Quantum of the Seas 2 Night "Opening Cruise" Live - 1/12/20 - 3/12/20

[masteradept]

Hi everyone! Looks like many are keen to see how the first cruise on Royal Caribbean since cruises were allowed to resume will be, so I'll put up photos and some live coverage of the trip. It's my first time, and certainly not a normal cruise, so feel free to post questions or specific things you'd like to see (like how it's different because of the restrictions, any specific parts of the ship, how Felicia is doing...).

 

Couple of key points, firstly, the stateroom is a Grand Suite (the large balcony type), so I'll be getting the Sky-class experience. Still pending on a Royal-up to a loft, but we'll see how that goes. Next, as far as dining goes, the current plan is to hit the Windjammer, CK and Chops Grille, so probably no MDR this time around, though if anyone wants to see the menus from the MDR or any other restaurant, I'll be more than happy to pop by. Lastly, though the shows are going on, I probably won't be watching any of them (not really my thing, and this cruise is a bit too short I think).

 

Lastly, if you prefer to follow along on Instagram, my travel partner will be doing updates on his channel at https://www.instagram.com/saxoftheseas/, so feel free to follow along there too!

 

Going to be heading to the port in about 3 hours time, and can't wait to head over!

Edited December 1, 2020 by masteradept
Updated some info

[John&LaLa]

Have fun and stay safe

[Ethanol95]

Lovely weather for embarkation day! Looking forward to seeing more from you!

[masteradept]

While I’m getting ready to head to the loft, I thought I’d share some of the pre-cruise procedures that are different this time around. 
 

Booking

The booking process is much the same as usual. I noticed that Inside and Oceanview (no balcony) cabins were unavailable, and only Balcony and Suites could be booked. I suspect it’s a requirement in case of quarantine requirements. Also, during the booking, various conditions were highlighted. For example, the cruise was only open to residents of Singapore (even as Singapore has opened to some countries such as Australia and New Zealand, visitors from there without residency will not be allowed on board). The requirement for a PCR test was also highlighted, as well as the offer from Royal that the cost was included in the booking. 
 

PCR Test

About two weeks before the cruise, we got an email from Royal with a personal reference number and instructions on how to apply for a test slot online. The testing slots covered Saturday and Sunday, and after picking a slot we were asked to download the TrustOne app to keep track of the appointment and results. 
 

Testing itself was pretty quick, we arrived on time for a 9am appointment and were out by 9:15. The actual test was slightly uncomfortable but not painful, and it only lasted a few seconds. Results came out by 11pm the same night, and were reflected in the app. 

Entrance to the test site

Testing booth

 

Booth for children

 

Reminder to download necessary apps for cruising

 

Pre-boarding health questionnaire

A day before the sailing, the app notified us to do our health questionnaire. This is all done using the usual Royal app, and was quite quick. 
 

 

Thats about all for the pre-cruise portion. Heading to the port now, see you all soon!

[Missusdubbya]

Thanks so much for taking us with you!

[masteradept]

On the way to the port now, in the meantime let’s talk about one of the new changes to Royal - the e-Muster drill! I got a notification to do that the morning of the cruise, and it looks like you just have to open up the app, and while you can watch the video and listen to the emergency signal audio, they didn’t look compulsory. Looks like we’ll still have to at least report to our muster station though, just to check in. 
 

 

[masteradept]

And there she is!

 

[masteradept]

Check in’s done! Aside from a short wait to drop bags it was all very quick, especially since we’d checked in online before. 
 

Baggage check in line. Only Star class guests had priority here. 
 

This was just a quick check of the previous questionnaire 

 

Government required contact tracing

 

Check in and e-Muster guide 

[Germancruiser]

Thank you masteradept for letting us join your - yes one can say so- almost historical cruise- after almost a year of no cruising at all. I sailed in July when Mein Schif 2 started sailing out of Hamburg as the first Mega- Ship after the Lockdown. An experience I never will forget. Have a great time and I so look forward to your reports and pictures from the ship. God speed!

[masteradept]

Welcome on board!!!

 

 

[Biker19]

Are they providing free wifi? Or if you have iPhones, can you test to see if texts go through without a WiFi plan?

[masteradept]

3 minutes ago, Biker19 said:

Are they providing free wifi? Or if you have iPhones, can you test to see if texts go through without a WiFi plan?

No free WiFi it seems, but I do have free WiFi by virtue of being in a Sky suite. Phones work now in port but I doubt they’ll work once we get out to sea. 

[Biker19]

1 minute ago, masteradept said:

Phones work now in port but I doubt they’ll work once we get out to sea. 

If you have a min, once out of cell range, connect to wifi but don't sign into your plan and try to send a text to see what happens (this assumes an iPhone-iPhone text). Thanks.

[masteradept]

Will do!

4 minutes ago, Biker19 said:

If you have a min, once out of cell range, connect to wifi but don't sign into your plan and try to send a text to see what happens (this assumes an iPhone-iPhone text). Thanks.

 

[masteradept]

Just got all settled into the stateroom, it’s a really nice room! 
 

 

They really meant it when they said “large balcony”

 

Looks like we do have to watch the video on our apps - shall get that done

 

Various items - the Tracelet (contact tracing wristband), Seapass cards, C&A masks and sanitizer and the usual other items 

 

Bedroom area

[masteradept]

Oh one noted absence - no Cruise Compass in the rooms. It’s available on request and at guest services though, so I guess it helps keep waste down and reduces contact. Going to miss the bed-top CC delivery though. 

[tonynbf]

35 minutes ago, Biker19 said:

If you have a min, once out of cell range, connect to wifi but don't sign into your plan and try to send a text to see what happens (this assumes an iPhone-iPhone text). Thanks.

2018 , i went on board with Ovation of the seas , 14 nites, from Australia to NZ, we booked a grand suite too which was a sky class too. Wifi worked well during cruising days....no issue at all.

 

thanks for sharing.

 

i will be sailing Quantum of the seas on 10th Dec - 14t Dec 2020 , 4 nites cruising.. Booking the Grand loft this round 🙂 havent been in loft before, since the pricing was affordable ...we went for it.

 

We are really excited about the upcoming trip...

 

have a great time 

Edited December 1, 2020 by tonynbf

[FionaMG]

Thanks very much for bringing us along @masteradept. Safe and happy travels!

[masteradept]

Time to hit the Windjammer! But first, the last step of the e-Muster, checking in at my muster station at American Icon. 

American Icon

 

Stairway down to Deck 3

 

Tonight’s MDR menu

 

Show schedule

 

Promenade deck

Indoor pool

 

Safety measures at the whirlpools

Northstar

 

[Ethanol95]

Can you just go into the pool when you want, or do you have to reserve a certain time slot?

[masteradept]

Windjammer was pretty empty, not sure if because of the time of day or the reduced capacity - probably both. As with all other buffets on land and when sailing on World Dream last week, staff were serving the food to guests instead of it being self service. Food’s good too, for Windjammer. 
 

The replacement for Johnny Rockets on this ship, can’t say it looks any good but milk tea is pretty popular in this region so I can see why they did that. 
 

Windjammer and CK entrance

 

Centre of the buffet

 

Staff on hand to dish out the food

 

The pina colada is a bit of a cruising tradition for me by this point. Have to say it did taste a bit off though. 
 

Dessert

 

 

 

[masteradept]

Just some evening pool deck relaxation

 

 

 

 

 

 

[ccpikachu]

4 hours ago, masteradept said:

No free WiFi it seems, but I do have free WiFi by virtue of being in a Sky suite. Phones work now in port but I doubt they’ll work once we get out to sea. 

 

Do they provide WOW bands for sky class? 

 

Can we also trouble you to share with us what is available in the suite lounge (included without a charge) please? 

[sunskywaves]

Thank you for sharing your trip with us.

 

I wonder if you'll run across Riley Tench onboard...

[masteradept]

Off to Coastal Kitchen for some dinner!

 

 

 

By default they don’t hand out physical menus, and there’s a QR code to scan, but they do ask if you want a physical menu, which I was happy to accept for science.