Nearly 5,000 passengers, robot bartenders, a skydiving simulator and bumper cars. Quantum of the Seas is not a subtle ship.
What Is Quantum of the Seas?
Built in 2014 and refurbished in 2024, Quantum of the Seas is one of Royal Caribbean’s SmartShip class vessels. At 348 metres long, it carries up to 4,900 passengers and a crew of around 1,500. Royal Caribbean spent close to a billion dollars building it and the onboard experience reflects that investment in ways that are immediately obvious.
The Standout Features
Three experiences set Quantum apart from most ships from other cruise lines in their class.
The North Star is a glass observation capsule that lifts you more than 90 metres above sea level while the ship is underway. The views are what you’d expect at that height and it’s one of the most distinctive things you can do at sea.
RipCord by iFly is a full indoor skydiving simulator built into the ship. It’s exactly what it sounds like and it works. The experience is included in the fare and worth booking a slot early so you don’t miss out.
The SeaPlex is a multi-purpose entertainment space that at various points runs bumper cars, roller skating and basketball. Bumper cars on a cruise ship sounds gimmicky until you’re actually doing it. We had so much fun!
The South Pacific Itinerary
The sailing covered 8 nights out of Brisbane, stopping at Noumea in New Caledonia, Mystery Island in Vanuatu and Port Vila, also in Vanuatu. It’s a well-suited itinerary for Australian travellers who want a first cruise experience without a long-haul flight to a departure port. Brisbane makes it accessible from the east coast with minimal additional travel.
The ports offer a decent mix. Noumea has a French colonial atmosphere and a walkable waterfront. Mystery Island is a small, uninhabited island with clear water and a relaxed feel. Port Vila has markets, cafes and a town centre that gives you a real taste of island life.
What to Know Before You Board
The ship is enormous and for a first-time cruiser that might sound overwhelming. In practice it never felt overcrowded, which is a credit to how the ship is designed and how Royal Caribbean manages passenger flow across its venues.
Dining is worth understanding before you arrive. There are included dining options across multiple restaurants, but a number of specialty restaurants operate at an additional cost. It’s not a hidden charge but it catches some passengers off guard when they assume all onboard dining is covered. Know what’s included in your fare before you board and you’ll avoid the surprise.
Would I do another cruise? Without hesitation.
Save this for your South Pacific cruise research and drop any questions in the comments below. Follow 5 Star Trip for more honest travel reviews and trip planning guides.