Kung Fu Panda restaurant opens on Quantum of the Seas

Kung Fu Panda Restaurant.

Royal Caribbean International said its first Kung Fu Panda Noodle Shop has opened on Quantum of the Seas.

It is the first restaurant on land or sea to feature characters from the Dreamworks Animation film “Kung Fu Panda,” which is popular in China where Quantum is now deployed.

Menu items, priced from $2 to $5, include four-piece dim sum and noodle bowls such as Taiwanese spicy beef noodles. Desserts include sesame balls and custard tart.

There is also an opportunity for keepsake pictures with Po and other characters from the movie.

Royal won’t retrofit ships for Dynamic Dining

Royal Caribbean International has decided not to install its Dynamic Dining concept on the Oasis, Allure and Harmony of the Seas, as it once planned to do.

The concept, which splits the main dining room into four smaller themed restaurants, will be limited to ships that have been designed from the beginning to accommodate it, Royal said in a statement.

Currently, the Quantum class ships, including the Quantum of the Seas and Anthem of the Seas, are the only ones predesigned for Dynamic Dining.

Dynamic Dining originally also meant elimination of fixed dining times, but Royal later added a “classic” option with early and late seatings.

Royal had already converted the main three-deck dining area on Oasis of the Seas into single restaurant spaces on each floor.

Guests on the Oasis, Allure or Harmony who have already preselected the classic option for their upcoming cruise will be assigned to either early or late seating to match their original choice of time. Guests who have selected the “choice” option will be assigned to the My Time Dining program, Royal said.

The world’s largest cruise ship just hit the water in France

Harmony of the Seas

It’s 50 meters longer than the Eiffel Tower.

Royal Caribbean’s “Harmony of the Seas” — the world’s largest cruise ship — entered the water in France on Friday. It’s expected to take its maiden voyage in 2016.

The ship has been under construction since 2013, according to an Agence France-Presse report on Yahoo  YHOO -0.98% . The ship will carry 6,360 passengers along with 2,100 staff. It weighs 227,000 tons and measures 1,187 feet — that’s 50 meters longer than the height of the Eiffel Tower.

The second biggest cruise ships are also owned by Royal Caribbean  RCL 0.23%  and are named “Allure of the Seas” and “Oasis of the Seas.” Both weigh 225,000 tones.

Construction on the new Royal Caribbean ship has required over 2,5000 people.

The boat is expected to set sail in mid-February on test runs. The first voyage could take place in May and will be from the United Kingdom to Spain, according to AFP.