QUANTUM changes for the Chinese market

During the maiden crossing I heard of some changes planned for QUANTUM as she enters the the Chinese market. One is the American Icon Grill will become a Chinese restaurant. Other restaurant changes are planned as well. Two is that Mama Mia will be leaving the ship (transferring to ALLURE) with currently nothing planned in its place. Lastly the The Music Hall will be no more. The lower level will become an extension of the casino and the upper level will become additional shipping. This all makes sense as the Chinese love to shop (especially high end labels) and gamble, but they are not big on sitting at bars and drinking. So bar revenue will go down, but casino and shop revenue will go way up.

I'm also speculating that either Oasis 3 or 4 will go directly to China, already outfitted specifically for the Chinese market so no conversion necessary.

We knew about Mamma Mia, but the other two are a bit shocking. I know we like Asian food (the reason there are multiple Asian venues on the ship), but I would think other countries must like American food in some way.

The Music Hall is a bit sad. That's one of the key venues of the ship and their gutting it. Guess Quantum won't be back, no way the US market would want her after this. The ship will have just 3 venues to hold events in and one of them is the sports court while another is the main theater. Not a whole lot of options or flexibility compared to smaller ships that had the VCL, Cleopatra's Needle, the On Air Club, Studio B, and the main theater all for holding events (and the sports court if you wanted to go outside, lol). I'm not even sure how she could possibly operate a normal cruise with so few entertainment venues.

Glad I'll get to see how before all of this happens.

Johnny Rockets is being removed on Quantum and will be an American/Chinese take away type of restaurant, sorry the name escapes me...American Pan or something like that :confused:

Johnny Rockets is being removed on Quantum and will be an American/Chinese take away type of restaurant, sorry the name escapes me...American Pan or something like that :confused:

Wonder if that played into the change in how they operate at all. Guess we'll find out when Anthem sets sail in a few months.

I really don't understand why they would go through all of that trouble making big changes to the ship when the Anthem is coming out around the same time Quantum goes to Asia. Why not make Anthem like that originally and send it over there from the get go. Just don't get the logic. I do understand why they would make the changes for a different type of guest, but I don't know. Doesn't make sense logistically.

I really don't understand why they would go through all of that trouble making big changes to the ship when the Anthem is coming out around the same time Quantum goes to Asia. Why not make Anthem like that originally and send it over there from the get go. Just don't get the logic. I do understand why they would make the changes for a different type of guest, but I don't know. Doesn't make sense logistically.

I agree completely. I'm sure there is a reason that we are not aware of.

Sounds like it will be just one gigantic floating casino. Clearly if Americans want to do an Asian itinerary, they'll have to choose a different ship.

This could be another one of those rumors being floated on this board. I own 2casino stocks who have a large presence in Macau and the operating performance it's being impacted by the political rulings coming out of Bejing.

Hi Ernie. I agree with you about Oasis III or IV going directly to Asia. That type ship will do very well there and with Asia expected to be # 1 or 2 in cruise market share by 2020 it makes perfect sense.

When will these changes be made? I'm on the Dubai - Singapore repo in May. Hope to see Mama Mia, and skip the extended casino...

When will these changes be made? I'm on the Dubai - Singapore repo in May. Hope to see Mama Mia, and skip the extended casino...

I'm curious about the timing of the changes too.

We were told that Silk is going to be a traditional Chinese restaurant (by Brian Abel, Vice President F&B) on the pre inaugural.

roxette, I can only tell you that Mamma Mia! will be on the Allure by May 19th or so (by the time she´s starting the Med season after dry dock).

steamboats

Do you know what show is going to replace Mama Mia?

I just returned from the oasis TA crossing and almost all the crew I spoke with confirmed oasis 1 will be going to China. Oasis 3 is expetected to replace oasis 1 in ft lauderdale and oasis 4 will go to port canaveral. Which all of this aligns with both port everyglades contract with rccl to have 2 ships full time at the oasis terminal and canaveral updating both the shipping lanes and the new structures. The crew was extremely unhappy about going to China since all they do is smoke and gamble and evidently are extremely cheap when it comes to tipping.

I really don't understand why they would go through all of that trouble making big changes to the ship when the Anthem is coming out around the same time Quantum goes to Asia. Why not make Anthem like that originally and send it over there from the get go. Just don't get the logic. I do understand why they would make the changes for a different type of guest, but I don't know. Doesn't make sense logistically.

I think this was not the original plan. Quantum was to be the permanent ship in Bayonne. But delays with Bermuda being ready for Quantum made the change necessary. So another ship will then come to NJ (can't remember which one) for the Bermuda season and then Anthem will arrive.

. The crew was extremely unhappy about going to China since all they do is smoke and gamble and evidently are extremely cheap when it comes to tipping.

I understand this but it is not so much that they are cheap it is because there is no tipping culture in China. Royal also knows this so the onus is on them to build the tipping component that supplements the staff wages into the cruise fare so the staff are adequately compensated. If that doesn't happen and the staff suffer then it's on Royal not the locals.

I don't like the changes my self but Royal are refitting the ship to cater for that market and it's pretty common knowledge that Chinee with money will spend plenty on designer goods to bring back from holidays. Reasoning is that they are cheaper OS due to huge local taxes on them and they also are confident that they are genuine. If that's what they like then Royal would be crazy not to cater to the market.

As for the casino it will be popular but gambling is not as widespread among the wealthy as what some perceive. The percentage who do gamble though are pretty much the 24/7 gambling types so they will need to be accommodated.

Smoking is so widespread and although they are bringing in new anti smoking regulations in China they are mostly ignored. Will observe with interest how Royal regulate and enforce the smoking rules.

We are sailing on the repo so will be quite interesting to see the changes evolve.

We are sailing on the repo so will be quite interesting to see the changes evolve.

I would love to see how they are going to change over the galleys and everything else associated with food service in preparation for a mostly Chinese customer base.

I have been lucky enough to be a guest at several traditional Chinese meals over the years and find it hard to imagine how the foods served at those meals could be prepared for thousands of diners without a massive increase in staff along with kitchen equipment geared to the preparation methods involved with Chinese meals. Anyone in the business or with friends in the business or who are familiar with Chinese cooking knows you may be able to prepare some dishes in a 30 gallon steam kettle but they will probably not pass muster to diners used to traditional Chinese food prepared in the traditional Chinese fashion

Maybe the entire Dynamic Dining system of multiple smaller dining venues was designed with this in mind. I could see each different venue preparing its own specialty dishes.

I do not think a stir fry station or a restaurant serving dishes similar to the American version of the old 1 from column A and 2 from column B menus will suffice in the market the ships will be dealing with.

OMO

bosco

I just returned from the oasis TA crossing and almost all the crew I spoke with confirmed oasis 1 will be going to China. Oasis 3 is expetected to replace oasis 1 in ft lauderdale and oasis 4 will go to port canaveral. Which all of this aligns with both port everyglades contract with rccl to have 2 ships full time at the oasis terminal and canaveral updating both the shipping lanes and the new structures. The crew was extremely unhappy about going to China since all they do is smoke and gamble and evidently are extremely cheap when it comes to tipping.

Happy I stumbled onto this post. I'm on the last leg of the move to China and knew to expect some changes, but I guess I didn't realize the full impact. I am a little sad to have some of the entertainment taken away. I do not gamble nor would I be interested in shopping (barely went into the stores on my Oasis cruise.) Is a great itinerary and a wonderful ship, but maybe I should start looking for an alternate. Still have a few months to consider and get more up to date (hopefully!) information.

I would love to see how they are going to change over the galleys and everything else associated with food service in preparation for a mostly Chinese customer base.

 

I have been lucky enough to be a guest at several traditional Chinese meals over the years and find it hard to imagine how the foods served at those meals could be prepared for thousands of diners without a massive increase in staff along with kitchen equipment geared to the preparation methods involved with Chinese meals. Anyone in the business or with friends in the business or who are familiar with Chinese cooking knows you may be able to prepare some dishes in a 30 gallon steam kettle but they will probably not pass muster to diners used to traditional Chinese food prepared in the traditional Chinese fashion

 

Maybe the entire Dynamic Dining system of multiple smaller dining venues was designed with this in mind. I could see each different venue preparing its own specialty dishes.

 

I do not think a stir fry station or a restaurant serving dishes similar to the American version of the old 1 from column A and 2 from column B menus will suffice in the market the ships will be dealing with.

 

OMO

 

bosco

100% agree. I have also attended many traditional Chinese dinners encompassing most of their regional styles. The one thing they all have in common is that the majority of people like to eat in large groups and have a very wide selection of dishes to choose. The host and a few others will normally spend a fair amount of time selecting and will continue to order more if people are still eating.

Most of their drinking also takes place at meal times with constant toasting. Thee meal and drinking will probably take longer than the current allocated time that western diners take.

Will be interesting how RCL approach this or if they expect that the locals will adapt to a more western style of Asian dining.

100% agree. I have also attended many traditional Chinese dinners encompassing most of their regional styles. The one thing they all have in common is that the majority of people like to eat in large groups and have a very wide selection of dishes to choose. The host and a few others will normally spend a fair amount of time selecting and will continue to order more if people are still eating.

 

Most of their drinking also takes place at meal times with constant toasting. Thee meal and drinking will probably take longer than the current allocated time that western diners take.

 

Will be interesting how RCL approach this or if they expect that the locals will adapt to a more western style of Asian dining.

From what I've read the Captain of the ship is studying Chinese and a large contingent of Chinese staff will be trained and contracted to the Quantum. As far as the galley crew it will most probably see a major change in staff, that is if it plans on serving true traditional Chinese food. Most anyone can learn to follow a menu and make 50 gallons of soup or grill 50 steaks at a time, but it takes years to learn all the tricks performed in preparing even the simplest stir fry dishes off a Chinese/American restaurant menu. Every item from the breads that are set out to the desserts presented will have to change unless they have other ideas for the Chinese customer base and their tastes.

“Consumers in China have grown to expect the best the world has to offer, and Quantum of the Seas meets that standard like no other ship,” said Adam Goldstein

Quite a statement "...the best the world has to offer..."

OMO

bosco

Last year I did the leg Barcelona to Dubai on Mariner. The ship was prepared for the Chinese market as well. Some shops on the promenade were conververted to sell more luxurious items. We looked at carton walls sitting at cafe promenade for a few days. it was not so bad but still, construction was going on.

Other passengers told me that the casino was closed for 4 or 6 nights during the transatlantic from Galveston to Barcelona.

There was also Chinese personel on board. Our assistent waiter Pei Pei was very nice and friendly but other people had difficulties with understanding the staff. That might also be the case on this repositioning cruise but I dont know for sure of course. We liked the cruise very much but you may expect some things being different.

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100% agree. I have also attended many traditional Chinese dinners encompassing most of their regional styles. The one thing they all have in common is that the majority of people like to eat in large groups and have a very wide selection of dishes to choose. The host and a few others will normally spend a fair amount of time selecting and will continue to order more if people are still eating.

 

Most of their drinking also takes place at meal times with constant toasting. Thee meal and drinking will probably take longer than the current allocated time that western diners take.

 

Will be interesting how RCL approach this or if they expect that the locals will adapt to a more western style of Asian dining.

With the prices RCCL is charging the expectations, based upon the statements that the head of RCCL has made, they have a lot to live up to. The first revenue cruise in China will have to perform a whole lot better than the US version has done or else face major passenger complaints. The OBCs given due to non working aspects of the sailing alone will wipe out any potential profits to their shareholders.:(

RCCL has to remember that they are competing with established local Chinese cruise lines that have a loyal base. If they want an American/Chinese experience rather than a traditional Chinese experience, then RCCL will be okay.

MARAPRINCE

Johnny Rockets is being removed on Quantum and will be an American/Chinese take away type of restaurant, sorry the name escapes me...American Pan or something like that :confused:

Hi Liz,

Thanks again for the wonderful job you did on the "Maiden" cruise. It was a pleasure meeting you. I hope we get to cruise with you again.

We spoke with numerous member of the Quantum staff/officers and found that there are going to be a lot of changes in regards to the restaurants, entertainment, Music Hall, etc. and that the 53 night Global Odyssey was not for us due to all the changes. The itinerary was fantastic and we hope to find a cruise that will go to those ports someday. Needless to say, we cancel all 5 legs of the 53 night cruise.

I need a Lemon drop!! :D

I really don't understand why they would go through all of that trouble making big changes to the ship when the Anthem is coming out around the same time Quantum goes to Asia. Why not make Anthem like that originally and send it over there from the get go. Just don't get the logic. I do understand why they would make the changes for a different type of guest, but I don't know. Doesn't make sense logistically.

I agree with you, that would have made more sense had they known all along that Quantum would not be able to call in Bermuda, but they didn't hence the bizarre outcome. It seems that under the original plan Ovation would have gone to China rather than Q or A.