We're counting down to the 99 days until Royal Caribbean's newest cruise ship, Quantum of the Seas, launches with a brand new blog post every day. Be sure to check back for something new everyday here.

Hybrid scrubbers

Royal Caribbean has been committed to reducing its cruise ships global footprint and laws around the world are requiring cruise ships to be more eco-friendly so Quantum of the Seas will be able to meet both needs.

Onboard Quantum of the Seas are new hybrid scrubbers that were built by Wärtsilä Hamworthy.  Quantum of the Seas will be outfitted with two hyrbid scrubber systems.

The choice of scrubbers for Royal Caribbean's new Sunshine class vessels will enable the new ships to travel anywhere in the world, because the scrubbers will be compliant with the 2015 Emission Control Area (ECA) 0.1% sulfur limit, as well as the worldwide 0.5% limit from 2020 and the impending North American ECA, by removing sulfur emissions and harmful particulates from the vessel's exhaust. 

Royal Caribbean and Meyer Werft chose this solution not just because it ensures universal compliance with sulfur limits, allowing maximum choice over voyage routes and destinations; it also allows significant flexibility in the operation of the scrubber itself. The hybrid approach allows switching between open-loop and closed-loop scrubbing. This means that at sea, scrubbing using only sea water can be enabled but while maneuvering or in port the system can be closed, re-circulating the water already within the scrubber.

Stay tuned for tomorrow's post as we celebrate 99 days of Quantum!

There's less than 99 days until Royal Caribbean's brand new Quantum of the Seas debuts and we're counting down each day with a brand new blog post all about this amazing ship. Check into the blog every day for something new to read about Quantum of the Seas.

Dhani Jones

Royal Caribbean is known for its onboard activities like the FlowRider, rock climbing wall, ice skating rink and more.  With Quantum of the Seas, Royal Caribbean wants to continue that tradition by bringing in athlete and adventurer Dhani Jones.

Dhani was selected to be a Quantum Experience Advisor for all things sports & fitness onboard Quantum of the Seas.  This means Dhani is bringing his expertise in the latest fitness trends to Royal Caribbean.

Jones has provided insight into what to offer in the SeaPlex, as well as new experiences throughout the ship and the destinations she visits that will ensure heart pumping fun for everyone.

Besides being a part of the Quantum team, Jones hosts a show on the Travel Channel, Dhani Tackles the Globe, where he travels the world and plays sports that Americans may not be so familiar with.

What Dhani brings to the Royal Caribbean team is an opportunity to take the great activities program the cruise line has built up and take it to the next level by offering activities guests can do other than on Quantum of the Seas.

Stay tuned for tomorrow's post as we celebrate 99 days of Quantum!

We're counting down the days until Quantum of the Seas debuts later this year with our 99 days of Quantum blog series. Each day we will post something about Quantum of the Seas to share with all of you!

Tribute

The next best thing to seeing your favorite band or singer perform is someone that sounds nearly the same.  On Royal Caribbean's Quantum of the Seas, you will have a new show called Tribute that will feature great acts that sound just like the real thing.

Located in Music Hall, Tribute will bring the best tribute bands and let you enjoy music from every era.

Music Hall will offer performances by tribute bands that might include The Beatles, the Bee Gees, Journey and Bon Jovi. 

While the bands are playing, guests can enjoy a drink or get up and dance to the music as well.

We've already found a few bands that are scheduled to perform on Quantum of the Seas

• Lazy Bonez (80's Rock Tribute band)
• Wanted (Bon Jovi)
• Slippery When Wet (Bon Jovi)
• Wild Boys (80's rock tribute band)
• DSB (Journey)

Stay tuned for tomorrow's post as we celebrate 99 days of Quantum!

Royal Caribbean will kick off a five-day WOW sale starting September 27, 2014 that will run through October 1.  The sale offers up to $200 onboard credit and 50% off deposits.

The WOW sale is valid on all sailings except Quantum of the Seas and Anthem of the Seas.

The onboard credit breakdown is as follows

• 5 nights or less
  • $50 onboard credit (per stateroom) & 50% reduced deposit
• 6-9 nights
  • $100 onboard credit (per stateroom) & 50% reduced deposit
• 10 nights or longer
  • $200 onboard credit (per stateroom) & 50% reduced deposit

LISTEN TO OUR ADVICE ON WOW SALES AND IF THEY ARE A GOOD DEAL

Offer is combinable with standard/full fare rates and restricted rates (for example, Seniors, Residents, Military, BOGO, Kids Sail Free, ChoiceAir Specials, etc.)

Offer is not combinable with any other offer or promotion, including, but not limited to, Interline, Travel Agent, Travel Agent Friends and Family, weekly Sales Events, Net Rates, Crown & Anchor Discount programs or rates, Shareholder Benefits or Next Cruise offers, promotions, or benefits.

What is a WOW Sale? Are WOW Sales good deals?  Read our Cruise 101: WOW Sale post to get information on what this deal is all about.

We're just weeks away from Royal Caribbean launching its newest cruise ship, Quantum of the Seas, and each day we are showcasing something different about this amazing ship to get everyone ready for its debut.

Cape Liberty Quantum of the Seas construction photo update

While Quantum of the Seas is slowly making her way from her shipyard in Germany, Royal Caribbean is quietly working on expanding the port facility that will Quantum will call home.

Cape Liberty cruise port in Bayonne, New Jersey will be home to Quantum of the Seas and the port facility is being expanded to meet the needs of this massive new ship.

Our friend Mike Sobbell of Autism on the Seas sent in these photos from just a few days ago of how the port is looking.  

Many thanks to Mike for these photos and especially all he does with the Autism on the Seas organization.

Stay tuned for tomorrow's post as we celebrate 99 days of Quantum!

Each week on Fridays we share our blog readers Royal Caribbean cruise photos.  It's our way of offering a quick "mental escape" to a Royal Caribbean cruise and show off the great shots people that read this blog have taken.  

Our first photo this week is from Paul Westbrook of an empty chair on Orient Beach in St. Maarten.  Looks like paradise to me!

Next is this photo of a rainbow in the clouds taken from John Siegmund's Majesty of the Seas cruise.  Things like this you can only see at sea.

Freedom of the Seas and Labadee, two of my favorite things in this photo by Scot.  Looks like another beautiful day in paradise.

Here we have Phil Catarella's wife trying out the FlowRider on Allure of the Seas.  Phil is a brave man, not because he tried out the FlowRider himself after this photo was taken, but because he sent in a photo of his wife to be posted on the internet.  Enjoy the couch Phil!

We will round things out this week with this photo of Legend of the Seas as seen from Garry Flaws' window as she was anchored in Lerwick, Shetland Isles on September 12, 2014.  Now that is a house with a view!

Thanks to everyone who sent in their photos this week.  Be sure to send your photos in as well by using this form.

To countdown the launch of Royal Caribbean's newest cruise ship, Quantum of the Seas, we're blogging about one aspect of the ship each day for 99 days. Check back each day for something exciting to read about this new ship.

Windows Tablets

There's so much exciting things coming for guests to experience on Quantum of the Seas but there is a really big chance coming on Quantum of the Seas that benefits the people that make Quantum of the Seas function.

Royal Caribbean is rewarding each crew member on Quantum of the Seas with a free, personal Microsoft Windows 8.1 tablet with a suite of services and apps that is theirs to keep.

In fact, as the technology upgrades make their way across Royal Caribbean's fleet, every shipboard employee will get their own free Windows tablet.  In total, Royal Caribbean will give out 40,000 tablets.

All of this ensures crew members will stay conneceted with friends and family as well as have an opportunity to have one of the best technology options out there.

The tablets are 8-inch Windows-based tablets built by HEXA special for Royal Caribbean.

The tablets will feature services such as Bing, Skype, Office 365 and OneDrive. Rollout will begin in October and is expected to be completed by the end of December with every shipboard employee in the Royal Caribbean fleet receiving a tablet.

Stay tuned for tomorrow's post as we celebrate 99 days of Quantum!

Each day we are posting a brand new blog post to countdown until Royal Caribbean launches its newest cruise ship, Quantum of the Seas.  There's a lot to get excited about on this amazing ship and we're highlighting it all.

H2O Zone

Royal Caribbean first introduced the kid-friendly pool area known as the H2O Zone back on Freedom-class and it's been a staple of all its new cruise ships going forward. On Quantum of the Seas, the H2O Zone has been completely redesigned.

Quantum of the Seas will feature the first wave pool at sea in its H2O Zone where guests can splash in the waves along with their favorite Dreamworks characters.

Also returning to the H2O Zone is the large "vortex" whirlpool to swim around in.

The wave pool is the focal point of the H2O Zone and its introduction is yet another "WOW" factor Royal Caribbean is banking on impressing customers to try the ship out.  There's no question kids will love playing in the wave pool (and adults too).

Stay tuned for tomorrow's post as we celebrate 99 days of Quantum!

Our newest podcast episode is out to help give you a quick "audio escape" to a Royal Caribbean cruise!

Episode 60 is available for downloading and this week we are looking at Royal Caribbean's social media presence.

These days everyone is on social media and Royal Caribbean is included too.  Joe Tolley joins us to discuss how well Royal Caribbean is doing tweeting, posting and sharing.

Here’s the podcast page for Episode 60. And don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Stitcher or on iTunes!

Take a listen and as always, let us know what you think! Please rate and review the podcast on iTunes and leave your comments below!

We're counting down the days until Quantum of the Seas debuts later this year with our 99 days of Quantum blog series. Each day we will post something about Quantum of the Seas to share with all of you!

Coastal Kitchen

To reward its suite guests, Royal Caribbean has created a brand new complimentary restaurant just for their pleasure, Coastal Kitchen.

Coastal Kitchen is a new restaurant concept for Royal Caribbean centered around the the idea of combining Mediterranean influences with California fresh food.

Royal Caribbean designed the restaurant to be all about fresh food. From Pacific Coast favorites like sea bass ceviche, to the Central Valley’s sliced avocado and homemade blueberry pie, to Med-inspired tastes like Serrano ham, whipped goat cheese and roasted grapes.

Coastal Kitchen will feature gourmet California-Mediterranean fare that are healthy and made with the freshest ingredients.

Of course, California is also known for its wines and at Coastal Kitchen you will find an extensive selection of vintages await by the glass or bottle from Napa as well as Tuscany.

Coastal Kitchen is a complimentary restaurant available to guests in Junior Suite and above category staterooms.  It will be included in your cruise fare and is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Stay tuned for tomorrow's post as we celebrate 99 days of Quantum!