Think All Cruise Ships Are the Same? Quantum Class Ships Prove You Wrong

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As a family, we love Quantum Class Ships; today, we will talk about the features of Royal Caribbeans, Quantum Class Ships. This class of ship stood in a league of its own in the Royal Caribbean fleet, offering a slightly different experience, and whilst they have a huge fan base, they are not for everyone.

Quantum Class Ships Explained

Odyssey of the Seas ship guide
Photo Credit Royal Caribbean

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Yes, there are features you will find on other Royal Caribbean Ships. However, Quantum Class also has many unique features you won’t find on other cruise ships in the Royal Fleet.

This doesn’t make the ships better than the other classes. It just reaches out to a different audience. But what we do know is if you are choosing your next cruise on Royal Caribbean, comparing ships is a great way to see what facilities suit your cruise style and how you want to cruise.

Royal Caribbean Ships By Class

How big is Wonder of the Seas
Photo Credit Royal Caribbean

But first, here’s a quick overview of the Royal Caribbean Classes to give you an idea of each class by age. As a rule, the newer the ship, the bigger, apart from Quantum-class ships, which are smaller than Oasis-class ships.

However, don’t assume that because the ship is older, it won’t still have amazing facilities onboard. Royal Caribbean has invested a lot into upgrading many of the older ships, so do check before you book. Sometimes, smaller may be better!

  • Icon Class, from 2024
  • Quantum Ultra Ships, 2019 to 2021
  • Quantum Class Ships launched between 2014 to 2016
  • Oasis Class Ships from 2009 with the newest ship Utopia of the Seas due in 2024
  • Freedom  Class Ships from 2006 to 2008
  • Radiance Class Ships from 2001 to 2004
  • Voyager Class Ships from 1999 to 2003
  • Vision Class Ships from, 1996 to 1998

Features Of Quantum Class Ships

Photo Credit: Sarah Christie, Cruising with Kids
  1. Robotic Bartenders: The Quantum class features Bionic Bars, where robotic bartenders mix and serve drinks. However, the Bionic Bars are not unique to this class.
  2. RipCord by iFLY: This is a skydiving simulator that allows guests to experience the thrill of freefall in a controlled environment.
  3. North Star: This is a glass capsule that extends over the side of the ship, providing guests with 360-degree views from 300 feet above sea level.
  4. Two70: This is a multi-level, 270-degree lounge with floor-to-ceiling windows and high-tech entertainment, including robotic screens and aerial performances.
  5. SeaPlex: This is the largest indoor activity space at sea, featuring bumper cars, roller skating, basketball, and other games and activities.
  6. Virtual Balconies: Some interior staterooms on Quantum class ships feature virtual balconies, which are floor-to-ceiling screens that display a live feed of the ocean and port views. But this is not unique to this class.

Activities You Will Find On Quantum Class Ships

Ifly Photos on Odyssey of the Seas
Ifly Photos on Odyssey of the Seas, Photo Credit Sarah Christie Cruising with Kids

Here’s a list of all the incredible facilities you will find on Quantum Class Ships, there are facilities for all ages. However I do believe these ships are more geared up for cruisers who love sports and activities. The huge solariums are also a bug pull for cruisers who prefer an adult only environment but still liker the buzz of a big ship.

What We Love About Royal Caribbean Quantum Class Ships

Playmakers Bar in the Seaplex
Photo Credit: Sarah Christie, Cruising with Kids

We have recently sailed on Odyssey and Anthem of the Seas, Quantum Class ships. For us, as a family with young adult sons, the SportPlex was a welcome refuge to spend hot afternoons away from the crowds. Here, you can watch sports on huge TVs, play football, play table football, play pool, or play basketball, and it’s a pretty chilled area.

The Royal Promenade is fabulous, with many bar and dining options. And we found the main dining area busy, but the service was excellent. The tables were a little closer together. However, we have never found this to be the case on smaller ships. It must be a logistical thing with the bigger Royal ships catering to crowds.

The Food

Wonderland on Anthem of the Seas Magic mushroom dessert
Photo Credit: Donna Vallance

We also found all the speciality dining to be fabulous apart from Chops Grill, although the others more than made up for it. The food quality in Chops Grill was fantastic, but the service was slow as it was so busy. PlayMakers is a fabulous option for quick snacks, and whilst it comes with a small fee, the food and atmosphere is great. For free snacks head to El Loco Fresh for delicious tacos and burritos.

The Activities

The Flowrider and iFly on Odyssey of the Seas
Photo Credit: Sarah Christie, Cruising with Kids

All of the activities were great, you have to book on day one of you cruise for many, but its just a case of being organised.

We have a tips post here that will help you get the most out of your cruise. Activities such as the sky pad, Flowrider, climbing wall and bumper cars has a queue system, these were never too busy and all the activity times are in your Crown and Anchor newsletter.

Royal Caribbean Quantum Ultra Class Ships

Odyssey of the Seas in Port on its starboard side

Quantum Ultra Class ships hold between 5,510 and 5,662 passengers and offer everything wonderful from Quantum Class and more. Although both classes of ships are similar in size, Quantum Ultra ships hold more passengers. The Seaplex is a huge draw for these Ships, especially for sporty families.

Quantum Class Ships

Anthem of the Seas in the port of Madeira Portugal
Anthem of the Seas in the port of Madeira Portugal. Photo Credit: Donna Vallance

When the first Quantum ship, Quantum of the Seas was released in 2014 this class of ship was considered the newest most groundbreaking of all Royal Caribbean ships. Quantum class ships all hold around 4,905 passengers at full capacity.

They also promise to appeal to a whole new audience, with additions such as the North Star and iFly they offer a totally difference cruise vacation experience. With facilities such as the North Star a pod that lifts you up over the ship for extraordinary 360 degree views you wont run out of things to do.

ActivityQuantum UltraQuantum
Class Ships
Oasis
Class
Freedom
Class
Radiance ClassVoyager ClassVision Class
Adventure Oceanxxxxxxx
Aqua Theatrex
Arcadexxxxxxx
Baby
Splash
Zone
xxxx
Bionic
Bar
x
x
x
Allure No
Boardwalk x
Bumper
Cars
xx
Carouselx
Casinoxxxxxxx
Central
Park
x
Escape RoomQuantumxIndi Mariner
Navigator
Flowriderxxxxx
H2O ZoneAnthem
Quantum
Allure
Ice Skatingxxx
Laser
Tag
Odyssey
Quantum
Symphony
Wonder
Oasis
Indi
Freedom
Mariner
Navigator
Voyager
Mini
Golf
xxxx
North
Star
xx
Ripcord
By IFly
Skydiving
xx
Rising
Tide Bar
x
Rock
Climbing Wall
xxxxxxx
Royal Esplanadexx
Royal PromenadexAll but Mariner
SeaPlexxx
Sky PadxOdysseyIndyMariner
Solarium
Age 16 +
xxxxxxx
Splashaway BayxOvation
Odyssey
x
(Allure no)
xAdventure
Sports Courtxxxx
Suite Sundeckxxx
Table
Tenis
xxxxxxx
Two70xx
Ultimate
Abyss
x
(Allure No)
x
VA Zonex
Water
Slides
x
(Allure No)
(Explorer no)
Zip Linex
Facilities Comparison Chart Of Royal Caribbean Ships By Class
Quantum Class Ship Features On royal Caribbean

Author

  • Sarah Christie is a passionate family travel expert. With years of experience exploring the world by sea, Sarah specialises in helping families plan unforgettable cruise holidays with practical tips, honest reviews, and insider advice. From navigating mega ships with little ones to finding the best family-friendly excursions, she’s on a mission to make cruising stress-free and magical for all ages. Now that her children are grown up, Sarah is also embracing a new chapter of cruising as a couple, exploring adult-only experiences, romantic escapes, and bucket-list destinations with a fresh perspective.

    She also co-hosts the popular Magically Cruising Podcast, where she shares cruise news, destination insights, and first-hand experiences to inspire both first-time cruisers and seasoned sailors.

    Contact me on travelingchristie@gmail.com

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