Quantum of the Seas Alaksa 8/29 - 9/5; 9/5-9/12 Live Review

[perfect match]

Thank you for doing this review and for all of your beautiful pictures! I will be following along for the rest of your voyage. 

[gloriason]

My husband and I are in a Grand Suite next week on Quantum so your review is just what we needed.  Please let me know more about what the temperature is like on board.  You mentioned it was warmer than you expected.  I had not planned on packing shorts but perhaps I should?  I'm loving seeing the food from Coastal Kitchen.  We have not heard much about whether CK food is much better than the Main Dining Room. 

 

Also we are very interested in your opinion of the Solarium and the Solarium Bistro.  Is it difficult to get a lounger in the Solarium in the morning?  On my Royal app, under Dining, the Solarium Bistro no longer is showing.  Is it possible they are closing the Solarium Bistro during the September 5th cruise?

 

Thanks for your excellent review so far of your cruise.  I'm really enjoying your commentary and photos!

 

 

[screwsmcernst]

Loving the review so far.  Beautiful pictures!

[CanuckCruizer]

DaKahuna - thanks so much for doing this detailed review - really appreciate it. 

 

We also have a Grand Suite on an upcoming cruise and after seeing your pictures, are a bit concerned.  What happened to the dining table on your balcony?  There isn't one!  We always have room service breakfast on the balcony and this would be a huge disappointment.  Every other video & pics I have seen of the Grand Suite on this ship, have had dining tables on the balconies. Are you able to ask your cabin steward to get you a table?  Any info would be greatly appreciated.

 

Thank you also for providing info on the entertainers.  So many people do reviews and never comment on the various musicians around the ship.  We love all the nightly entertainment in the various bars, rather than seeing the shows in the theatre etc.

 

Love all the info on the Coastal Kitchen and Suite Lounge as well, as not too much has been posted previously.

 

Hope you are enjoying your day onboard.😎

 

Cheers,

Canuck

 

[DaKahuna]

Thought I would try and make some comments regarding our Grand Suite before I try and answer any specific questions.

 

we ar finding space in the suite a little tight.  There is a large glass coffee table between the couch and the TV so it’s tight in that area. 
 

while there is a considerable amount of closet space, drawers are at a premium.  My wife does not like storing clothes in open shelves so she’s not a fan of the room layout.

 

Our biggest disappointment is the bathroom.  While there are twi individual sinks, there is very little space on either side for storage.  We really miss the storage area that we were use to finding on either side of the mirrors in the bathrooms on other ships.  There is a drawer under each sink but it’s very low and constantly bending over to retrieve things is tiring. 
 

Considering that this is only the second day and the layout is new to us, we may change our minds and find ways to adopt to the latout but initial impression is not favorable. 
 

[DaKahuna]

3 hours ago, gloriason said:

My husband and I are in a Grand Suite next week on Quantum so your review is just what we needed.  Please let me know more about what the temperature is like on board.  You mentioned it was warmer than you expected.  I had not planned on packing shorts but perhaps I should?  I'm loving seeing the food from Coastal Kitchen.  We have not heard much about whether CK food is much better than the Main Dining Room.

 The temperature in Seattle was warmer than we expected and during the inport period I felt being in jeans and a long sleeve polo shirt was warm.  Once the ship pulled out of port I became more comfortable.  
 

 Today I am wearing long pants and a long sleeve t-shirt and am comfortable inside.

 

 There are people in shorts and t-shirts about the ship so take that for what you will. If you are normally use to wearing shorts and t-shirt type clothes in 70 degree weather then you may want to bring some to wear inside.  Outside is a different story. 

 

we have not been to the Solarium area yet but will make an effort to go there after lunch today. 
 

2 hours ago, CanuckCruizer said:

DaKahuna - thanks so much for doing this detailed review - really appreciate it. 

 

We also have a Grand Suite on an upcoming cruise and after seeing your pictures, are a bit concerned.  What happened to the dining table on your balcony?  There isn't one!  We always have room service breakfast on the balcony and this would be a huge disappointment.  Every other video & pics I have seen of the Grand Suite on this ship, have had dining tables on the balconies. Are you able to ask your cabin steward to get you a table?  Any info would be greatly appreciated.

 

Thank you also for providing info on the entertainers.  So many people do reviews and never comment on the various musicians around the ship.  We love all the nightly entertainment in the various bars, rather than seeing the shows in the theatre etc.

 

Love all the info on the Coastal Kitchen and Suite Lounge as well, as not too much has been posted previously.

 

Hope you are enjoying your day onboard.😎

 

 

I do not know about a dining table on the balcony. There are two small end tables on our balcony.  I’ll ask our room steward the next time I see him and see if he knows anything. 
 

we do not go for the theater productions and usually attend on a hit and miss basis, depending on what is being offered and how we feel. 
 

we do have one reservation for the show in TWO70 tonight, Starwater.   Making a reservation was highly recommended by the onboard concierge.

 

[Tulsacoker]

Thanks for the suite update. As soon as I saw the coffee table in the room I knew I would want to move it somewhere else .. looks too tight to walk around  

[CanuckCruizer]

Hi DaKahuna - Thanks very much for your reply about the dining table on the balcony.  I am shocked that your cabin does not have one - maybe someone asked to have it taken away for more outside space, but it does seem strange.

 

I really appreciate your review of the cabin, as I have had those same thoughts too, especially about the lack of drawers!  That is not good.  I much prefer the older type of Grand Suite, as much more "open".  This seems quite chopped up to me.  It seems the theme of our upcoming trip will be "lack of drawers" as our post-cruise hotel has literally NONE, so will have to hang almost everything & take packing cubes to throw in the open 2 shelves in the nightstand for things like underwear - ha. 

 

I am an over-packer so the bathroom is a nightmare to me - lol.  I will bring a small open cardboard box (like from a skincare giftbox) to store various serums/creams/lotions and place it on the vanity, next to the sink.  I would fill that table in the bedroom with hair stuff, and put a makeup bag on that as well, as that wouldn't fit in the bathroom. I have used that box I bring in the bathroom before on previous cruises and it works out well.  Cabin stewards seem to like it, as they can lift the whole box full of stuff to clean and not have to clean around various bottles of stuff.

 

Thanks again for doing such a detailed report.

 

Have a nice afternoon.

 

Canuck

[gloriason]

Thanks DaKahuna for your response and I look forward to your upcoming reports, especially any news on the Solarium.  I noticed in a couple of your food pictures, a glimpse of your wife, and she was wearing a jacket in Coastal Kitchen.  I will be doing likewise as I hate to be cold.  Thanks again for the temperature updates.  Enjoy your day!

[DaKahuna]

2 hours ago, Tulsacoker said:

Thanks for the suite update. As soon as I saw the coffee table in the room I knew I would want to move it somewhere else .. looks too tight to walk around  

We have toyed with the idea of moving it agaist the wall under the TV.  Then I find myself using it as a footstool and decided to leave it where it is.

 

[DaKahuna]

1 hour ago, gloriason said:

Thanks DaKahuna for your response and I look forward to your upcoming reports, especially any news on the Solarium.  I noticed in a couple of your food pictures, a glimpse of your wife, and she was wearing a jacket in Coastal Kitchen.  I will be doing likewise as I hate to be cold.  Thanks again for the temperature updates.  Enjoy your day!

We walked through the pool deck, outdoor, indoor, and the Solarium after lunch today.  The outdoor area had a number of guest relaxing but the majority of the people were in the indoor areas.  The kids were very prevalent in the indoor pool and the Solarium was full of adults.  Both were close to standing room only.

 

We did not go by the Solarium Bistro but may make an effort to do that tomorrow. 
 

My wife wears something long sleeved all the time so her wearing a jacket is not uncommon even in summer. 
 

[DaKahuna]

Now for the food porn from today’s Coastal Kitchen lunch.

 

Seafood Veloute

Lasagna (my wife started eating before  I could get a picture)

Steak Frits

Carrot Cake 

 

all were well prepared and flavorful.  The steak was not as tender as last night’s gilet but that was to be expected.

 

Tonight is prime rib, but as many have pointed out - it is listed as ribeye on the menu. 
 

 

[DaKahuna]

Something I neglect d to comment on earlier was that I had ordered the bottle water service pre-cruise.  When we arrived in our stateroom there were 15 one liter bottles of water and a letter explaining that due to supply chain issues, they were unable to provide the 12 bottles of Evian and to compensate they included three additional bottles and a $15 shipboard credit. 
 

[DaKahuna]

 Today’s pre- dinner snacks in the suite lounge

 

[librarylady19]

4 hours ago, DaKahuna said:

We walked through the pool deck, outdoor, indoor, and the Solarium after lunch today.  The outdoor area had a number of guest relaxing but the majority of the people were in the indoor areas.  The kids were very prevalent in the indoor pool and the Solarium was full of adults.  Both were close to standing room only.

 

We did not go by the Solarium Bistro but may make an effort to do that tomorrow. 
 

My wife wears something long sleeved all the time so her wearing a jacket is not uncommon even in summer. 
 

Are there a lot of kids on board? I thought they were back in school - they are here!

[DaKahuna]

39 minutes ago, librarylady19 said:

Are there a lot of kids on board? I thought they were back in school - they are here!

Yes, there are quite a few children, school age and younger.  We were surprised as well.  
 

[DaKahuna]

Tonight’s dinner food porn 

lobster salad

Prime rib -  I ordered medium rare but it came medium.  It was a little drier than I like but tasted very good.  The horseradish was very good and not the normal watery sauce we have seen in the past.

Crab & shrimp crusted  pollock - my wife loved it.

Apple Pie Ala Mode - delicious

 

 

[Tulsacoker]

13 hours ago, DaKahuna said:

Something I neglect d to comment on earlier was that I had ordered the bottle water service pre-cruise.  When we arrived in our stateroom there were 15 one liter bottles of water and a letter explaining that due to supply chain issues, they were unable to provide the 12 bottles of Evian and to compensate they included three additional bottles and a $15 shipboard credit. 
 

nice we pre ordered the same Evian water.... 

[librarylady19]

Thanks for the great photos and observations. Could you (and your wife) comment on how dressed up people are in the evening. Starting to pack and not a lot of room left after all the winter gear packed😀

[Tulsacoker]

6 minutes ago, librarylady19 said:

Thanks for the great photos and observations. Could you (and your wife) comment on how dressed up people are in the evening. Starting to pack and not a lot of room left after all the winter gear packed😀

I'm in the same boat... two pair of Khakis and one sportscoat for me on most dinners.  

[librarylady19]

1 hour ago, Tulsacoker said:

nice we pre ordered the same Evian water.... 

that’s a deal - I just put in my order!

[gloriason]

1 hour ago, librarylady19 said:

that’s a deal - I just put in my order!

Me too!

 

I just packed and my suitcase only weighs 44 pounds.  I am so thrilled!  On another note, I am loving all the food porn pictures.  You are doing a great job, DaKahuna, of getting us excited about our cruise next week.

[DaKahuna]

2 hours ago, librarylady19 said:

Thanks for the great photos and observations. Could you (and your wife) comment on how dressed up people are in the evening. Starting to pack and not a lot of room left after all the winter gear packed😀

Last night was “dress to impress” night and we saw everything from shorts and t-shirts to suits and tie’s.  We did not notice anyone in a tuxedo but there were a few women in very nice gowns/dresses.

 

In Coastal Kitchen dress pants and long sleeve collared shirts were what most wore, with a few of us in a tie and sports coat. 
 

i would simply suggest you bring what you are comfortable wearing within the dress code and not worry about others.

[DaKahuna]

We took a walk through the Windjammer after our breakfast in CK this morning.  It was crowded as can be expected.

 

None of our meals in CK thus far have been crowded.  I would say that lunch on embarkation day was the busiest we’ve experienced in CK thus far.

 

Service has been wonderful and the staff is very eager to please. 
 

We arrived in Ketchikan this morning and the weather is gloomy, although it is supposed to clear up this afternoon.

 

We have the North Star scheduled for 1100 and the Lumberjack Show at 1300, otherwise we are just hanging out and staying dry. 
 

[DaKahuna]

For those that are interested, there are 4,040 passengers on this cruise with about 250 kids.

 

The number of cruisers is starting to go down now that kids are back in school.