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|Header caption=
|Header caption=
|Ship type=[[Cruise ship]]
|Ship type=[[Cruise ship]]
|Ship tonnage= 176,800 [[Gross tonnage|GT]]<ref name=QuantumFactSheet>{{cite web|title=Quantum of the Seas Fact Sheet|url=http://www.royalcaribbeanpresscenter.com/press-kit/44/quantum-of-the-seas-fact-sheet/|work=Royal Caribbean Press Center|publisher=Royal Caribbean International|accessdate=16 April 2013}}</ref>
|Ship tonnage= 167,800 [[Gross tonnage|GT]]<ref name=QuantumFactSheet>{{cite web|title=Quantum of the Seas Fact Sheet|url=http://www.royalcaribbeanpresscenter.com/press-kit/44/quantum-of-the-seas-fact-sheet/|work=Royal Caribbean Press Center|publisher=Royal Caribbean International|accessdate=16 April 2013}}</ref>
|Ship length= {{convert|348|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}<ref name="innovation">{{cite book|title=Innovation & Technology: Shipbuilding in Papenburg|year=2013|publisher=Meyer Werft|location=Papenburg, Germany|page=26|url=http://www.meyerwerft.de/media/pdfs/pdf/Broschuere_UK_012013..pdf|accessdate=March 7, 2013}}</ref>
|Ship length= {{convert|348|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}<ref name="innovation">{{cite book|title=Innovation & Technology: Shipbuilding in Papenburg|year=2013|publisher=Meyer Werft|location=Papenburg, Germany|page=26|url=http://www.meyerwerft.de/media/pdfs/pdf/Broschuere_UK_012013..pdf|accessdate=March 7, 2013}}</ref>
|Ship beam= {{convert|41|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}<ref name="innovation" />
|Ship beam= {{convert|41|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}<ref name="innovation" />

Revision as of 20:38, 21 March 2014

File:Quantum of the Seas Exterior from 4-16-2013 keynote.jpg
Artist's rendering of Quantum of the Seas
Class overview
BuildersMeyer Werft, Papenburg, Germany [1]
OperatorsRoyal Caribbean International
Preceded byOasis class
Built2012-2016 (planned) [1]
In serviceNovember 2014 (planned)
Planned3
Building2
General characteristics
TypeCruise ship
Tonnage167,800 GT[2]
Length348 m (1,142 ft)[3]
Beam41 m (135 ft)[3]
Draught8.5 m (28 ft)[2]
Decks18[4] (16 passenger-accessible)[2]
Propulsionlist error: <br /> list (help)
Diesel-electric
Two 20.5 MW (27,500 hp) ABB Azipod XO thrusters[5]
Four 3,500 kW (4,694 hp) bow thrusters[2]
Speed22 knots (41 km/h; 25 mph)[3]
Capacitylist error: <br /> list (help)
4,180 passengers (double occupancy)[2]
4,905 passengers (maximum occupancy)[2]

Quantum class is the name for an upcoming class of cruise ships from Royal Caribbean International, previously known by the code name Project Sunshine. The Quantum-class ships will surpass the earlier Freedom-class ships by a mere 13,000 GT, becoming the second largest class of passenger ships behind Royal Caribbean International's Oasis class ships on a gross tonnage basis.[1] The first two ships of this class, Quantum of the Seas and Anthem of the Seas, are expected to be delivered in November 2014 and spring 2015, respectively.[1][6] A third unnamed ship is expected to be delivered mid-2016.[7]

History

On February 11, 2011, Royal Caribbean announced that they had ordered the first of a new class of ships from the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany scheduled to be delivered by Fall 2014. At the time, the project was code-named "Project Sunshine".[8] Later that year, two 20.5-megawatt ABB Azipod XO propulsion units were ordered for that ship.[5] On February 29, 2012 the company announced that a second "Project Sunshine" ship had been ordered and would be delivered by Spring 2015,[9] and ordered identical Azipod propulsion units shortly thereafter.[5] Just under a year later, on January 31, 2013, steel cutting for the first ship began with a silhouette of the ship being cut by the lasers. The same day, Royal Caribbean announced the official name of the new class of ships, Quantum Class, as well as the names of the first two ships in the class, Quantum of the Seas and Anthem of the Seas.[1][6] These names were among a series of names that Royal Caribbean had filed for trademarks on in late 2012, including Passion of the Seas, Vantage of the Seas, Ovation of the Seas, and the Pulse of the Seas (these other trademarks were abandoned as of January 2014).[10] Details on the major features of Quantum of the Seas were announced on April 16, 2013.[11] On May 30, 2013, Royal Caribbean announced that they had signed a contract with Meyer Werft for a third Quantum-class ship for delivery mid-2016 and that an option exists for a fourth ship, although as of March 2014 that option has not been exercised.[7]

Design

Staterooms

Quantum-class ships will have 16 passenger-accessible decks, 8 of which will feature balcony staterooms overlooking the ocean. Like the Celebrity Solstice class, those staterooms above the life boats will be recessed into the superstructure and won't look down directly at the ocean. There will be a total of 2,090 staterooms: 1,570 balcony staterooms, 147 ocean-view staterooms, and 373 inside staterooms. Of those staterooms, 34 will be wheelchair accessible and 28 will be studio staterooms for single travelers (including 12 studio staterooms with balconies). All aft-facing staterooms will be a 2-story "loft" suites. Expanding on the "Virtual Porthole" concept introduced by Disney Cruise Line on the Disney Dream, all the interior staterooms will feature a floor-to-ceiling 80-inch high-definition TV screen showing live views from the outside of the ship, which Royal Caribbean calls a "Virtual Balcony". On average, staterooms on the Quantum class will be 9 percent larger than those on the preceding Oasis class.[2][12][13][14]

Activities

Like the earlier Freedom and Oasis-class ships, the "Sports Court" on deck 15 aft will feature a Wave Loch Flowrider surf simulator and a rock-climbing wall.[15] A new feature on the Quantum-class is "RipCord by iFLY", a skydiving simulator set in a recirculating indoor recreational vertical wind tunnel.[16] Reservations for RipCord will be able to be made online in advance of the cruise. All the features of the Sports deck are complimentary, although Royal Caribbean will charge for pictures and videos taken of RipCord participants.[14]

The "NorthStar" observation tower, located at the forward end of the top deck, will use a 7.1-tonne (7.8-short-ton) glass-walled capsule on the end of a 41-meter-long (135 ft) crane arm to lift groups of up to 14 guests up and over the edge of the ship, reaching heights of up to 300 feet above sea level. Rides on the NorthStar will be complimentary and on a first-come, first-served basis, with the exception of sunrise, sunset, and private trips which will have a charge and can be reserved online in advance.[14][17][18]

Deck 14 will feature an outdoor pool with a large video screen, an indoor pool with a retractable roof, an indoor "Solarium" with an adults-only pool, the "H2O Zone" kids' water park, and at least 4 whirlpools.[4][13] Other included features that have become standard on recent Royal Caribbean ships include a Spa and Fitness Center on decks 15 and 16, the "Adventure Ocean" kids club on decks 11 and 12, a Broadway-style "The Royal Theater" on decks 3-5, and a Casino on deck 3. Unlike the earlier Voyager, Freedom, and Oasis class, Quantum-class ships will not feature a Viking Crown Lounge or ice skating rink, and the Royal Promenade mall down the center of the ship will not be featured in its traditional form.[13][14]

The ships will also feature a number of multi-purpose venues:[4]

Two70°

Two70° is a lounge on decks 5-7 at the stern of the ship, which will feature three-story-high 270-degree panoramic ocean views, a café, and an ice bar. Automatic window shades can cover the windows to limit the amount of sunlight entering, and a 13-projector projection mapping system can project live views from outside the ship onto those screens.[19] At night, movable furniture and retractable dividers and chandeliers allow the space to be reconfigured to be used as a performance venue for a nouveau-cirque-style show or as a disco.[20] Both nighttime uses will take advantage of the projection system and 5 robotically controlled 100-inch LCD television screens to provide digital backdrops.[13][21]

SeaPlex

Located at the middle of deck 15, the SeaPlex will be a large indoor venue with a full-size basketball court that can be converted into a dance floor, a flying trapeze school, a roller-skating arena, or a bumper cars ride.[15] The "SeaPlex" also features a "food truck" casual dining venue and table tennis, air hockey and foosball tables on a second-level mezzanine.[14]

The Music Hall

The Music Hall will be a 2-story lounge on decks 3 and 4 that also serves as a nightclub and small music performance venue.[4] The Music Hall will feature the self-leveling pool tables first seen on the Radiance-class ships.[22]

Dining

As of February 2014, no information has yet been released on specific dining venues other than "The Café @ Two70°" and the SeaPlex food truck. A Royal Caribbean press release described the Quantum class as having "the most flexible dining options and more specialty restaurants than ever before."[4] More information on dining options will be revealed in an event in New York City on March 26, 2014.[citation needed]

Ships

Ship Status Enters service
with Royal Caribbean		 Gross tonnage Home Port Notes
Quantum of the Seas Under Construction (Keel laid in August 2013)[23] November 23, 2014 (Planned) 167,800 Cape Liberty Cruise Port, Bayonne, New Jersey[4] 5 itineraries ranging from 7- to 12-nights beginning fall 2014[4][24]
Anthem of the Seas Under Construction (Keel laid in November 2013)[25] Spring 2015 (Planned) 167,800 Southampton, England and Port Everglades, FL[26] Mediterranean and Caribbean cruises[26]
TBA Contract signed Mid-2016 (Planned) 167,800 TBA

References

  1. ^ a b c d e "Start of Steel-Cutting for First Project Sunshine Ship". Meyer Wert. February 5, 2013. Retrieved April 12, 2013.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g "Quantum of the Seas Fact Sheet". Royal Caribbean Press Center. Royal Caribbean International. Retrieved 16 April 2013.
  3. ^ a b c Innovation & Technology: Shipbuilding in Papenburg (PDF). Papenburg, Germany: Meyer Werft. 2013. p. 26. Retrieved March 7, 2013.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g "Royal Caribbean International Reveals Groundbreaking Quantum-class Ships". Royal Caribbean Press Center. Royal Caribbean International. Retrieved 16 April 2013.
  5. ^ a b c "Azipods ordered for two RCL cruise ships". The Motorship. April 17, 2013. Retrieved April 17, 2013.
  6. ^ a b Tribou, Richard (February 5, 2013). "Royal Caribbean announces names for new cruise ships". Baltimore Sun. Retrieved April 12, 2013.
  7. ^ a b Bailey, Ian (May 30, 2013). "Royal Caribbean Signs Contract For Third Quantum-Class Cruise Ship". Meyer Werft. Retrieved May 30, 2013.
  8. ^ "Royal Caribbean Signs Letter of Intent to Build New Generation of Ships". Investor Relations. February 11, 2011. Retrieved April 12, 2013.
  9. ^ "Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. Exercises Option to Build Second "Project Sunshine" Ship". Investor Relations. February 29, 2012. Retrieved April 12, 2013.
  10. ^ "Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. Trademarks". Legal Force/Trademarkia. Retrieved April 13, 2013.
  11. ^ "Prepare to be WOWED". Royal Caribbean International. Retrieved April 12, 2013.
  12. ^ "Royal Caribbean Introduces Unrivaled Accommodation Options On Quantum-Class Ships". Royal Caribbean Press Center. Royal Caribbean International. Retrieved April 16, 2013.
  13. ^ a b c d "Deck Plans | Quantum of the Seas". Royal Caribbean International. Retrieved 16 April 2013.
  14. ^ a b c d e Dunham-Potter, Anita. "Quantum Of The Seas' New Thrills At Sea". HuffPost Travel. The Huffington Post. Retrieved 16 April 2013.
  15. ^ a b "Largest Sports And Entertainment Complex At Sea Introduced On Quantum Class". Royal Caribbean Press Center. Royal Caribbean International. Retrieved April 16, 2013.
  16. ^ "Royal Caribbean International Introduces Skydiving Experiences At Sea". Royal Caribbean Press Center. Royal Caribbean International. Retrieved 16 April 2013.
  17. ^ "A View From Above: North Star". Royal Caribbean Press Center. Royal Caribbean International. Retrieved April 16, 2013.
  18. ^ "MacGregor to deliver Quantum Class North Star system". MarineLog. 5 July 2013. Retrieved 7 July 2013.
  19. ^ Immen, Wallace. "Royal Caribbean's Quantum Leap: Its New Ship Becomes a Transformer". Avid Cruiser. Retrieved 7 July 2013.
  20. ^ "Quantum of the Seas". 5+design. Retrieved 7 July 2013.
  21. ^ "Two70° Revolutionizes Onboard Entertainment". Royal Caribbean Press Center. Royal Caribbean International. Retrieved April 16, 2013.
  22. ^ "Music Hall: The Hottest Live Entertainment Venue At Sea". Royal Caribbean Press Center. Royal Caribbean International. Retrieved April 16, 2013.
  23. ^ "Keel-laying of Quantum of the Seas". Meyer Werft. Retrieved 20 November 2013.
  24. ^ "Wow Itineraries". Royal Caribbean International. Retrieved April 17, 2013.
  25. ^ Gibson, Rebecca. "Keel laid for Anthem of the Seas". Cruise and Ferry. Retrieved 20 November 2013.
  26. ^ a b "Royal Caribbean International Reveals New Home for Anthem of the Seas". Royal Caribbean Press Center. Royal Caribbean International. Retrieved 21 November 2013.
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