This Post Might Just Change the Way You Think About Cruise Ships

A million leagues from the gentile activities and amenities traditionally associated with cruise holidays, the world’s first smartship – Quantum of the Seas – offers technologically-advanced excitement for sea-faring guests.

Rather than simply allowing you to enjoy all your beloved home comforts at sea, the Royal Caribbean ship seems determined to offer a high-tech experience straight out of a science fiction film.

Cruise ships have changed a lot in recent years – in this post we’re going to explore what we can expect from these revamped entertainment behemoths…

Improved Internet

Over the past 15 years, cruise lines have been trying to address the issue of offering high speed, inexpensive internet connectivity – even when hundreds of miles from land. As we’ve all become more dependent upon online services, super quick internet has become the cruise industry’s white whale – with all the major lines striving to improve their services.

Quantum of the Seas benefits from the fastest internet on a cruise ship, able to offer speeds comparable with the strongest on-land connections. Provided by O3b Networks, the connection is capable of supporting video chats, movie downloads and TV streams. Compared with other cruise lines which offer internet services which often struggle to download web-based images – the Quantum is miles ahead.

This feature certainly helps the Quantum appeal to perhaps the most difficult of all demographics, teenagers, who will invariably rather chat on Facebook than enjoy their holiday.

Technologically-Advanced Crew

As well as the robotic bartenders, the organic crew members aboard the Quantum of the Seas have received technological upgrades. Every crew member has received a Windows tablet device which allows them to access important passenger and ship information at the touch of a button. With a capacity of more than 4,000 guests, the crew can instantly check for any dietary or health requirements of any guest – allowing for a more personalised service.

A spokesperson for cruise travel agent, Cruise1st, explained: “As the demand for cruise holidays continues to grow, cruise lines are building bigger and bigger ships. Passionate cruise fans who have enjoyed cruise holidays for decades have voiced concerns this could compromise the personal service – however with improving technologies, the crew are able to offer the personal touch to a greater number of guests.”

Unique Activities

The Quantum of the Seas is the first cruise ship to play host to a skydiving simulator, the RipCord by iFly, positioned on the vessel’s top deck directly next to the surfing and body-boarding simulator.

Also located on the top deck is the NorthStar Observation Pod – a small glass pod which lifts passengers 300ft above sea level, offering incomparable views across the oceans and approaching landscapes.

The number of Royal Caribbean smartships will triple by next year as the Anthem of the Seas and Ovation of the Seas join the fleet in April 2015 and Summer 2016 respectively. This demonstrates a firm belief on the company’s behalf that cruise holidaymakers want a more futuristic and technologically-advanced experience.