Royal Caribbean unveils Quantum schedule from Bayonne, N.J.

Posted on 19 April, 2013 by Spacejunkie2

Royal Caribbean unveils Quantum schedule from Bayonne, N.J.

By Tom Stieghorst

Royal Caribbean International’s next ship, Quantum of the Seas, will sail four itineraries from Bayonne’s Cape Liberty terminal after debuting in late 2014.

According to Royal Caribbean’s website, Quantum will do a seven- or eight-day base itinerary that includes Port Canaveral, Coco Cay and Nassau.

There will also be an eight-day Eastern Caribbean itinerary with stops in Labadee, Haiti; San Juan, Puerto Rico; and Samana, Dominican Republic.

Longer itineraries include an 11-day trip that includes the three stops on the shorter Eastern Caribbean trip plus St. Thomas, St. Maarten and St. Kitts, and a 12-night Southern Caribbean voyage that will stop in Barbados and Martinique.

Quantum cruises are scheduled to go on sale June 4.

Navigator of the Seas to get virtual balconies

Posted on 17 April, 2013 by Spacejunkie2

Navigator of the Seas to get virtual balconies

By Tom Stieghorst

Not content to wait for them to appear on Quantum of the Seas, Royal Caribbean will install its first virtual balconies on Navigator of the Seas when it undergoes revitalization early next year.

Royal Caribbean International CEO Adam Goldstein said the virtual balconies — an 80-inch LED projection screen that shows exterior images — will change how interior cabins are viewed.

“It’s going to bring a completely different feel to the experience,” Goldstein said at Royal Caribbean’s media conference on Tuesday toreveal some of the features of Quantum.

Disney Cruise Line introduced outside views from inside cabins in 2011, with the launch of Magical Portholes on the Disney Dream.

The 4,100-passenger Quantum is under construction and is expected to enter service in November 2014.

The 3,100-passenger Navigator, which entered service in 2002, will go into drydock next January to get the Royal Advantage upgrade package. It is scheduled to sail from Galveston when the upgrades are complete.

Virtual balconies were one of the new features rolled out for Quantum, along with bumper cars, a sky diving attraction and a large observation pod on a mechanical arm.

Goldstein said there will not be a specific surcharge for interior cabins with virtual balconies, but added that he hopes they will bring higher yields.

“The whole experience will be more valuable to our guests and we expect that to be reflected in the ticket price,” he said.

Royal Caribbean names Quantum of the Seas godmother

Posted on 25 February, 2013 by Spacejunkie2

Royal Caribbean names Quantum of the Seas godmother

By Phil Davies

Emmy-winning US actress and singer Kristin Chenoweth is to be godmother to Royal Caribbean International’s new cruise ship Quantum of the Seas.

The 4,100-passenger vessel is due to enter service in autumn 2014 followed by sister ship Anthem of the Seas in spring 2015.

Chenoweth and host Seth MacFarlane sang the closing number at last night’s Oscars ceremony in Hollywood with the cruise line announcing her involvement in the new ship in adverts on US television during coverage of the awards.

Chenoweth was chosen for her effervescent personality and ability to wow audiences, the cruise line said.

“Her versatile range of roles made her a natural fit, given that Quantum of the Seas, set to debut in fall 2014, is poised to introduce unprecedented experiences and amenities only attainable on Royal Caribbean International,” the company added.

Chief executive Adam Goldstein said: “Our ships have always been designed for WOW and with Quantum of Seas, we are excited to introduce Quantum cruising and the ‘at sea’ firsts that our guests have come to expect from Royal Caribbean.

“We look forward to working with Kristen and having her officially name our ship when she is delivered in the fall of 2014.”

Chenoweth said: “I think the Royal Caribbean brand is the perfect match for me, especially with their history of providing exceptional entertainment experiences to their guests.”