Royal Caribbean International's Quantum of the Seas is one cool ship. While I already shared some of its eye-catching features in a quick overview,on Tuesday I walked through the ship at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany. The 4,180-passenger ship is about two months from completion but far enough along to get a good grasp of what it will offer. The company calls it a Smart Ship because it's all about the technology - and I must admit I'm impressed with the innovation. So here are the 10 coolest things on Quantum of the Seas.
Two70
This room is part theater, part nightclub and part, well, living room, according to Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. Chairman and CEO Richard Fain. "This is more like a living room with surprises in it," he said.
To me, the biggest surprise is Vistarama, the name of the 270-degree, three-deck-high wall of windows that turn into video screens. You've seen panoramic walls of windows on cruise ships before, right? They're great during the day, as this one is. But at Two70, the floor-to-ceiling windows turn into video screens. Eighteen ultra-high-definition 8K projectors (that's eight times the resolution of your 1080p TV at home) beam videos onto Vistarama, essentially creating a super-lifelike backdrop for a production. "It is remarkably realistic," Fain said.
Two70 also will have six 100-inch TV screens on robotic arms that descend from the ceiling. The robotic arms can be programmed to make the TV screens dance and twirl.
This space is among the most challenging and expensive rooms ever developed, according to Fain and Harri Kulovaara, executive vice president-maritime for RCCL. "This room cost more than the Song of Norway," the line's first ship, Fain said. "I'm quite serious."
Virtual balconies
Walking into the stateroom with a "virtual balcony" was akin to entering a real balcony stateroom, because the movie-quality video projected on the wall is that realistic. I think these accommodations might reduce the closed-in feeling some get in a windowless stateroom. Fain said the video feed will show a real-time image from the side of the ship on 80-inch LED screens, essentially giving occupants the view they'd have if there was a real window or balcony there. The company first installed the technology on 81 staterooms on the Navigator of the Seas during its dry dock renovation in February. On Quantum of the Seas, there will be no fewer than 375 virtual balcony staterooms.
PHOTO: The "virtual balcony stateroom" looked realistic with a real-time view outside. (Photo by Theresa Norton Masek)
RFID wristbands
At first, I wasn't enamored of Royal Caribbean's new RFID wristband simply because I don't like wearing those almost-indestructible wristbands required at some all-inclusive resorts, concerts or events. But Quantum's "WOWband" wristbands are removable, so you can take them off at night. They are programmed like your keycard and allow you to open your stateroom door or make onboard purchases with a simple tap. Those who dislike wristbands can get a traditional SeaPass card. Or, you can get both, allowing you to carry a regular card with the new Radio Frequency Identification technology sometimes and wear the water-resistant wristband at the beach or pool. Cool.
A RFID chip also is embedded in luggage tags attached at check-in, allowing guests to track their luggage via their smartphone - which means, after boarding, guests can explore the ship or linger in a lounge and return to the stateroom when they know their bags have been delivered.
PHOTO: The WOWband will unlock the stateroom door with a simple tap. (Photo by Theresa Norton Masek)
North Star
This attraction has already received a lot of attention, deservedly so. An egg-shaped gondola attached to a crane arm will carry up to 15 people for a 20-minute ride over the ship and 300 feet above sea level. The guests stand during the ride in a gondola made in Bern, Switzerland, by a manufacturer of ski-lift gondolas. But Fain emphasized that this manufacturer makes the really nice, high-quality gondolas, not the run-of-the-mill, subway-car type. There will be no charge to ride the North Star, but it's recommended that passengers reserve a spot in advance through Cruise Planner or on Royal iQ, an app also available at kiosks onboard. "It should be spectacular," Fain said.
PHOTO: The North Star will rise 300 feet above sea level. (Rendering courtesy of Royal Caribbean International)
Robot bartenders
OK, I wrote a story about this already but it deserves repeating. Two robotic arms - not unlike those found in manufacturing plants - will mix drinks in the Bionic Bar. You can order the drinks on a tablet. If you tip your robot, it most likely will be donated to the crew welfare fund, said Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, executive vice president-operations for Royal Caribbean International.
PHOTO: The robotic arms behind the bar will mix drinks. (Rendering courtesy of Royal Caribbean International)
Solo staterooms
Good news for those who travel solo: Quantum of the Seas will have 12 single-occupancy staterooms - with balconies! - and 16 studio interiors. They're about 100 square feet or so, and some of the balconies are quite large, and would be even for a double-occupancy stateroom. They are bookable at rates competitive to the double-occupancy fares, without the dreaded single supplement that can sometimes double the price.
PHOTO: Some solo staterooms on Quantum of the Seas have very large balconies. (Photo by Theresa Norton Masek)
SeaPlex
OK, what is cooler than bumper cars at sea? The SeaPlex recreational area will have 18 bumper cars, and it will cost nothing to ride and crash them. The family-friendly SeaPlex also will offer roller skating, trapeze lessons and a DJ booth that floats near the ceiling. There's no charge for the fun here, although there might be some premium trapeze lessons available for a fee, though details haven't been determined yet.
PHOTO: Yes, I tried out a bumper car and it was a blast. (Courtesy of Harry Liu)
RipCord by iFly
This is the skydiving simulator that involves floating on a 125-mph shaft of wind blowing upwards in a 28-foot-tall curved glass enclosure at the top of the ship. Sound like fun? Participants wear goggles and a helmet and undergo a training session with 11 others before entering the glass enclosure. The experience feels like a free-fall from an airplane and lasts about one minute - which is plenty long enough, I was assured. The training includes sign language to recommend that you straighten your legs, bend your knees or relax, for example. "There should be a symbol for 'how the hell do I stop this thing,' " Fain joked, although he admitted that "it's really an awful lot of fun." It's free of charge, although longer or premium experiences will likely be available for a fee. Again, it is recommended that passengers reserve a time.
PHOTO: The sky-diving simulator mimics a free-fall from an airplane. (Courtesy of Royal Caribbean International)
Fast, Reliable Internet
Anyone who has ever taken a cruise has probably been frustrated by the slow, often-interrupted Internet service. Royal Caribbean is promising that Quantum of the Seas will change that with lightning-fast Internet service made possible by O3b Networks satellites that beam signals to the ship. The cutting-edge system will have more bandwidth than is available on "all the other cruise ships in the world combined," Fain said.
Lutoff-Perlo said it will be "a game-changer" and will be introduced on Quantum of the Seas as well as Oasis and Allure of the Seas. "It will be launching on our ships as soon as possible," she said, adding that the Caribbean is the first destination to get the new technology. Guests will be able to buy packages with the fast service, although the regular Internet will also continue to be offered for those wanting a minimal package. But the O3b packages will offer "more speed and bandwidth for less money" than the packages offered today, Lutoff-Perlo said.
Sidewalk to Ship in 10 Minutes
By inputting info online in advance of departure, guests can get "from the sidewalk to the ship in 10 minutes," executives said. Selfie alert! You will even be able to upload your own headshot, so crewmembers who slide your keycard won't see the unflattering photo taken after your long, sweaty trip to the homeport. Yes, the technology-averse will still be able to check in with humans at a desk in the cruise terminals. But those who take care of all the details in advance will "get the first day of vacation back," Lutoff-Perlo said.
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