Royal Caribbean officially opened booking for it's newest cruise ship that is still under construction, Quantum of the Seas, to the general public.  Last week members of Royal Caribbean's loyalty program were given special access to book the new ship ahead of everyone else.

Royal Caribbean has cruises available from November 2014, when the ship debuts, through April 2015.  Quantum of the Seas' inaugural cruise is not listed as available for sale on the Royal Caribbean web site, which may indicate the inaugural cruise has sold out already.

On the Bahamas cruises, the ship will call at Port Canaveral, Fla., Nassau and CocoCay, Royal Caribbean's private island in the Bahamas. The Eastern Caribbean cruises will include San Juan, Puerto Rico; Samana, Dominican Republic; St. Thomas; St. Kitts; and St. Maarten. The Southern Caribbean cruises will call at San Juan, St. Maarten, Martinique, Barbados and St. Kitts. On most sailings, the ship also will visit Labadee, Royal Caribbean's private beach on the north coast of Haiti.

If you're interested in booking your spot on one of the first cruises Quantum of the Seas embarks on, you can call Royal Caribbean directly, consult a travel agent or book online.

Royal Caribbean is allowing its Crown and Anchor Society members the first chance to book their spot aboard Quantum of the Seas.

Quantum of the Seas, Royal Caribbean's newest cruise ship that is under construction, will have her inaugural cruise in November 2014.  The ship features a number of ammenities new to the cruise industry such as an observation pod and skydiving simulator.

Those interested in booking can call Royal Caribbean directly, consult a travel agent or book online.

The general public will be able to book their cruise on Quantum of the Seas starting on June 4.

Royal Caribbean is set to put cruises on its newest cruise ship, Quantum of the Seas, on sale on May 28, 2013 and today they announced the first cruises onboard the ship.

Quantum of the Seas' inaugural voyage will take place on November 23, 2014.  This will be the official inaugural voyage for the ship, although shorter cruises for the media and travel agents are likely to precede it.

Quantum of the Seas will offer seven- and eight-night Bahamas, eight- to 11-night Eastern Caribbean, and 11- and 12-night Southern Caribbean itineraries.  As previously announced, Quantum of the Seas will sail out of Bayonne, New Jersey.  The first round of itineraries that Royal Caribbean has announced today extend through April 2015.

Bookings will be available to Crown & Anchor Society loyalty program members beginning May 28, 2013 before opening to the general public on June 4.

“Royal Caribbean is proud to partner with some of the Caribbean’s premier destinations for the inaugural season of Quantum of the Seas,” said Adam Goldstein, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean International. “The Quantum class of ships will combine a new set of truly exciting and first-at-sea innovations that can only be found on Royal Caribbean, with some of the most incredible destinations in the region. We can’t wait to WOW vacationers with Quantum cruising.”

On the Bahamas cruises, guests call at Port Canaveral, Fla., Nassau and CocoCay, Royal Caribbean’s private tropical island paradise. The Eastern Caribbean cruises will include ports of call among San Juan, Puerto Rico; Samana, Dominican Republic; St. Thomas; St. Kitts; and St. Maarten. Guests on the Southern Caribbean cruises will call at San Juan, St. Maarten, Martinique, Barbados and St. Kitts. On most Caribbean sailings, Quantum of the Seas also will visit Labadee, Royal Caribbean’s very own highly-rated private beach paradise on the north coast of Haiti.  

Royal Caribbean announced that it will add a brand new float to the 87th annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. 

Royal Caribbean's participation in the parade will be part of its celebration of the upcoming fall 2014 debut of Quantum of the Seas.

"Royal Caribbean cruise vacations are known as the ultimate in family entertainment at sea, so it's fitting that they will join us this Thanksgiving as we kick off the holidays for millions of families nationwide," said Amy Kule, executive producer of Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. "Designed by the artists of Macy's Parade Studio, the new Royal Caribbean float promises to astonish audiences as it makes its maiden voyage down the streets of Manhattan this November."

Royal Caribbean executive vice president of Global Sales and Marketing, Lisa Bauer, also commented on the news, "As the leading global cruise line offering families incredible vacations only found with Royal Caribbean, we are thrilled to be partnering with the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and to participate in an iconic event that brings friends and family together.We hope that our float will WOW Parade spectators and those watching at home just like our ships WOW guests all over the world."

The 87th annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade airs nationwide on NBC, on Thursday, Nov. 28, 2013 from 9 a.m. - Noon in all time zones.

Portland, Maine officials announced on Monday that the city will welcome Royal Caribbean's newest cruise ship, Quantum of the Seas, in 2015.  In fact, Quantum of the Seas will visit Maine's largest city four times in 2015.

The 4,000+ passenger ship will be the largest cruise ship to ever dock in Portland.

Quantum of the Seas’ arrival in Portland is made possible by the additional deeper water access provided by the city’s 1,200-foot Ocean Gateway Terminal Pier II, which opened two years ago, city spokeswoman Nicole Clegg confirmed.

The city will receive nearly $700,000 in revenue from hosting cruise ships. A 2008 economic impact study found that passengers typically spend $80 to $110 in Greater Portland during their stay, which adds up to $5.8 million to $8 million each season.

Royal Caribbean is busy finishing plans to build its next cruise ship, Quantum of the Seas, and it has tapped design firm 5+design Studio to help create the cutting-edge venues aboard the ship.

Tim Magill, partner of 5+design, commented on designing Quantum of the Seas' venues, "There has never been anything like Two70 on land, let alone sea. It exemplifies our idea of transformational environments – creating the framework for wide range of activities and uses within one space.”

Royal Caribbean has tapped 5+design to create Two70 and Vistarama venues aboard Quantum of the Seas.

During the day, Two70 takes on the ambiance of a grand living room, perfect for games, lounging, reading or early morning coffee. An organic topography of elliptical spaces create a variety of intimate social spaces for friends, families and small groups. At night, Two70, aptly named for its breathtaking 270-degree panoramic sea views through vast, floor-to-ceiling glass walls, gradually transforms into a beacon of spectacular, mysterious and unbarred entertainment for guests to enjoy.

5+design sought to make Two70 an "outside" experience for an inside venue, so the area will also become a place for live performances.  The space was designed with multiple purposes in mind.

It's been less than a week since Royal Caribbean pulled back the curtain to reveal what its newest cruise ship, Quantum of the Seas, will look like and it has generated a lot of buzz among cruise veterans and people new to cruising alike.  And with the first itineraries to go on sale next month, travel agents are on the front lines of hearing from customers who want to be among the first to get onboard.

Beci Mahnken, owner of MEI-Travel, thinks Quantum of the Seas will have tremendous appeal for first time cruisers, "First time cruisers may be reluctant to leave the options of a land vacation behind, but Quantum of the Seas brings exciting activities and amenities previously only available on land, to sea."

"The excitement and buzz we've heard from clients lets us know this ship will be a great success and a wonderful addition to the Royal Caribbean fleet. Potential cruisers who have been waiting to take a cruise for fear of not enough to do or feeling boxed in, only need to see what Quantum of the Seas has to offer and "prepare to be wowed." First time cruisers will want to cruise on Quantum of the Seas because of the ship itself and the endless options available on board. "

Another travel agent with MEI-Travel, Michelle Cunningham, was also impressed by what Royal Caribbean brings to the table, "I think it’s great that cruise lines reach above and beyond their potential to give clients fun things to do at sea, and I do think Royal Caribbean does it the best. They have the biggest ships in the world and continue to create and push beyond the limits." 

Stephanie Miller is also a fan of what Quantum of the Seas offers and she thinks the ship will be a bigger appeal than the islands that are visited, " In the past cruising was a great way for guests to see multiple destinations on one vacation. With Quantum of the Seas I anticipate that guests will find the ship is the destination."

Kaleigh Lay, who hosts the popular podcast all about cruising Cruize Cast, thinks Royal Caribbean has solidified its position as innovator in the cruise industry, "Royal Caribbean has been the industry leader in introducing the next best thing to the cruise market, and that appeals to first time cruisers. People see the commercials with the zip line, surf simulator and now bumper cars and skydiving on the Quantum of the Seas, and they want to sail on that ship. But, these kinds of innovations get people excited about cruising in general because it plants the idea in their minds."

The decision to homeport Royal Caribbean's newest cruise ship in Bayonne, New Jersey is a question at the top of many people's minds and CEO Adam Goldstein commented on the deployment decision.

Goldstein feels that the New York cruise market is very important to the brand, “It’s an appropriate place to homeport as she begins service."

Some of the new innovations the cruise ship features, such as bumper cars and skydiving, should attract first time cruisers according to Goldstein.

“It should help the perceptions some people may have about the cruise experience,” he said.

Goldstein was very proud of the Music Hall, saying that Royal Caribbean was one of the last to still place an importance on live music – with up to 30 performers sailing with the ship.

When Goldstein was asked if the decision to homeport Quantum of the Seas in the New York area opens up possibilities for new ships going to places other than Florida, he answered that there are more ports the Quantum-class vessels can go in comparison to the Oasis, but not that many.

The success metrics of the new Quantum ships will be measured via revenue generation and yields tied together.

“What people pay to be onboard (is the metric),” Goldstein continued, adding that fuel savings will come from hydrodynamics and the overall shape of the hull, along with changes and innovations to the propellers, the engines, air conditioning, lighting and more.

When Royal Caribbean announced the new innovation of virtual balconies coming to Quantum of the Seas, the next cruise ship that is being developed, company officials mentioned the virtual balconies will first be seen on Navigator of the Seas.

Navigator of the Seas was already scheduled for a refurbishment early next year as part of Royal Caribbean's fleet wide revitalization program.  The virtual balconies will now be added to the list of new features Navigator of the Seas will receive.  It appears Navigator of the Seas will be the "testing ground" for this brand new innovation.

The virtual balconies will be 80-inch LED projection screen that will show images of the ocean that is taken from elsewhere on the ship. 

Royal Caribbean CEO Adam Goldstein thinks the virtual balconies will be a great addition, "It's going to bring a completely different feel to the experience."

Navigator of the Seas will go into drydock next January to get the Royal Advantage upgrade package. It is scheduled to sail from Galveston when the upgrades are complete.

Goldstein said there will not be a specific surcharge for interior cabins with virtual balconies, but added that he hopes they will bring higher yields.

"The whole experience will be more valuable to our guests and we expect that to be reflected in the ticket price," he said. 

Quantum of the Seas is expected to enter service in Fall 2014. 

At Royal Caribbean's big press event yesterday, chairman Richard Fain and CEO Adam Goldstein showed the media a video of everything that is new and exciting about Quantum of the Seas starring Quantum of the Seas' godmother, Kristin Chenoweth. 

The video shows computer generated simulations of some of the ship's amazing new features including the observation pod called North Star, the skydiving simulator called Ripcord, the largest sports complex at sea called SeaPlex and the entertainment hub called Two70°.

The eight-minute long video is a great preview of everything guests can expect to find onboard once Quantum of the Seas launches in fall 2014.