You know how and why overseas travelling is now banned. Late last year, Singapore rolled out cruise-to-nowhere by Dream Cruises and Royal Caribbean. You are still sailing into international waters, just not docking. This is quite a good idea to help satisfy those travel cravings!
I went for Royal Caribbean (Quantum of the Seas) as I like their cruise design and layout more, and they have more complimentary dining options. Apart from not having a destination to dock at, here are the other changes:
1: Kept at maximum 50% capacity.
2: Swab test is required before and after the trip, taken 72-24hrs before boarding, and immediately after disembarking.
3: Face masks to be worn at all times, except in your room and during water and fitness activities. Guests are to maintain 1m apart, and 2m apart during times when not having the mask on.
4: A tracelet to be worn on the wrist at all times for contact tracing purposes.
5: TraceTogether app or token is compulsory.
6: Royal Caribbean app is compulsory.
7: Slots for shows, activities and so on are largely reduced to maintain proper social distancing.
For Royal Caribbean, there are 3 and 4 nights sailing. Monday to Thursday morning for 3 nights, and Thursday to Monday morning for 4 nights. I went for the 3-night sailing. Prices really vary a lot depending on the number of guests per room and rooms required. The rooms comes with a double bed and a sofa or sofa bed - this converts to a double bed as well, so it will sleep 4 comfortably.
The more guests you have in a room, the lower the price it is for each guest. I went with a friend and we got the balcony room. It was $612/pax (taxes, gratuities, etc. all in), and our booking was under the “50% off for all guests + up to $300 instant savings” promo. The discount was $1,148 in total.
Quantum of the Seas
Royal Caribbean was founded in 1968 in Norway by three Norwegian shipping companies. Based in Miami, Florida, USA, it is the largest cruise line by revenue and second largest by passenger counts. In 1997, it merged with Greek cruise line Celebrity Cruises and renamed to Royal Caribbean International from Royal Caribbean Cruise Line.
Currently, Royal Caribbean has six class series – Vision, Voyager, Radiance, Freedom, Oasis and Quantum. Quantum of the Seas ships were added in 2014, the first of the Quantum class. Quantum class of ships debuted as the second largest class of cruise ships in the world. The Quantum class features indoor pools, vast expanses of glass, Windjammer buffet, North Star, RipCord by iFly, a three-deck-high 270deg lounge and performance venue, and the multi-purpose SeaPlex facility that host activities like basketball, roller skating, bumper cars and as a trapeze school. It is designed to feature several separate complimentary dining facilities instead of a single main dining room.
Facts
1: Quantum of the Seas is the world’s third largest cruise ship at 348m long, weighing 168,666 tonnes, with 16 decks and 2,094 rooms that fit 4,905 guests.
2: It is being billed as the most high-tech cruise ship in the world, boasting a Bionic Bar that uses robotic bartenders!
3: Should you choose a non-window room, the room features a high resolution real time view of the ocean virtually via a 80inch HD projection screen that stretches from ceiling to floor.
4: It has 18 restaurants onboard, 10 of which are complimentary.
5: The North Star is a glass pod that suspends out from an arm, lifting you to 90m above sea level, giving you spectacular views of your surroundings and top view of the ship.
6: The world’s first ever Smart-ship that allow guests to plan shore excursions, make restaurant reservations, set-up appointments, and so on via the Royal Caribbean app.
7: With its ultra-fast connection, one of the uses of the multi-purpose SeaPlex is transforming into a live global gaming suite, allowing XBOX gamers to challenge live gamers from anywhere around the world.
8: Another use of the SeaPlex is as a bumper cars arena, the first ever on a cruise ship.
9: The thrilling RipCord by iFly is the world’s first ever skydiving simulator on a cruise ship.
10: The Two70° venue offers 270deg views of the sea and in the evening, it transform into a performing venue featuring six roboscreens that move or unite as one.
11: The ship showcases a $5.2 million art collection, including a 9m tall, weighing 7,250kg pink polar bear by renowned Australian artist Lawrence Argent.
Pre-trip
Online check-in will be available 90 days prior to boarding date. Check-in timings start as early as 2pm till the last slot at 6:30pm. Though the cruise departs at 8pm, food and activities will be available upon boarding. Once you get onboard, quickly connect to the ship's free wifi to start booking your slots on the Royal Caribbean app for shows, activities and so on. Slots are quite limited due to safe distancing measures and can be snapped up quickly, so it is good to be onboard earlier to avoid disappointment, especially for stage performances which is always a hot favourite. However, do note that the free wifi only grants you access for the app. For internet access, it is chargeable.
Around 2 weeks prior to departing, you will receive an email regarding the swab test - location and details. Book a slot and wait for the results. Should you be tested negative, you will receive an email stating that you are safe to sail. Should you had tested positive, you will receive a refund. On the day before you depart, you have to fill in a health declaration form that can be found on the app.
Day 1
Upon arriving at Marina Bay Cruise Centre, you can first check-in your baggage(s) located right at the drop-off point / entrance. It will be placed outside your stateroom. Do remember to keep important and required items with you as you may not receive your bags immediately. Upon completion of the health screening and immigration process, you will be given the tracelet that needs to be worn onboard at all times.
After getting onto the ship, you will have to first report to your muster station as indicated for the safety briefing. They will give you a sticker to paste onto your seapass card (i.e. room card) to indicate that you have completed the safety briefing. Otherwise, you will not be allowed to do anything onboard. Your seapass card will be placed outside your stateroom. You also have to watch the safety video that can be found in the app at your own time.
After check-in to our room, we quickly sat down to book the bumper cars and stage performances first, then go through to see what other activities are available. You don't have to make reservations for dining.
Since the ship is not operating at full capacity, I felt we have fewer dining options. For full meals, we have the option of either Windjammer (buffet style, no dinner) or American Icon Grill (ala-carte plated style). For small bites, we have Cafe Two70 (salad, sandwiches, wraps), Cafe Promenade (cakes), Sorrento's (pizza), Seaplex Doghouse (hotdog bun) and soft serve at the pool area. But anyways food at Windjammer and American Icon Grill are quite good and menu changes daily, so actually you won't get bored with the food.
There are so, so many things to do onboard, we couldn't even finish everything. Sometimes, we were just rushing through our meals so that we won't be late for our activities. I didn't take much proper photos, mainly were for IG story content. I have included some screenshots of my ig story below, so please do head over to my instagram to check out all the action!
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Starting day 1 with some bumper cars! Doing bumper cars for the first time ever, it was so fun, though it actually gets quite painful when you get bumped at! Took a walk around deck 14 and 15, this is where the pools are located. It was so, so windy! Decided to try out the hotdog bun at Seaplex Doghouse, there were 4 types of sausages to choose from. The sausages were really good, but the bun was so hard and dry (threw this away)! We then went down to Cafe Promenade and Sorrento's (side by side) to try the food there. The cakes and drinks from the cafe were horrible (why like that?!!), but the pizza was pretty good! We started to get a little worried about the food, is this going to be the standard for our food throughout? We were so prepared to dine at the paid restaurants instead.
There were not much things to do now, so we decided to head back to our room and chill till dinner time. We received our luggages and went ahead to unpack slightly, and changed up for dinner. Dinner was actually amazing (oh thank God, phew)! There's a range of appetisers, entrees and desserts to choose from. All complimentary (full menu below) and you are allowed to order as much as you want! We got crab and asparagus soup, escargot, caesar salad and cocktail shrimp for appetiser; steamed fish and chicken tenders for entree; and creme brûlée, royal chocolate cake and apple blossom for dessert. All were amazing except for creme brûlée, too sweet!
After dinner, we went for a hosted game called "Majority Rules". The host will ask a series of questions and there are 5 options to choose from for each question. No right or wrong answers. The option with the most votes win - hence majority wins! Whoever that has the most number of voted option wins the game! Questions are like e.g. "Who is the true Queen of Pop?" and "Worst excuses for being late to work...", about 12 questions. After which, we went for a live music session by The Aura Band, they perform pop songs like "That's What I Like" (by Bruno Mars) and "Everybody's Changing" (by Keane). We really enjoy this session and quickly add-on another session into our calendar!
Day 2
Woke up early to try to catch the sunrise but with no luck, it was quite cloudy. Starting day 2 with breakfast at Windjammer. It is buffet style but the difference now is the chefs will scoop your food instead. The spread is okay, not much options but lots of variations for an item. Many items were quite salty. Standard is okay, not too lousy, but wasn't amazing as well. Good to try once. Went for the FlowRider next, which is a surf simulator, similar to Wave House at Sentosa. You have to sign a waiver first before you can do the ride. This is one of those first come first serve activity. We went to soak in the whirlpool next. There are whirlpools at the outdoor pool, indoor pool and solarium (adults-only indoor pool) area.
Went back to wash-up and change into our activity wear. We had lunch at American Icon Grill (actually most of our meals were here, so not repeating the venue again). We had egg drop soup, mozzarella sticks and smoked salmon salad for appetisers; roasted fish, pulled pork burger and mac and cheese for entree; and key lime pie and banana spilt for dessert. Mac and cheese was very horrible. Ice cream for banana spilt taste like Nestle neapolitan (not some premium ice cream). Then headed off for Kpop Dance Class, we danced to PSY's Gentlemen and BTS's Dynamite, it was so fun! Not the actual dance steps, a straightforward yet fun choreo easy for all to learn. Went to Cafe Two70 to have a quick bite and chill for awhile. This lounge is named as Two70 as it offers 270deg of sea view! There's make-your-own salad, sandwiches and wraps, coffee, tea and juices to get at this place.
Went for a trivia game session next and we were the only participants, like what?!! Was done with this rather quickly so we decided to go get an ice cream and chill by the pool till the next program. Next was a magic show by John Taylor, Australia's finest illusionist and magic inventor. Went back to change up for dinner. We had coconut shrimp and salmon gravlax for appetiser; ribeye and roasted turkey for entree; brownie, pavlova, profiteroles, vegan cheesecake and fruits for dessert. Pavlova and profiteroles were horrible. Vegan cheesecake was made from tofu, unique dessert but tasted a bit strange after awhile. The rest were amazing! After dinner was a performance named "Sequins and Feathers", this was my favourite out of the 4 stage performances! The female dancers' costumes were filled with blings and feathers, something like Rio Carnival, so pretty! There were lots of singing, dancing, catchy tunes, sentimental songs, and even acrobatic moves! So much was going on!
Went for the Orchestra and High C's Horns next, it's a wind instrument performance. Was so tired that I started falling asleep during the session. I went back to the room to take a nap, while my friend went to chill by the pool. Went for our last program for the day at 10pm, live music by Tropical Band. Instead of pop songs, this band performed Caribbean music like "YMCA" (by The Village People) and "Wake Me Up" (by Avicii).
Day 3
Woke up early to try to catch the sunrise again but the sky was cloudy yet again! Went to Windjammer again for breakfast to see if there is a change of spread, and nope. Had a light one breakfast first as we were going for bumper cars next. There were no queue this morning, so we get to keep riding on it till the queue starts to form, after about 4 rounds? Went to American Icon Grill for breakfast round 2. We ordered eggs benedict, French toast, breakfast burrito and some fruits. Everything were awesome, except for the hard and dry tortilla wrap. Then to Two70 for morning dance fitness. I find it somewhat similar to Zumba, where you do fitness steps to the beat of the music.
Took a walk around and went to check-out the Fitness Centre (i.e. gym), it was so huge and spacious, so many equipment! Went to the solarium next, this place is filled with plants and stones, so pretty! One of my favourite spots on the ship. There is a side door at the solarium where you can go outside and enjoy some awesome breeze! It totally just dry out all my perspiration from the fitness class. Lunch next, had duck salad and shrimp risotto as appetiser. The duck was quite dry, but I love the sauce / marinade; risotto was great. For entree, we ordered Korean chicken, seafood burger and quesadilla. Didn't expect the Korean chicken to be chicken cutlet with rice! Thought it's going be Korean fried chicken, damn! The other two was okay. Desserts we got apple blossom, white chocolate mousse and cream catalana - it's the Spain version of creme brûlée. Desserts were good. Next, we went for a juggling show by Steve Rawlings. This man is so, so funny! And, he ever performed for Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip!
Went to queue for rock climbing next, then ice cream and chill by the pool again. It was dance class next, but this time it’s pop music instead. We danced to Bruno Mars's Uptown Funk and another song (can't remember). It was really fun, but I thought the Kpop dance class was better. We had the same instructor for both our dance classes, as well as this morning's dance fitness. He was also the same person who hosted the game "Majority Rules". This guy is so, so funny, classes with him were so enjoyable! My favourite crew onboard and he is George from UK!
Went back to wash-up and change for dinner. Tonight's dinner had the best food! Is it because it's the last night? We had some spring rolls, shrimp ceviche and broccoli soup for appetiser. Entree were butter chicken, braised beef short ribs, steak and mushroom risotto. The butter chicken and risotto were so damn good!!! Desserts we got lemon meringue tart, cheesecake, and mudpie with an oreo base. Every item were so good!
Though all 3 meals were at the same dining place, but for dinners, you do have to dress-up, the setting is more formal. Casual wear for breakfast and lunch is fine. After dinner, we went for live music by The Aura Band again because we really love the session on day 1, and realised shortly after that they were actually performing the same songs as the other day. It's our last night onboard and we decided to get some drinks and chill by the pool till the next program. I find the prices were quite okay, about US$6-12 for each drink. If you are planning to drink a lot, they do offer different tiers of beverage package for unlimited drinks, non-alcoholic as well.
The next program was live music by The BeatleManiacs, so obviously they will be performing The Beatles' songs. This session was so popular, I have never seen the Music Hall been this packed! But the songs were a little too old for us, so we decided to leave early so we could be at the next venue earlier to get good front seats. The next program, which is the last for the trip, is a performance named "Starwater Show". Similar to "Sequins and Feathers", the performers sing and dance, there were some acrobatic moves too. I find the first half quite boring, the dances were contemporary and ballroom dancing, and they were singing to really slow songs. One of it was "Diamonds" (by Rihanna), but a much, much slower version.
Day 4
Nothing much on the last day. The only thing available was breakfast. We each got eggs with sides, and a French toast to share. After which, we head back to our room to do a final pack-up and off we go. You do have to disembark in batches and according to the number given to you for crowd control purposes. We were given "1" so we have to leave right after breakfast. Did a 2nd swab test after immigration, this test was just ticklish, no pain. The first test was slightly painful as the swab goes all the way into your nostril, such a weird feeling! The 2nd test was just at the tip of the nostril, like how you will dig your nose.
Took a Grab home and that's it!
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Programs (for 3 nights)
So these are the programs offered on my ship. It differs slightly for 3-night and 4-night sailings. Of course, a 4-night sailing will have much more programs offered. Mine was a 3-night sailing.
[Entertainment]
Movie Screening: Jumanji the Next Level, Sonic the Hedgehog, Spiderman Homecoming, Knives Out
Stage Performances: John Taylor Magic Master, Steve Rawlings, Sequins and Feathers, Starwater Show
Live Music: The Aura Band, Tropical Band, The BeatleManiacs, Accolade Strings
Instrument Entertainment: Guitar, Piano, Orchestra and the High C's Horns (wind instruments)
Learn to Play Casino Games
[Activities]
Water: FlowRider
Physical: Rock Climbing, Pop Music Dance Class, Kpop Dance Class, Line Dance Class, Morning Dance Fitness
Crafty: Towel Folding, Napkin Folding, Holiday Card Making, Origami
No-sweat: Bumper Cars, North Star, Ripcord by iFly
Games: Celebrity Heads (charades), Majority Rules, Name that Lyric, Name that Tune, Letter Swap Puzzles, Trivia, Photo Scavenger Hunt, Sudoku Challenge
Social: LGBTQ Get-Together, Singles and Solo Travelers Get-Together
Kids and Teens: Adventure Ocean
[Events]
Art Gallery and Art Auction
Guess the Weight (of art pieces)
Guess the Carat Weight of the Tanzanite
Up to 75% off Luxury Goods
[Facilities]
Deck 3: Casino
Deck 4: Guest Services, Shops, Luxury Goods, Restaurants, Bars
Deck 5: Luxury Goods, Restaurants, Bars
Deck 14: Solarium (adults-only indoor pool), Indoor Pool, Outdoor Pool, Whirlpool, H2O Zone (kids pool)
Deck 15: Spa and Salon, Running Track, Arcade, SeaPlex
Deck 16: Table Tennis, XBOX, Foosball, Fitness Centre
[Dining Menu]
Programs (for 4 nights)
Additional programs.
[Entertainment]
Movie Screening: Emma, Tesla (6 movies available instead of 4)
Stage Performances: Gold Art Duo and Viktoria Stryzhak, instead of John Taylor Magic Master and Steve Rawlings
[Activities]
Physical: "The Git Up" Dance, Basketball Competition, Football Challenge, Soccer, Volleyball
Crafty: Ribbons to Roses
Games: Friendly Feud, Add-a-Letter Puzzle (brainteaser), Crossword Challenge, Find the Buried Treasure, Who Wants to Become a Caribbeanaire?
Social: Christian Gathering