Jump to content
Cruise Critic Community

QUANTUM Dec 1-11, 2014 REVIEW w/lots of photos

Hoopster95

By Hoopster95,
in Royal Caribbean International

 Share

Recommended Posts

Hoopster95

Hoopster95

Posted
  • Author
Posted
Claudio.....thanks, again, for your wonderful review and amazing pictures. I'm sorry we didn't get to meet onboard. Hope our paths cross again on another cruise. :)

 

Very nice of you Sue, Thank you! Yes, hopefully we'll cross paths someday... seems many here on CC seem to do just that. :)

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Hoopster95

Hoopster95

Posted
  • Author
Posted
This review is fabulous. Really enjoyed Quantum of the Seas, and it's almost like I'm back on the ship.

 

Next cruise:

Allure of the Seas, T/A, October 2015 (Who am I kidding? We'll cruise between now and then, just don't know when yet. )

 

 

Hey Marshall... March 20 Legend?? :p;)

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Beachcruzer

Beachcruzer

Posted
Posted

Claudio, Thanks so much for the awesome review and pictures. It's nice to see something from another person's perspective, especially when they're upbeat and positive. It was fun hanging out with you on Q and hopefully our cruise paths will cross again one day. :):):)

Link to comment
Share on other sites
kandj05

kandj05

Posted
Posted

THANK YOU....THANK YOU...THANK YOU

 

...for your review. I love that you put early on that this ship is not like the others and if you expect to "experience" the same cruise as other RCI ships, you will be disappointed. That comment alone helped me keep an open mind while reading your review. Now, I totally want to check out the Quantum because I too will try the different venues.

 

Have you done the all access tour on other ships? How does a person sign up for it?

 

Thanks again for taking us along on your trip!

 

Jackie

Link to comment
Share on other sites
EmJakeBubbie

EmJakeBubbie

Posted
Posted

one of the Best Reviews, ever, with a nod to RADIO for his LIVE reports. I agree with the OP regarding much of what he shared. However, from a different POV:

Travel Agents w/o training Are Selling the QUANTUM to unwary pax. Not everyone comprehends how different the Q really is. And, to be 100%, our experience was not unlike many of the Reviews with a negative theme. Beginning w/Embarkation: dropping off the luggage was more like Bumper Cars in the Parking Lot: mass confusion. The IPads frustrated those in Blue Shirts and it took us a few minutes to figure out to check in with a roaming blue shirt. more mass confusion.

Customer Service was horrible - no lines made for opportunistic line jumping.

We saw too many rude and exhausted Crew Members. We saw a distinct lack of staff. Dining was challenging - missed being able to get a proper salad in any restaurant. 270 is a nice area and impressive but we prefer shows with a theme. I have yet to read anybody "gets it" with 270. however, did prefer this area over Viking Crown lounge.

There were wonderful things we did enjoy: the WOW bands worked for us; we loved the CL on Deck 12 and we were pro-active to figure out where to go, what to do, and reservations where required. I agree that pre-reserving, whilst still at home, is essential; however, I felt like I was planning a work-conference, Not a family cruise holiday. We loved the Q - just not everything about it. imho, it's going to be a hit in the Asian market. Hoping the ANTHEM is an improvement with not the high-ends shops; that lines return to Embarkation and Customer Service and that Asst Waiters return to dining venues and that the WJ adds more staff.

OP was spot-on! thank you.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Camper44

Camper44

Posted
Posted

Claudio. Thank you so much for your awesome review and the pictures. You paint a beautiful exciting story for those of us who will follow you on this adventure. We leave March 1st and we are so excited. We will absolutely take your tips to heart to help us enjoy our cruise

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Hoopster95

Hoopster95

Posted
  • Author
Posted
one of the Best Reviews' date=' ever, with a nod to RADIO for his LIVE reports. [/quote']

 

What a magnificent review....has to make the all-time list of best Cruise Critic reviews.... It was a joy to experience the ship thru your commentary (and lens)!:)

 

Wow... Really?? :o

 

Thank you very much to you and everyone who has passed along these very nice words. I've read RADIO's, Trainman's, Merion_Mom's, Max'smom, DarthGrady, etc so many other excellent long time cruisers with awesome info and pics and try to do the best I can with my reviews to help you all out so we can all share and plan, yes? I'm just having fun doing it, not trying to one up anyone. :)

 

Sorry for the delay in posting, but here are my ratings and what I feel are my most important final thoughts from an overall perspective... Firstly please keep in mind that a 6 or 7 is not a bad rating, and that a 10 MUST be the very best ever, not 2nd or 3rd best. Here is my scale for you to follow:

 

"5" - is a pass, but just barely...

6 - just ok

7 - is very good but not memorable

8 - memorable, but not the best ever

9 - totally excellent, have recommended or raved, but still not the very best ever

10 - the best EVER for RCL

 

 

Dining (if not rated, I didn't eat there)

  • Chic 6
  • American Icon 6.5
  • Silk 8
  • The Grande 9 - (definitely the best of the free venues for me)
  • Jamie's (lunch) 8.5 - (not as outstanding as Giovanni's)
  • Windjammer 7 - (very good, not memorable, better than most recent Windjammers from other ships thankfully!)
  • Sorrento's 8 - (I totally remember the superb pizza & fresh soft cookies, also excellent fresh shrimp sandwich)
  • Devinely Decadence (breakfast) 8 - (excellent, quality food. Would be higher score if it were not repetitive)
  • Cafe Two70 7 - (Park Cafe clone. Nothing to wow me nor specifically remember, but highly reliable and good food)

 

Entertainment:

  • Production Shows Mama Mia, Starwater & Sonic Odyssey 10 - (the best ever entertainment line-up ever on any ship)
  • Singers 8
  • Dancers 8
  • Headliner 9 - (Ed Alonso kept this rating from reaching a 9.5 or 10)
  • Comedian 8
  • Beatlemania 7 - (I am not a big Beatles fan, the crowd loved this performance so my score may be unfair as my personal experience would likely not reflect other cruisers here for sure)
  • Latino Band 8
  • Horizons 8 - (excellent work by this band playing almost nightly in the Music Hall)
  • Groovy Town 6 - (not as "showlike" compared to the Macho Man 70's party on other ships. The fun came from fellow friends, not the "show" or staff)

 

Venues

  • IFly 10 - MUST MUST DO activity!
  • Florider 7
  • Northstar 20!!! - MUST MUST MUST MUST MUST DO (day, night, side) :D
  • Music Hall 8.5 (great new venue for nightclub, my fave still nightclub on Radiance Class for me)
  • Boleros 7.5
  • Esplanade 9 (I still can't get over the very first time I walked onto the explorer & Mariner, still my favorite Promenades ever)
  • Via 9 - (so utterly different and beautiful)
  • Two70 20!!! - (better space than Viking Crown by a mile imho)
  • Casino I didn't use this time (normally play poker)
  • Bionic Bar 8
  • Pool Deck 5 - (like Radiance, ridiculously small for size of ship and # of passengers)
  • Solarium 9 - (Oasis Solarium is the 10 for me)
  • deck 15 forward 2 - (my biggest fail on the ship, lack of forward view & sitelines from top deck is extremely important to me)
  • Gym 9
  • Indoor Pool n/a - (I never used)

 

Excursions:

  • San Juan RCL 7 - (RCL excursion, nice and well done)
  • St Maarten 8 - (private, would've been a 10 with perfect weather)
  • Martinique 6 - (RCl excursion and guide were good, not a tourist prepared country, very disappointed with Martinique as a whole)
  • Barbados 9 - (private, excellent day here)
  • St Kitts 7.5 - (private, if it weren't for my fellow cruisers and a couple of the beautiful sites, the guide/tour company would've rated lower on their own)

People

  • CD Jimmy Rhodes 7 - (not as visible as many others, I think his duties and job description doesn't allow much of this now on Q, lots of pressure on him I'm sure)
  • Activity Director and staff 7 - (trivia, dancing, events)
  • Instructors at various interactive venues 10 - (by far and away the best ever instruction & caring at Florider, Trapeze, IFly etc that I have ever witnessed on any ship)
  • Capt Srecko & officers 10 - (Always around the ship talking to people. Officers on all tours were excellent & welcoming. Did an excellent job at Capt Corner under fire)
  • All cruisers 9 - (Not the best vibe ever. With the incredible amount of negativity on CC, it's hard to believe that I did not hear much negative in real life on board. Maybe it's because I attract other positive and fun people & vice versa, or maybe this sailing didn't have all the issues of the other more full sailings before and after us that we're reading reviews about... I really don't know. The 9 is because I heard very little complaining around the ship other than when asking for specifics from several cruisers

 

Friendships made 1000!!! :D It'd be unfair to name you all and miss one or two... you know who you are:). Seriously had a great time with so many different people, I know I'll see them again sometime somewhere on a future sailing and I hope they remember me too.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Hoopster95

Hoopster95

Posted
  • Author
Posted

This review does not demean other cruiser's experiences, especially those who had legitimate problems... all the photos, friends who are replying back to me on this review, daily tips, were all things that happened to me as I went through daily life on Q. Things thankfully were fantastic for me on board Q, in my top 10 cruises for sure.

 

I felt I wished to say, and repeat, a couple of strong opinions I have regarding Quantum:

 

You will not feel at home when you get on this ship.

Not one single experienced RCL cruiser I talked to felt at home right away on this ship. This ship is is unlike anything else in the RCL fleet. If you do not like change, I feel you may not like this ship. I believe this was the biggest factor with most of the complaints, the change was not good for many. I got used to everything within 3-4 days (the flow, finding my room, knowing where everything was, etc) and had an amazing cruise.

 

This ship is made for an active life-style

This ship provides for choices which you have to make.... they are not made for you. If you want the choices made for you, a care free non-thinking more sedate cruiser experience, this ship may not be for you although it has ample space for that (Solarium, indoor pool, Two70 morning & afternoon) but it is truly made to be active and enjoy all of it's amenities. Being more active also means being more in control of other facets including dining, making your own reservations, eating what you want when you want. MDR you can only eat what that single menu provides to you at the exact time you are booked, regardless of your port times or anything else. Other RCL ships are more structured... Q is more non-structured.

 

If you base your cruise experience solely on dining, then please do not book this ship

"Dynamic: (of a process or system) characterized by constant change, activity, or progress"

There had been so much untrue information prior to Quantum even sailing by CC'ers who had never even set foot on-board that it was nauseating. If your dining experience is so VERY VERY important to you that you must at all costs be seated at the same table every night, with the same waiter, with a pre-designated menu that is forced upon you with only 6-7 entrees, there is NOTHING WRONG WITH THAT... I enjoy this too :) But please if it's that important never ever book on a Quantum Class ship so that the rest of us do not have to read so much negativity. Dining was awesome for me ... everything worked. I had choices everyday. It was exciting. And I was able to choose when I didn't like a restaurant so much (Chic) to cancel and book more nights at the venue I loved (The Grande). Try cancelling your MDR on a regular ship today for one night in order to sit at an already filled table with new friends... no way I would've had meals with Merion_Mom and Laura in the old MDR. This is a MASSIVE plus for Dynamic Dining.

 

 

I went through all my 27 cruises last night (22 on RCL) and really thought about the importance of my criteria while basing my rating on each cruise....

  • Quantum came in at #7 all-time with an 8.5 rating

( I can show you my list, I have quite a few 5's and 6's so I'm not totally a cheerleader once I really thought about each specific cruise :))

 

 

Again, thank you so much for those who have said kind words, not just at the end but throughout the review, really really nice of everyone to do that. I hope this review has helped out a few people who are sailing in the next few months to possibly be better prepared and enjoy Q rather than be upset with her. I actually think my Serenade review from Sept is better (extremely port intensive vs. ship intensive), so if any of you are thinking about a Mediterranean/Adriatic cruise, check that review out. Take care everybody :D

Link to comment
Share on other sites
EmJakeBubbie

EmJakeBubbie

Posted
Posted (edited)

Hoopster95 - we agree with your final assessment(s). I am hoping (fingers crossed tightly) that RCI reads all the CC comments and make adjustments on the ANTHEM. The TA on the Q was a floating construction zone, if you can believe so many comments.

I had the chance to spend about an hr w/Jimmy Rhodes at his coffee gathering - I know he's been challenged with this new class of vessel because activities he UsedToDo, he no longer can because of the available areas to "do activities" ...like: Quest. He said people blame him for no Quest, but asked us "where would you do it that is big enough and safe enough". nobody had an answer. So, imho, some of JR's bad press are not his fault. We found him to be as funny and as approachable as he ever was on the Explorer. With the Quantum-Class has come a new way to cruise. He is going to Asia and was a hoot sharing how he is attempting to learn the language.

you cruised with Merion_Mom and Laura? we had dinner in SILK w/derf and derfette...:D

QUESTION: was the champagne we had in GRANDE on the last night a standard offering? or was this just because it was the last night????

Edited by EmJake's Bubbie
Link to comment
Share on other sites
Beachcruzer

Beachcruzer

Posted
Posted
Hoopster95 - we agree with your final assessment(s). I am hoping (fingers crossed tightly) that RCI reads all the CC comments and make adjustments on the ANTHEM. The TA on the Q was a floating construction zone' date=' if you can believe so many comments.

I had the chance to spend about an hr w/Jimmy Rhodes at his coffee gathering - I know he's been challenged with this new class of vessel because activities he UsedToDo, he no longer can because of the available areas to "do activities" ...like: Quest. He said people blame him for no Quest, but asked us "where would you do it that is big enough and safe enough". nobody had an answer. So, imho, some of JR's bad press are not his fault. We found him to be as funny and as approachable as he ever was on the Explorer. With the Quantum-Class has come a new way to cruise. He is going to Asia and was a hoot sharing how he is attempting to learn the language.

you cruised with [b'] Merion_Mom[/b] and Laura? we had dinner in SILK w/derf and derfette...:D

QUESTION: was the champagne we had in GRANDE on the last night a standard offering? or was this just because it was the last night????

 

Both nights we ate in Grande, we were offered Champagne. :D

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Beachcruzer

Beachcruzer

Posted
Posted
This review does not demean other cruiser's experiences, especially those who had legitimate problems... all the photos, friends who are replying back to me on this review, daily tips, were all things that happened to me as I went through daily life on Q. Things thankfully were fantastic for me on board Q, in my top 10 cruises for sure.

 

I felt I wished to say, and repeat, a couple of strong opinions I have regarding Quantum:

 

You will not feel at home when you get on this ship.

Not one single experienced RCL cruiser I talked to felt at home right away on this ship. This ship is is unlike anything else in the RCL fleet. If you do not like change, I feel you may not like this ship. I believe this was the biggest factor with most of the complaints, the change was not good for many. I got used to everything within 3-4 days (the flow, finding my room, knowing where everything was, etc) and had an amazing cruise.

 

This ship is made for an active life-style

This ship provides for choices which you have to make.... they are not made for you. If you want the choices made for you, a care free non-thinking more sedate cruiser experience, this ship may not be for you although it has ample space for that (Solarium, indoor pool, Two70 morning & afternoon) but it is truly made to be active and enjoy all of it's amenities. Being more active also means being more in control of other facets including dining, making your own reservations, eating what you want when you want. MDR you can only eat what that single menu provides to you at the exact time you are booked, regardless of your port times or anything else. Other RCL ships are more structured... Q is more non-structured.

 

If you base your cruise experience solely on dining, then please do not book this ship

"Dynamic: (of a process or system) characterized by constant change, activity, or progress"

There had been so much untrue information prior to Quantum even sailing by CC'ers who had never even set foot on-board that it was nauseating. If your dining experience is so VERY VERY important to you that you must at all costs be seated at the same table every night, with the same waiter, with a pre-designated menu that is forced upon you with only 6-7 entrees, there is NOTHING WRONG WITH THAT... I enjoy this too :) But please if it's that important never ever book on a Quantum Class ship so that the rest of us do not have to read so much negativity. Dining was awesome for me ... everything worked. I had choices everyday. It was exciting. And I was able to choose when I didn't like a restaurant so much (Chic) to cancel and book more nights at the venue I loved (The Grande). Try cancelling your MDR on a regular ship today for one night in order to sit at an already filled table with new friends... no way I would've had meals with Merion_Mom and Laura in the old MDR. This is a MASSIVE plus for Dynamic Dining.

 

 

I went through all my 27 cruises last night (22 on RCL) and really thought about the importance of my criteria while basing my rating on each cruise....

  • Quantum came in at #7 all-time with an 8.5 rating

( I can show you my list, I have quite a few 5's and 6's so I'm not totally a cheerleader once I really thought about each specific cruise :))

 

 

Again, thank you so much for those who have said kind words, not just at the end but throughout the review, really really nice of everyone to do that. I hope this review has helped out a few people who are sailing in the next few months to possibly be better prepared and enjoy Q rather than be upset with her. I actually think my Serenade review from Sept is better (extremely port intensive vs. ship intensive), so if any of you are thinking about a Mediterranean/Adriatic cruise, check that review out. Take care everybody :D

 

 

Thanks for an awesome and honest review, Claudio. :) There are a lot of great points about Quantum, but it definitely might not be the right ship for everyone. However, if you are lucky enough to go on the Quantum, get out there and do everything you can and enjoy every minute of it! :D

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Nygryll38

Nygryll38

Posted
Posted

"Dynamic: (of a process or system) characterized by constant change, activity, or progress"

There had been so much untrue information prior to Quantum even sailing by CC'ers who had never even set foot on-board that it was nauseating. If your dining experience is so VERY VERY important to you that you must at all costs be seated at the same table every night, with the same waiter, with a pre-designated menu that is forced upon you with only 6-7 entrees, there is NOTHING WRONG WITH THAT... I enjoy this too :) But please if it's that important never ever book on a Quantum Class ship so that the rest of us do not have to read so much negativity. Dining was awesome for me ... everything worked. I had choices everyday. It was exciting. And I was able to choose when I didn't like a restaurant so much (Chic) to cancel and book more nights at the venue I loved (The Grande). Try cancelling your MDR on a regular ship today for one night in order to sit at an already filled table with new friends... no way I would've had meals with Merion_Mom and Laura in the old MDR. This is a MASSIVE plus for Dynamic Dining.

 

 

My DH and I were on this same cruise and had a great time. We loved Dynamic Dining as well. Loved your review and all of the awesome pictures. Thank you for taking the time to do this. Enjoy your cruise in March.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Please sign in to comment

You will be able to leave a comment after signing in



Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing
  • Forum Jump
    • Categories
      • Welcome to Cruise Critic
      • ANNOUNCEMENT: Set Sail Beyond the Ordinary with Oceania Cruises
      • ANNOUNCEMENT: The Widest View in the Whole Wide World
      • New Cruisers
      • Cruise Lines “A – O”
      • Cruise Lines “P – Z”
      • River Cruising
      • ROLL CALLS
      • Cruise Critic News & Features
      • Digital Photography & Cruise Technology
      • Special Interest Cruising
      • Cruise Discussion Topics
      • UK Cruising
      • Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
      • Canadian Cruisers
      • North American Homeports
      • Ports of Call
      • Cruise Conversations
×
×
  • Create New...