The future of cruising
Royal Caribbean’s newest, and most impressive, ship recently
arrived in her homeport of Cape Liberty Cruise Port in
Bayonne, NJ, bringing unprecedented first-at-sea features
and amenities. The Quantum of the Seas offers superfast
wireless connectivity, the world’s first robotic bartenders, a
skydiving simulator, bumper cars, futuristic entertainment,
and partnerships with celebrated chefs Jamie Oliver, Michael
Schwartz and Devin Alexander. “Quantum of the Seas isn’t
just changing cruising, it’s changing how today’s traveller
vacations,” said Richard D. Fain, chairman and ceo of
Royal Caribbean Cruises. “It’s not just how you travel, it’s
the experience from start to finish. With Quantum we are
empowering our guests to customise every aspect of their
journey, providing them with an unprecedented level of
freedom and flexibility.” The official naming ceremony for
Quantum of the Seas took place on Friday, November 14.
RCI announces new Oasis-class offerings
ROYAL Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas has emerged from a
14-day dry-dock with a new look, new dining offerings, highspeed
Internet, retail offerings, a new Broadway show and
new suites with exclusive suite dining and lounge. Allure of
the Seas will follow in May with near identical enhancements.
Dynamic Dining offers a variety of restaurants and cuisine.
RCI has also introduced high-speed bandwidth on Oasis of
the Seas and Allure of the Seas, as well as Royal iQ, a new
app that lets guests make dining reservations, book shore
excursions and spa appointments on board. There are 10
new suites on Oasis-class ships – two Royal Suites, six Grand
Suites and two Royal Family Suites that can accommodate
up to six guests. Suite guests can use the new suite lounge, a
new sun deck area, and the Coastal Kitchen, a suites-only fullservice
restaurant serving Mediterranean cuisine.
Oceania introduces new culinary offerings
OCEANIA Cruises is introducing a fleetwide food and wine
pairing menu and a visiting chef programme aboard Insignia.
A new Wine by the Bottle Package offers over 50 wines
selected by the line’s master sommeliers. The package is
priced at R473 per bottle, including gratuities, when guests
select seven or more bottles. The list features some wines not
available in the restaurants on board and varies by ship and
itinerary, with regional wines added on many voyages. Oceania
Cruises has introduced the ‘Odyssey Menu’ for the La Reserve
by Wine Spectator tasting room on board Marina and Riviera.
Included are seven gourmet courses paired with the finest
wines from around the world.
