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I'm supposed to be reporting on the Kid's facilities. I have my 2 daughters with me ages 2 and 7. Royal Babies and Tots has been a disappointment. They are not functioning yet. They have 3 events scheduled each day but the room isn't completed and you must stay with the tots/infants. No sitters available this sailing from what I was told. The toy check out isn't available yet, they didn't get arrive in Southhampton as scheduled. There is an awesome play area that is open for all ages. It is unsupervised play space, so parents must stay. Brilliant idea! Basically consists of a climbing structure, sliding board, toys and mats. Both of my girls have really enjoyed playing here. It is open all the time.

My 7 year old is in the Explorers group. They have combined ages 6-11 for this sailing. She is really having fun. Several times she didn't want to leave when I came to pick her up. Even though there aren't a lot of kids they are still keeping them busy. The Science lab isn't open yet and the room that is for the 9-11 is being used for media and electronics equipment. The staff has been wonderful despite all the hiccups. I do have copies of the kids activities schedule I will scan them when I return.

They said that for the next sailing all of this will be ready but I'm not certain I believe that. At any rate, tons of stuff for the kids to do. I'll try to report again tomorrow!

Has anyone tried just walking up to a free restaurant without a dinner reservation? If they did, where they able to get seated and how long was the wait? On Oasis there are monitors that tell you how busy the various restaurants are. Is there something like that on Quantum?

 

Hope all on board are enjoying their cruise. Thanks for being so free with your time and answering our plethora of questions! :)

Yes, we pre-booked for only 4 nights. So there have been several nights we have just walked up and gotten a table. Maybe 5-10 minute wait at best. We are a party of 4 that typically eat about 6:30pm. It might be a longer wait once you reach the 7-8 oclock hour.

I'm curious to know if the Virtual Balconies are now working. Thanks!

We originally had a virtual balcony booked and were upgraded to an actual balcony. :) On the cabin crawl I did get to see a virtual balcony.....very cool. So, I would say that they are definitely working.

I don't think I've seen this question asked yet.

When I went on the Allure inaugrual we got little fold up maps of the decks. Is there anything like this on the Quantum?

 

Thanks! 11 Days.

Live onboard the INCREDIBLE Quantum. I haven't seen any fold up maps for the ship yet.

Is it the same menu for both?

Hi I'm live onboard Quantum as we speak. We have eaten in Jamie's. It was great! The menu is essentially the same for lunch and dinner. The server told me that there were only 2 extra pasta dishes available for dinner that aren't for lunch.

Anyone been out to La Geode? I'm travelling to Paris with my kids and it looks like something the whole family might enjoy. Directions say its only about 15 minutes from the train station. Trying to see if its worth the ride there.

The airline industry would be ruined far before the cruise industry.

 

By the way, that "150 people a day" is from the entire land mass of Africa, not from the only three countries involved.

 

My prediction. ..this thread will get yanked far sooner than any damage to the cruise industry.

No, The OP was correct. 150 people a day from the 3 affected countries not the entire continent. http://cnsnews.com/news/article/susan-jones/cdc-150-people-enter-us-day-ebola-stricken-countries-or-4500-month

Realistically, since there have been more cases in the U.S then on a cruise ship you could make the argument that you are safer at sea....... :)

I see no one has answered your question yet. I haven't cruised over Easter, but I have over Halloween, Thanksgiving, Fourth of July and New Years. Each time the cruise line did something to celebrate the holiday so I can't imagine why Easter would be any different. Now, the activities might be limited to the kid's club instead of throughout the ship. I would be surprised though if they didn't do an egg hunt/egg decorating/coloring etc.

Royal Caribbean is still your best bet - I would look at Freedom, Liberty, Independence, Oasis, or Allure - all have a Royal Babies & Royal Tots Nursery, and all have baby splash areas (places where diapered children can splash).

 

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Mom of a tot here too. In fact we will cruise with her (31 mos)in two weeks on Quantum. I would totally have to agree with this. RCL is probably your best bet. Most of the cruise lines will allow children too young to participate, to play in the kid's facilities when the club isn't in use (supervised by you of course). This is a great way for your tot to get to play and let some steam off. My oldest DD was 2 when we sailed on Oasis. They had certain times when I could bring her to play with the ride on cars, art supplies etc. It was really great.

I bring snacks. Usually I buy them at the embarkation port so that I don't have to pack them. My kids wake up at the crack of dawn. They want to eat right away. Snacks help to tie them over until the adults wake up. Also, they come in handy on port days. I've taken fruit and cereal boxes off the ship countless times. I thought it was only illegal in certain ports?

 

 

Do the UK ticket machines require a chip/pin credit card? We are still behind the 8-ball in the US in terms of this type of card. We've run into major issues on the continent at train stations, gas stations and toll roads in that our US-issued swipe/sign cards were unusable in these places.

How would I know for certain if my card has this? Will ATM's and stores require this too?

Another question. Eurostar offered the option of printing my own tickets or getting them at the station. Is one way better than the other? I'm inclined to wait until I get there but then I thought maybe there are really long lines or fees if you pick them up at the station.

How about Pre-loaded E-book readers that you can borrow by swiping your Wow band.

 

Denise

Great idea! It would fit in with the whole "smart ship" concept too.

Thanks Bob! We are definitely going to stop by Oxford St. I'll look into this too.

Newark airport. We are planning on catching a 4 or 5pm flight. Yes, we are on Quantum. I will likely book the ships tour I was just hoping there were some other tour options that might stop at a few more places.

Hi,

We would like to tour at least the Lower Manhattan area before we head off to the airport. Are there any tours (preferably bus tours) that will pick us up from the pier in Bayonne, tour Lower Manhattan and then drop us off at the airport? Surely someone other than the cruise ship has got to offer a bus tour.

I'm on the Quantum 11/2 sailing also. I'm trying to find reviews. I want to actually be able to get off the bus, at least a few of these places. Is this a new tour? How come no one seems to have been on this excursion?

Thanks I did book! Paris here we come. :)

Also, remember that the Eiffel Tower always has queues, so maybe won't leave a lot of time to see much else. If I was only there for such a short time I think I would probably do a HOHO bus and just look at the Eiffel Tower from outside rather than go up.

Thanks everyone for the advice. This was exactly our plan. Leave on the 6am-ish train. Get into Paris by 10, go to the tower not inside the tower. Then we will ride the HO HO in a complete circuit to give them a "crash course of Paris" :) Leave Paris around 5 or 6pm. I think 7-8hrs time in Paris is plenty to do those things.

I know it's a long day but we are up for the task. We once went to Rome, Venice, Milan, Pisa, and Florence in a 5 day stay in Italy. :) Now those were long days and a ton of time spent on the train. I get that Paris isn't technically "so close" to London. However, if you put that in context and compare it to where we live 12-14hrs away by plane. London is close to Paris. It all comes down to the price though. If we can do it for about $550 it's worth it to us. If it's goes close to the 1K mark. We'll stay in London. One of my DD's is 2yr so she is free.

We are staying near the London Eye. If we need to be at St. Pancras around 5am. Will we even be able to take the train? What time do the trains start running?

Thanks for the advice. Do you know if Oxford would area would have stores that sold home accessories too?

I wouldn't take a trip out to Stratford just to shop. There are plenty of shopping areas in central London. How long do you have? Where are you staying?

We are staying near the London Eye. I thought the mall might offer more of a variety and moderately priced stores. We aren't looking for Versace couture! :)

It's a 2½ hour journey, plus the half hour at the start and your travel time from the hotel - that doesn't leave too much time to experience Paris. Can't you stay overnight? These will also be the more expensive times.

No unfortunately not. We have already paid for our hotel in London. Besides I spent 4 wks in Paris years ago. I saw a good chunk of it. I wanted to take my girls to the Eiffel tower. They've never been and we will be so close.

I heard it was the largest mall in Europe. Some in my party really want to shop.

Hi,

We are planning a daytrip to London from Paris in Nov. Do you get the best rates booking direct with Eurostar? Is it better/cheaper to book in advance or by tickets the day of? Are there family passes or do we just book individual tickets?

I'm looking at the Original Tour HO Ho line. In the far left a grey capital connector line appears to have a stop near Westfield Shopping Centre. Is this Westfield Stratford City Shopping Centre? If not is it possible to get there on the Ho Ho?