QUANTUM LEAP FOR CRUISE INDUSTRY

THE cruise industry is no stranger to competition and operators are constantly rolling out improvements to lure travellers on board and vie for the lion’s share of the market. But the benchmark has reached new heights with the unveiling of details of the Quantum of the Seas last month. Dubbed the “Smart Ship”, Royal Caribbean’s new Quantum class of ship takes cruising technology to the next level with robot bartenders, lightning-fast internet, 10-minute check in and luggage tracking on an app. Guests will also be able to stream video and download apps with internet speeds that match fast broadband connections on land. The 167,800 tonne ship will also be the first ship to feature its own sky-diving simulator, bumper cars, surf simulators and the first ever virtual balconies which use 80 inch LED screens to convey the “sights and sounds of the sea”. Revealing the ship plans in Germany last month, Royal Caribbean chief executive Richard Fain was quick to explain how RCCL was leading the charge with a wave of “industry firsts” never before seen at sea. He also remained confident Quantum of the Seas would be a game changer that would overcome the stereotypes of cruising, spice up the vacation experience, and entice younger travellers on board. Considering that the internet didn’t appear on cruise ships until 1999 and mobile phone service only made its way on board in 2002, technology is moving fast at sea. There is little doubt that Royal Caribbean is pushing the boundaries with its new class of ship, but the competition is hot on its heels. Princess Cruises introduced the Regal Princess to its fleet in May this year, branding it the “most technologically advanced” ship to grace the seas. Seabourn, meanwhile, launched digital news and magazine services this year, Carnival rolled out a 5D theatre, and Celebrity Cruises revealed new technology which manipulates the transparency of glass, allowing guests to shower with views of the ocean. With seven new ships in Australia’s pipeline for 2015 and another 10 in 2016, a wave of ‘industry firsts’ will no doubt make headlines in the years to come. But Quantum of the Seas has set the stage for what lies ahead. The ship is now nearing completion with an estimated launch in October 2014. It will eventually be based in Shanghai where it will cater for the Chinese market.