Business & Money | Sunday 31 May, 2015 3:45 pm |

Quantum of the Seas, the first ship in Royal Caribbean International's most advanced ship class, has docked in Dubai as part of an epic 53-day global voyage, from New York, USA to Shanghai in China.

Royal Caribbean International in collaboration with Dubai Tourism, commemorated the inaugural call of the ship at the Dubai Cruise Terminal in Port Rashid with a welcome reception followed by the traditional Plaques and Keys ceremony.

Hamad M Bin Mejren, Senior Vice President of Dubai Tourism said: “Quantum of the Seas is the largest cruise ship that has ever docked in Dubai’s state-of-the-art Mina Rashid cruise terminals. The liner’s overnight stop in Dubai and Royal Caribbean Cruises’ decision to conduct the ships passenger turnaround here reaffirms the destination’s position as the ‘Cruise Hub of the Region’. This occasion gives a further boost to the cruise industry in the UAE and the wider Gulf.”

“We are looking forward to the 2015/16 cruise season, especially the resumption of Royal Caribbean’s cruise operation in the region from December, deploying Cruise Ship Splendour of the Seas with Dubai as its homeport,” He continued.

On the 29th May, Dubai Tourism in collaboration with Royal Caribbean International, held a welcome reception to commemorate the inaugural call of the ship at the Dubai Cruise Terminal in Mina Rashid. 

At the Plaques and Keys ceremony, organized in the transformative venue Two70, onboard Quantum of the Seas, commemorative plaques were exchanged by Dubai Tourism officials, invited dignitaries and senior officials from various Government Departments with the Captain of the ship. The dignitaries were then taken on a tour of Quantum of the Seas, followed by refreshments.

“It has been a pleasure to showcase Quantum of Seas to the Middle East as part of her Global Odyssey voyage”, said Helen Beck, Regional Director, International Representatives, EMEA. “Quantum class ships have been a game changer in the cruise industry, providing guests with the ultimate hi-tech vacation experience, including the fastest internet on the high seas; new adventures such as the North Star and RipCord by iFly and a great choice of dining venues to suit your every mood”.

Dr. Abdulaziz AlOshban, Partner & Managing Director of Safeen Tourism L.L.C., the international representative of Royal Caribbean International and Azamara Club Cruises in the Middle East said: “We are delighted that Quantum of the Seas, the world’s first SMART ship, has made a stopover in Dubai, before sailing to Muscat en route to her new home in Shanghai, China.”

Quantum of the Seas spans 18 decks, encompasses 168,666 gross registered tons, carries 4,180 guests at double occupancy and features 2,090 staterooms. The cruise liner sailed to the Caribbean from her homeport of Cape Liberty for her inaugural season before departing on the 53 day voyage to her new homeport, with ports of call at Cochin in India, Malaysia’s Penang, Singapore and Hong Kong still to come.

Endless experiences await guests onboard Quantum of the Seas, with thrills that can only be found on Royal Caribbean. From North Star, providing guests breathtaking, panoramic views from 90 metres above sea level, to RipCord by iFLY, the first skydiving experience at sea, and SeaPlex, the largest indoor active space at sea that is complete with bumper cars, a circus school, roller skating and more, there is no end to the fun that can be found onboard.

From ultrafast Wi-Fi and RFID technology, to virtual views from interior staterooms and robots that can mix up a mean cocktail, Quantum of the Seas, is packed with a bold lineup of technological advancements that will impress even the most tech-savvy modern traveler. Designed to seamlessly deliver unprecedented guest vacation experiences at sea, technology is prevalent throughout the ship, substantially increasing guest convenience and efficiency and ensuring a cruise onboard Quantum of the Seas in nothing but smooth sailing.

Quantum of the Seas features a fresh approach to cruise ship dining, thanks to a robust culinary experience that allows guests to customize their onboard dining experience to best meet their varying palates and preferences. An all-new Dynamic Dining experience gives guests a selection of 18 restaurant concepts, including five complimentary main dining restaurants, along with the opportunity to choose between Dynamic Dining Choice, which allows guests to decide when, where, and with whom to dine each evening, and Dynamic Dining Classic, which is designed for those who prefer a more traditional experience. In addition, Quantum of the Seas features a lineup of specialty dining restaurants, as well as partnerships with world-renowned chefs such as Jamie Oliver, Michael Schwartz, and Devin Alexander.