rjrpar

We were thinking of doing the Quantum but I just got an email from a friend who went on the two day trip and apparently there were some big problems. Bumper cars only open two hours a day and only 8 cars and 4,000 guests. Crazy. Also I understand they actually ran out of several food items. RCCL is not new to the cruise business so how could this happen? The bionic bar where you are served by robots is apparently an epic failure. Many technical problems. And apparently the Northstar cannot be used in very cold weather due to hydraulics. So this winter is will remain non-fucntional until the ship gets into the warmer climates. I wonder why they picked New York as a base giving this issue? I think that will turn out to be a huge mistake for RCCL. They should have sent the Allure to NYC and had the Quantum in Florida. Also apparently at dinner they ran out of certain foods and then just brought people some random substitutes and said "I hope that is ok" Sounds like they have a lot of bugs to work out!

Either this is a joke or you're an extremely negative person; you seem to enjoy reporting the problems. It's a brand new class of ship with a completely different dining concept and you're reacting to a 2-day cruise intended to identify and resolve issues.

So I was thinking of booking this restaurant with my family the first night because that is "smart casual" night and we don't want to do formal. I will have 3 kids 10 and under. Is this restaurant appropriate for kids? If not, I think that's a shame because my family dining options are being shrunk to American Icon and Johnny Rockets... not really cool for a ship that is supposed to cater to families.

Of course it is appropriate for kids, most restaurants are. Silk and Chic are also appropriate. There are no limits to family dining on QOTS unless self imposed.

If you cruise is going to the Caribbean, you may need shorts there.

The cruise this weekend is not going to the Caribbean. No need for shorts on the 2 day sample cruise in the Atlantic. When the Quantum starts the longer cruises, you definitely need summer clothes.

I love how people seem to think this is "wrong" or a "mistake" by Royal. Really? You think they just wing it? They know what the market will and won't bear, and they've determined that this is a no-brainer. Seriously, cruising in NOT all-inclusive. And as unconscionable as it seems to some of you- Royal is actually in this business to make money.

 

Really? It's a travesty that you have to pay a MODEST fee to have someone bring food to your room rather than having to take a five minute walk to get it for free? Of all the things to complain about.... This is kind of absurd when you look at the big picture....

Amen, my view is if you a few bucks are so important to you, then don't get room service. Cruising is a low cost vacation (unless you choose premium rooms), paying a few extras is no big deal.

Thanks Henry.

 

I actually read your post twice with great interest, and found your observations intriguing on several fronts.

 

The concept that cruises should offer the chance for relaxation and spontaneous activities (in contrast to rigid schedule and vigorous/regimented planning) is likely shared by many other fellow cruisers.

 

But we do actually prefer the larger ships in general...because they simply have more options of what to do onboard. We continue to be pleasantly surprised at a lack of waiting in most cases.

 

What comes into play is that with larger ships, and with the addition of "attractions" is the potential for lines and wait times.

 

Our experiences on multiple bigger ships is that despite a lot of passengers, long lines aren't that common. There is also the opportunity for plenty of "spontaneity", especially with more and more to do onboard. Even popular activities like Flowrider on INDY earlier this year rendered lines no more than 6-8 people most times we passed by.

 

That said...in the case of Quantum...almost everything is new...so lines are expectedly longer. A year or two from now, once the newness of Ripcord and Northstar wears off a bit, and the staff's experience grows, access will likely be quicker and more open.

 

But in the end, your overall main point is well taken.

I am also concerned about the rigid scheduling/planning required on the Quantum. I prefer doing what I feel like at the moment, but we are trying the Quantum in 3 months. Time will tell if we continue cruising on this type of ship.

Oh boy, here we go.

Dress pants and a dress shirt are not formal. However, in this day and age of casualness, I guess to some, that IS formal.

So if I wear sportscoat you consider that formal? Some people on the board want to redefine formal to what they want to wear.

When you're told on opening day that the offered price is the best price you're going to get, it should be. Prices should never go lower than opening day prices.

That's not the way the real world operates in any business.

According to one of the price tracking sites, it's much less expensive to book the 11/21 2 nighter now than it was in April 2014. I know I looked at the prices when they first came out and thought "no way" would I pay that for 2 nights. Even with my excitement to see the ship now there's no way I'd pay over $700 for 2 nights. I don't think the price will come down any lower for the 11/21 2 night sailing because I've been tracking it since Sunday. The price came down a little bit and stayed the same until yesterday when it went back up by $9. Many people have booked during this week, including myself, so I doubt the prices will come down any more.

Thanks, we are on the 2/2/15 11-night sailing. Will continue to watch the pricing but it would probably take a 25% drop to entice us to take a preview cruise.

Have done 12 cruises to the S. Caribbean in Feb and March. The daytime temperature has ALWAYS been 78-88 degrees, usually about 83.

Does anyone think that there could be some last minute price drops for either the 2 or 3 day cruise?

US 5900 for a 12 day cruise in balcony cabin it is high. It comes to US 500 per night. Those are prices for premium cruises. Supply and Demand? Check other suppliers...

Been to the Med several times. If you pay more than half of that on RCCL, you are crazy. Check around or go with a premium line.

You really can't compare an inside cabin and cruise quality food and entertainment to NY. I think the point is the 2 day cruise at $1000 is 2-3X the cost of most other cruises. That said, it's still only a thousand bucks to see a beautiful new ship. Everyone will view the value differently, we are still mulling it over.

If you compare this terminal's progress with the progress of the new one in Port Canaveral it makes Bayonne's project look pathetic.

 

Where is the parking garage??? Yes, I've read posts that says it is BEING built back behind the trailers….don't see it and it's a little late.

 

Bayonne needs to take a lesson from Port Canaveral.

Do you really care what a terminal looks like? We just need an efficient experience, the vacation is on the ship, not in the port.

I just looked on my cruise documentation and I noticed for the November 18th sailing I was upgraded from an obstructed view balcony to a non obstructed view and a higher deck level. I know I have in my preferences that I would like upgrades but maybe it's me, I dont know but I feel as if I should have been notified, asked if I wanted this, or been able to decline it. I'm kinda feeling the room isn't an upgrade. I really don't care if the balcony isnt obstructed. It's November who is going to be on it anyway? I'm not crazy about being on the higher floor next to the solarium. The room is the same size. I'm kinda ticked and my original room that I chose is unavailable now. Is there something I can do?:

 

Sounds like you are looking for a problem. Be happy!

Really? We don't have the details on the QoS yet but if it's like all other RCCL ships you can try these:

- The piano singer in the Schooner Bar

- Karaoke in the lounge

- Guitar music in the Pub

- Most bars have some type of music (and you don't have to drink to enjoy)

- Bumper cars

- Hot tub in the Solarium

- Library

- Movie at the pool

- Miniature golf

- Rip Cord

- Casino (not my thing)

- Late night snack (Sorrento's or Cafe Promenade)

- Star gazing on the Helicopter pad (if allowed)

 

I am sure there are many other things to do that as well.

I think Toothy26 was referring to the nightly entertainment in the main theatre that was always part of every cruise.

The time of these show is absolutely awful. Unless one want the late shows, it basically interferes with our 6:15pm dining times.

Three of the shows are at 8:30, perfect for a 6:15 dinner

Is there ANY new information on whether there will be complimentary Sauna and/or steam Room facilities on Quantum Class ships? I know there will be a Thermal Suite facility, which obviously will be for pay, but will there be any complementary facilities?

 

That was one of the FEW drawbacks (And a major one) of the Oasis Class ship design; while the Fitness Center is huge and comprehensive, there are NO complementary Steam and/or Saunas available and even the Thermal Suite seems to have been an afterthought, looking more like an hallway with several heated tile loungers thrown in and a cost that is NOT commensurate to what's provided.

 

So, any other news on the Spa offerings?

Not sure anyone would know. probably some news after the initial sailing

I suppose at his late date after final payment it really doesn't matter. Still, it's very frustrating not knowing what venues will be offered on the ship.

Not frustrating to me at all. Some of our best cruises have been when we experiment with diffrent cruise lines and really enjoy seeing new and unexpected things.

I'm not going to write a review for now but I feel very surprised that my experience with the food onboard did not match up with many of the reviews that I had read previously.

 

After the first few days I started to second-guess myself thinking maybe it's just me so I started asking other passengers what they thought of the food. Almost universally people I talked to were very disappointed in the food. Many had chose to go to the pay restaurants after finding the MDR food unpalatable and then were even more disappointed that they were paying for food they weren't happy with. When the served the lobster on the 2nd sea day evening it infuriated many people as nearly everyone in my area of the dining room were served overcooked lobster and not allowed a replacement.

 

So back to my question.. has the food quality dropped off in quality recently? Were the reviewers biased, or schills for RCCL?

 

Overall I thought the cruise was decent but I'm just very surprised at the many reviews that labelled the food as "better than Carnival" when that was certainly not the case on this past week's sailing. I find it hard to believe that on a nice ship like the Allure that the food was always this bad and not many would mention that in the reviews.

The food quality continues to decline, even in the specialty restaurants. The need to keep fares low to fill the ever-increasing number of cabins results in ongoing cost cutting.

Regarding reviews and comments on this board, some people, not all, are real homers and will never admit RCCL has downgraded the cruise experience

Maybe no downside but I will never understand the need to spend money sooner than required.

For those interested in the entertainment schedule here's is a schedule for the

Dec. 1 and Feb. 2 --- 11 nites.

 

Thanks to "LouTheGlue"

 

 

Day 1

Mama Mia 8:30 PM

 

Day 2

Mama Mia 2:30 PM

Mama Mia 8:30 PM

Starwater 8:30 PM

 

Day 3

Comedy Show 7:00 PM

 

Day 4

Starwater 10:30 PM

 

Day 5

 

Day 6

Starwater 8:30 PM

Guest Entertainer1 7:00 PM

 

Day 7

Guest Entertainer2 7:00 PM

 

Day 8

Starwater 8:30 PM

Starwater 10:30 PM

 

Day 9

Sonic Odyssey 5:30 PM

 

 

Day 10

Sonic Odyssey 2:00 PM

Sonic Odyssey 8:30 PM

Starwater 8:30 PM

 

Day 11

Starwater 10:30 PM

Guest Entertainer3 7:00 PM

Guest Entertainer3 9:00 PM

 

Thanks to "Bobbie John"

 

Day 1 Mamma Mia/ 8:30 pm

Day 2 Mamma Mia/ 2:30 pm 8:30 pm

Day 3 Comedy/ 7 and 9 pm

Day 4 No show/ In port San Juan

Day 5 Guest Entertainer 1/ 9 pm

Day 6 Guest Ent 1/ 7 pm

Day 7 Guest Ent 2/ 7 and 9 pm

Day 8 Starwater/ 10:30 pm( also another one, probably earlier)

Day 9 Sonic Odyssey/ 5:30 pm

Day 10 Sonic Odyssey/ 2 pm and 8:30 pm

Day 11 Guest Ent 3/ 7 and 9 pm

 

Hope this helps in planning.

How do you know it's the schedule for the 2/2 sailing? No one at RCCl seems to know

AI at 8:15

Prepay of tips has never been mentioned in conjunction with DD. Why look for things to complain about??

Royal has cut food costs in their premium restaurants in the last several years, just like in other areas. I use to think that Chops was close to the land based steakhouses and worth the then $20 surcharge. No more, it's not the same, even their sides have been affected.

Not entriely sure how this will work.

If we fancy a restuarant that requires formal wear are we going to be the only ones walking around dressed up ? Won't that be a bit odd ?

 

I like it when everyone makes the effort even if its just for 1 night per cruise. Great to people watch

 

What are other peoples thoughts on this ?

Why do you care what other people wear? In everyday life, everyone is wearing something different, try going out for a nice dinner and look around; suits, sweaters, jeans, etc.