Quantum Leap – Royal Caribbean’s flagship vessel

In November 2014, Royal Caribbean International's Quantum of the Seas will make its maiden voyage from Southampton in the UK to Cape Liberty Port in Bayonne, just outside New York City.

Since its first piece of steel was cut in February of last year at Meyer Werft's Papenburg shipyard in Germany, the expectation has always been that Quantum will be something a bit more special than just another new cruise ship.

Described by Royal Caribbean president Adam Goldstein as "a leap forward in terms of vessel design and guest experiences", it has better entertainment facilities, more advanced on-board technology and greater eco-friendliness than anything seen before. Royal Caribbean's mantra for the new vessel - "This changes everything" - epitomises the weight of anticipation surrounding its launch.

At 167,800t and carrying 4,180 guests at double occupancy, Quantum of the Seas is actually smaller than Royal Caribbean's two existing Oasis-class ships, Oasis and Allure. In almost every other area though, Quantum breaks boundaries and sets new industry standards: it features a stunning entertainment venue packed with the latest digital technology, broadband connections that match fast onshore speeds and significantly enhanced fuel efficiency thanks to a new drag-reducing air-lubrication system.

"Quantum of the Seas, I think, is clearly a quantum leap forward," said Harri Kulovaara, Royal Caribbean's European vice-president of maritime and newbuilding. "We don't settle for something that has been done before. We don't get satisfaction out of that. We really want to do something that is extraordinary."

New features

One of the most eye-catching - and complex - design features of the new Quantum class is its North Star ride. Inspired by the London Eye Ferris wheel, this jewel-shaped glass capsule is hoisted 300ft above sea level and over the side of the ship by a rotating, pivoting crane arm, offering a stunning 360° panorama from its bird's-eye vantage point.

But perhaps the greatest feat of entertainment engineering lies within the ship itself. The Two70° complex, so called because it offers 270° views through its enormous three-deck high windows, is located in the ship's aft, traditionally the main dining space.

An enormous lounge for guests to relax in by day, this venue transforms into a 450-seat state-of-the-art entertainment venue at night; the floor-to-ceiling windows double as digital screens and provide background visuals while six moveable 'roboscreens', capable of twisting and turning, enhance the audience's feeling that they are immersed in the act. There is no backstage for performers; some shows emerge from an underground space, and there is also a ceiling cavity to house performers and technical equipment.

While the aft of a cruise ship typically requires a great deal of structural support, usually in the form of pillars, Royal Caribbean has relied on large C-pillars (off to the side) for Two70° so that guests can enjoy the 270° view almost uninterrupted. Innovative marine engineering also allows the decks above to support themselves.

Located just 20ft above the ship's enormous propellers, Two70° was also in danger of being swamped by the sounds and vibrations of Quantum's 60,000hp engine. Sophisticated noise-control technology was required to cancel out the effects.

"From a structural point of view, it almost sounds like an impossible thought that this could be done," Kulovaara has said of Two70°.

"But we had the right people: the best structural engineers, the best engineers in vibration comfort, the best people in acoustics and the best architects working on it. I'm very comfortable with all the work that we've done. Two70° is going to be a unique living room during the day time and turn into a spectacular entertainment venue during the evening."

Pushing boundaries

Other great engineering feats of entertainment aboard Quantum of the Seas include a skydiving simulation, where passengers can experience the joys of flight inside a 23ft outdoor glass capsule while taking in spectacular ocean views, a surf simulator, a rock climbing wall and Seaplex - a sporting entertainment venue billed as the largest indoor activity space at sea. Described by Goldstein as "a tremendous advance for us", it houses a number of first-ever-at-sea experiences, including bumper cars, roller skating and a circus school complete with trapeze.

But while Quantum's entertainment facilities certainly mark a step up for Royal Caribbean, her technological features are equally groundbreaking: before even boarding the ship, passengers can load information regarding dining reservations, shore tours and other cruise activities, as well as necessary check-in documents, onto handy new RFID WOWband wristbands. These can also be used to make on-board purchases, serve as a room key and help navigate the ship.

"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 at Royal Caribbean International. "Guests can now tailor everything about their cruise in advance, so they can start enjoying their vacation the minute they step on board. In essence, they get the first day of their cruise back."

By royal appointment

Royal iQ, a new downloadable app that can be accessed at freestanding stations around the vessel, further enhances the experience by providing passengers with maps of the ship and the daily events schedule, as well as their ID, stateroom, preferences and reservations. On-board broadband speeds also match fast onshore connections, thanks to satellites launched by Royal Caribbean's tech partner O3B Networks.

"Even when they are getting away from it all, 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."

Additional highlights for passengers include the Bionic Bar, at which robots serve as bartenders mixing cocktails guests order via tablets, and virtual balconies for interior accommodation; an 80in LED screen displaying the sights and sounds of the sea in real time, thus ensuring every stateroom has a sea view. All guest staterooms are also equipped with device-charging USB outlets.

Beyond guest comfort, Quantum also uses the latest technology to significantly improve its environmental credentials. In addition to efficient engine design, the ship features an air-lubrication system that sends a stream of drag-reducing micro-bubbles under the hull. At speed, this should cut fuel consumption by 7-8%, according to Kulovaara.

Quantum is also entirely lit by low-energy LED lighting and fluorescents, eliminating the use of inefficient incandescent bulbs. Motion sensors also dim hallway lighting when nobody is present, further reducing energy consumption.

Though Quantum will spend its first six months sailing out of Cape Liberty in New Jersey to the Caribbean, its home port from May 2015 will be Shanghai - a gutsy move from Royal Caribbean to strengthen its position in the fast-growing Chinese market.

Its sister vessel, Anthem of the Seas, also currently under construction at Meyer Werft's Papenburg yard, is expected to be completed in April 2015. Werft will also construct a third Quantum-class vessel for Royal Caribbean, anticipated to be delivered in mid-2016.

Though details of the third vessel are still thin - it is, as yet, unnamed - one thing is certain: the Quantum class is pushing the boundaries of shipbuilding into uncharted waters, bringing a host of new delights for passengers as well as unprecedented complexity for shipyards. And while there seems little reason to doubt that this level of sophistication will eventually become the new industry benchmark, Royal Caribbean has, for the time being, renewed its position as a bold and pioneering industry leader.