Spectrum of the Seas for asian market

I read that Spectrum is specifically geared towards the asian market, I guess this is especially true for what kind of food will be served and perhaps entertainment offerings.

Will there also be „hardware“ changes, as far as construction is concerned, room outfitting etc.?

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Usually more gambling and shopping options for ships dedicated to the Asian market.

And probably smoking allowed all over the ship? :-/

And probably smoking allowed all over the ship? :-/

Follow this thread: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2453589

I read that Spectrum is specifically geared towards the asian market, I guess this is especially true for what kind of food will be served and perhaps entertainment offerings.

 

Will there also be „hardware“ changes, as far as construction is concerned, room outfitting etc.?

 

 

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I'm going on the Spectrum, and have been on the Quantum. The "hardware" is nothing more than a floor plan, where you add/change things as the company (RCCL) wants.

Examples:

1. Casino - remove many slot machines and add more table games.

2. Pay extra restaurants - Spectrum removed the café promenade and changed it to a pay restaurant called Szechuan Red. A complete Chinese restaurant. Wonderland was changed to a Chinese version. All the other Pay restaurants are the same (Chops, Izumi, Jaimi's).

3. They added a "kids" eating place next to the kid's pool zone. (which I think is a neat idea) and put the pizza place next to it also.

4. MDR was changed to the traditional large room (which is a hardware change). The food is RCCL food, but with some added comfort Chinese dishes. Windjammer, is larger, and it is a large mix of Asian and American foods. It's really easy to change things up in a buffet. Breakfast is also some mixing of cultures, but eggs and bacon are still around. They also have European breakfast items.

5. Ships are English speaking, however, it is the secondary language. So for any announcements, you will get to hear it in English. Signs are also both languages in the ship.

6. Entertainment is more "visual" and less "talking". It will lean to Asian themes for Headlines. English will often be included in the show. As far as the evening is concerned, the last time, the ship had two bands. One was English, the other Asian. They played every and rotated between the Music Hall, and Bolaros (which will be a Karaoke Bar.

7. The Spectrum has a Suites enclave, which is misleading. The section of the ship, is an exclusive section, with a key entry. It is not only suites. They also have standard balconies for 3 times the cost, but you get to be in the golden area. I honestly don't know how this would work in the USA or Europe, but it works in Asia.

8. Drink prices are cheaper because they are price controlled.

Basically the ship, is a RCCL ship. It is adapted for the majority, but if you like Chinese food, understand that this ship is in China, and so the primary customer is Chinese.

Smoking is the same as any other RCCL ship. The casino, and outside on one section of deck. Smoking is against the law in Shanghai to smoke anywhere you are under a covering. That means even open decks if it is covered. Most Chinese will follow Shanghai law on the ship, which is great.

 

8. Drink prices are cheaper because they are price controlled.

 

This caught my eye as apparently the bars are pretty much empty on Chinese cruises and yet by the sounds of it the drinks are cheaper. I’d be interested to know what you mean by price controlled if you get chance to reply :)

This caught my eye as apparently the bars are pretty much empty on Chinese cruises and yet by the sounds of it the drinks are cheaper. I’d be interested to know what you mean by price controlled if you get chance to reply :)

In 2017, on Quantum, the beverage package was $38.00 per day. Prices aren't posted yet for my trip so I can't say what it will be. I saw a current drink card for 12 beers for $49. It is usually 10 for $49. The mixed drink care was I believe 12 for $79.00. I think most beer was $4.95 instead of 5.95 and up. That included Tsingtao beer which was in a big bottle, which I think it said 650ml.

Yes, the bars were pretty much empty, and I think every bartender knew me by name.....when you are the only customer. Actually there was drinking, but very little of it.

Price control in China for the cruise ships. I learned this on the ship, when I was talking to one of the officer staff. Things like the iFly and North Star have fees. They rely heavily on shopping profits and casino profits and get very little bar income, and other items like pictures. They have a price control on the price of the cruise, but can add prices on for other items on the ship. So, booze is cheaper to encourage some spending and they have certain caps they can't go over.

Even in the Suite/Diamond lounge, drinking which was free, was low.

So, it's a savings, but not huge. I liked the $38 per day, and hope it happens again.

We've been to China twice and loved it, so I think we should be fine. We plan on doing the 7-day Japan tour in October 19.

In 2017, on Quantum, the beverage package was $38.00 per day. Prices aren't posted yet for my trip so I can't say what it will be. I saw a current drink card for 12 beers for $49. It is usually 10 for $49. The mixed drink care was I believe 12 for $79.00. I think most beer was $4.95 instead of 5.95 and up. That included Tsingtao beer which was in a big bottle, which I think it said 650ml.

 

 

 

Yes, the bars were pretty much empty, and I think every bartender knew me by name.....when you are the only customer. Actually there was drinking, but very little of it.

 

 

 

Price control in China for the cruise ships. I learned this on the ship, when I was talking to one of the officer staff. Things like the iFly and North Star have fees. They rely heavily on shopping profits and casino profits and get very little bar income, and other items like pictures. They have a price control on the price of the cruise, but can add prices on for other items on the ship. So, booze is cheaper to encourage some spending and they have certain caps they can't go over.

 

 

 

Even in the Suite/Diamond lounge, drinking which was free, was low.

 

 

 

So, it's a savings, but not huge. I liked the $38 per day, and hope it happens again.

Thank you for that, very interesting how things differ in overseas markets.

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The Spectrum has got rid of the pub space and replaced it with a tea room

The Spectrum has got rid of the pub space and replaced it with a tea room

Which is adapting to their customers. Asians love Tea and Coffee, and they don't drink booze a lot, so put in a place where they can spend money and enjoy, or have a place that is empty? On the Quantum, the pub was always empty. You could say a wasted space that is not producing revenue. I wonder if it will work? Or will I see it empty when I get on.