Royal Caribbean’s Quantum of the Seas Review 2023 [PHOTOS]

Quantum of the Seas set sail in 2014 with just a short stint of cruises from New York to the Bahamas and the Caribbean. After that inaugural season, she set sail for her new homeport in Shanghai, China.

Quantum of the Seas Layout

Navigating the Quantum of the Seas posed no challenge once I got the layout of Wonder of the Seas out of my head — having just completed her inaugural cruise.

The first Quantum-class ship has a fairly straightforward layout. The main dining rooms are on Decks 3 and 4, as are the casino, Music Hall, and theater.

Deck 4 includes several shopping areas along the Royal Promenade. Two more main dining rooms and bars are also found there. Deck 5 holds most specialty restaurants, bars, some shopping, and Two70º, the performance area.

Noodles, Windjammer Marketplace, The Solarium and Grill, and the outdoor screen are up another deck. The more active areas on Deck 15 include the North Star, SeaPlex, Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness Area, and the running track.

Deck 16 has the Ripcord by iFly skydiving simulator and FlowRider surfing simulator.

Staterooms

Considered quite innovative when they debuted on Quantum of the Seas, the staterooms were amongst the largest and most advanced ever.

Virtual Balconies, which gave views of the ocean and destinations, provided the inside cabins the illusion of an exterior view. Things certainly have changed, at least in the way of technology.

I stayed in a balcony cabin and found the lack of bedside USB ports frustrating. At least there was one port near one of the beds, and my charging cable was long enough to reach that port on the other bedside table.

Other than that minor nuisance, the cabin suited our needs. We had plenty of space, and the layout was efficient. I was pleasantly surprised that the curtains did a fairly good job of blocking out the too-early and too-late light in Alaska.

Our balcony was ideal for an Alaska cruise and highly recommended for such a scenic destination. Even when sailing on a balcony, I head to the top deck (in this case, Deck 16) for an all-encompassing view.

Dining

In addition to the Windjammer Marketplace, four main dining rooms, each with different décor, are available for guests. We selected My Time Dining as we never know what to do from one day to the next. We also had no desire to sit at an assigned table with assigned dining mates.

We went to our designated dining room on the first night and were asked if we had reservations. We knew My Time Dining had separate hours from assigned dining, but took the program’s name literally.

The professional and affable maitre’d seated us the first night after asking what time our reservations were. We confirmed we were on My Time Dining but were told we should have reservations. That seems to defeat the purpose of the program or, at least, our understanding of the program.

The maitre d’ made reservations for the rest of the cruise, which worked fine for us. Ultimately, we dined simultaneously every evening in The Grande on deck 3 at an assigned window table.

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Quantum was the first ship to have Jamie’s Italian Restaurant, which is still on board. In addition, there are several other specialty restaurants: Chef’s Table, Chops Grille, Izumi, and Wonderland.

We opted to try Wonderland, a restaurant I hadn’t dined in for a long time. There were just a few tables with fellow diners on our dining night. I watched for the Mad Hatter, an essential component of the experience when I had last dined in Wonderland.

I never saw the Mad Hatter, so I asked the server when he would appear. This character adds much to this experience and is now only on one of the ships. His absence changed the interactiveness of the dining experience but did not detract from the quality.

Our knowledgeable server enhanced our enjoyment of dining in Wonderland by explaining the dishes, ingredients, and preparation of our courses. The dishes might not be typical, but they are prepared carefully.

Dishes are organized according to five elements – sun, ice, fire, earth, and sea. As a non-seafood lover, I noticed that even though Wonderland is not billed as a seafood restaurant, seafood dominates the menu. Still, I found plenty of alternatives to satisfy my tastes.

Entertainment

Most larger-scale entertainment occurs in the Theater or Two70º, an alternative performance venue. By day, Two70º has expansive windows overlooking the sea. During performances, the curtains drop, and the shows begin.

We never went to the official performances but found ourselves watching rehearsals, which we found equally satisfying.

The Royal Theater on Quantum of the Seas felt tight, with many rows having just one way in and out. That seemed like an odd setup.

This voyage showed GODDESS, a juggler comedian, and Sequins and Feathers. We also enjoyed a violinist and guitarist duo. Unlike many of the newer Royal Caribbean ships, Quantum of the Seas has no Broadway-style shows.

Self-directed entertainment can be found at the SeaPlex. Different opportunities, like bumper cars, happen throughout the cruise. Keep your eye on your app or the Cruise Compass for times.

I tried to take advantage of the North Star observation capsule, but there was no availability during the entire cruise. That was a disappointment.

The FlowRider and Ripcord by iFly — the sky diving experience — also have open hours throughout the cruise. Pickleball seemed very popular.

Public Areas & Watering Holes

Scattered throughout the Quantum of the Seas are multiple watering holes. Some of my favorites were Boleros (Latin lounge), Schooner Bar (piano), and the Music Hall (live rock bands). The Royal Esplanade on Deck 4 is the hub of many activities and the location of many bars.

Considering this itinerary sailed Alaska, I especially enjoyed the outdoor public spaces. It was warm enough that guests took advantage of the pools and hot tubs – especially in the Solarium and the outdoor pools.

To admire the scenery, I headed to Deck 15 and 16. Search for the massive bear sculpture that dominates that deck. This 30-foot magenta-colored polar bear is part of an art collection on the ship.

Searching for interesting artworks throughout the ship is a worthwhile activity. The theme of this art collection is “What Makes Life Worth Living.”

Speaking of art on the ship, check out the very interesting art inside the elevators. It will bring a smile to your face and is something to reflect on when passengers forget about social distancing and test the weight limits of the elevator.

Fitness Center & Spa

Vitality Spa on Deck 15 offers the usual assortment of spa treatments. Just one level up, you’ll find the Vitality Fitness Center, open from early morning until early evening.

There’s also a running track on Deck 15. That’s a perfect spot for viewing the scenery, so please be aware that runners prefer running on an unobstructed track.

Closing Thoughts

Quantum of the Seas sometimes seemed a bit crowded on the Royal Esplanade. There was often a line to get something from La Patisserie, which always seemed to hop. I learned to take another route to avoid the Deck 4 chaos.

Good service makes any cruise memorable, which was the case on this sailing. The crew worked hard, always greeted us, and ensured that everything was of a high standard. We appreciated their commitment to good service.

With its real connection to the sea and many outdoor spaces, I found Quantum of the Seas a good choice for sailing in Southeast Alaska.