A Complete Guide to Royal Caribbean's Quantum of the Seas

BACKGROUND

Covid kept us grounded the entire year and when cruises to nowhere were announced, we decided to try the Quantum of the Seas. Kinda memorable as it was our first (and only) vacation this eventful 2020 year, and our first ever cruise.

BOOKING CRUISE

Book as early as possible to get the best rates. I recommend a room with a window or balcony as it’s worth the small price premium. We paid a last minute rate of S$750 (US$570) per night for a couple suite with balcony in December 2020; book early or during off-peak periods (non-school holidays) for as low as S$280 (US$210)!

3–4 WEEKS BEFORE CRUISE

Download the RC app for online check in. Check in as early as possible! The earlier you check in, the more time you have on departure day to settle in, explore the ship, enjoy dinner, or partake in leisure activities like pools and jacuzzis.

2 WEEKS BEFORE CRUISE

You will receive an email to book the COVID-19 PCR swab test 1–3 days before your cruise (The S$60 cost is absorbed by RC). Ideally book the test 3 days before as recommended.

COVID-19 PCR SWAB TEST DAY

The swab test is at Raffles City Convention Centre L4. If you’re taking MRT, alight at City Hall Station and follow the signs through Raffles City Shopping Centre to the Convention Centre (near Fairmont Hotel).

The wait isn’t long, about 15 min or less. The swab test itself is highly uncomfortable and likely to induce tearing: They put a cotton bud to the back of your nose (6 cm deep), touching the back of your mouth and then twist around for 10 sec. Kids and babies will definitely hate it.

DAY AFTER COVID-19 PCR SWAB TEST

Next day, login to the RC app or TrustOne website to check if you have COVID.

PACK YOUR BAGS

Besides your usual clothes, swimwear, exercise gear and phone charger, these items are essential:

TraceTogether is mandatory on the cruise, and the app's bluetooth sucks battery like a sponge, so turn it off when sleeping or charging your phone.

All purchases onboard must be in USD so bring adequate USD cash if you plan to do heavy shopping (although most stuff sold there is overpriced).

You can bring ear plugs for occasional noise at night (mostly footfalls in the corridor). For those who suffer from extreme seasickness, bring motion sickness pills. However, given the ship’s gigantic size, almost everyone won’t feel a thing.

BOARDING DAY (DAY 1)

On D-Day, proceed to the Marina Bay Cruise Centre (MBCC) earlier.

If you’re taking the train, alight from Marina South Pier station. From there, it’s a long 20 min to MBCC. Upon reaching, take the lift to Level 2 (Departure Hall).

Once done, the check-in process is over and you are ready to start! Go have dinner (Windjammer restaurant is open throughout the day, and your designated restaurant is open on subsequent days) or explore the ship. Do note that most attractions won’t open till day 2. 

You can also book shows and activities (such as RipCord or the gym) for the rest of your trip under the RC app. Login to the RC Guest Wifi (with your exact check-in name) and select “Daily Planner”.

The Windjammer is buffet-style and free. It’s open to all on the 1st and last day of the cruise, but you must book on other days. Now is also the best time to grab a Soda and Cocktail package for drink lovers of all ages.

ROOM AMENITIES

I was satisfied with my room, except for the lack of bathroom amenities and SG power sockets (There are USB charger ports though).

DINING

There’s a running joke for cruises: “You walk onboard the ship and you roll off.” Food is the main highlight of cruises, with free flow of delicious dishes, snacks, treats, basic drinks such as lemonade and even decaf coffee, all at no extra charge!

The main dining area is “The Silk” and “American Grill”. These two restaurants are side by side to each other and you will be directed to the available restaurant. 

“My Time” refers to flexible timing for either main dining area.

Many other restaurants are free, including Sorrentos which serves delicious, fresh pizzas, and is open from 2 pm till 3 am. Doghouse provides free hot dogs, Cafe 270 has a wide assortment of food especially salads.

The ship hosts many bars. Famous ones include the Schooner bar, a piano bar with amazing piano medleys held every night. The Bionic bar is also known for its robot bartenders, but sadly because of COVID the bionic bar was closed our entire trip.

ATTRACTIONS

Shows and events start on the 2nd day, mostly at night. Book them via the RC app as early as possible. The best are the Headliner shows in the theatres: We caught Steve Rawlings’ Juggling Show and John Taylor’s Magic Show.

The swimming pools are scattered throughout Deck 14. Throughout our trip, the main pools were always crowded with kids and swimming is impossible. For grown-ups, the pools and hot tubs in the solarium are a must-try. With a good view and a bar, it’s the perfect place to relax, soak in the view, and have a cocktail or two.

The North Star is the ship’s iconic observation capsule, attached to a crane. It costs US$20 per adult, you can book via the app or walk-in. For a cruise to nowhere, we decided it wasn’t worth the price, but I can see it being immensely popular in a place with a spectacular skyline (like docked in/near Venice or wherever).

RipCord is the ship’s indoor skydiving simulator. It costs US$40 per adult, you must book way in advance (via RC app). If it’s fully booked, try checking periodically to see if people pull out of their reservation (usually in mornings). We didn't have a chance to try it because it was fully booked almost the whole time.

The Flowrider is the ship’s surf simulator. It’s free, first come first serve (FCFS), but the queue is pretty long at about 30 min or longer. There is a short tutorial, just come in sturdy swimwear which won’t fly off, 1 rider at any one time, and each person is allowed 2 surfing attempts.

The Rock climbing wall is a fun and relatively quick activity. It’s free, FCFS, with a short 10–15 min queue. There is no instructional tutorial, climbing shoes are provided, max 3 climbers at any one time, and each person is allowed only one climb.

The Seaplex is a multi-purpose hall with different activities, ranging from bumper cars to badminton to football kickabouts. It’s free, great fun for couples or children, although reservations are required. Book early to avoid disappointment!

The ship’s Fitness Centre or Gym on Deck 15 is free and must be booked via RC app. Only 30 people are allowed inside at any time due to COVID restrictions, so book way in advance. The gym itself is big with a large variety of machines and accessories.

The Casino opens on the 2nd day when the ship is in international waters. Bring USD cash for gambling, no other currency is accepted. Using your credit card in the casino incurs a 5% charge on top of the bank exchange rate. There is a small variety of table games, and no Texas Hold Em (only Ultimate Texas Hold Em which is pure luck in our opinion).

Park West Art Gallery is the premium art gallery onboard RC and many major cruise lines. They hold daily painting auctions in the Bolero room, but the mark-up premium of their artwork is very high. We estimate it’s 3–8 times their “retail price”, so unless you are getting a huge discount or you really love the art, it’s likely not a good deal.

There are many kid-friendly play areas such as Adventure Ocean for youths and H20 Zone which is essentially a kids pool.

DAY BEFORE DISEMBARKATION

Starting from this morning, there is a clearance sale in Deck 4’s main square. The sale goes on till night, with different items being added throughout the day, attracting a queue. Bargain hunters can snag a good deal or two if they time it right.

This morning you will also receive a bunch of documents with your disembarkation info and time. You can request for late check-out (like we did) if you have no check-in luggage (We called Guest Services via the room phone and moved ours from 6:30 AM to 10:15 AM).

There is a cruise tradition to dress “elegant formal” on the last night of a cruise — we’re talking tuxes, suits, cocktail dresses or gowns — although most Sinkies will still walk around in shorts and slippers, a hilarious juxtaposition against the ang mohs who are all fancily dressed and posing for photos everywhere.

DISEMBARKATION DAY (LAST DAY)

When we awoke, the ship was already in MBCC. With our late check-out, we were able to indulge in one last meal: a sumptuous breakfast spread. 

Then we headed back to our room, packed, and went to Deck 5 for disembarkation. Joining a queue, we returned our Tracelet watch, left the ship, and checked in to MBCC via TraceTogether.

Next was immigration, followed by the luggage scan, and it’s over. Head on home!

SUMMARY

I personally did not regret going on the cruise, although maybe once is enough for a cruise to nowhere. I believe cruises are very fun and effective when island or city hopping, especially in less accessible (or expensive) areas.