Quantum of the Seas Review
Rating by category
Additional details
This review for the Quantum of the Seas is based on the 2-night sampler cruise, November 21-23. Admittedly, 2 nights is not enough time to fairly evaluate all of the pros and cons of this ship. But it is sufficient enough to at least get a sense for the vessel, the crew and what to expect on a longer cruise. Overall, despite the ship being new and beautiful, my wife and I left after the 2 nights still waiting to be wow’d. The crew seems to be struggling at times with the technology, and Royal Caribbean has a number of issues to resolve regarding long lines, the reservation process, and the dissemination of incorrect information.
BAYONNE CRUISE SHIP TERMINAL
Normally we cruise from Manhattan, so leaving from Bayonne, NJ was a new experience. Getting to the terminal is relatively easy from points west via I-78. I recommend reviewing directions on line before you drive, especially to look at the “street view” perspective to have an idea of what the roads look like after exiting the 2 toll booths in order to know whether to bear left or right. There are also several videos on You Tube showing the drive, which are helpful with familiarizing yourself with the roads. Note: the map view on Mapquest is not as current as the map view on Google Maps. There has been an extension of Pulaski Street in recent years, which makes it easier than following the given map directions (or road signs). The Mapquest directions require you to access 440 from Pulaski Street at a controlled intersection, then exit off of 440 onto Goldsborough Drive a mile or so later at a 2nd controlled intersection. In reality, if you look at a new map, you can take Pulaski Street directly to Port Terminal Blvd and avoid 440 altogether. This is what we did.
Cabin Review
Ocean View Stateroom
The room was immaculate and spacious. Perhaps it appeared larger since we usually have a balcony, that takes away some of the space; I cannot be sure without seeing one of the balcony cabins. As other reviewers have noted, you need to insert your key card in a slot inside the cabin, on the bulkhead adjacent to the door, to activate the lights. This is also where the thermostat is located. Our cabin was set at 73, which was too warm for us as normally our thermostat is set at 58 for the entire winter, but that is just a matter of personal taste. I mention it only because the high temps tend to dry out the air in the cabin, and consequently in ones sinuses, if you spend any time in your room.The cabin contained a rather large closet with two coat-hanger bars, one high and the other low. This closet was more than sufficient for our luggage, clothes, and winter coats. A second closet contains about a half-dozen cubby-holes and the personal room safe. There is also a pair of drawers below this closet. A small desk with a chair on the opposite wall contains several more drawers as well as the room’s refrigerator. Interestingly, the refrigerator has a personal 4-digit lock on it, just like the room safe.The bed is large, but our mattress was much too hard; it was not as comfortable as beds we have slept in on other ships. That could simple be a matter of this ship being so new and the mattresses having not yet been broken in. At the foot of the bed is a large, wall mounted, flat screen TV. The window in the ocean view cabin is sufficiently large, but unfortunately ours was so caked with salt on the outside (probably from rough seas and a lot of spray on the previous voyage) that visibility through it was greatly diminished.The bathroom was roomy, with a stall shower large enough for two, and all of the typical plumbing. Shower gel, shampoo, conditioner and soap are provided, but these are individual tubes rather than a wall mounted unit within the shower.I would give the cabin 5 stars. It was clean, roomy, and well laid out.