Quantum May 9, 2022 7 Nights Alaska Not Very Live

[twangster]

51 minutes ago, celoplyr said:

Oh I have so many questions, since we are going in July.

 

How fast did ripcord (free) sell out? Is this one of the cruises without the Key (we bought the Key as a pampering experience and were wondering how it's going)?  If not, can you tell me what the Key is doing? What's the percent occupancy?  

 

Oh! What's the hot chocolate situation at La Patisserie? Last time they had 4 different types, but it doesn't look like they still do 😞

 

I'm not sure on iFly.  I've done it a number of times on other ships so I didn't book it this time.  It is sold out here on day 2, but a lot of things say that in the app.

 

I'm not a big sweets kind of person so I'm not sure on the chocolate situation either.

[twangster]

Here is what the cruise planner says about the internet:

 

We changed times last night, the app however did not.   In this screenshot the app ship time is wrong.  At some point they fixed the app, now, several hours later, it is correct.

 

 

 

 

[Biker19]

55 minutes ago, celoplyr said:

How fast did ripcord (free) sell out?

The trick to booking the free version of Ripcord is to keep refreshing the app around 8AM - when they usually list the slots. It is usually only listed in the app on that day - so you need to do this on the day you want to go (the port days when it's usually free). Availability should be much better for the paid version.

[twangster]

I had a discussion with the lifeguard station.  All pools are fresh water, no salt water in any pool or hot tub.

 

Indoor pools are heated to ~75°F.  The outdoor main pool will remain open unless outside air is below 50°F.  It is heated but not as warm as the indoor family pool due to heat loss.  The FlowRider is also heated.

 

Hot tubs are set for 100 to 104°F

[Biker19]

Just now, twangster said:

The outdoor main pool will remain open unless outside air is below 50°F. 

Good to know it has the same limit as the Flowrider.

[twangster]

Signs are bilingual.

 

 

 

[twangster]

Top Tier this morning at 10am.

 

Gold 970

Platinum 334

Emerald 127

Diamond 198

Diamond Plus 100

Pinnacle 6

 

Total CAS 1,760

 

These are the numbers that were announced, so... Royal math. 🤣

 

Waiting to hear total guest count from a reliable source.

[twangster]

It seems we are toggling between O3b and legacy satellites.  

 

Pings times were just under 700ms, then a brief outage, now back around 210ms.  

 

50° 08.25' N 

 

Almost to the tip of Vancouver Island in the Pacific.  

[twangster]

Coastal Kitchen last night was pretty standard for CK.  Filet Mignon night.   Received a nice cut of meat cooked perfectly.  Great meal.

 

I had an early Zoom call so did the WJ for breakfast.  Pretty standard WJ breakfast.  There were Eggs Benedict and cooked to order omelets so a typical Q class WJ breakfast.

 

The venues are pushing the QR code for menus, more so than any other ship I've been on,  but have paper copies on request. 

 

I have a bad cabin for WiFi coverage and have to prop my door open with a used water bottle to get useable wifi in my cabin.  I've had the same experience on Anthem so kind of typical for this class.  Couldn't zoom call with door closed, had to have cabin door open to have workable zoom call back when we were on O3b earlier so there definitely are wifi coverage gaps in cabins.

[twangster]

If anyone has been on Anthem or Ovation this ship feels identical except for subtle differences like the window seating in the Solarium.

 

 

 

 

 

Later sister ships have more loungers near the windows as I recall.

 

My cabin is a standard balcony cabin and looks identical to any Anthem or Ovation cabin I've ever had.  If I teleported to Anthem and back most places on the ship are identical and I wouldn't be able to tell you which ship is which in most places around the ship.

[twangster]

Cruise compasses so far...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Tree_skier]

Great stuff, I'm going to enjoy following this one too. 

 

Quick question about embarkation.  Were you required to have your ArriveCan application done prior to boarding or are you able to do that once on board?

[DaKahuna]

14 minutes ago, twangster said:

 Coastal Kitchen last night was pretty standard for CK.  Filet .Mignon night.   Received a nice cut of meat cooked perfectly.  Great meal.

 

 

 Thank you!  That is great to know. 

 

15 minutes ago, twangster said:

 

I have a bad cabin for WiFi coverage and have to prop my door open with a used water bottle to get useable wifi in my cabin.  I've had the same experience on Anthem so kind of typical for this class.  Couldn't zoom call with door closed, had to have cabin door open to have workable zoom call back when we were on O3b earlier so there definitely are wifi coverage gaps in cabins.

 

 Have you said anything to your Concierge or to Guest Services?  I am not sure about RCL but others have reported when they encountered that issue on Celebrity, IT placed a WiFi access point or booster in our cabin or added one closer to their cabin and the connectivity issues went away.   Might be worth it to let someone know about the issue and see if something gets done. 

[snaefell]

1 hour ago, twangster said:

The Diamond Club has been converted back from the Golden Room high rollers casino but the cage or booth for what was presumably the cashier remains.  Maybe that's where they secure the drink vouchers now.

 

 

 

 

Wow,amazing change from when it was the casino

[twangster]

10 minutes ago, Tree_skier said:

Great stuff, I'm going to enjoy following this one too. 

 

Quick question about embarkation.  Were you required to have your ArriveCan application done prior to boarding or are you able to do that once on board?

 

Yes. 

 

The first gatekeeper asked for our test results.  They gave a us a sticker to put on so others would know we have already showed a negative test.

 

The next gatekeeper outside was a guy asking if we had ArriveCAN done.  Those who answered no were sent to the side to get it done.  I showed my phone with QR code to him and was allowed to proceed.  

 

I imagine part of the delays were folks who didn't have this done.  There were 10 or 15 guests standing there doing it when I reached that point.  The problem is those people who don't have it done have to ask question after question while receiving the same answer.  Yes you need to have ArriveCAN done.  Meanwhile us that have it done are stuck behind them while they are asking a different version of the same question for the 10th time.  Yes you need to have ArriveCAN done.  Yes you need to have ArriveCAN done.   Asking again will yield the same answer.  Move out of the way and let those of us that have it done through.

 

I did receive a text message and an email 72 hours before boarding day from Royal explaining the need for ArriveCAN.  I guess some guests had no idea.  

Edited May 10, 2022 by twangster

[twangster]

12 minutes ago, DaKahuna said:

 

 Thank you!  That is great to know. 

 

 

 Have you said anything to your Concierge or to Guest Services?  I am not sure about RCL but others have reported when they encountered that issue on Celebrity, IT placed a WiFi access point or booster in our cabin or added one closer to their cabin and the connectivity issues went away.   Might be worth it to let someone know about the issue and see if something gets done. 

 

I will of course but don't expect any response.  They'll blame Alaska and claim it's the satellite.  They are not technical people and don't understand wifi vs. satellite.  

 

Royal has been running these ships for years.  They know they have wifi issues.  

 

Edited May 10, 2022 by twangster

[twangster]

Concierge Club... I mean Suite Lounge.

 

Mixed use of CL vs. SL.  

 

 

 

Pinnacle allowed in.  There are six Pinnacle this cruise.  The highest number of Pinnacle they have booked so far for the Alaska season on Quantum is 15 Pinnacle.  Diamond Plus are banned. 

 

In places the signage says Suite Lounge.

 

  

But in other places like deckplans and the letter in the cabin it's called Concierge Club.

 

It may not seem like a big deal for suite guests but for D+ it's an important differentiator.  

 

The letter in my cabin clear says SL drinks will use vouchers for Pinnacle.  Last night they didn't use vouchers but my GreyGoose and tonic didn't taste like GreyGoose so I suspect it's something else.  

 

They didn't have a paper drink menu to show the brands available so this will need some more research.  I'm up for the task.

 

They are asking all guests to scan in and out of the SL/CL to track utilization.  Serenade did this as well last week.  They are in data gathering mode trying to better understand who is using the lounge and for how long.  Once they have some stats they will revisit the D+ access policy.  

 

We all see or think we see the issues but it's not obvious when Pinnacle or D+ are in full suites so they need hard data to support policy decisions.   By scanning guests in and out they get that data.

[twangster]

On a side note I put an Airtag in my luggage before handing it off to the porters.  That's a tracking device from Apple.

 

 

Oops.  Looks like my luggage is over at the marina next door while me and my backpack Airtag are on Quantum.  A few minutes it appeared at my cabin door.

 

#techfail #niceideabut

[celoplyr]

1 hour ago, twangster said:

 

I'm not sure on iFly.  I've done it a number of times on other ships so I didn't book it this time.  It is sold out here on day 2, but a lot of things say that in the app.

 

I'm not a big sweets kind of person so I'm not sure on the chocolate situation either.

If you remember, could you just look at La Patisserie's menu?  If they have 4 types, vs 1, it means my parents won't have to bring their hot chocolate supply from home with them.  they're addicted!! if it's 1, "have hot chocolate, will travel"

[Ozark_Kid]

2 hours ago, twangster said:

We have switched over to legacy satellites, latency much higher now, had no internet there for a bit, back on line now.  

 

North of the 50th parallel now. 

How can you tell what satellites you are on?

Do you ever try cellular while outside?

Edited May 10, 2022 by Ozark_Kid

[twangster]

40 minutes ago, Ozark_Kid said:

How can you tell what satellites you are on?

Do you ever try cellular while outside?

 

In order to open the casino and shops they move out to international water where the cell towers from land don't reach so using cellular while out at sea doesn't work well.  I always turn on airplane mode so my phone doesn't roam onto the ship's cellular tower operated by a 3rd party called Cellular@Sea.  They charge outrageous roaming rates that also use satellites to reach land.  

 

The latency or ping times can tell you if you are using the O3b satellites or the legacy ones that sit over the equator.  Below 300ms ping time means O3b, over 500ms means legacy.  High 600's to low 700's of latency in milliseconds is typical legacy satellite ping time.

[dolphingirl47]

Thanks for sharing. You just made my day. We had Romana as diamond concierge on our first cruise as diamonds, which was also on Quantum . Not only is she lovely, but she is also from our favourite city in China. Can’t wait to see her again in just under 3 weeks time.

 

Corinna

[DaKahuna]

Do you know if suite guest are required to use any CC drink coupons in the lounge during Happy Hour?  

 

My understanding is that drinks are free for suite guest in the lounge during Happy Hour but must be purchased, or use a drink coupon at other times.  

 

[SeafaringKangaroo]

3 hours ago, sabrefan15 said:

I hope they get the line situation fixed, we are going next month and I know my 80 year old mother won't be able to stand in line that long.

 

I was on the May 4 sailing on Quantum from Seattle, and the same thing happened. I was pretty early and didn't have any problems, but by 1pm, chaos ensued. Many people were standing in line in the terminal for 4+ hours.

[twangster]

1 hour ago, celoplyr said:

If you remember, could you just look at La Patisserie's menu?  If they have 4 types, vs 1, it means my parents won't have to bring their hot chocolate supply from home with them.  they're addicted!! if it's 1, "have hot chocolate, will travel"