D1 MEET ME ON THE STARBOARD DECK
(or front) and aft is toward the back. My cabin, a balcony stateroom for two with an amazing view of the seas, was on the seventh deck, starboard side, aft.
A modern adventure
A lot of people think that a cruise is for older folks. While there are certainly seniors that go on a cruise, I’d like to think that it’s really more of a modern adventure designed for anyone to enjoy. Activities aboard the ship, from its third to 16th decks, are quite varied. And, believe it or not, there were enough things to do for the almost 5,000 passengers aboard the cruise. Our group got to try almost all of these, from playing pool to dipping in a pool and to enjoying the arcade and bumper cars on Deck 15.
My personal favorite was the North Star. Located on Deck 16, the North Star is the highest point on the ship. It’s a spherical viewing “deck” that ascends up to 300 feet above sea level, taking passengers to a 360-degree tour of the ship and the sea. If you’re not a fan of going that high, worry not. You could instead try the rock climbing wall on the ships aft, starboard side.
Also on Deck 16 are two other entertainment features on the ship: RipCord by iFly and Flowrider. The former is a sky-diving simulator on the ship’s aft, a perfect activity for thrill seekers of all ages to while away the time. Flowrider, which is found just below RipCord, is a 40foot-long surfing simulator that features 30,000 gallons of rushing water. If you’ve never surfed before, boogieboarding on such powerful artificial waves aboard a moving ship could be quite a challenge.
You’re at home
These aren’t the only things you could do on the ship, of course. There are also more relaxing activities for those who really just want to chill. Pamper yourself at the spa on Deck 15 or indulge your shopping senses with the luxury stores on Deck Four or spend time reading books in the library on Deck Six. You could do some laps in any of the pools on Deck 14.
Our gastronomic needs were satisfied by the ship’s many restaurants and cafés. Deck Three has The Grande and Chic. On Deck Four, you have the main dining room, the Windjammer for buffets, and the Coastal Kitchen. A deck above, you have signature restaurants like Izumi and Italian restaurant Jamie’s by celebrity chef After dinner, you could grab a bottle or two at
Jamie Oliver.
the Two70 bar, the Schooner Bar, Boleros, and Casino Royale on Deck Four. Or you could have cocktails served for you by a pair of robot arms at the Bionic Bar on Deck Five. On some afternoons and evenings, you could even do karaoke.
What was, perhaps, interesting was how all of these bars and restaurants felt like home. There was always a Filipino who took care of us. Our dinners at The Grande were prepared and served by Filipinos. They even surprised us with two evenings of Pinoy food—adobo, pancit, sinigang, and bistek Tagalog. During a tour of the ships galleys (or kitchens), we saw the Filipino chefs who prepared our food. Equally interesting was the fact that a lot of them have been working for Royal Caribbean for over 10 years now, grateful and happy for the opportunity to travel the world aboard some of the most advanced cruise ships today.
Needless to say, I had an amazing time aboard the MS Quantum of the Seas. It was a truly unique experience, one that went beyond my expectations. Anyone who wants to have a different #travelgoal this new year should definitely consider going on a cruise.
Cruise around Asia with Royal Caribbean. Travel to Japan this April aboard the MS Quantum of the Seas or around Southeast Asia this May on the MS Spectrum of the Seas. www. royalcaribbean.com | asiacruises@ arpanair.com.ph | (02) 892 2701 to 03 | Facebook: @royalcaribbeanPH