Quantum of the Seas - First time in Star class suite

[ReanReally]

After following a few blogs, and benefiting from the tips and advice provided, I’m now inspired to share my first time experience cruising in a Grand Loft Suite on QoTS in early Nov.  QoTS will not be making any stops at nearby ports and it’s a cruise to nowhere i.e. everyday is sea day.  

We are staying in Suite 10324, instead of a corner loft, thanks to advice from @WAAAYTOOO.

We’ve done 4 cruises (last 3 ones on Royal Caribbean), always in a balcony or junior suite.  Cruisers include my hubby (we’re celebrating his birthday!) and my son.  Poor daughter was initially included but we had to remove her last week as she realised that she has some school activity that she cannot skip.  

We did the questionnaire in end Sep and our genie, Eli, got in touch with us on 3 Oct asking about our plans.  I’ve asked if we could get a picture taken at the helipad (hubby’s birthday wish), still waiting for Eli to get back to us on that.  

Quite excited as there is a couple of first times for us - rock climbing for my son, celebrating a birthday on a cruise, iFly and NorthStar for all of us, taking a pic at helipad for all of us, having the deluxe drinks package (we’re not big on alcoholic drinks so never took this package in the past) and perhaps FlowRider for me (yes I’ve never tried FlowRider!).

17 sleeps to embarkation day!  

[DominicGCAU]

How exciting. Can’t wait to hear/read your thoughts. I’m in the same cabin for the transpacific in April 2023. Soooooo many days to wait lol

[Yesiamthere]

Following!

[ReanC]

So the genie Eli responded - we need to purchase a photo package in order to take a pic at the helipad. Realised that the unlimited photo package is no longer available on Cruise Planner, will probably take the 5 digital shots. 

She also confirmed a few things - Bridge & Galley tour, cupcake making class & Chef’s Table have been suspended on QoTS, seafood tower continues to be unavailable at Chops Grille

Also received the email to get the PCR test done - booked for next Sat. Also picking up my son’s new passport next week. 

[sammy79]

I’ve read some SC passengers getting a “sea food tower” that the restaurant can put together.  I would ask the genie if he can work his magic

[Yesiamthere]

Just got off the Symphony of the Seas a week ago, and the seafood tower was no longer available at Chops.  I’m hoping it returns for my Genie cruise in February!  

[ReanC]

13 hours ago, sammy79 said:

I’ve read some SC passengers getting a “sea food tower” that the restaurant can put together.  I would ask the genie if he can work his magic

Thanks Sammy, I will try asking nicely. In lieu of the seafood tower, if the Maine is still available at Chops Grille, I suppose that works too 

[ReanReally]

The Singapore government has announced that dining out restrictions (2 pax per table) will continue to apply till 21 November!  This means our party of 3 will have to split and one person would have to dine alone.  This sounds rather sad, and I’m wondering if I should arrange for more meals in the suite (where all 3 of us can sit together and eat).  I have heard reviews that the food may get cold by the time they are delivered to the suite, and I was wondering how it works with getting Wonderland or Jamie’s meat plank delivered to the suite.  

I’d like to hear your experience with ordering food to be served in the suite, including whether it is better to eat at the balcony or the dining table in the suite.  

[WAAAYTOOO]

13 hours ago, ReanReally said:

The Singapore government has announced that dining out restrictions (2 pax per table) will continue to apply till 21 November!  This means our party of 3 will have to split and one person would have to dine alone.  

That's just completely ridiculous.  So sorry to hear this news.

13 hours ago, ReanReally said:

arrange for more meals in the suite (where all 3 of us can sit together and eat).  I have heard reviews that the food may get cold by the time they are delivered to the suite, and I was wondering how it works with getting Wonderland or Jamie’s meat plank delivered to the suite.

Frankly, I've had good experiences with room service and bad experiences.  You just never know.  Overall, I would say that my experiences have been good enough.  The biggest problem with room service (IMO) is that you have to be really REALLY specific about what you ask for.  They will bring you exactly what you order and nothing more.  So if you would need butter for your bread (or even bread, itself, for that matter !) you must ask for it.

Frankly, if they are really strict about the 2-to-a-table rule (unbelievable) then I would most likely be eating in the suite most of the time.  What a way to completely ruin a family meal.

With the GLS being so far aft on the Q class ships, you would run a pretty good risk of having coldish food, IMO.  It's just a long way back there !  ...but even coldish food would be better than having my traveling group broken up....at least, for me.

[LogicallyLazy]

The food is definitely colder compared to eating at the restaurant. I think it really depends on how much the food experience matters to you. 
 

Especially for Wonderland, I think one of the main things is the experience you get in the restaurant. 
 

For room service, the food also all arrives at once, so you don’t get the courses spaced out. 

[ReanC]

Thanks @WAAAYTOOOand @LogicallyLazy. I have asked for breakfast in suite on Day 2 and may ask for more meals in suite depending on how the rest thinks. 

I have also put in a bid for RoyalUp to a Royal Loft Suite but the chances are slim as I saw that all suites were sold out. 

5 more sleeps to embarkation day and we’ve not started packing

[ReanC]

So we all tested negative and it’s one more sleep to sailing. The boys are packed, I’m kinda packed, except for the clothes

Sharing the shows & timings for reference

[LogicallyLazy]

Ooo seems they’ve added new headlining acts. 

[ReanC]

 

A first time for us - we were the first family embarking Quantum of the Seas on 1 Nov!  Below is pic of land Genie escorting my son to the gangway. 

 

However, it was pouring torrentially (it’s monsoon season in Singapore). So off to Coastal Kitchen for lunch, followed by a quick tour of the ship, then some bumper car action & dinner at Wonderland (will post that later). 

 

Our Genie Eli also booked the Sequins & Feathers show for us on Day 1 

[ReanC]

Dinner at Wonderland on Day 1 - the waiter John from Philippines was quite engaging. Appended the food and drinks menu below. Took the branzino & Helios in the sand as he recommended and I was not disappointed. 

liquid lobster (sea) & sashimi of tuna (ice)

[ReanC]

Started Day 2 with a short gym visit. First time visiting the gym on-board - nice view but no Vitality Cafe in this gym

We had breakfast in suite, ordered in from CK. Too much food honestly even though I thought I was quite specific in ordered 1 x Danish (in my mind it’s 1 piece, to the kitchen it’s 1 portion). We were also missing the table cloth but we were too hungry to wait. 

 

After breakfast, we went to the helipad at the front of the ship to take some photos. We missed the rain by a little bit! I retreated to the spa for a massage whilst the boys had some fun at the SeaPlex. 

[ReanC]

Day 2 lunch was at Chops Grille. Hubby wanted to order lobster but it was not on the lunch menu. Nonetheless, he tried his luck and they surprised him with 2 portions. 
 

[ReanC]

Day 3 was action packed. We had a private 1-hour private Star Suite class in the morning. We had multiple go at it without queueing as there was only 4 of us

We also celebrated my hubby’s birthday and did the iFly. Unfortunately, due to stormy weather, the NorthStar observatory ride was cancelled