Quantum Review with 15 mos old baby

[scarlet4897]

We just returned from the Quantum March 13, 2015 sailing. Overall, we had a great time; although, we loved the Allure more.

 

Embarkation

We arrived at the Port of Bayonne around noon with a 1:45 pm check-in time. There was little to no line and we circled around and unloaded our car pretty quickly, given that we had 10 pieces of luggage for two adults and one 15 mos old baby. (If you'd like a packing list, please send me a private message and I'll send it to you.) We also packed a case of water by itself and wrapped it in brown paper grocery bags. We marked it "water" and it was delivered no problem. We did end up bringing a convertible car seat and used the britax carry bag. We tipped the portor $20.

 

I took the baby inside the terminal and my husband parked the car in the surface lot. While we were waiting approximately 5 minutes for DH, I spotted someone with an ipad and knew to check in with her. After a few health questions, the baby and I were all checked-in. Be sure to check in online and upload pictures ahead of time. My husband then met us and the woman checked him in. Five minutes later we went through security. A few minutes after that we took the elevator up to the top and boarded the ship. All in all, embarkation took all of 20 minutes.

 

More to come!!

Edited March 22, 2015 by scarlet4897

[scarlet4897]

Accommodations

 

We booked a Grand Suite on Deck 8. It was very spacious and had more than enough space for all of us and DS's gear. There is a great youtube video of a grand suite to give you an idea. The back wall was complete windows and the door to the balcony was on the living room side. We used the closet on the living room side for all of our coats, handbags, backpacks, etc. We had the room stewart empty the mini bar and remove all of the snacks off the top of the mini bar cabinet and used that as a food prep area for DS. We were able to collect cartons of whole milk from windjammer and store in the mini-bar fridge. There was no freezer so I couldn't keep freezer packs frozen for his bottle bag. We brought with us shelf stable toddler milk to use off the ship. This came in handy. I also brought all of DS's pureed baby food pouches and his baby cereal for his breakfast and other snacks. But otherwise, DS ate off of the kids menu.

 

We also attached his booster/highchair on the chair at the desk in the living room that we used in the cabin for his breakfast and snacks. We stored the convertible carseat and big stroller on the balcony. All of our clothes fit comfortably in the closet in the bedroom side. DS's pack and play (graco) fit between the bed and the glass windows on the bedroom side. They supplied the pack and play but we brought our own sheets (b/c they didn't supply that). There was a retractible thick black-out curtain that we closed after DS went to bed so we could still have the lights on in the living room and watch tv or read.

 

The bathroom had a tub and two sinks. One sink we used as a washing station for DS's bottles, plates, sippy cups, silverware. The other sink we used for brushing teeth, etc. We also brought some bath toys, scoop and baby soap. The suite came with upgraded toiletries which were great.

 

The cabin was very pretty overall. The glass table was a bit dangerous with the baby but not terrible. The glass is not attached to the table so we had to watch our curious toddler carefully.

 

The balcony was large. It contained two lounge chairs with a table and a larger table with two chairs. We lounged out there during DS's afternoon naps. It came in very handy.

[scarlet4897]

Food

 

The restaurants we enjoyed the best was Jamie's Italian, Chic, Chops Grille, Silk and the Grande. We also really liked Coastal Kitchen. The crab cake that we enjoyed the best was from Chic. My DH also had a porterhouse from Chops that was out of this world. We also really enjoyed the 270cafe. I loved the cuban and turkey club paninis. Chops was the only restaurant that made us feel uncomfortable for having a baby with us. Our DS is also very well behaved in restaurants.

 

The restaurants always provided us with a highchair. DS was able to eat off of the child's menu for the most part.

 

On the other hand, we really didn't like Divinely Decadence or American Icon. The Windjammer was also disappointing. For the life of us, we really don't understand why they don't provide trays anymore. One thing we did like about windjammer was that they made everyone wash their hands before entering; however, then they let everyone serve their own food touching all of the handles, etc.

 

We liked the different restaurants but disliked the fact that we never got to form any relationships with the waiters. I personally also missed the fact that there wasn't a "formal" night. I also missed the big promenade like from the Oasis class ships.

 

Drink package. They really push the drink package. Almost every drink except for Quantum water, lemonade, unsweet ice tea, coffee and tea costs extra. There is also free apple juice and orange juice. As expected, the free coffee is not great. We did use the platinum benefits for bogo drinks here and there.

Edited March 22, 2015 by scarlet4897

[scarlet4897]

Entertainment and Activities

 

We enjoyed the shows. We saw Mama Mia. It was good but not broadway quality despite what others have said. We also really enjoyed Starwater which, we thought was better than Sonic Odyssey. We also saw the Headliner - hypnotist.

 

The iFly is a MUST. It was so awesome. We were able to do a baby swap so that we could both take a turn. The iFly booked up for the entire cruise by the first day. We missed getting a reservation so we had to go and wait standby. Fortunately, many people miss reservations so we were able to get on to a group quickly.

 

As for the Northstar, the lines were enormous. Everytime we went up there it seemed like the line was at least 60-90 minutes. We ended up waiting until the Nassau day when most people were in port. Even then the line was 30 minutes long. Again, we did a baby swap because young children are not allowed on the Northstar. I think the youngest I saw was about 7 or 8 years old.

 

The seaplex was also a blast. We did the bumper cars and roller skating. As others have said they offer each item based on a schedule. They even did a circus school with a trapeze but we didn't try that. We also didn't try the flowrider.

 

Royal Babies/Tots

The Royal Babies program is pretty good. During embarkation day, we visited and made a few night-time reservations. They change diapers and provide food. They do want you to bring your own diapers/wipes, sippy cups etc. We were able to use the baby sitting for a few hours here and there to see some of the shows. The first night we used the baby sitting from 7-9pm and DS fell asleep and we were able to get him back into our cabin and his own bed without him waking up. The second night we were not so lucky and we didn't get DS back to bed until 11pm. The third night, he was absolutely hysterical and would not stay there. I got us seats at Sonic Odyssey and DH went back down to get DS. I was so glad that I sent DH to get him b/c DH said that he was completely upset and didn't want to be there. Surprisingly, DS LOVED the show and was clapping and laughing and totally enthralled.

[scarlet4897]

Excursions

Edited March 22, 2015 by scarlet4897

[Overtyme]

We just returned from the Quantum March 13, 2015 sailing. Overall, we had a great time; although, we loved the Allure more.

 

4 Years ago, we took our daughter, then 3 1/2, on. Allure

It was a great vacation, and to date, our favorite ship.

 

We now have daughter number 2 who will be 3 1/2 when we board Anthem during the Summer of 2016.

 

What did you miss on Quantum that you had on Allure?

Can you compare the two? Were there things on Quantum that you liked more?

 

How was it from a family perspective?

[scarlet4897]

4 Years ago, we took our daughter, then 3 1/2, on. Allure

It was a great vacation, and to date, our favorite ship.

 

We now have daughter number 2 who will be 3 1/2 when we board Anthem during the Summer of 2016.

 

What did you miss on Quantum that you had on Allure?

Can you compare the two? Were there things on Quantum that you liked more?

 

How was it from a family perspective?

 

We actually put a deposit on Anthem while on board. Just a few minutes ago, I told DH that we should transfer to a booking on Harmony (the new Oasis class ship). On Allure, they had these great parades down the promenade. They didn't have that on Quantum. Also, I loved the outdoor area with the carousel and the open air central park neighborhood. The Quantum did a character breakfast and appearances, but I didn't love the esplanade which felt a bit claustrophobic in comparison.

 

I'm not going to lie. We live about 30 minutes from Bayonne, so not having to fly is awesome.

[scarlet4897]

Excursions

 

We had great weather in Florida and the Bahamas.

 

In Port Canaveral, we met our in-laws and went to the Kennedy Space Center. It was a great day.

 

In CocoCay, we rented a Cabana and it was awesome to get away from the masses. It was quiet and secluded. A shady cabana, where DS could nap from 11-2pm. It included a lot of extras like water, beach chairs, floaties, champagne. I highly recommend it with the baby.

 

We ended up not getting off the ship in Nassau.

[scarlet4897]

The weather going down was cold and windy days 1 and 2 and cool and cloudy day 3. Days 4, 5 and 6 we were in Florida and the Bahamas and the weather was awesome. The weather days 7 and 8 coming back up was cold and very windy. The only days that we were up on deck were days 3-6.

[scarlet4897]

Suite Benefits

 

The overview of benefits for suites are well published. As for us, we used the priority seating for shows the most. We also used the Diamond Plus Lounge from 5-7pm. The priority disembarkation was also very nice. We were off the ship by 8am and home doing laundry by 9am.

[scarlet4897]

Spa/Fitness Center

 

I am a very avid spa user and have gone to very fancy spas and basic ones. The spa on Quantum is more like a discount massage chain than a fancy spa you'd find at a resort. Yet they charge the same prices as the fancy spas while providing the services of a discount massage chain.

 

I used the fitness center once and did the triple package (10% of first treatment, 20% off the second and 30% off the third). The fitness center was large, clean and had a good variety of equipment and classes. The classes are mostly for an extra charge. The gym was also very crowded. There were no locker rooms or changing rooms with the gym so you'd better use the bathroom at your cabin and forget taking a shower after your workout unless you go all the way back to your cabin.

 

The quality of the spa treatments were varied. I really enjoyed the 90 mins massage but she was late about 20 mins blaming a prior guests tardiness. She also pushed the sales right at the end. The facial was inadequate. There was no steam or extraction and the massage portion was very meager. The seaweed wrap was completely unacceptable. The room was very cold and the bed was not heated. I was told that they did not have heat in the treatment rooms. The seaweed was cooling and I was shivering so bad. The shower in the room did not work properly and the water alternated from scalding to freezing. Needless to say, they did not charge me.

 

I didn't like that they charged extra to use the thermalossary suite even if you paid for a treatment. I felt like that was very greedy of the company who runs the spa. Also, the changing room was also very meager. It was more like one toilet, one basic shower and one sink. There were about 10 lockers. The point is that the spa is not very "spa" like and was more like a basic discount massage chain. No robes, no steam or jacuzzi, no fancy showers unless you paid extra. The treatments are already very expensive. I was very dissatisfied.