Royal Caribbean Unveils Unique Features of Spectrum of the Seas

Royal Caribbean International has released details of its newest ship, the Quantum Ultra class Spectrum of the Seas, highlighting she will boast the cruise line's first private enclave for suite guests, new stateroom categories, innovative dining concepts and many experiences which have never before been seen at sea. 

Accommodating 4,246 guests at double occupancy and 1,551 international crew members, Spectrum of the Seas will be the largest and most expensive ship in Asia when she sails from Shanghai starting in June 2019.

"When Quantum of the Seas made her debut in Shanghai three years ago, it changed the face of cruising in China,” said Michael Bayley, President and CEO, Royal Caribbean International. “Fast forward to today, and we are revealing just how we'll transform the cruise vacation market, yet again, with the debut of Spectrum of the Seas."

Custom built for the Chinese market, Spectrum of the Seas will debut Royal Caribbean's first exclusive suites-only area, which will feature suite accommodations in a private enclave at the forward end of the ship on decks 13 through 16. Vacationers booked in these luxury suites will have special keycard access, a private elevator and a dedicated restaurant and lounge. In addition to a range of exclusive amenities, guests will have access to The Balcony – a private outdoor space for sunbathing and relaxing that offers the best views on board; and The Boutique, a shopping area where travelers can book private shopping experiences.

For families, Spectrum of the Seas will introduce the two-level, 2,809-square-foot Ultimate Family Suite, accommodating up to 11 guests. The three-bedroom suite, which will include a master bedroom with a bathroom that extends over the side of the ship to provide unparalleled ocean views, along with two additional suites for grandparents and other family members. Kids have their own kid-friendly space on the upper level, complete with an in-suite slide that will transport them to the living area below. The recreation room features surround-sound equipment for a night of karaoke, movies or video games.

Spectrum of the Seas will feature a three-level main dining room with 1,844 seats to serve a variety of Chinese and Western a la carte options rotating each day of the sailing. For guests looking for a more casual venue, the Windjammer Marketplace – 20 percent larger than those on Quantum Class ships – will offer a wide buffet selection of Chinese and Western dishes, including noodles, pizza, Japanese teppanyaki and mini hot pot.  

A new specialty restaurant, Sichuan Red, located in the Royal Esplanade, will serve authentic cuisine from the Sichuan province of China. Royal Caribbean's popular signature restaurants, including Wonderland's Dadong, a new outpost of Chinese chef Dong Zhenxiang, renowned for his much-coveted roast duck dish; Jamie's Italian by British celebrity chef Jamie Oliver; Izumi Japanese cuisine; and Chops Grille will join the lineup as well. In addition, the new Leaf and Bean traditional tea room and café parlor will debut on the Royal Esplanade. 

New to Royal Caribbean and first on Spectrum of the Seas is Star Moment, a lively and energetic karaoke venue. The cruise line also will enhance SeaPlex – the largest indoor sports and entertainment complex at sea, where families can enjoy bumper cars, roller skating and basketball – with new augmented reality walls and floors, providing guests with thrilling, high-tech interactive experiences.

The ship will feature a virtual reality, bungee trampoline experience located on the aft of the ship. Guests will strap in and don their headset to transport themselves to another time and planet. The out-of-this-world experience is for guests of all ages, and also can be enjoyed without headsets, for those who prefer to look out over the ocean as they leap toward the sky.

Additional innovations guests will find on board include the North Star, a glass capsule that takes guests more than 300 feet above the ocean for incomparable panoramic views; RipCord by iFly, a skydiving simulator experience; and the FlowRider surfing simulator. Additionally, the ship will have venues such as Two70 with its expansive floor-to-ceiling windows offering 270-degree views of the ocean.

The venue returns with its signature Vistarama technology, which transforms the panoramic windows into a projection surface more than 100 feet wide and over 20 feet tall showcasing spectacular digital shows. The Vistarama is complemented by six agile Roboscreens, measuring over seven feet tall and controlled by nimble, robotic arms that create scenes as they soar and twist solo or as one. 

When Spectrum of the Seas debuts in April 2019, she will sail a 51-night Global Odyssey from Barcelona, Spain to Shanghai, including visits to 13 countries. When the ship arrives at her new home in Shanghai in June 2019, she will introduce new itineraries with visits to new ports, such as Hakodate and Niigita, Japan; Ilocos, Philippines; and Vladivostok, Russia. In winter 2019, the ship will reposition to Hong Kong.