London-Calling
-
Posts
782 -
Joined
Content Type
Forums
Store
Blogs
Downloads
Events
Gallery
Posts posted by London-Calling
-
-
We could get into quite a complex debate about what is a “Royal Prom” and what is not.
Quantum’s (whatever it is called) will certainly be different to those on-board the Voyager, Freedom and Oasis class ships.
Quantum’s may not have the scale (length, width and height) I associate with their other “Royal Proms”. It also does not appear to be constructed in a straight line. It does not have cabins overlooking it.
Many mega-ships have a corridor passing through the centre, with retail, bars and dining either side. NCL’s Epic and Breakaway ships do, for example. However I would not call them “Royal Proms”.
Whatever Quantum's is called I don’t think it is really a “Royal Prom” as such. Others will disagree.;)
-
A cruise blog has revealed that Quantum will NOT have a Royal Promenade as such.
I was not expecting a full-blow RP, but the class does not appear to have anything which could be called a RP as we know it.
-
A few months before Quantum arrives at Southampton and we are missing info on the bars, lounges, casino, spa and some sort of Royal Promenade.
I believe there are still 5 "more to come".
Never has a ship been so secretive!
-
One thing lacking is a Park Cafe. I love this space on the Oasis Class and the roast beef sandwiches are the best I've ever had.
I loved it to!
The Park Café if part of Quantum's/Anthem's Two70 Lounge.
-
It's great to try different ships/lines.
Personally I think RCI have some of the world's most amazing ships in term of cutting-edge design, but NCL are in second place with Epic, Breakaway and Getaway.
Breakaway and Getaway are similar in many ways to Epic, but they win because of their extra design feature "the waterfront".
I find NCL's freestyle a refreshing change compare to RCI's more traditional dining system. NCL win on dining 'flexibility' and their very wide choice of cuisine. The entertainment is different to RCI's but also very good.
NCL have more optional surcharges but sometimes their fares are lower - swings & roundabouts!
NCL's new ships are packed with dining rooms, bars and entertainment venues, HOWEVER for this reason they lack the big open 'wow' spaces that RCI are famous for.
Personally I will continue to cruise with and BOTH lines and enjoy the differences*.
(*Saying that 'Quantum' dining does not look so different from NCL's model)
-
All I can say is I hope NCL is planning for more interesting itineraries than what the Oasis-class ships are doing now...
Unlikely: The more interesting the ship the more boring the itinerary!
-
There are rumours circulating the net that NCL will be ordering two 200,000 gt ships.
That's almost as big as Oasis!
Of course it may or may-not be true.
-
Quantum has not even been built yet, so it’s not fair to judge it, but here are my observations and concerns anyway:
Quantum is a strange beast.
RCI have been famous in the past for ships with ‘wow’ spaces – Viking crown lounge, tall atriums, Royal Promenade’s, Studio B/Ice Rink, Aqua-theatre, Central Park and some large breath-taking dining rooms etc.
I was very surprised when I heard about ‘Dynamic Dining’ which is clearly inspired by NCL’s freestyle. However let’s be honest, NCL have had several decades practice at it.
The problem with ships with multiple dining rooms (Epic, Breakaway and Getaway for example) there is very little room for ‘wow’ spaces*. Evert inch of the ship becomes packed with dining options, bars and conventional entertainment spaces. RCI have thrown away one of their unique features. (Two70 may be the exception here).
However, RCI have been clever with Quantum. The ‘gimmicks’ such a the ‘Seaplex’ (with bumper cars), I-Fly and the ‘North Star’ (observation pod) are located on the top deck. After all there is little room inside the ship.
These ‘gimmicks’ will of course appeal to kids but they are hardly aimed at us grown-ups, are they?
Interestingly, much of the entertainment relies on Hi-Tech. Now I’m sure that flying video screens and laser-harps will all be very impressive, but will all these gadgets really help make ‘good’ shows?
I sometimes see modern movies and find myself saying “The special effects were fantastic, but the acting and the story was weak”. Will that be the case with Quantum’s show?
I’m not sure.
-
We will enjoy ourselves and make the best of everything but more research next time.
Yes, you have made a very BIG MISTAKE! You have decided to dislike the cruise even before you step on-board. That's not a great way to start, is it?;)
Getaway and Breakaway are AMAZING floating resorts, there are only a few ships as impressive.
However, NCL like many, are mass market cruise lines and have all the advantages which that brings and the disadvantages too. Of course there's a lot of people on-board, of course the pool and decks get busy, of course there are surcharges. If you really don't like those aspects of the experience, best pick Regent, Crystal or Seaborne and pay twice as much!
What you do get with Getaway is an impressive choice of entertainment and dining, with unparalleled flexibility.
Stop worrying and go with an open mind - ENJOY!
(I bet that this will not be your last cruise on Getaway!)
-
Clearly this is Waterfront 2.0, err wait 4.0, see all the space! Will NCL redesign the waterfront?
Probably too late for Escape but Bliss having a small waterfront versus MSC in 2017?
I wonder what the black rectangular windows are at the stern. Maybe a panoramic lift (elevator)?
MSC have said that their 'Vista' newbuilds will have an internal 'Promenade' probably RCL style, I guess. They have also said that 'Seaside' (above) will have a 'Waterfront' type feature. (NCL have started a trend.)
That design at the stern of Seaside does looks just like a 'split superstructure' to me. That big black window could be at the end of a internal promenade, if she has one!
Just guessing.;)
Back to Escape: so she will definitely have some additional public spaces, there's room on her deck plans for them. A lounge might be nice, given the lack of one. However we may just get even more income generating spaces, such as dining rooms or even an extra entertainment/sports facility?
I wonder if the existing Getaway spaces will be mainly duplicated or could there be some major changes?
I guess that they cannot make big structural changes and they will want 'Breakaway+' to have continuity with the 'Breakaway' class. However re-branding/changing the usage of spaces is very feasible.
-
Epic, Breakaway and Getaway are simply in a different league than Gem and the other Jewel class ships.
Not all the food and service on-board NCL's mega ships is excellent, but as there are something like 20 options you will find something to you liking. The entertainment on offer is a step-up - in fact a number of steps-up.
There are the only ships which really compete with RCL's big ships.
GO FOR IT!
(And you save money - win, win!)
-
So MSC have ordered two Mega-ships, which will be the third biggest ships in the world (based on gross tonnage).
I'm kind of wrong! The two new 'Visa' ships will be the third biggest. Seaside is a little smaller (but still VERY big)
I also said: The RCI and NCL like feature, will prove interesting: a Royal Promenade, (internal 'street') and a 'Waterfront' (external promenade).Also a bit wrong!
Vista will have the internal promenade, Seaside the external promenade.
Too many MSC new-builds is confusing me!;)
Seaside slide show here: http://youtu.be/_O7MZYipt8E
Vista slide show here: http://youtu.be/aC1dTIqhCu4
-
Slide show here: http://youtu.be/_O7MZYipt8E
-
So MSC have ordered two Mega-ships, which will be the third biggest ships in the world (based on gross tonnage).
The RCI and NCL like feature, will prove interesting: a Royal Promenade, (internal 'street') and a 'Waterfront' (external promenade).
Exciting! What do you think?
-
I would be happy to know a bit more about the company CMV. Do they market in the UK?
Thanks for the advice.
CMV are British and run several older/smaller Ocean Ships. They are a 'budget' operation often offering good-value, but of course NOT 5 star products.
It's seemed odd that they started offering River Cruises, as they have a 'budget' image, although the early prices for their river cruises were not cheap. However there are deep discounts now.
It looks like they are only chartering the boat until June this year, anyway.
-
Thanks FuelScience.
What were the cabins like? The public rooms?
-
NCL have had problems with their 'Freestyle System' but they have has some twenty years to perfect it!
(It's still not perfect, though).
-
These are the kind of issues that dining 'flexibility' bring. This is why some of us were rather sceptical about 'Dynamic Dining'.
NCL have had these sort of problems with their 'Freestyle System' but they have has some twenty years to perfect it! (it's still not perfect, though).
-
I too am interested in CMV's Vienna I.
Her public rooms look nice in the photos but what's the food and service like?
I don't want to pay 5-6 star prices so I don't expect 5-6 star service, but I do want reasonable standards.
-
Anyone cruise on these two cheaper boats?
How was the ship, service and food?
-
The link works now!:)
-
The link to the chart no longer works!:confused:
-
Have I missed something?
The RCI web site mentions the 'Promenade Cafe' on-board Quantum.
So do we know anything more about the 'Promenade'?
-
I have learned to never assume a ship will be in a location, or doing a sailing, longer than they currently have available to book.
Yes!
The advantage of cruise ship business for the owners is that it is very mobile. Ships can quickly be redeployed where the demand is.
(Some British lines like P&O and Fred Olsen still cruise the North Cape)
Oasis class vs quantum
in Royal Caribbean International
Posted · Edited by London-Calling
Quantum and Oasis have a similar space-ratio, so Quantum should not feel any more crowded.
Quantum: The problem with filling a ship with dining rooms and bars (just like Epic, Getaway and Breakaway) is that you do not leave much room for 'wow' spaces which Oasis has many of i.e. Central Park Boardwalk, Royal Prom, studio B etc.
Instead, RCI are tying to wow us with dining options and technology. Real innovations or silly gimmicks - only time will tell.
I don't think any ship will beat Oasis for many years, because of he sheer scale.