Royal Caribbean is getting closer and closer to launching its newest cruise ship, Quantum of the Seas. Each day we are counting down until this amazing new ship launches with a new blog post.

Quantum of the Seas conveyance

After a few delays, Quantum of the Seas began her river conveyance, exiting the Meyer Werft shipyard and taking anther step towards launch.

Earlier today in Germany, the 348-meter-long Quantum of the Seas set out with the help of two tugs to go down the River Ems to the North Seas.  During the process, thousands of onlookers watched what will be the third largest cruise ship in the world leave Papenburg.

The first phase will be the Dutch North Sea port of Eemshaven. There, Quantum of the Seas will engage in a first short "test drive"  Quantum should reach Eemshaven on Tuesday.  The conveyance takes 10 hours to sail the 32 kilometers down the River Ems.

The river conveyance is necessary because the Meyer Werft shipyard is located inland to avoid the North Sea's unpredicatability.  

Check out these photos below of Quantum of the Seas' conveyance.

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.

Accommodations frequently asked questions

Last year we ran across a list of Quantum of the Seas frequently asked questions that Royal Caribbean created and this list has since been updated to now include entertainment.

We know many of you, like us, can't get enough Quantum of the Seas information so here's some Q&A regarding the onboard accommodations.

Can you give us a breakdown of accommodations that will be offered on Quantum Class? 

Quantum-class ships will feature 2,090 of Royal Caribbean’s largest and most advanced staterooms ever, including 1,570 staterooms with balcony, 147 oceanview staterooms and 373 staterooms with virtual balconies. Among these staterooms, 34 are accessible and a number of these can be combined to form family-connected staterooms. 

Will there be an “On/Off” switch for the virtual balcony view in the interior staterooms? 

Yes, guests will have the option of having the screen either on or off. 

Can the virtual balcony screens be used for TV viewing or customized logos to cater to corporate clients? 

No, for the viewing pleasure of our guests, the content will be scenic only at this time. 

More detail about the Family-Connected staterooms…

For multi-generational families, Family-Connected staterooms deliver more flexibility, using three different stateroom categories which connect to form a special layout that provides separate bedrooms and bathrooms for all. These groundbreaking layouts allow families and groups of friends to enjoy the best of both worlds when it comes to together and alone time.

We’re also introducing the largest variety of stateroom categories, including new Studio staterooms with balconies for single travelers, three Junior Suite categories and larger Loft Suites – which were introduced on our Oasis class and are extremely popular.

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

We're counting down every day until Royal Caribbean launches its brand new cruise ship, Quantum of the Seas, with a new blog post each day.  Join us for a daily look at this amazing ship as we get ready for the official launch.

Beautiful light show on Quantum of the Seas

Earlier this year it was announced Quantum of the Seas would serve as the backdrop for the Papenburg Festival in Papenburg, Germany.  

When night fell during the festival, Quantum was the focus of a light show that made the ship change colors and it came out beautifully.  Andreas Depping took these amazing photos and allowed us to share it with all of you.  Enjoy!

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

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.

Silk

If there's one restaurant on Royal Caribbean's Quantum of the Seas that I'm really excited about it's Silk, the new Asian restaurant.

Silk is a pan-Asian restaurant that will include Chinese, Japanese, Thai, Vietnamese and Indian cooking in one restaurant.  I've always felt one of Royal Caribbean's most underrated specialties is their Asian food.  As a Royal Caribbean chef told me once, considering how many crew members are from countries like India, Japan, Thailand and others, you know there's going to be good food to try.

At Silk you will find Turmeric, cumin and red chili in a slow-cooked lamb curry. Ginger and sesame on crusted tuna. Sake-glazed salmon and teriyaki steak.  It's all about bringing the different flavors of Asia together in one restaurant.

Royal Caribbean also wants you try everything so sharing is going to be encouraged here. In fact, it is more of a family style offering when you get the dishes.

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

Royal Caribbean has filed to trademark five new names of cruise shios, which potentially could be names of some of the unnamed cruise ships that are slated to be built.

On September 15, Royal Caribbean filed trademark applications with the United States Patent and Trademark Office for the following names:

• Spectrum of the Seas
• Joy of the Seas
• Harmony of the Seas
• Emblem of the Seas
• Apex of the Seas

Royal Caribbean also added applications for three other cruise ship names it had previously sought to register

• Pulse of the Seas
• Passion of the Seas
• Ovation of the Seas

Royal Caribbean had previously announced this week Ovation of the Seas will be the name of its next Quantum class cruise ship.

Royal Caribbean still has an unamed third and fourth Oasis-class cruise ships that could use one of these names.

Welcome back to Friday Photos, our weekly showcase of Royal Caribbean photos that were taken by readers of this blog.  

Every week, we ask our readers to send us their best Royal Caribbean vacation photos to be considered for this post and you're welcome to send yours in as well. We'd love to feature photos of the ships, excursions, activities onboard and anything else that reminds you of a great time while sailing with Royal Caribbean.

So without further adieu, here is this week's batch of photos.

Our first photo is from Paul Westbrook and it's of a Royal Caribbean ship and another cruise ship in port.  Beautiful!

Next is a photo by John Siegmund looking at Nassau, Bahamas from the deck of Majesty of the Seas at dusk.

Bryce Griffler sent this photo of the stern of Allure of the Seas tied up.  Great perspective!

Mark sent this photo from Cozumel of Allure of the Seas and Navigator of the Seas.  I can't decide which ship I'd rather be on right now.

We will round things out this week with this photo by Alexander Bone that he titled "the best view in the world".  Hard to argue against that!

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

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.

Video: Sonic Odyssey cast ready for showtime

Royal Caribbean has released a new video today showing how Quantum of the Seas' brand new show Sonic Odyssey is getting ready for its debut.  In the video, the Sonic Odyssey cast gets ready for an awe-inspiring spectacle showcasing unique sounds on innovative music instruments created specially for the show.

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

Royal Caribbean announced today that the third Quantum-class cruise ship will be named Ovation of the Seas.

In addition to announcing the name, the first piece of steel was cut at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany.  This is the same shipyard where sister cruise ships Quantum of the Seas and Anthem of the Seas are being constructed.

Ovation of the Seas is scheduled to be delivered in the autumn of 2016.

Like its sister ships, Ovation of the Seas will feature Quantum-class ammenities such as Roboscreens in the unique Two70 entertainment venue; robotic bartenders in Bionic Bar; RipCord by iFLY, the first skydiving experience at sea; the North Star, an engineering marvel that transports guests more than 300 feet above the ocean; transformative venues, such as Sea-Plex, the largest indoor sports and entertainment complex at sea with bumper cars, roller skating and more; and the cruise line’s largest and most advanced staterooms ever, including the industry’s first-ever Virtual Balcony staterooms, which offers expansive, real-time views of the ocean and exciting destinations for interior staterooms.

Royal Caribbean has selected Metso to modernize the complete vessel-wide automation system on Voyager of the Seas.

The system controls and monitors all vital machinery on the ship, such as diesel generators, power management and air conditioning. The new upgrades will keep Voyager of the Seas running reliably and safely as well as allowing Royal Caribbean to save energy and support sustainability.

The upgrade will take place in September 2014, and startup is scheduled for October 2014 after total vessel revitalization in dry dock in Singapore. The order has been included in Metso's second quarter 2014 orders received.

The value of the deal was not disclosed.

Metso already has deals in place to provide similar systems to the third Oasis-class cruise ship as well as Quantum of the Seas.

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.

Two70° render images

You may have heard our interview today with Tim Magill, who's firm was responsible for designing Two70° aboard Royal Caribbean's brand new Quantum of the Seas.  

This space is truly innovative and we wanted to share some more renderings from 5+design that show off how really cool this space is.  Enjoy!

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