My Week on Quantum of the Seas

[lovelife]

The Solarium is a lovely area and I loved the tiered pools, but.............we saw children in there each and every time we visited -- day or night. Children have many spots of their own but we adults have only one place supposedly exclusively ours - the Solarium - and we can't even have that. Why can't the 16 and older rule be enforced? And while you're at it RCCL, how about raising the age to 21. :)

 

 

 

 

On the subject of children, we were told there were 1,000 on board and believe me you could tell. My Easter break research revealed most, particularly in the Northeast area, were the week after Easter. That must have been some erroneous information.

 

I experienced an Easter break cruise on the Explorer a few years ago that was swamped with belligerent children that I thought could never be topped. Well, this one did by a long shot. Of course children have the same right to cruise as adults as long as they abide by the rules like the adults must. I love children, I have some, I was one; but believe you me if I had ever pulled the stunts and let the filth fly from my mouth as a large number of these did, suffice it to say I would have suffered the wrath of my parents. These apparently undisciplined children ran rampant throughout every part of the ship with no adults in sight. A group of teenagers chased each other in and out of the library while I was on a computer. Talk about free range children..........

 

On Coco Cay an iguana sat near our picnic table. Two children around ages six and eight came up and started tossing fruit at it. We nicely told them they probably shouldn't feed it but they paid no attention. Then their mother came over and laughed as they broke a branch off a tree and began beating the iguana. By that time the poor thing was surrounded by onlookers and probably didn't know which way to run.

 

As I said, not all children were in this group, but the actions of a large number of them were inexcusable. They were discourteous, wild, and out of control. I know it was my fault for choosing this date and after this experience, I am convinced to never book a cruise anywhere near a school break again. Okay, I'm sure most of the readers with children are upset, but I tell it like it was.

 

Next up, FOOD.

[Yorkvillain]

OP, I'm loving your review so far. Great stuff.

 

I would have yelled so loudly at those kids when they started beating the iguana. I don't care whose kids they are.

 

We usually cruise in early September when there are not that many kids since most of them just went back to school. We love it.

[lovelife]

FOOD

 

Windjammer:

 

Food was good. After eating lunch there upon embarkation we only returned once for dinner and once for lunch. There was certainly plenty to choose from.

 

You passed through here to wash your hands and then got a squirt of the gel from a crew member before entering.

 

 

 

 

 

The evening we had dinner here they had fresh made donuts with your choice of filling. They were delish.

 

 

Outdoor Windjammer Seating

 

[lovelife]

Food:

 

Dog House - Never saw it open so didn't try it

 

Cafe 270° - Lunch - Excellent

 

Salads and sandwiches were fresh and tasty. The shot glass Oreo cheesecake was so good I had several during the cruise.

 

Silk - Dinner - Fair. Our least favorite restaurant. It was hard to find anything without onions, and I HATE onions. Would never return.

 

 

These things were pretty good

 

 

This was pretty good

 

 

Don't remember

 

 

Some pork dish - not too good

 

 

Chic - Dinner - Excellent food, poor service

 

We were led to the far corner of the restaurant to a 2-top against the serving station where I was facing the wall. It was very claustrophobic and I told the server I did not like the location. He advised there were no other two-tops available. During our meal DH walked through the restaurant and counted over 20 available two-tops. We waited a long time for a dessert menu but were never given one so we walked out and cancelled our second Chic reservation for later in the cruise due to being lied to and poor service. That was a real shame as the food was really good.

 

Just look at all the available tables for two just in that little section of the restaurant!!

 

[lovelife]

Devinly Decadence - Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner - Very Good

 

And to think this was all healthy!!!!!!

 

I enjoyed breakfast more than DH.

 

I had some of the best shrimp I have ever tasted at lunch and the pasta and salad perfect.

 

 

I made a pig of myself with these shot glass carrot cakes

 

 

Surf & Turf with Chicken for Dinner - Yum Yum

 

 

More shot glass desserts

 

[lovelife]

Grande - Dinner - Some very good, some fair. We were not impressed with the entrees. Very elegant restaurant.

 

We walked up about 6 pm and asked if we could get in without a reservation. DH did not bring a jacket so they loaned him one. I noticed other guys were given jackets to put on over their "very casual" shirts and promptly took them off and hung them on the back of their chairs so DH did the same. Waiters came along and gathered them up I presume to give to other guys just to get in the door. We were given a glass of nasty champagne before dinner. All went well until a group taking up four 10-tops sat in our section. We never saw our server again. We were deserted at dessert! The assistant server did return to get our dessert order.

 

 

Tasty appetizer

 

 

Don't remember what this was

 

 

Excellent Lemon Pie-Type Dessert

 

 

DH's Dessert with Ice Cream

 

 

Ceiling Decor

 

[lovelife]

Fantastic photo! Seen many in plenty of fellow CCer's reviews (including my own :eek:) of these "lighthouse + Atlantis" shots but this one has to take the prize.:D

 

Also I never had a Glow Party on Q back on Dec nor the Name That Tune game. Great to see they're incorporating new events and games. Thank you again for the photos and reporting.:)

 

Thanks so much for the great compliment and thanks to all who have commented. I love reading reviews myself and enjoy returning the favor.

[ladybird1292]

Fantastic review. I loved all the pictures. Thank you for sharing your experiences with us.

 

 

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[lovelife]

Food Continued

 

American Icon Grill - Had a couple breakfasts, lunches, & dinners here.

 

Mostly very good but lunch tutti salad was not fresh. Tutti salad was not available all sea days. We were told it was up to the chef when to offer it on Quantum.

 

This restaurant is closest to the feel of the main dining room on other ships.

 

We had this same table for two on three occasions!

 

 

 

One of DH's dinners

 

 

One of my dinners - loved the tub of corn

 

 

 

[lovelife]

American Icon Grill Continued

 

Beignets were offered at breakfast. Certainly not near the level of Cafe Du Monde, but good.

 

 

I noticed banana pancakes on the children's menu that sounded good so I ordered them one morning. As you can see, they were pancakes with a couple slices of banana thrown on. Not good.

 

[lovelife]

Jamie's Italian - Dinner - Very good

 

This was the only specialty restaurant we tried. There was no room inside so they sat us out front with a view of The Via.

 

 

I ended up going back to purchase a set of the little dish towels they use for napkins. A four pack was about $20 and then they charged me 18% gratuity - TO BUY TOWELS????? Oh well, I love them and have one on display in my kitchen.

 

 

Delicious Risotto

 

 

Delicious Salad

 

[lovelife]

Jamie's Italian Continued

 

I was undecided between seafood pasta and salmon so our waiter brought me both! Never had that happen before at a specialty restaurant.

 

 

The pasta was fresh and delicious. I liked this dish better.

 

 

DH had pumpkin lasagne. He found the taste strange and wished he would have ordered something else.

 

 

Now, for the best thing I ate all week...........this cheesecake was so delectable I dream about it.

 

[lovelife]

Wonderland - We did not eat here. I guess we aren't that adventurous.

 

 

The Big Finger

 

 

Interesting Decor

 

 

Izumi - We did not eat here but at times it looked busy

 

 

Johnny Rockets - We did not eat here. Never saw more than a half dozen patrons.

 

[lovelife]

More Quantum Photos

 

Basketball game in SeaPlex

 

 

Pretty cool bench in SeaPlex

 

 

Loved the Elevator Artwork

 

 

Other Artwork

 

 

A really good Latin band played in 270 one evening

 

 

Forgot to include this shot of the other end of our cabin

 

[lovelife]

More Random Shots

 

The Swing in 270. What a great view from in here and a wonderful venue.

 

 

Ladies' Room

 

 

Men's Room

 

 

Crew member having a deserved rest

 

 

Felicia's Deck

 

 

DH having fun in the Solarium pools

 

[lovelife]

Even More Random Shots

 

Bar on Pool Deck

 

 

DH had to run out and get one final snack our last evening while packing. Looks disgusting doesn't it?

 

 

Sleek elevator banks

 

 

Another visual from Starwater

 

 

A line for something

 

[lovelife]

SUMMARY

 

 

Hits:

 

The spectacular decor

 

Fast Internet - and I Mean FAST

 

Variety of restaurants

 

 

Misses:

 

Bar service. At four different bars I was completely ignored in favor of later walk-ups and soda package passengers. As far as people wanting soda refills, perhaps RCCL got enough complaints about passengers not getting service at the bars (I have personally experienced it in the past) that they have been instructed to favor them. I ended up walking out of all four bars because I never got served. I was totally ignored at 270° bar (I read there was supposed to be an ice bar upstairs but there isn't), Solarium bar, Michael's Genuine Pub, and a pool bar. I did get good service at Music Hall, Schooner Bar, and Bolero's. We endured the lengthy walk to the Concierge Lounge one evening for a drink and got great service.

 

I had to beg to get our selected Diamond Plus gift. Finally arrived on day three.

 

I had to beg to get our $100 OBC for using an old Next Cruise Booking.

 

I had to beg for the normal plates of goodies always delivered to the cabin twice during our cruises. On day five we finally got some cookies and strawberries.

 

All of DH's casino points were wiped out mid-cruise and he plays a lot. I know, it's not the end of the world stuff but perhaps he could have gotten a T shirt or something!!

 

When making a reservation for Devinly Decadence on board, the host insisted I already had one for a four-top at 8 pm that night and that my name was Barbara something or other. I assured him my name was not Barbara, I had no reservation, and there were only two of us. He defiantly stuck to his mistaken belief and it took a lot of insistence on my part to convince him the system was wrong.

 

I was charged $20 for my "free" Diamond Plus photo. I called Guest Services and personally visited Focus three times before it was finally removed.

 

I was startled by continuous ear-piercing yelping on deck. Turns out a little rat-sized dog was the culprit. The owner was quite fit and in fact went on Rip Cord so it was definitely not a service dog. I once saw a blind passenger with a service dog on Celebrity, but I was shocked that Royal Caribbean allows you to bring pets on a cruise!!

 

 

General:

 

This ship is different -- modern, fresh, and unique. It didn't seem as though I was on a Royal Caribbean ship. The only things about the ship that reminded me of RCCL were the Schooner Bar, Cafe Promenade, and Sorrento's. The ship is sleek and mostly beautiful. More like a Celebrity ship.

 

Exceptions:

 

Casino is dark with no style at all like other RCCL ships.

 

Music Hall, although a nice big venue, is very dark with ugly decor.

 

The several crew members we talked to about Quantum stated they do not like being on the ship and wish they were back on their previous assignments (all from Allure except one).

 

 

Best Debarkation Ever:

 

We had the first departure time after walk-offs. At 7:10 am, and before our scheduled departure time from Chops, we were escorted off by concierges. Wish they did this on other ships - have been told by Allure concierge they never escort anyone off even when we had suites. We were out of there and on the road by 7:30. What a pleasure.

 

 

Best thing about Quantum: Mama Mia

 

Worst thing about Quantum: Technology Failures

 

Despite the several poor experiences, we enjoyed our cruise to the fullest!! I'm very glad I tried this class of ship and dynamic dining (which I liked). Don't know if I'll repeat it though......but maybe.

 

Final night from our balcony

 

 

We're Back......

 

[ladybird1292]

Once again thank you for your review. It was great to see the pictures which are amazing, as well as read what your thoughts are regarding the Qots experience.

 

 

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[lovelife]

Once again thank you for your review. It was great to see the pictures which are amazing, as well as read what your thoughts are regarding the Qots experience.

 

 

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My pleasure indeed and thanks.

[DKNYC]

Hi

I appreciate your honest review of Quantum. I was on in January. Just wanted you to know that service dogs are not just for the physically disabled. Some performor provide other types of service/comfort for their owners. Sorry you had to endure the barking though. There were 2 well behaved service dogs on my recent Celebrity Eclipse TA. Sorry about the misbehaving children as well.

Denise

 

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Edited May 12, 2015 by DKNYC

[cocacola86]

How was the food options?

[papcx]

Slightly off topic, sorry, but I thought properly trained service dogs only barked when their owner was in danger?

[lovelife]

Hi

I appreciate your honest review of Quantum. I was on in January. Just wanted you to know that service dogs are not just for the physically disabled. Some performor provide other types of service/comfort for their owners. Sorry you had to endure the barking though. There were 2 well behaved service dogs on my recent Celebrity Eclipse TA. Sorry about the misbehaving children as well.

Denise

 

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Since concluding my review I discovered my own niece simply went on line and had her pet dog registered as a service dog for emotional reasons???? She is a healthy and happy 25 year old. I am shocked that apparently anyone can do this. Live and Learn........

[lovelife]

How was the food options?

 

I loved all the food options - there were so many. Some of the menus changed during the cruise. Although I really like traditional dining, I'm looking forward to Dynamic Dining on more ships.

[PA Schooners]

Thank you very much for taking the time to do this very informative and unbiased review! I think we might have to give Anthem a go!!

 

Mike