Royal Caribbean International’s latest newbuild Quantum of the Seas is to feature a host of new technology, apps and onboard services to enhance the guest experience.
Quantum of the Seas will offer various services, apps and radio frequency identification (RFID) technology that will improve the customer experience by simplifying the check-in and boarding procedures, enabling the guests to book services in advance and enhancing the onboard activities.
“Cruise vacations have a romantic past, but they also have a lively, adventurous, state-of-the-art future,” said Richard Fain, chairman and CEO, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. “We were determined to take the best advances in modern technology, turn them into shipboard WOWs, and take the frustration out of the vacation. This ship’s combination of ease and flexibility would make a yoga instructor proud.”
Prior to embarking on their holiday, guests will be able to access a Cruise Planner app, which allows them to make dining reservations, book shore excursions, spa appointments and other amenities and services before their cruise begins. Guests can also download the Royal iQ app, which features a calendar to allow them to manage their cruise programme and keep in touch with fellow passengers – as well as family and friends at home – via phone and text capabilities.
In addition, guests will be able to generate boarding documents online, upload their own identification photo and receive digital boarding confirmation. This eliminates the need for them to fill out paper forms and queue at the check-in counters at the terminal, enabling them to board the ship around ten minutes after arriving at the port.
Meanwhile, RFID tags will be fitted to each item of luggage as it is checked in, enabling guests to track their belongings at various points until it reaches their stateroom. This process will be reversed on departure.
“Every vacation minute counts, especially on Quantum of the Seas where there is so much to see and do,” said Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, executive vice president of operations, Royal Caribbean International. “Guests can now tailor everything about their cruise in advance, so they can start enjoying their vacation the minute they step onboard. Together, these features take the company’s time-saving efforts to a new level and every minute we can save our guests is another minute of their vacation they have to enjoy. In essence, they get back the first day of their cruise.”
Onboard the ship, guests will receive new RFID ‘WOWband’ wristbands, which can be used to navigate the ship, lock and unlock their staterooms, make onboard purchases and more.
Quantum of the Seas’ new faster broadband network, which was implemented by Royal Caribbean’s technology partner O3b Networks, will also enable passengers to stream videos, share images via social media and make video calls while at sea. The increased bandwidth will also enable one of the SeaPods in the ship’s onboard SeaPlex venue to become a video gaming suite where guests can use Microsoft’s Xbox Live service to compete with other gamers across the globe in real time.
“Even when they are getting away from it all on vacation, people want to be able to connect, said Lutoff-Perlo. “Our satellite network will make things possible at sea that could never have been done before, and will make all the difference in the way guests share their Royal Caribbean experience.”
Robots also feature prominently in venues onboard Quantum of the Seas, including in the new Bionic Bar where guests can place orders via tablets and then watch robotic arms mix their drinks. Similar robotic arms will also be used in the iconic Two70° is a three-deck, multidimensional space with floor-to-ceiling glass windows located at the stern of the ship.
Designed by US-based 5+design, Two70° offers seating, dining areas and a two-storey mixology bar, as well as six Roboscreens each measuring over seven feet high and controlled by powerful robotic arms. The screens can be programmed to move in synchronisation with live performers and aerialists as they travel through the performance space, surrounding the spectators with lights, music and sound.
Two70° also has Vistarama technology – a digital filming and warping process – which combines 18 projectors to transform the floor-to-ceiling glass wall into a 100 ft wide by 20 ft high surface for digital projections in 12K resolution.
The main shows in Two70° include ‘Starwater’ and ‘Virtual Concert. Created by Royal Caribbean’s Moment Factory, ‘Starwater’ features video mapping, special effects and human artistry, while ‘Virtual Concert’ includes musicians, groups and bands that will be projected across the Vistarama and all six Roboscreens.
Royal Caribbean is also set to provide new technology to crew members, including custom apps, which will enable them to track the preferences and personal requirements of guests, to tailor the onboard services to suit each individual.
The operator will also provide each crew member with an eight-inch tablet running on the Windows 8.1 operating system. Built by Hexa, the will feature various Microsoft apps and services such as OneDrive, Bing, Office 365 and Skype, enabling crew to stay in contact with family members and friends while sailing onboard the ships. The tablets will be rolled out to all 40,000 crew members across the line’s 23-ship fleet by the end of December 2014.
“The Royal Caribbean men and women who provide such great vacations are the real heroes of our fleet and these gifts demonstrate our appreciation in a tangible way,” said Richard Fain, chairman and CEO of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. “This technology isn’t only about giving our guests a better vacation – it’s about giving our crew and their families a closer connection than we’ve ever been able to.”
Technology has also been used to ensure that Quantum of the Seas is as environmentally friendly as possible. Royal Caribbean used advanced computer modelling technology to design an energy-efficient hull, engines and other energy-saving devices, to help reduce the vessel’s fuel consumption. In addition, all onboard lighting will be provided by low-energy LED and fluorescent bulbs, while motion sensors will activate hallway lighting when a person enters the area.
In addition, guest staterooms are equipped with device-charging USB outlets, while each interior cabin has been fitted with 80-inch LED screens that display real-time sights and sounds of the sea, creating a ‘virtual balcony’ and ensuring all guests have an outside view.
The 167,800gt Quantum of the Seas, which spans 18 decks and features 2,090 staterooms, will homeport in Cape Liberty in New York Harbor, US. The ship will then be based at Shanghai in China. The vessel’s sister ship Anthem of the Seas will debut at the UK port of Southampton in April 2015 and will offer Mediterranean itineraries.