It can be overwhelming choosing a cruise line and ship for Alaska. For those wanting to embark in Seattle, a Quantum of the Seas Alaska cruise aims to exceed your expectation with its cutting-edge innovations and vast dining options.
Traditionally, small and mid-sized vessels cruised to Alaska. However, Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean International have added mega-ships, which have proven to be a hit with cruise passengers.
So, when seeking the best cruise to Alaska for a multi-generational family, consider the Quantum if the cruising vessel is top priority over the itinerary.
Whether you’re twenty-something, retired, traveling solo, or with children, here are some great reasons to cruise Alaska on Royal Caribbean Quantum of the Seas.
It’s Family-friendly
Some cruise lines focus on adults, but the Quantum caters to all ages. As more families start cruising, they want kid-friendly activities. Traditional lines like Norwegian, Princess, Celebrity, and Carnival offer kids’ clubs, but Royal Caribbean’s Quantum-class ships go further.
The H20 Zone outdoor water park, next to the Lido pool, is spacious enough for many kids. If the Alaska weather isn’t great, kids can swim in the indoor pool.
Along with the Adventure Ocean program for ages 3 to 17, children can enjoy roller skating, rock climbing, basketball, pickleball, dodgeball, and scavenger hunts. Babysitting is also available for toddlers, allowing parents to enjoy a night out.
For families with teens, Quantum has connected staterooms. For those with younger children, the standard cabins are roomy and offer plenty of storage for three or four. However, families need to book a suite if they want a bathtub instead of a shower.
Enjoy Views From 300 Feet High
Quantum-class cruise ships feature the “North Star,” a pod inspired by the London Eye, that lifts guests 300 feet above the ocean and rotates to both sides of the ship, offering stunning views. The pod holds twelve people and is wheelchair accessible.
To ride, we had to book a time slot through the Royal Caribbean app. Time slots in port were complimentary, while a small fee applies on sea days. Slots are available every 20 minutes when the North Star is in operation.
When the ship is full (5,000 guests), it can be challenging to secure a complimentary slot. Availability opens a few days after embarkation, so it’s essential to check regularly for reservations.
For the best glacier views in Alaska, book a premium spot during the Endicott Arm visit. The fee is USD 70 per person, with paid rides lasting 16 minutes.
Be aware these rides run in the rain. I was disappointed with my Endicott Arm ride because the rain obscured my views.
Missing a complimentary slot incurs a USD 25 no-show fee. The North Star doesn’t operate during rough seas or strong winds for safety reasons.
It Has Virtual Balconies
Frequent Alaska cruisers often insist on booking a balcony cabin, but it’s not always affordable. To make interior cabins more appealing, Royal Caribbean introduced “Virtual Balconies.”
These inside rooms feature large LCD screens displaying live views of the outside. Curtains on the sides create the illusion of a real balcony.
Though I’d heard mixed reviews, I decided to see for myself. The screen was impressive and made the small interior room feel less cramped. While there’s no fresh air, live streaming brings the outdoors inside.
At 166 square feet, Quantum of the Seas’ Virtual Balcony cabins are larger than those on other cruise lines. Although the staterooms lack a couch, they still offer a bathroom, closet, dresser, and versatile desk.
Try Sky Diving At Sea
For thrill-seekers, RipCord by iFly lets guests experience skydiving at sea. Modelled on the iFly venues on land, the wind tunnel is suitable for all ages. I watched my husband try it with a group of 12, including a child under five.
We had to book a time slot using the app. The 50-minute session includes a safety video, suit-up, and flight gear. Wind speeds range from 130 to 170 mph, with adjustments based on weight and experience, and communication happens through hand signals.
For family members, we recommend booking separate time slots to film each other’s flights. Before entering the tunnel, guests must remove jewelry, empty pockets, and leave smartphones behind. Each guest is allowed one iFly session per cruise.
Enjoy Long Port Days
Alaska cruises focus on glacier viewing and port days, so compare time spent in port before booking. Some itineraries allow only four hours or less. Our Quantum cruise averaged 8 to 12 hours in port, except for a short stop in Victoria, Canada.
With longer port times, we could explore Mendenhall Glacier, go whale watching in Juneau, ride the White Pass & Yukon Route train in Skagway, and still have time for shopping or Alaskan seafood.
In contrast, Norwegian Encore and Bliss dock in Ward Cove, Ketchikan, requiring passengers to take a shuttle to reach downtown and excursions.
Enjoy Two Indoor Pools
Alaska’s weather can be cold and wet, so indoor pools and hot tubs are essential. This ship offers two indoor pools. Located on deck 14 at the bow, the Solarium is an adults-only retreat with tiered pools, and hot tubs.
With the Sunshine Bar and Solarium Bistro nearby, it’s the perfect spot to spend a sea day relaxing.
Mid-ship, another pool and hot tubs welcomes families. Though the main pool is 5 to 5’4″ deep, many kids use life vests provided by Royal Caribbean. A smaller, shallow pool is available for younger children when it’s too cold for the outdoor H20 Zone.
It Has 20 Dining Venues
Food lovers may need more than a 7-day Alaska cruise to try all 20 dining options. Unlike smaller ships with one main dining room, this Quantum-class vessel has four: the Grande, Silk, Chic, and American Icon Grill, each with different decor but the same menu.
Jamie’s Italian, by chef Jamie Oliver, serves fresh pasta, amazing garlic bread, and mouthwatering entrees. Chops Grille, my husband’s favorite, offers a 16 oz. Ribeye or 12 oz. New York Strip for steak lovers.
For Japanese cuisine, Izumi serves sushi rolls, ramen, teriyaki, and gyoza dumplings a la carte.
Complimentary | For A Fee |
---|---|
The Grande | La Patisserie |
Chic | Jamie’s Italian |
Silk | Wonderland |
American Icon Grill | Izumi |
Solarium Bistro | Chops Grille |
Windjammer Marketplace | Chef’s Table |
The Café @ Two70 | Harp and Horn Pub |
SeaPlex Doghouse | Noodles Dim Sum |
Sorrento’s Pizzeria | Room Service |
Café Promenade | |
Coastal Kitchen |
While guests can’t try every venue on a 7-day cruise, it’s possible on back-to-back cruises to Alaska and Hawaii. Do note that some items at Noodles Dim Sum are complimentary, as is contintental breakfast.
It Has Studio Staterooms
The ship offers 28 studio staterooms, letting solo travelers avoid the single supplement. Solo cruisers can choose from 16 inside staterooms on decks 6 to 13, measuring 101 square feet and featuring a double bed.
They can also choose from 12 solo balcony staterooms on decks 6 and 7. These are slightly larger at 119 square feet, with a full bathroom and double bed.
Cabins 6248, 6648, 7248, and 7648 have large, angled balconies, while adjacent cabins 6250, 6650, 7250, and 7650 offer slightly smaller balconies.
Guests Can Surf At Sea
For thrill-seekers, Quantum-class ships also offer surfing with the “FlowRider.” This wave simulator pumps thousands of gallons of heated water at 40 MPH, providing a surfing experience at sea.
Quantum offers complimentary access to the FlowRider, and guests can surf multiple times to improve their skills. No need to book; just check the Royal Caribbean app for available times and watch a required safety video.
Beginners start with boogie boarding, progressing from lying down to kneeling, guided by staff. The FlowRider accommodates all skill levels throughout the cruise. For Alaska’s unpredictable weather, a long-sleeve Rashguard shirt helps with sun protection and warmth.
Larger Balconies For Glacier Viewing
The balconies on this ship are larger than those on most cruise ships. Typically, balconies fit two chairs and a small table, with little room to move around. On glacier-viewing days, I often had to rearrange the furniture to stand comfortably.
Here, the deeper balconies come with extra footstools, turning chairs into loungers. This extra space means no need to move furniture for better views. Plus, even standard balconies offer more room, so there’s no need to upgrade to a “spacious balcony.”
Ride Bumper Cars
The Quantum-class cruise ships have a multi-use indoor space called the Sea Plex. We relived our youth by riding bumper cars there. The event doesn’t require a reservation but does get quite busy on sea days.
Bumper cars usually operate for 2-1/2 to 3 hours, then staff remove the cars for charging. Cars can take up to two riders, although most want to drive their own vehicle.
We also enjoyed the Sea Plex for other activities. These include pickleball, volleyball, dodgeball, soccer, basketball, and roller skating. Roller skating does require a reservation via the app. It’s an activity not recommended for those with previous injuries or at risk of breaking a bone.
The Sea Plex has trainer frames for those new to roller skating. The skates provided are the older four-wheeled style, and guests can use elbow and knee pads if needed.
An area overlooking the Sea Plex contained additional play space for families. The fun continues with ping pong, air hockey, foosball, and complimentary X-Box machines.
Find A Stowaway Piano Player
Royal Caribbean International has featured Stowaway Piano Players on some of its ships for over half a dozen years. The concept is simple; it requires a traveling musician and a movable piano.
The pianos are a little out of the ordinary, with steampunk fittings, pipes, and vintage elements. During our cruise, we found the “Piano Man” in elevators several times and usually played for 45-minute intervals.
Be aware that the elevator can get quite crowded if too many guests want to join the fun. We enjoyed seeing people’s reactions when the elevator doors opened as much as the impromptu tunes.
Enjoy An Immersive Dining Experience
For foodies, specialty restaurant Wonderland offers an immersive dining experience based on Alice in Wonderland. The restaurant’s décor is quirky, with mismatched chairs and invisible menus which can only be read once painted with water.
The waiters dress in red velvet jackets with tails, reminiscent of the white rabbit’s attire.
The food is created on the earth, sun, sea, ice, and fire categories. Some of it looks too good to eat, but it’s all edible! We thought the drinks were equally creative, one with a cotton candy topping.
Enjoy A Bionic Bartender Drink
While a bit gimmicky, the Quantum features two robotic bartenders at the Bionic Bar on deck 5, overlooking the Royal Esplanade. The machines can make pre-selected drinks, or guests can choose ingredients to create a one-of-a-kind cocktail.
Drinks are ordered through an iPad, and the cost is shown before confirmation if guests did not purchase a drink package. On the wall, a large screen shows the selections in queue and the ingredients of the drink.
Once the Bionic Bar makes the drink, it pours it into a plastic cup. Then, the guest must swipe their cruise card to retrieve their cocktail. We tried the Bionic Bar and found it interesting, that we could create a drink by listing ingredients.
Enjoy Ground-Breaking Technology In The Two70
Located on deck five aft, the Two70 gets its name from the 270 degrees enjoyed from this multi-levelled space. How, this venue offers more than a place to watch the wake.
Suspended from the ceiling, six giant screens on robotic arms create an electrifying show in the evenings. Reservations are required through the app, but the show is complimentary.
During the day, Royal Caribbean uses the space for games and events. When nothing is going on, it’s a great place to chill and enjoy lunch from the Two70 Café next door.
The Two70 was our favorite place onboard. When it isn’t being used for events, it was a great place to take our laptops to work as digital nomads.
Wrap It Up
The Quantum of the Seas is a great ship for families or those who prioritize the ship before the destination.
With so many onboard experiences, guests can create many wonderful memories while enjoying the incredible landscapes of Alaska. We certainly did.