Question About Poor Quantum Reviews

[RealDeal]

I'd spend $300 for 3 extra days in a heartbeat. But i wouldn't sail out of a northern port unless it was a TA. YMMV

 

Just did the math: Anthem would actually cost less pp per day. And sailing out of NJ isn't a problem in this case b/c I'm looking at May!

 

OK, you're helping me reach a decision. Looks like Anthem....and partly b/c I agree...I don't want to sail out of NJ in the cold months, so I could always save Allure for another time of year.

[Merion_Mom]

Just did the math: Anthem would actually cost less pp per day. And sailing out of NJ isn't a problem in this case b/c I'm looking at May!

 

OK, you're helping me reach a decision. Looks like Anthem....and partly b/c I agree...I don't want to sail out of NJ in the cold months, so I could always save Allure for another time of year.

 

It really IS lovely, driving to port. ;)

[RealDeal]

It really IS lovely, driving to port. ;)

 

Yes, it is! It's only about 35 minutes for me. Unfortunately, we don't cruise out of NY/NJ often.

[crayon78]

After day 6 all the restaurants switched from the "A" Opulence menus to the "B" Excellence ones which added variety.

 

Does this mean that they've now finally started swapping the menus halfway through the longer sailings? If so, that's wonderful. We were on in December and one of our issues with the dining was getting bored with the menus halfway through. It's good to see that they are listening to customer feedback.

 

Overall, our December cruise was fine but not great. We had problems with service in the dining rooms, plenty of 2+ hour dinners, etc, but from reading more recent reviews and comments, a lot of those problems seem to have been addressed. I wouldn't completely discount the early reviews, as there were genuine issues back then, but I think I'd put a little more weight on the more recent reviews since I do think they've made a real effort at trying to fix the problems people had.

[fred30]

We were on the Inaugural Cruise and the computer system was not working for several days. This caused issues with dining and making other reservations. Also, there were other issues going on with the robotics. From what I have read most of these issues have been fixed and they are making adjustments to the new Dynamic Dining.

 

We managed to work around most of the issues on our cruse and had a wonderful time on a fantastic beautiful ship. I am sure we will be on the Anthem someday. I don't plan on doing another Inaugural cruise on any ship though. These new ships have so much technical stuff on them they need time to get the bugs out.

[karmacats]

We were on Quantum on Jan 3. Most of the reviews before our cruise were negative and we were pretty concerned. I was also a huge dynamic dining skeptic, as I really didn't like freestyle on NCL.

 

I think our cruise was where royal started to turn it around. We had a great time. No dining issues - our meals were generally between 60 and 90 minutes. We were able to book jamie's on the fly by talking to the hostess, and ended up eating there 3 times with no problem.

 

I haven't read quantum reviews for a couple of weeks, but late jan/early feb i noticed them trending up. still complaints, but fewer, and interspersed more with good reviews.

 

Obviously everyone's experience is different, and some people are never going to like dynamic dining. Surprisingly to me, it won us over and i'm really looking forward to it on anthem. I didn't really find making show and dining reservations beforehand any more cumbersome than reserving shows and specialty restaurants for oasis or allure.

 

For two extra days and not having to fly, i'd definitely give it a try.

 

(BTW, OP, my mom grew up in fair lawn, on morlot avenue!)

[RealDeal]

We were on Quantum on Jan 3. Most of the reviews before our cruise were negative and we were pretty concerned. I was also a huge dynamic dining skeptic, as I really didn't like freestyle on NCL.

 

I think our cruise was where royal started to turn it around. We had a great time. No dining issues - our meals were generally between 60 and 90 minutes. We were able to book jamie's on the fly by talking to the hostess, and ended up eating there 3 times with no problem.

 

I haven't read quantum reviews for a couple of weeks, but late jan/early feb i noticed them trending up. still complaints, but fewer, and interspersed more with good reviews.

 

Obviously everyone's experience is different, and some people are never going to like dynamic dining. Surprisingly to me, it won us over and i'm really looking forward to it on anthem. I didn't really find making show and dining reservations beforehand any more cumbersome than reserving shows and specialty restaurants for oasis or allure.

 

For two extra days and not having to fly, i'd definitely give it a try.

 

(BTW, OP, my mom grew up in fair lawn, on morlot avenue!)

 

Wait...what? I GREW UP ON MORLOT AVE & my mom still lives there! My mom lives 1.5 blocks from Saddle River Rd.

Edited March 12, 2015 by RealDeal

[CruisingFamilia]

After reading most of the posts on this thread I noticed that i agreed with bits and pieces of all the ones i read. Everyone's subjective experience is his/her own. Some give poor reviews because the soap wasnt scented and others because they felt the entertainment was lame. Whenever we book a cruise we look at all aspect ranging from the ship itself to the itinerary. We glance reviews and also reflect on our past experiences with the various cruise line we have traveled on. Last year we sailed on RCCL's Allure of the Seas. Even though we ran into a few service related glitches we had a very nice time. Based on those glitches, we do not feel a poor review is warranted. I did point them out in my review. We are not a difficult family too please and we are not overly demanding. We usually receive the experience we expected. Cruising is a personal choice and everyone will experience it diffidrent, good or bad. For us, anytime spent together is good fun quality time. I will apply the same stategies when deciding to cruise on Quantum.

[karmacats]

Wait...what? I GREW UP ON MORLOT AVE & my mom still lives there! My mom lives 1.5 blocks from Saddle River Rd.

 

Really?!?!?! That's crazy.

 

My mom still has some cousins that live on Dorothy, right off of Morlot near saddle river rd.

 

My grandmother's house, where my mom grew up, was further away from saddle river road, just past the railroad tracks. It may have been near 17th street. My grandmother passed away in the mid-90s so it's been a long time since i've been there and i don't remember the exact location.

[RealDeal]

Really?!?!?! That's crazy.

 

My mom still has some cousins that live on Dorothy, right off of Morlot near saddle river rd.

 

My grandmother's house, where my mom grew up, was further away from saddle river road, just past the railroad tracks. It may have been near 17th street. My grandmother passed away in the mid-90s so it's been a long time since i've been there and i don't remember the exact location.

 

Hilarious....Dorothy is at the corner of my mother's block...

 

Thanks everyone for your help. I've decided to go w/Anthem. It's my home port, cost per day is less than Allure when everything is considered, and I feel confident that after she's been on the sea for a year all will be fine by the time I sail.

[maria1122]

Were sailing on the Quantum April 24th. Im so happy to read your good comments and I too am keeping an open mind. Something different.. Tonight were going to finish booking dining and shows. Do you have any advise to give us since you've been there? We would appreciate that so much.

 

My only advice is to enjoy it. If you in encounter a problem deal with it, move on, and just remember you worked hard for this vacation and enjoy all the good time.

 

One more thing....cover your ears on the elevator. That's where

you hear all the complaining from the grumpy cruisers.

[Aggravation]

Just did the math: Anthem would actually cost less pp per day.

 

Did the math eh? You are the RealDeal! Most of the pricing complaints on these pages would evaporate if the more vocal Cruise Cynics would follow your lead.

 

We were on the 2-Feb Quantum 11-nighter, paying $146pp for a balcony room. Great price - but as for value - we can't shake the feeling that, for many reasons, this was our best cruise yet. Excellent value. Loved the ship - enough so that we booked again for March 21, and will do onboard booking for Anthem next year.

 

Booking meals and entertainment in October was time consuming - booking for March was done with the upgraded systems, and didn't take 20 minutes, problem solved, but the complaints live on - nice work from RCCL.

 

Dynamic Dining worked great for us - but it was a MAJOR issue for some. On morning 1 - a mere 15 hours into the cruise, we were seated with 6 strangers in American Icon for breakfast - and all 6 agreed this was the worst cruise they have ever been on - and they're never cruising RCCL again. Quick studies, or perhaps we're a bit oblivious.

 

Confirmation bias is a powerful force, particularly when harnessed to peer pressure. If everyone else hates it, I hate it too. Great breakfast - except for the ill mannered company. How do you write off a vacation in less than 24 hours because the new ship isn't exactly like the old ship? Echoing the wisdom already expressed in this thread - if you go looking to have a great time - you'll win on this ship.

 

We had no difficulty changing dinner reservations - and as others have mentioned - Windjammer is not what it used to be - it's a very viable and enjoyable dinner option. Worth noting that most nights we were asked by our server how we wanted to be served - fast - medium - slow, just in case we had a show or other plans. There were never any of the reported 2-hour meals - service was simply what it has always been - fine.

 

A final thought - TA's, off-peak cruises, and new ships, are accessible to a narrower demographic band than the peak sailings. It's a different crowd, pursuing different values, hampered by a demonstrable ability to dwell on seeming irrelevancies. No WiFi in the loo? Flush and move on to a hot spot. The mix impacts the early ship reviews in much the same way Hollywood movie critics hate the movies many of us love.

 

The Quantum is a home run - expect Anthem will be likewise. If you're looking for a memorable vacation experience, pull the trigger, don't miss the opportunity.

[Merion_Mom]

Did the math eh? You are the RealDeal! Most of the pricing complaints on these pages would evaporate if the more vocal Cruise Cynics would follow your lead.

 

We were on the 2-Feb Quantum 11-nighter, paying $146pp for a balcony room. Great price - but as for value - we can't shake the feeling that, for many reasons, this was our best cruise yet. Excellent value. Loved the ship - enough so that we booked again for March 21, and will do onboard booking for Anthem next year.

 

Booking meals and entertainment in October was time consuming - booking for March was done with the upgraded systems, and didn't take 20 minutes, problem solved, but the complaints live on - nice work from RCCL.

 

Dynamic Dining worked great for us - but it was a MAJOR issue for some. On morning 1 - a mere 15 hours into the cruise, we were seated with 6 strangers in American Icon for breakfast - and all 6 agreed this was the worst cruise they have ever been on - and they're never cruising RCCL again. Quick studies, or perhaps we're a bit oblivious.

 

Confirmation bias is a powerful force, particularly when harnessed to peer pressure. If everyone else hates it, I hate it too. Great breakfast - except for the ill mannered company. How do you write off a vacation in less than 24 hours because the new ship isn't exactly like the old ship? Echoing the wisdom already expressed in this thread - if you go looking to have a great time - you'll win on this ship.

 

We had no difficulty changing dinner reservations - and as others have mentioned - Windjammer is not what it used to be - it's a very viable and enjoyable dinner option. Worth noting that most nights we were asked by our server how we wanted to be served - fast - medium - slow, just in case we had a show or other plans. There were never any of the reported 2-hour meals - service was simply what it has always been - fine.

 

A final thought - TA's, off-peak cruises, and new ships, are accessible to a narrower demographic band than the peak sailings. It's a different crowd, pursuing different values, hampered by a demonstrable ability to dwell on seeming irrelevancies. No WiFi in the loo? Flush and move on to a hot spot. The mix impacts the early ship reviews in much the same way Hollywood movie critics hate the movies many of us love.

 

The Quantum is a home run - expect Anthem will be likewise. If you're looking for a memorable vacation experience, pull the trigger, don't miss the opportunity.

 

Did we meet?

[RealDeal]

Did the math eh? You are the RealDeal! Most of the pricing complaints on these pages would evaporate if the more vocal Cruise Cynics would follow your lead.

 

We were on the 2-Feb Quantum 11-nighter, paying $146pp for a balcony room. Great price - but as for value - we can't shake the feeling that, for many reasons, this was our best cruise yet. Excellent value. Loved the ship - enough so that we booked again for March 21, and will do onboard booking for Anthem next year.

 

Booking meals and entertainment in October was time consuming - booking for March was done with the upgraded systems, and didn't take 20 minutes, problem solved, but the complaints live on - nice work from RCCL.

 

Dynamic Dining worked great for us - but it was a MAJOR issue for some. On morning 1 - a mere 15 hours into the cruise, we were seated with 6 strangers in American Icon for breakfast - and all 6 agreed this was the worst cruise they have ever been on - and they're never cruising RCCL again. Quick studies, or perhaps we're a bit oblivious.

 

Confirmation bias is a powerful force, particularly when harnessed to peer pressure. If everyone else hates it, I hate it too. Great breakfast - except for the ill mannered company. How do you write off a vacation in less than 24 hours because the new ship isn't exactly like the old ship? Echoing the wisdom already expressed in this thread - if you go looking to have a great time - you'll win on this ship.

 

We had no difficulty changing dinner reservations - and as others have mentioned - Windjammer is not what it used to be - it's a very viable and enjoyable dinner option. Worth noting that most nights we were asked by our server how we wanted to be served - fast - medium - slow, just in case we had a show or other plans. There were never any of the reported 2-hour meals - service was simply what it has always been - fine.

 

A final thought - TA's, off-peak cruises, and new ships, are accessible to a narrower demographic band than the peak sailings. It's a different crowd, pursuing different values, hampered by a demonstrable ability to dwell on seeming irrelevancies. No WiFi in the loo? Flush and move on to a hot spot. The mix impacts the early ship reviews in much the same way Hollywood movie critics hate the movies many of us love.

 

The Quantum is a home run - expect Anthem will be likewise. If you're looking for a memorable vacation experience, pull the trigger, don't miss the opportunity.

 

Great summary. I assume you mean $146pp per day? We're actually slightly less than that when factoring in OBC (which I tend to deduct from the overall fare b/c I end up taking most of out in the casino).

 

After spending DAYS researching this to death & thinking about what to do til I got a headache (LOL), this is what I boiled it down to: There are traditionalists who are not going to like something new, plain and simple, and when a ship comes out with this many new things at once, there's bound to be an adjustment period. By no means am I suggesting that people haven't head legitimate issues, but I think a lot of those issues will be ironed out sooner rather than later. Just my opinion.

 

So, in any event, it's done. Called my TA today & switched over from the Allure. Will definitely revisit Allure in colder weather!

 

And PS: I love your screen name...should be mine!

[Aggravation]

Did we meet?

 

We didn't - but I suspect that was you Captain Gus Referenced at the Q&A session in the gorgeous 270 lounge.

[rbschultz]

I'd spend $300 for 3 extra days in a heartbeat. But i wouldn't sail out of a northern port unless it was a TA. YMMV

 

To each his/her own. I actually really liked it because I didn't need to worry about checked baggage/etc in order to take a flight somewhere. I also really enjoyed falling asleep to 50 degree weather and then waking up the next day with it being mid 70s.

 

-Ross

[Aggravation]

Great summary. I assume you mean $146pp per day? We're actually slightly less than that when factoring in OBC (which I tend to deduct from the overall fare b/c I end up taking most of out in the casino).

 

So, in any event, it's done. Called my TA today & switched over from the Allure. Will definitely revisit Allure in colder weather!

 

And PS: I love your screen name...should be mine!

 

My mistake, that was per day - no deal is that good. I ran a separate column for the OBC as it varied by sailing date, and part came from my travel agent.

 

I'm not one to write reviews but we had such a great trip I'd hate to see anyone miss the experience based on exaggerated nuances. There are no downsides to this ship - it's a great experience.

 

The screen name is a vestige of the past - a summer spent trying to claim a national drag racing record - but consistently running 2/100's of a second behind the constantly improving time. Like cruising - it keeps getting better. Enjoy your trip!

[RealDeal]

My mistake, that was per day - no deal is that good. I ran a separate column for the OBC as it varied by sailing date, and part came from my travel agent.

 

I'm not one to write reviews but we had such a great trip I'd hate to see anyone miss the experience based on exaggerated nuances. There are no downsides to this ship - it's a great experience.

 

The screen name is a vestige of the past - a summer spent trying to claim a national drag racing record - but consistently running 2/100's of a second behind the constantly improving time. Like cruising - it keeps getting better. Enjoy your trip!

 

LOL...thanks!

 

Doesn't sound too different from when the Royal Princess debuted...the reviews for the most part were NOT good. Maybe there were real issues, I don't know, but I personally know 3 different people who've sailed on the Royal or Regal in the past year and each has loved it, and reviews have definitely improved.

[LetsGetWet!]

Everything new has kinks to work out....you can take the word of others, or go and enjoy something yourself. No matter what ship, or age of ship -- you will find good and bad reviews -- and all of them are very subjective (even the good ones).

 

Remember only a small percentage of people participate on CC, and negative voices ring louder than happy ones (not just in this, but overall in society).

I'll disagree a little with this. Sure, only a small percentage of people participate on CC, but I imagine that percentage is pretty representative of the whole.

 

Yes, negative voices ring louder than happy ones.

 

BUT, there's one factor that I think can't be discounted. Reviews for Quantum here are WAY lower than any other RCI ship - by 20-40 percentage points, last time I looked. Sorry, but that's significant - because all the reviews here are from the SAME "small percentage of cruisers" and would have the SAME "louder negative voices." Look at reviews across the board for all the different RCI ships - Quantum sticks out like a sore thumb.

[LetsGetWet!]

Put it this way... There are some who hire a private transportation somewhere hoping for a Rolls Royce and when the Bentley shows up, says to him/herself "you know, not exactly what I was hoping for, but its still top quality". There are others who hope for the Rolls, get the Bentley, and it absolutely ruins their trip to the point where they can't find happiness anywhere else.

 

The second kind of person tends to be the one most vocal on Cruise Critic.

Excellent analogy. I agree 100%

Again, that "second kind of person" on CC can be expected to be reviewing all the different RCI ships. So you can't use that as sound reasoning given that Quantum reviews on CC are dramatically lower than every other ship in the entire RCI fleet.

[John&LaLa]

It really IS lovely, driving to port. ;)

 

Could not agree more. ;)

[Merion_Mom]

I'll disagree a little with this. Sure, only a small percentage of people participate on CC, but I imagine that percentage is pretty representative of the whole.

 

Yes, negative voices ring louder than happy ones.

 

BUT, there's one factor that I think can't be discounted. Reviews for Quantum here are WAY lower than any other RCI ship - by 20-40 percentage points, last time I looked. Sorry, but that's significant - because all the reviews here are from the SAME "small percentage of cruisers" and would have the SAME "louder negative voices." Look at reviews across the board for all the different RCI ships - Quantum sticks out like a sore thumb.

 

I have posted this before, but here it is again:

 

Look at the Cruise Critic reviews in the review section.

 

Look at the date of the cruise.

 

1. Discount any review before February 2015. Why? Because I said so. ;)

 

2. Discount ANY review that gave a 1 or 2 to the entertainment. They are mean nasty people who wouldn't know a good cruise if it bit them on the butt.

 

:D

[Hoopster95]

Again, that "second kind of person" on CC can be expected to be reviewing all the different RCI ships. So you can't use that as sound reasoning given that Quantum reviews on CC are dramatically lower than every other ship in the entire RCI fleet.

 

Q changed everything... people don't like change. I feel that most reviewers were not and are not prepared for how truly different Q is. It is not at all representative of anything other RCL ship whatsoever. You can paint it pink and cover the RCL logo on the side with "ACME Cruise Lines" and you wouldn't know the difference. So most were totally taken off guard... now add the execution issues of Dynamic Dining on some sailings which was always a fuse for people's anger at RCL for changing their cruising experience even before they set sail on Quantum. It was a foregone conclusion to me... many went on Quantum with total negativity and everything snowballed from there

 

For me Q was totally awesome. If you're interested in seeing an 11-day review through the eyes of someone who was thrilled on this ship and had a superb time, click below in my signature :)

[gkbiiii]

I have been on the ship, since she first sailed and she is absolute garbage!!!! The reviews are still poor, in that Quantum is a highly flawed vessel and an absolute disgrace to Royal Caribbean International: this being said, Quantum would be a fine sister ship, to the NCL Epic.

 

The 43% approval rate is justly deserved and if one looks back at the first months of both Oasis & Allure, their passenger ratings were outstanding.

 

Don't pay attention, to the cheerleaders; its YOUR MONEY & TIME, use it wisely! Why not go on a ship with warm reviews and NOT risk it??

Edited March 14, 2015 by gkbiiii

[gkbiiii]

Everything new has kinks to work out....you can take the word of others, or go and enjoy something yourself. No matter what ship, or age of ship -- you will find good and bad reviews -- and all of them are very subjective (even the good ones).

 

Remember only a small percentage of people participate on CC, and negative voices ring louder than happy ones (not just in this, but overall in society).

 

We have all been to restaurants or movies/shows at home that others disliked, yet we loved them.

 

Everyone goes on a cruise with different expectations. Go and enjoy....set yourself up for a GREAT vacation and HAVE one. Worry less and enjoy more.

 

So are you looking to book Anthem or Quantum....whichever, just do it, as Nike says.

 

This is not true, the ratings speak for themselves: I would feel guilty to mislead people, just to be Loyal to Royal, etc.!!!

Edited March 14, 2015 by gkbiiii