Quantum of the Seas | Back to 2 - Initial Observations
UPDATE (FEBRUARY 2023): With the lowering of Singapore’s Disease Outbreak Response System Condition (DORSCON) to GREEN LEVEL as of February 2023, the preventive measures and/or testing requirements mentioned within this article are no longer in effect. Guests are advised to enquire with the respective cruise lines for updated Testing, Vaccination Requirements and Preventive Measures.
QUANTUM OF THE SEAS IN SINGAPORE PHOTO: SINGAPORE CRUISE SOCIETY
QUANTUM OF THE SEAS: Due to a rise in COVID-19 cases in Singapore, the Singapore Government has announced a new round of protocols last week to tighten restrictions to curb the spread of the virus. Naturally, cruise ships operating out of Singapore will have to comply with the restrictions laid out by the government, you may read about it here.
Initial Observations
Quantum of the Seas has been sailing out of Singapore since December 2020 on 3- and 4-night Ocean Getaway voyages. In compliance with the restrictions, cruise lines have to limit the number of passengers to 50% of the ship's total allowed capacity.
Not many guests cancelled this cruise. The ship is currently carrying about 1,800 passengers. However, even with the new restrictions, nothing seemed out of the norm. The experience was largely the same, from boarding to dining. It never felt much different or crowded.
Do note that as guests have undergone an Antigen Rapid Test (ART) prior to embarking, it will serve as a Pre-Event Test (PET) and allows unvaccinated guests a certain allowance on restrictions onboard up to noon on day 2.
The biggest change, Food and Beverage
The biggest noticeable change would be the maximum group size onboard. Guests may only gather in groups of no more than two persons, with no intermingling between groups. Dining is subjected to this rule as well - two per table, no intermingling. Hence, all tables at F&B outlets on the ship have transitioned to tables of two.
To help accommodate more guests into the dining room, the management team has returned back to Cosmopolitan Dining, in which there are no reservations and operates on a first-come-first-served basis.
Learning from their prior experience, the ship management has opened up the Windjammer Marketplace Buffet on Deck 14 for dinner, which was only open for breakfast and lunch.
We took a walk during dinner time to observe the restaurants onboard the ship, and never noticed a long queue. Guests were spread evenly throughout the ship’s dining facilities like the Main Dining Rooms, specialty dining restaurants and the buffet. We think the call to open up the buffet was a great one, and we believe it helped alleviate the potential long queues at the dining room. However, we are not sure if the Windjammer Marketplace will remain open for the next cruise.
Do take note though. Similar to regulations ashore, unvaccinated guests will not be able to dine at the restaurants after noon on Day 2. Instead, they will have to order in-room dining, and meals will be delivered to their stateroom. For other snacks and drinks at the bar, unvaccinated guests will have to order and bring it back to their stateroom for enjoyment.
Regardless, at least for this cruise, we believe that opening the buffet managed to help solve the potential crowding issues, and is a commendable decision. Kudos to the crew.
Theatre and Shows
Another change on this sailing was the entertainment theatre shows schedules. Even though the theatre capacities remained unchanged, there are no shows for unvaccinated guests after noon on Day 2. Hence, if you are unvaccinated, please make sure you reserve the shows on Day 1 and 2 labelled ‘for all guests’.
Do also note that all food and beverages, including plain bottled water, will no longer be allowed in the theatres.
Enhanced Enforcement, and other observations.
With the tightening of restrictions, the crew and officers have stepped up to ensure guests are in compliance with the regulations. Announcements such as ‘if your travel party has more than 2, please make sure to walk in seperate groups of two around the ship with at least 1 meter between groups’ are played to remind guests of the restrictions.
The crew will also always check for TraceTogether app/token, and your Royal Caribbean Tracelet when you tap into a restaurant/venue. Make sure you have these on hand to expedite the process.
Sorrentos and Cafe Promenade will almost certainly experience long queues after a show ends, as guests go for an evening snack right after the shows. Hence, try to come back after 15-30 minutes. If you do decide to queue, remember to queue in groups of 2 with at least a meter distancing apart.
Business as Usual
We will continue to observe and report on the experience of the cruise, but for now, it’s business as usual here onboard Quantum of the Seas. Do leave your questions on our website, or social media platforms so we can answer them.
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