Quantum transatlantic - my review

[tocanada]

Quantum really is an amazing ship. Literally, a quantum leap forward for Royal Caribbean.

Ship feels very much like a Celebrity Solstice class ship but bigger and better.

 

I was so impressed with Captain Srecko and Hotel Director Darren Budden. They were very visible and both did a superb job.

 

270 is a fantastic venue. *Nick Weir(VP of Entertainment) gave us an excellent presentation that showcased some of the incredible technology. Starwater was great especially the last two songs.

 

Mama Mia was superb. The complete Broadway show. 2 hours 30 minutes with a 15 minute intermission.

 

Dynamic Dining despite my initial misgivings seems to be working well. Best steak ever in Chops! Jamie's Italian was fantastic. I also enjoyed Izumi. *Devinly Decadence was OK but *not to my liking. Silk was great.

 

I went to Wonderland on the last night and it really was sensational. Order plenty of starters as each one is small and so tasty. Certainly worth the higher cost. Book early!

 

Check in at Southampton did not go as planned but I was on the ship and in my cabin by 11.30 so have no cause to complain.

 

Lisa Lutoff-Perlo was here and gave us all $300 OBC as well as 25% refund of our cruise price. Very generous!

 

Weather first couple of days was poor, improved substantially during the cruise but we had a bit more high seas later

 

Ifly was a lot of fun and can be done by anyone. Instruction was very good.

 

I also did the circus trapeze! Long lines for north star so I did not do that. They should consider having a reservation system.*

 

Flowrider is on Deck 16 in the aft close to ifly. Wave feels steeper than on other ships. Nice design improvements and better protected from the wind. Water is heated!

 

I did express departure and was one of the first off the ship in the new terminal building. We were off the ship and on our way to the airport very quickly.

 

Here are a few other comments:

Cabin

I had a D1 Balcony on Deck 13. Cabin is a lot bigger than on Oasis. You use your wrist band or sea pass card to get in. Then , place the *card into slot to activate lights, a/c and electrial outlets. You can use any other type of card. Feels more like a hotel room. Huge shower with foot bar, hand rail. Large glass door for entry to shower. Shower head can be adjusted up and down (unlike on Oasis, where the height is fixed). Shower head has different settings but no pulse feature. No shampoo dispenser. Bring your own shampoo or ask attendant for a supply. 8 hooks in bathroom to hang things. No clothes drying line in shower so consider bringing your own line and magnetic hooks. Night light in bathroom. Lots of storage space in the cabin. Proper drawers and closet door. No sliding doors! 2 American electric outlets mounted on wall by dressing table as well as 1 European outlet and 2 USB outlets (for charging iPads etc). One outlet also by the bed. *No iPod player like Allure.

Great plush towels and bathrobe.

Fridge has combination lock. Dressing table can be moved (useful if having room service).

Two nice balcony chairs with separate foot stools. Chair backs can recline partially and also flat.

 

Windjammer on Deck 14*

Extra egg station right at the very back. There is also some outdoor seating back there. Great freshly baked cookies at the bread station near the entrance. Superior metal serving utensils.*

 

No free sauna or steam room. Set up is similar to Oasis. Cost to use sauna etc was $30 per day. Cruise packages also available (eg $119 for single person for 8 night cruise).

 

Glass floor on aft staircase between Decks 13 & 14.

 

Coastal Kitchen open for all meals for Suite and Pinnacle members. No free beer and wine at lunch. Dinner and lunch were excellent. A very nice and quiet restaurant.

 

Concierge lounge on Deck 12 aft is well set up but is a long walk past cabins to get there. Good breakfast buffet there. Concierge Mario was of course fantastic.

 

 

Andrew

[bazjs1981]

Hi Andrew, great review, thanks!

 

Just a quick question, did you get any noise in the cabin from deck 14 above or was it ok?

 

We have a D4 on Anthem deck 13 booked, was wondering if it was noisy or peaceful.

 

Regards.

 

 

 

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[tocanada]

Hi Andrew, great review, thanks!

 

Just a quick question, did you get any noise in the cabin from deck 14 above or was it ok?

 

We have a D4 on Anthem deck 13 booked, was wondering if it was noisy or peaceful.

 

Regards.

 

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

 

No noise at all. Cabin was midship close to aft elevators.

[bazjs1981]

Excellent, ours is midship too.

 

Thanks very much for your swift response 👍

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

[DP]

Nice review Andrew. Regarding no wine or beer at Coastal Kitchen, I understood from previous posters that the lounge does serve complimentary bar beverages from 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Would it not be possible to take your wine/beer with you to Coastal Kitchen for lunch?

[roe2ship]

Welcome back and thanks for posting your thoughts.

 

At the intermission of Mamma Mia, I would imagine that everyone goes back to the same seat that they had? I hope so...

[tocanada]

I did not see any complimentary bar beverage as you described. There were a few glitches in the system where we got free dinners in the speciality restaurants for the first two nights, free wine in Vintages, free Internet etc but that is not the norm.

Concierge lounge and Diamond lounge had the usual free drinks from 5-8.30 each evening and we also got the 3 free drinks at other bars.

 

Yes, everyone returned to their seats after the intermission of Mama Mia. I did not see any problems. Show was amazing and everyone returned.

Andrew

[Nhsaltshaker]

Great details, thank you!

[Snackdaddy]

Hello Andrew,

 

Thank you for your concise review. BTW, who was the Cruise Director? Thanks in advance.

[tocanada]

Hello Andrew,

BTW, who was the Cruise Director? Thanks in advance.

 

Jimmy Rhodes. He was fantastic. Ken Rush was also on board but the only time I saw him was at our M&M party.

Andrew

[Snackdaddy]

Fantastic! We have cruised with Jimmy a few times when he was the CD on the Explorer and the old Empress of the Seas.

[Yorkvillain]

Nice breakdown Andrew, thanks.

[PhilNDebbieAtSea]

Thanks so much!! Glad you had such a nice time!

 

 

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[emmy]

Welcome back and thanks for posting your thoughts.

 

At the intermission of Mamma Mia, I would imagine that everyone goes back to the same seat that they had? I hope so...

 

While on Oasis TA sailing in October during the full 2 1/2 hr production of CATS there was an electronic sign asking the audience to please return to your same seat after intermission if you leave the theatre

[eshop]

Quantum really is an amazing ship. Literally, a quantum leap forward for Royal Caribbean.

Ship feels very much like a Celebrity Solstice class ship but bigger and better.

 

I was so impressed with Captain Srecko and Hotel Director Darren Budden. They were very visible and both did a superb job.

 

 

Andrew

 

It was great visiting with you again before and during the cruise! Doreen was upset she didn't give you a last hug but we were all distracted by the beautiful view of the Statue of Liberty yesterday morning.

 

We look forward to the next time our cruising paths cross.

 

Please take care.

 

Bob

[tocanada]

It was great visiting with you again before and during the cruise! Doreen was upset she didn't give you a last hug but we were all distracted by the beautiful view of the Statue of Liberty yesterday morning.

 

We look forward to the next time our cruising paths cross.

 

Please take care.

 

Bob

 

I thought I had your card but cannot find it. Could you email me at vernonbetts@hotmail.com It really was great to travel with you both again.

Andrew

[NJ Gal]

A few questions as we will be on the Quantum in January:

 

1. Grande restaurant---dress code--did everyone have formal?

2. Are you diamond or diamond pus? Were the bonuses the same as other ships?

3. How many drawers were in the D-1?

4. Was the Tuttie Salad bar offered on sea days?

5. How were the smoking sections handled? We are not smokers & are sensitive to smoke.

 

Thank you!

 

Evelyn

[tocanada]

A few questions as we will be on the Quantum in January:

 

1. Grande restaurant---dress code--did everyone have formal?

2. Are you diamond or diamond pus? Were the bonuses the same as other ships?

3. How many drawers were in the D-1?

4. Was the Tuttie Salad bar offered on sea days?

5. How were the smoking sections handled? We are not smokers & are sensitive to smoke.

 

Thank you!

 

Evelyn

Hi Evelyn

I did not eat in the Grande but people I met told me that people generally dressed up. There were lots of drawers. So much more storage space than on Allure or other ships. I am Pinnacle and had access to Coastal Kitchen which I liked. Bonuses were the same. Only time I smelt smoke was near Guest Services. Smoke comes up the stairs from the Casino. Don't know about the salad bar. Lots of choice however in the Windjammer .

Andrew

[ccaxle]

Andrew Thanks for the update..... was wondering about Luggage storage, room under bed? or in the Closet?

 

thanks

Edited November 12, 2014 by ccaxle

[tocanada]

Andrew Thanks for the update..... was wondering about Luggage storage, room under bed? or in the Closet?

 

thanks

 

Plenty of room under the bed. Large Luggage would not fit into closets.

 

There were also large cupboards above the bed. More storage space than I could ever use. Room is so much bigger than Oasis.

 

Andrew

[ccaxle]

THANKS!!!!!! We are doing the 2 day cruise to nowhere, then the 8 day Bahamas cruise, so we'll have a extra case or two.

 

CC

[Clytha]

Thanks for all the info - very informative. Doreen and I are on this cruise following the eight nights on the inaugural.

:)

[bazjs1981]

Another quick question Andrew,

 

Did the balcony get much sun or would it get much sun (weather permitting)?

 

The reason I ask is that on some pics it looks like the overhang from deck 14 puts the balcony in the shade.

 

On a Med cruise in the height of summer the last thing we want is a balcony in the shade😎

 

Many thanks again.

 

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

[tocanada]

Another quick question Andrew,

 

Did the balcony get much sun or would it get much sun (weather permitting)?

 

The reason I ask is that on some pics it looks like the overhang from deck 14 puts the balcony in the shade.

 

On a Med cruise in the height of summer the last thing we want is a balcony in the shade😎

 

Many thanks again.

 

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

 

My balcony was at the rear of the hump on the port side. Very deep balcony with a lot of shade despite the cabin facing south for the crossing.

Personally, I like shade so was happy!

I slept with the balcony door open almost every night and even when it rained, nothing in the cabin got wet.

Andrew