It is hard to believe that people are
not already lounging by the side of the pools or enjoying the
entertainment on Quantum of the Seas. After the media preview held
last week in New York City, I felt that the ship is out there sailing
the seas somewhere. In reality, however, that is still some 18
months in the future.
What made me feel that Quantum must
already exist? To begin, we were shown a video with realistic
looking images of the ship cutting through smooth seas. Then we were
shown Royal Caribbean Chairman Richard Fain flying in the ship's
skydiving simulator and Royal Caribbean International President Adam
Goldstein playing table tennis with Kristen Chenowith, the ship's
godmother, in the Seaplex - - a venue that transforms from sports
complex to entertainment center. We then saw Ms. Chenowith in
various other parts of the ship.
Mr. Fain did say that today's computer
technology had been of great assistance in allowing Royal to see how
all the various components of the design would fit together. As a
result, he assured us that the whole Quantum of the Seas would be
greater than the sum of its parts and that “the thing that is most
exciting to me is the way it all fits together as a seamless whole.”
Still, as impressive as the virtual
reality was, the confidence with which Mr. Fain and Mr. Goldstein
spoke about the ship. Listening to them speak, it was hard not to
phrase questions in the present tense “does the ship” rather than
the future tense “will the ship.”
So what was my impression after seeing
the video, listening to the presentation and seeing the mock-up of a
cabin with a virtual balcony and the land-based version of the
skydiving simulator in the parking lot? I was impressed. Royal has
come up with a lot of innovative ideas. It is exciting. In addition,
the fact that the ship is to be built by Meyer Werft is another good
sign as, in my opinion, that shipyard builds very high quality ships.
I was somewhat disappointed that she
will not be the Royal Caribbean ocean liner that ship buffs had hoped
for. She on to Quantum has been designed to be an all-season cruise
ship since the plan is to sail her from the New York area even in the
winter. However, Royal Caribbean Executive V.P. Harri Kulovaara,
said flatly that she is not designed to be a North Atlantic liner
such as Queen Mary 2.
This is disappointing because crossing
between Europe and America in a fast liner is a much different
experience than crossing the Atlantic during a re-positioning cruise.
The speed is exhilarating and since it takes much less time than a
re-positioning cruise, it is a viable alternative to flying. I
would think that many people would like such an experience done in
the Royal Caribbean style.
The media preview naturally focused on
the headline garbing aspects of Quantum such as the North Star
viewing platform - - a crane-like arm that will take passengers on a
ride some 300 feet above the sea. However, my experience has been
that there is more to Royal than the “wows.” Allure of the Seas
is a great ship not because she is the largest in the world but
because she is so multi-dimensional in entertainment, dining,
accommodations and activities.
Although not designed as a follow-on
to Allure, there are indications that Quantum will also be
multi-dimensional. For example, Royal has thought about single
passengers and is including a number of single occupancy studio
staterooms on Quantum. Showing that it is not merely copying ideas
from Norwegian Epic and P&O Cruises' Azura, some of these
studios will be balcony cabins.
We have put together an introduction
to Quantum which includes commentary from Mr. Fain and several other
Royal Caribbean executives as well as photos. It begins at
http://www.beyondships2.com/quantum-of-the-seas-revealed.html
Keeping with the Royal Caribbean
theme, we have new photo essays of two of our favorite Royal
Caribbean ships. The first shows the aforementioned Allure of the
Seas arriving in Jamaica.
http://www.beyondships2.com/allure-of-the-seas-in-jamaica.html
This highlights Allure's nautical qualities as the maneuver
depicted is not an easy one.
Brilliance of the Seas is another ship
with good maneuverability. However, in this photo essay the focus is
on her pretty lines docked in Antigua and St. Croix.
http://www.beyondships2.com/brilliance-of-the-seas-in-the-caribbean.html
