When my-then-fiancé suggested to go on a Royal Caribbean cruise, my first sentiments were – Why waste money? Mask is a necessity, and it will be uncomfortable – never would I have known that I would be so wrong. This rejuvenating trip was much needed after the arduous planning of my wedding amid this pandemic.
Before the cruise, we had to complete a Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test at the Raffles Convention Centre, up to 3 days before boarding and an Antigen Rapid Test (ART) at the Marina Bay Cruise Centre, 1 hour before boarding.
Short Guide On Boarding the Cruise
We went on the trip from 3rd to 7th June 2021 and upon arriving at the cruise centre, you will be guided by personnel to drop your baggage at level 2 before being directed to take the ART at level 3. After the swab, you will have to wait for your test results via text message in the waiting area. In the meantime, you are supposed to watch the safety information from the Cruise Planner. Upon receiving the text message that your test is negative, you will then be able to board the ship after crossing security and custom checks.
At the assembly station, a sticker is placed on your Seapass to verify that you have watched the safety videos. Think of the Seapass as a cashless system for all your onboard purchases and services where you can simply tap and go. For the Quantum of the Seas, SeaPass cards are slotted at the stateroom door for your collection.
Ambience: 4.5/5
With music playing all around, and hearing the waves out at sea, what is there to complain about?
Although it is a little troublesome with the following safe management measures:
- Wearing the tracelet and showing the TraceTogether token
- Tapping in and out of places with the Seapass.
- Taking temperature at various stations before entering any venues.
The new normal requires us to be tracked, to speed up contact tracing in the event where someone contracted COVID-19, thus we should be accustomed to it.
Imagine taking photos without having to wait for the perfect moment as someone is in the background ruining the shot. In fact, the most frequent replies to my Instagram stories were “You book the whole cruise ah?” Ask me anytime about this experience and my reply will be damn shiok la (that is Singlish for being very enjoyable).
The Quantum of the Seas could serve over 4,000 guests at full capacity. However following the Phase 2 Heightened Alert measures (P2HA), they are limited to a maximum capacity of 25% only. One of the retail staff told us that there were only less than 300 guests during out trip, with approximately 1,300 staff including Safe Distancing Ambassadors. No wonder it felt super exclusive!
Tips I found useful:
- Bring along a lanyard that could carry your Seapass as well as the TraceTogether token (I preferred the token over the app so that my phone could take more photos).
- Bring along a pair of sunglasses for the outdoors (something I forgot and regretted).
Room: 5/5
We booked a balcony room but was offered a chance to upgrade by bidding through Royal Up. Given various options of suites to bid from, we tried our luck. A week before the trip, we were notified that our bid was accepted for the Grand Suite!
Later, an email from the sales team came in to further upsell us on the Owner’s Suite and the Grand Loft suites on a first come first serve basis. After calculation and the fact that the husband feels strongly for a proper dining table to have our meals, we went with the Owner’s Suite. P.S. they also have better amenities! I must admit that this was our best decision. They decorated the room and gave us a cake to celebrate, knowing that it was our honeymoon trip!
Tips I find useful:
- Bring your own toothbrush and toothpaste as they do not provide!
Activities: 5/5
Contrary to my expectations, there were plenty of activities on board that will keep you occupied. Best part? They are all included in the package! From sports (e.g. table tennis, basketball) to trivia quizzes, attending shows to gaming and even art auctions, there is no time to feel bored on the ship!
There are also 3 pools areas – the indoor pool, the outdoor pool and my favourite, the Solarium. Highlighting the Solarium as it is situated at the front of the ship, where you will be able to get a spectacular view of the sea! (Note: Out of bounds to ages 16 years old and below) However, due to covid19 regulations, masks are to be worn in indoor pools.
Did I mention the bumper cars or dance classes and Xbox stations at the Seaplex as well? This is where most of the movements are indoors, with various timings open for various activities. Check the Cruise Planner for more details as there are just too many to name!
If you are looking for something different, there is the iconic North Star (SGD27 per person) and for the more adventurous ones, try the Flowrider (complimentary during my trip) and RipCord by iFly (complimentary for Star Class guests, or otherwise chargeable).
We tried the North Star and I would say that it is an unforgettable experience to be raised off more than 90m above the sea. It would be more impressive if you are able to catch the sunset but unfortunately, it was cloudy when we went on.
We had a whole lot of fun!! If you are not intrigued by now, I don’t know what else would! My husband is already thinking of booking the next cruise, which could be done on board too!
Tips I found useful:
- Download the Cruise Planner to add activities into your calendar before you board the ship. The application helps to keep track of what you are interested in and will prompt you around 30 minutes before your next desired activity.
- Choose the earlier check-in time on the app so that you will be able to explore the cruise before starting any activities.
- Book the bumper cars FIRST THING after you board the ship. Slots run out like mad, and you would not want to miss it!
Food: 3/5
Missing out the dining experiences in restaurants is the only thing that I feel is a setback for the trip. There were also no unlimited refreshment packages. You will have to choose the time food will be delivered and wait for your doorbell to ring. A table setup in front of your stateroom is where you leave your trays after your meal.
Don’t get me wrong, portions are generous, and you are able to order more than one serving. However, menu selections were limited due to in room dining. The food is of acquired taste and some of the seafood was not as fresh. We are however on a cruise to nowhere so do expect food to be prepared in advance!
Must Eat: Please try their complimentary pizzas and hotdogs as they were FABULOUS!! We kept going back for more and had cravings for it! Not to forget our favourite, the mild spicy wings from room service after 6pm which we ordered every night while watching the free movies in the room!
Overall: 4.5/5 MUST SHARE!!!
We were greeted with smiles everywhere we go! I would like to express my gratitude to the staffs who had to pull through this tough time to bring us an enjoyable trip! Despite cruising being the only way to “travel” during this pandemic, Royal Caribbean has exceeded expectations with their wonderful crew and the marvellous planning of events onboard! All safe management measures were in place and plans were observed to be carried out smoothly.
Definitely a MUST SHARE to people who needs a relaxing break from this torturous pandemic!
This article was brought to you by Leona. Riding a rollercoaster journey while adulting and always on the outlook for good drama series!
