guy who was instantly transported back to the days of youth when we stepped into SeaPlex to try out the first-ever bumper cars at sea. The last time I was in a bumper car was an old, defunct amusement park in Pennsylvania where the cars were powered by electricity and they would stop and start as the smell of sparks filled the air. On Quantum of the Seas, batteries power the cars that you sit in and gently crash into others sharing in the excitement or wishing we had some of these at home! But be forewarned… check the daily planner to see what times the bumper cars will be in operation as the SexPlex is a multi-purpose sports area where other games are also played.
While there are plenty of things to do and see on Quantum of the Seas, it’s hard to pick 5 faves, but these are definitely it. If you’re fascinated by ships and want to see the inner workings of this city at sea, one not-to-miss onboard adventure is the behind-the-scenes tour. It’s going to cost you some money, but you get some free gifts and the opportunity to go where very few get to go. Spaces are limited, so sign up early!