People who have never cruised before sometimes worry it might just be too boring. It’s a fair comment from people who really don’t know.
My thoughts and I always tell people this… for your first ever cruise, opt for seven nights, go to the Mediterranean or, if you’re looking for something a little more cultural, then choose the Baltic. The reality is that you could cruise the Mediterranean for your first dozen seven night cruises and still, you’d find something that excites you.
The ships are harder to choose and that’s where there really is no substitute for specialist knowledge.
I’ve cruised well over 100 times and I am overflowing with firsthand knowledge.
Tomorrow sees the launch of P & O’s Britannia by HM The Queen.
Here’s is a very brief run down of what you can expect – the fact file. Compare Britannia to Royal Caribbean’s soon to launch Anthem Of The Seas… and don’t ever tell me cruising could be boring.
BRITANNIA
VERSUS
ANTHEM OF THE SEAS
FAST FACTS
Registry: Nassau, Bahamas • Built at Meyer Werft, Papenburg, Germany
Quantum of the Seas sailing fall 2014 • Anthem of the Seas sailing spring 2015
Quantum of the Seas Godmother: Kristin Chenoweth
167,800 GRT • 1,141 feet (348 meters) long • 136 feet (41 meters) wide
28 feet (8.5 meters) draft • 22 knots cruising speed • 16 guest decks • 18 total decks • 16 passenger elevators
4 bow thrusters with 4,694 horse power each
4,180 guests (double occupancy) • 4,905 guests total
STATEROOMS
Quantum-class ships will feature 2,090 of Royal Caribbean’s largest and most advanced staterooms ever, including 1,571 balcony, 148 outside, 375 virtual balconies and 34 wheelchair accessible. Stateroom Highlights include:
- 375 Virtual Balcony staterooms — interior staterooms offering expansive real-time views of the ocean and exciting destinations through virtual balconies
- Up to 16 Family-Connected staterooms — perfect for multi-generational families or groups of friends, these staterooms provide separate bedrooms and bathrooms for all
- 12 new Studio staterooms with balconies and 16 Studio Interior staterooms, both for single travelers
TRANSFORMATIVE ENTERTAINMENT AND ACTIVITY VENUES
Cutting-edge transformative venues are a signature of the Quantum class, including:
- Two70°— a revolutionary multi-level great room with capacity for 540 guests, named for its magnificent 270-degree panoramic sea views through vast, floor-to-ceiling glass walls spanning almost three decks, and seamlessly fusing entertainment and technology to create a transformative journey for guests from morning to night
- SeaPlex — the largest indoor active space at sea that offers more first experiences for Royal Caribbean guests, such as bumper cars, a circus school with flying trapeze and roller skating
- Music Hall — the hottest live music venue on the Quantum class for guests to enjoy intimate and exclusive access to live performances, DJs, theme events, billiards and more. Capacity 559 guests
- Royal Theater — the main theater onboard Quantum class, the Royal Theater, is a spectacular, state-of-the-art space that takes advantage of the latest technology to create a performance venue that raises the bar once again. Seats 1,300 guests
FIRST AT SEA ACTIVITIES
Royal Caribbean will continue the tradition of delivering a groundbreaking lineup of onboard experiences never before imagined at sea, including:
- RipCord by iFly — the first skydiving experience at sea which allows everyone from first-time flyers to seasoned skydivers — to enjoy the sheer thrill and exhilaration of skydiving in a safe, controlled environment
- North Star — an engineering marvel that takes guests to new heights in a jewel-shaped glass capsule that gently rises more than 300 feet in the air, taking guests on a spectacular journey and delivering awe-inspiring, 360-degree views
DYNAMIC DINING
The Quantum class introduces the next era of dining at sea with Dynamic Dining, a completely new approach to shipboard dining where guests have total control of their own culinary journey. A landscape of 18 distinctive restaurants includes:
- Main Dining Reimagined: The most groundbreaking part of Dynamic Dining is its new take on the main dining room, which has been reimagined as five complimentary main restaurants, each with its own distinctive menu and ambiance
Restaurant |
Capacity |
Dress Code |
Serves |
Fee |
American Icon Grill |
430 |
Smart Casual |
B, L, D |
Complimentary |
Chic |
434 |
Smart Casual |
Dinner |
Complimentary |
Silk |
434 |
Smart Casual |
Dinner |
Complimentary |
The Grande |
432 |
Formal |
Dinner |
Complimentary |
Coastal Kitchen |
128 |
Smart Casual |
B, L, D |
Complimentary |
- Next Level Signature Restaurants: Quantum class gives savvy foodists an unexpected foray into new territory with multi-sensory surprises and gastro-innovations, as well as partnerships with award-winning, world-renowned chefs Jamie Oliver, Michael Schwartz and Devin Alexander
Restaurant |
Capacity |
Dress Code |
Serves |
Fee |
Wonderland |
62 |
Smart Casual |
Dinner |
$$$ |
Jamie’s Italian |
132 |
Smart Casual |
L, D |
$$ |
Michael’s Genuine Pub |
130 |
Casual |
L, D |
$ (a la carte) |
Solarium Bistro |
110 |
Smart Casual |
B, L, D |
$$ (B = no charge) |
Chops Grille |
108 |
Smart Casual |
Dinner |
$$ |
Izumi |
40 |
Smart Casual |
L, D |
$$ (a la carte) |
Chef’s Table |
16 |
Formal |
Dinner |
$$$$ |
- Laid Back Options Around-the-Clock: Royal Caribbean is providing an even broader choice of casual dining options on Quantum class
Restaurant |
Capacity |
Dress Code |
Serves |
Fee |
Windjammer Marketplace |
860 |
Casual |
B, L, D |
Complimentary |
The Café @ Two70° |
N/A |
Casual |
B, L, D |
Complimentary |
SeaPlex Dog House |
N/A |
Casual |
L, D |
Complimentary |
Sorrento’s |
108 |
Casual |
L, D |
Complimentary |
Café Promenade |
N/A |
Casual |
B, L, D |
Complimentary |
Johnny Rockets |
50 |
Casual |
L, D |
$ (a la carte) |