All you need to know about Asia’s largest cruise ship

INTERNATIONAL cruise brand Royal Caribbean’s Quantum of the Seas is ready to set sail for Southeast Asia next year.

The cruise has 34 sailings from Singapore scheduled from November 2019 to April 2020.

Out of which, 27 will visit Malaysia, making a total of 43 calls to Port Klang and Penang.

Royal Caribbean said this is the longest ever deployment in the region for a ship of its class, which will enable the Quantum of the Seas to bring hundreds of tourists to Malaysia.

“Amazing” and “incredible” won’t do this ship justice. Source: Shutterstock.

To be precise, the trips are expected to bring around 190,000 tourists for both ports combined.

The itineraries include:

• Four-night cruises to Penang or Phuket.
• Five-night cruises to Kuala Lumpur (Port Klang), Penang, and Phuket.
• A seven-night cruise to KL (Port Klang), Penang, and Phuket.
• A seven-night cruise to Bangkok (Laem Chabang), and Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam.

In speaking about the ship’s voyage to Malaysia, Royal Caribbean managing director for Asia Pacific Sean Treacy said that over the years, Malaysia has grown to be one of the region’s most significant cruise destinations, and the growth is expected to continue.

“Each port-of-call here is unique. Penang is rich in cultural and gastronomical attractions, and Kuala Lumpur offers attractive shopping and cultural options,” he said.

Aerial view of Georgetown’s cruise port in Penang, Malaysia. Source: Shutterstock.

To gear her up for her return to Southeast Asia, the Quantum of the Seas will be refurbished in a multi-million dollar project.

But for now, here’s what you need to know about Asia’s largest cruise ship:

Larger than life

At 18 decks high and with 168,666 gross registered tonnes, the 1,141-feet long Quantum of the Seas can carry 4,905 guests.

For comparison, Paris’ Eiffel Tower, the most-visited paid monument in the world, stands at 1,063 feet tall.

Come onboard, walk the length of Paris’ Eiffel Tower as you explore Royal Caribbean’s Quantum of the Seas. Source: Shutterstock.

She has 16 passenger-accessible decks, eight of which feature balcony staterooms overlooking the ocean.

There are a total of 2,090 staterooms: 1,570 balcony staterooms, 147 ocean-view staterooms, and 373 inside staterooms.

All aft-facing staterooms are 2-story “loft” suites.

Spacious staterooms with plush furniture and classy trimmings may make guests forget for a second that they’re on a ship and not in a hotel room. Source: Royal Caribbean.

Of those staterooms, 34 are wheelchair accessible and 28 are studio staterooms for single travelers (including 12 studio staterooms with balconies).

On average, staterooms on the Quantum class are nine percent larger than those on the preceding Oasis class.

All decked out in tech

Hailed as the cruise ship of tomorrow, Quantum of the Seas is said to be the most technologically advanced cruise ship in the world.

Asia’s largest cruise ship is also the most revolutionary. Source: Royal Caribbean.

All guests wear an NFC-enabled wristband that lets them into their room, lets them pay for drinks, and book meals and entertainment with a tap of their wrist.

All interior staterooms feature a floor-to-ceiling 80-inch high-definition TV screen showing real-time views from the outside of the ship, which Royal Caribbean calls a “Virtual Balcony”.

The ship also boasts an ultra-futuristic bar, aptly named the Bionic Bar.

Created by Italian robotics company Makr Shakr, the bar’s centerpiece features two robotic bartenders that were repurposed from car-manufacturing robots.

Their jobs? To pick liquids from 127 bottles hanging above them and quickly whip up cocktails for guests. They can produce 2 drinks per minute.

Fun for adrenaline junkies

What’s the use of being Asia’s largest cruise ship if it didn’t have the largest indoor sports and entertainment complex at sea as well?

The Quantum of the Seas offers hours of non-stop fun at its basketball court, roller skating rink, and bumper car circuit.

But also, a little something for adrenaline junkies.

Adrenaline junkies are not forgotten on Royal Caribbean’s Quantum of the Seas. Source: Royal Caribbean.

Outside, daring guests can treat themselves to an intense rush at the skydiving simulator and surfing facilities.

For those who aren’t the least bit acrophobic, a rock-climbing wall awaits.

Cruise-goers who’d like to take being an adrenaline junkie down a notch can opt for the ship’s North Star, an observation capsule that rises 301 feet over the ocean.

To quote The Verge, “It feels like a ride like you’re in the world’s slowest rocket ship taking off from the open water.”

Anyone up for a ride a couple of hundred feet above sea level? Source: Shutterstock.

For more information on Royal Caribbean’s Quantum of the Seas, visit the website.

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Source: travelwireasia.com