Quantam of the Seas to homeport in Shanghai

Cruising on Quantam of the Seas will now be in reach of many more Australians and NZers with the news that Shanghai will be its homeport.

 

http://www.royalcaribbeanpresscenter.com/press-release/1094/china-is-new-home-for-royal-caribbean-internationals-quantum-of-the-seas/

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2027511

Thats a really strange choice. The port of Shanghai is about an hour's drive away for large ships. Last month the port of Shanghai was closed due to fog and QM2 only allowed entry after several hours delay. And the Yangtze River had to be closed for four hours just to allow her to berth. Quantam will be larger still.

I really want to try this new ship. At least it will be a bit closer than flying over to the USA to board her:)

Beginning late June 2015, the ship will sail three- to eight-night itineraries year-round from Shanghai to Japan and Korea.

 

If the ship is going to be doing 3 and 8 night cruises , it will need a specially built terminal and will only be able to operate out of that terminal. There are a lot of passengers to get off and on in one day, so I guess thats why they chose Shanghai. ...does seem a strange homeport.

Now Hong Kong or Singapore , I could go with.

Perhaps they only want the Chinese to use it?

 

If the ship is going to be doing 3 and 8 night cruises , it will need a specially built terminal and will only be able to operate out of that terminal. There are a lot of passengers to get off and on in one day, so I guess thats why they chose Shanghai. ...does seem a strange homeport.

Now Hong Kong or Singapore , I could go with.

Perhaps they only want the Chinese to use it?

 

It may be a strange decision but at least they are recognising the buying ower of the asia pacific region. Hopefully this will mean more itineraries and lower overall prices for cruise/fly packages.:D

Lot of crying from some Americans over this announcement from RCL.

 

I think its great news. Not too far to fly up to try or do a couple of cruises up Asia way.

The US lines seem to be waking up that they can get much better returns on their investments by sending new ships to growing markets such as Asia Pacific and Australia. The US market is flooded with capacity and Europe is heading the same way. From a business perspective these moves make great sense and have been too long in coming.

Great that its coming our way but why Shanghai?? The intineries don't sound interesting either to be honest. Wish it was sailing out of Hong Kong and Singapore and doing South East Asia intineries.

Great that its coming our way but why Shanghai?? The intineries don't sound interesting either to be honest. Wish it was sailing out of Hong Kong and Singapore and doing South East Asia intineries.

 

Those ships are not really designed to take you to destinations...

 

the destination ... is the ship:)

 

^ I have to say though that I wouldn't go on a ship like this for the itinerary, I'd go on it for the ship. I'd almost prefer a boring itinerary so I don't feel bad staying on the ship and exploring all it has to offer :)

Those ships are not really designed to take you to destinations...

 

 

 

the destination ... is the ship:)

 

 

 

 

 

Not for me. It's always the itinerary.

I agree...this is good news for us Aussies to be able to have easier access to these great vessels. My preference would be to explore the ship.

I think this is great news for the Pacific region, we get access to a new ship. What I am finding disturbing is all the Anti Asia and Pacific crap and the anti RCCL rubbish that is coming from Americans that are annoyed that it isn't based in NJ.

I think this is great news for the Pacific region, we get access to a new ship. What I am finding disturbing is all the Anti Asia and Pacific crap and the anti RCCL rubbish that is coming from Americans that are annoyed that it isn't based in NJ.

 

They got their knickers in a knot cause rcl decided it can get better prices elsewhere. Its not like they not getting the opportunity at all.

They got their knickers in a knot cause rcl decided it can get better prices elsewhere. Its not like they not getting the opportunity at all.

 

 

For many US folk (but not all) the world ends at the USA border. Most don't even have a passport and can't see the need for one and also get upset that not every country will accept the mighty USD as legal tender.

For many US folk (but not all) the world ends at the USA border. Most don't even have a passport and can't see the need for one and also get upset that not every country will accept the mighty USD as legal tender.

 

Very true - Asia is seen as threatening and dangerous by some US citizens. Oh, I forgot, so is Europe :D

Definitely on my bucket list, can't wait for the bookings to open up!

I am turning 50 next year so am planning a cruise in October, I don't care what the itinerary is I just want to cruise on Quantum of the Seas .....

Interesting news indeed.

 

I visited China (including Shanghai) back in 1988, enjoyed it immensely but back then the average Chinese person couldn't afford to even have a car let alone go cruising, so they have come a long way.

 

Having said that a word of caution to Australians planning a cruise out of China. I have read on these forums from a Singaporean that has posted often that even they find the Chinese based cruises 'too Chinese'.

He said that the announcements are in Chinese & English as you would expect & the cruise director is also Chinese, so everything takes longer to announce.

 

The food choices are a mix of western & Chinese traditional foods so you may have less choice (Chinese food isn't what we think it is in Australia from my experience in China).

 

Many of the staff didn't speak English very well either from what I had heard. I did find this staff language barrier occurred on Voyager to NZ last year, as she has more Chinese staff because she is in Asia in our off season.

 

Basically the cruise may not have the same feel as what you may be used to with RCCL was the gist of it. You will be in the minority as a westerner.

 

Now none of that may bother you at all, & it's not a criticism, just something I had heard & thought I should mention it, as it may not be to some peoples liking if this information is accurate.

 

I have asked a Singaporean on the main RCCL Quantum thread who posted about Quantum as to wether he/she has feedback on this. Will be interesting to hear his/her perspective!

 

Either way, Quantum has suddenly become much more of an option for us Australians!

 

Now if they will only get their act together & build us a large terminal or two in Australia we may get some of the larger ships here as well!

Excellent news! - I just completed a cruise in Shanghai and would love to go back there - and I didn't think I'd ever have an opportunity to try out Quantam but now it looks like it will be a definite possibility.

I think this is great news for the Pacific region, we get access to a new ship. What I am finding disturbing is all the Anti Asia and Pacific crap and the anti RCCL rubbish that is coming from Americans that are annoyed that it isn't based in NJ.

Urgh, I know! I've called out a few of them regarding this very thing. They seem quite shocked that the world doesn't revolve around them.

 

 

For many US folk (but not all) the world ends at the USA border. Most don't even have a passport and can't see the need for one and also get upset that not every country will accept the mighty USD as legal tender.

When we did the Carnival Spirit repositioning, there were a lot of Americans onboard. They were so put out that cab drivers in Sydney wouldn't take US dollars (when CD Stu did a talk about Australia before we got in to Sydney). You should've heard the carry-on from some of them.

avalon007, the feel of the cruise is a definite concern for me. I am really excited to do the Qantum out of Shanghi however I just wonder if the trivia nights and get togethers like that would be the same. We are the passengers that plan their day around every trivia event on the ship :)

Well it's hard to know but it would seem logical that they would cater things like trivia to please the majority of cruisers, or not have it at all if it's not a part of Asian culture?

 

I think if you cruise out of China on Royal you would have to assume it is going to be different in some ways & treat it more like visiting another country than a familiar place.

 

The language barrier with other passengers will potentially create less opportunity to mingle & potentially create delays in receiving information.

 

There are several reviews on Voyager & Mariner of the Seas out of Asia in the cruise critic reviews section that mention differences, so it may be worth reading some of them to get a feel for what can be expected.

 

In general cultural differences in how to behave in public places (pushing, not queuing, sanitising hands etc), less Western food choices, limited shows in the theatre, heavy smoking in the casino, & drink & food choices on menus not available seem to be a regular theme. Some said it was fine & others disliked the experience of cruising out of Asia.

 

I have been to China before which was great & personally I think I would do a land tour to see the country & do a short cruise on Quantum to see the ship in case it isn't what you would expect from a Western based Royal cruise.

 

Problem being for those of us used to a certain style on Royal it will be hard not to compare & feel disappointed if it's below expectations due to it being altered for a different culture, but then again it may be a great experience. :)

The activities on Asian based cruises are quite different to the US or Australian based cruises. There are definitely not as many organised activities such as trivia, as these cruises tend to attract large groups and the groups have their own activities and social events planned.

 

I have been on 3 Mariner Asian cruises now - 2 of which Westerners were in the minority, and there would generally be 1 poorly attended trivia session per day. On my last cruise, the repo from Singapore to Shanghai, Westerners were in the majority and the entertainment staff had to scramble and schedule more and more trivia sessions each day due to the demand. The Chinese in general did not participate in the trivia but seemed to enjoy watching on.

 

Bingo is ever present, but certainly not as well attended as on Australian based cruises. No art and craft classes although the towel animal folding session is always popular. Organised pool games aren't that popular but the theme nights- 70s night, the Red party (instead of the White party) are always very crowded and a lot of fun on the Asian cruises. And if you love Karaoke - they have it morning, noon and night! There is the occasional line dance class.

 

The Quest was only on my last cruise - and the CD indicated that it had been quite a while since they had done it on Mariner .

 

The only thing that you can really count on filling the pages of the Cruise Compass - unfortunately - are the dreaded 'seminars' - lose belly fat, wrinkles, flat feet, arched back, puffy eyes etc etc.

 

So, in general, on the Asian based cruises, if you love to have a full schedule of daily activities, you may be a little disappointed. If on the other hand, you like to just go with the flow and enjoy the mix of cultures , you will enjoy the different experience.

 

however, Quantum may be entirely different as it will be a destination in itself and as such, I believe many more Westerners will be cruising on her out of Shanghai. Therefore, the demand for the 'usual' shipboard activities will be there and I'm sure that RCI will do their best to cater for everyone. Anyway, there's always the dodgem cars!

Some people like less competition at trivia.:eek:

I think the variety of cruising styles is good to help broaden the mind when travelling. I look forward to doing a cruise with the majority from a differing culture than the normal western US (AUS/British/Can) cruises.:D

Dodgem cars. Well im definately there.