Ever since I was a child, I’ve been fascinated by the sea. But because I was afraid of seasickness, I never dared to try a cruise. Not long ago, after my friend’s cruise trip, she told me that large cruise ships are very stable during sailing—it feels just like being on flat ground. And if needed, free seasickness medicine is available onboard, so it should be fine. So, gathering my courage, I set off on this long-cherished sea voyage with my husband and baby.
The cruise we took this time was Royal Caribbean’s Quantum of the Seas. We departed from Shanghai, made a stop in Nagasaki, Japan, and then returned to Shanghai—a 5-day, 4-night journey. We chose this particular Royal Caribbean itinerary mainly because of the brand’s long-standing good reputation, as well as our satisfaction with the duration and destinations of the route.
Family Balcony Stateroom
On my first cruise ever, I was actually quite worried that the room might be too small and wasn’t sure which type would suit a family of three. After browsing the Royal Caribbean website, I found that cabins on Quantum of the Seas are mainly divided into Interior, Oceanview, Balcony, and Suites. As someone who loves the sea, my first choice was naturally the Family Balcony Stateroom—where you can open the door to a blue expanse of ocean and admire the sunset over the sea from your balcony. What’s more, the “Quantum Amazing Moments” campaign—same as the one celebrity Angelababy participated in—was ongoing, and booking any cabin type came with a ¥700 discount. I didn’t hesitate and grabbed the deal. Honestly, I felt incredibly lucky.
The cabins on Quantum of the Seas can be described as floating five-star hotels, with incredibly thoughtful design and details. The room, primarily in beige and blue tones, is spacious and comfortable, with an area of about 24 square meters, accommodating up to 4 people—perfect for a family of three. The balcony offers an incredibly wide view—you can listen to the waves while zoning out, reminiscing about the past or dreaming about the future. The service details are also top-notch: there are plenty of outlets in the room, including USB ports for conveniently charging your phone; the attendants fold the towels into various little animal shapes to keep things fresh and uplifting, which the kids absolutely love. The bathroom is quite large, with all necessary amenities fully equipped.
Aside from Quantum of the Seas, I also learned that Royal Caribbean will launch a new ship next year called Spectrum of the Seas. It’s said to feature a Perfect Family Suite with a massive 261 square meters of space—perfect for family trips. The living room has an 8-person round table, three separate bedrooms, and an entertainment room equipped with karaoke and full surround sound systems for the whole family to sing, watch movies, or play games. The master bedroom even has a stunning bathroom that extends beyond the sea horizon. Additionally, it has a private floor with its own elevator, ensuring privacy. With so many appealing features, how could I not be excited? Just looking at the promotional pictures has me eager to book!
Boarding
You can check in and print your boarding pass on the Royal Caribbean official website or WeChat account three days before departure.
Generally, the terminal stops check-in procedures two hours before departure. You’ll receive an SMS one day before your trip with the specific boarding time—be sure not to be late.
On boarding day, remember to bring your passport and boarding pass, and head to the designated location to check in your luggage. After checking in your luggage, enter the waiting hall and go through a quick document review and departure procedures at the designated counter. The overall process is very smooth, which is especially important when traveling with children. Then, the cruise adventure begins!
Food
There are a total of 5 complimentary themed restaurants on Quantum of the Seas: Windjammer Marketplace (14th floor), Silk (4th floor), Silk Harvest (4th floor), Chop’s Grille (3rd floor), Giovanni’s Table (3rd floor), and Surcharge Dining Location: Coastal Kitchen (14th floor—only for Golden Key cardholders, i.e., suite guests). Dinner in the complimentary restaurants is served in two seatings: 17:30 and 20:00, which is indicated on your room key.
There are also some restaurants that offer complimentary snacks: Royal Esplanade Café (4th floor), Sports Court Hot Dog Stand (15th floor), 270° Café (5th floor), and Sorrentos Pizza (4th floor).
One standout feature on Quantum of the Seas is the robot bartenders, located on Deck 5—it’s the world’s first bar to use robotic bartenders. They don’t just serve drinks; a pair of high-tech mechanical arms completely replace human bartenders. All you have to do is select your drink on the iPad next to the bar, scan your wristband, and then sit back and enjoy the robot bartenders in action.
As for the most diverse dining experience, that would be the Windjammer Marketplace—where a wide array of global cuisines come together. From Western steaks and Chinese chow mein to French pastries, Japanese sushi, and Indian curry, there’s something to satisfy every taste. Each day has a special dining theme, so no two meals are the same. Our family of three was more than satisfied here. The restaurant staff even provide hand sanitizer to help kids wash their hands before meals.
Another restaurant we both loved was “Duck de Chine,” which is said to be the first Chinese fine-dining restaurant at sea jointly created by Royal Caribbean and the famous “Da Dong.” It innovatively blends traditional Chinese aesthetics with refined dishes. The restaurant has recently launched a new menu, adding three creative dishes: foie gras sauce beef tenderloin, Beijing-style zhajiangmian (noodles with soybean paste), and dried tangerine peel ice cream, alongside six classic dish combinations and nine premium dish sets. The presentation of the dishes is very photogenic, and the flavors are unique. The service is attentive and thoughtful, making it a rare culinary delight. The atmosphere is great for gatherings with friends. For families, our trio also found dishes we each loved—it’s highly recommended.
Brief introductions to some restaurants
[Giovanni’s Table] At Giovanni’s Table, every night is formal night, every night is a special occasion. From Wellington steak, orange-braised chicken, grilled scallops, to almond sole—all the global classic dishes are gathered in the most elegant restaurant aboard Quantum of the Seas.
[Silk] Winding through vibrant tapestries rich with Pan-Asian charm, the flavors of Far Eastern culture are diverse and delicate—like the turmeric root, dill, and red chili in slow-cooked curry lamb, the ginger and sesame sprinkled on crispy tuna, the sake-glazed salmon, and Japanese skewered beef. A blend of Chinese, Japanese, Thai, Vietnamese, and Indian cuisines.
[Chop’s Grille] An authentic American road-trip-style restaurant. In an atmosphere filled with hospitality and nature, you can relive stories from classic Hollywood films while savoring mouthwatering New Orleans gumbo, Southern fried chicken, and American baked pastries.
[Surfside Grill] Modern cuisine reaches its peak at Surfside Grill, where the freshest ingredients from the wild are transformed into modern flavors. Don’t miss the seafood and meat dishes: Angus ribeye steak, lamb chops, Mediterranean sea bass—all topped with house-made sauces. Served in a dazzling, crystal-clear, and creamy white three-dimensional space, where the salt is sea salt, the cream is French-style, and matsutake mushrooms are enjoyed with champagne.
Entertainment
Quantum of the Seas’ signature attraction, the North Star, is located at the top of the ship, inspired by London’s Eye. Supported by a crane arm, the capsule can hold about 14 people and lifts you up for a panoramic view of Quantum of the Seas. Remember, riding the North Star requires advance booking—you can reserve it early via the Royal IQ official app or book at the service desk once onboard.
Another first-of-its-kind entertainment facility on Quantum of the Seas is the Skydiving Simulator. There’s a 7-meter wind tunnel on the ship that lets guests experience the thrill of vertical freefall and the sensation of skydiving. Professional instructors accompany you throughout, and wind speeds are controlled by staff—safety is not a concern. Participants wear specially designed flight suits. Once inside the simulation chamber, instructors guide you through fixed movements, and then you’re spun up and down by powerful winds. My husband was really interested in this activity and booked it in advance. Arriving 15 minutes early to Deck 15, he watched a flight demonstration video, then received hand gestures training from the instructor—like lifting the head, maintaining balance, bending the knees, and straightening the legs. He then changed into a flight jumpsuit, put in earplugs, wore goggles and a helmet, and was fully geared up. He said he was a bit nervous at first, but the feeling of flying quickly got him into the zone—it was an unforgettable experience.
The “Butterfly Corridor” on Deck 5 is the most beautiful spot on the entire ship. The corridor ceiling is decorated with three-dimensional butterfly carvings that echo the walls leading up to the top deck. The European-style window frames on both sides display light and elegant watercolor paintings of flowers, plants, and trees. Screens above the windows continuously play animations of colorful butterflies fluttering through jungles and mountains—the animation scenes vary on each screen. The flowing colors and dancing butterflies make you feel like you’re in nature, surrounded by fluttering butterflies. It’s incredibly romantic and perfect for taking photos with kids.
The bow on Deck 14 is a sunbathing area, along with indoor pools surrounded by lounge chairs. On sunny days, even just sunbathing without swimming is very relaxing. If you don’t bring swimwear, you’ll miss out on this experience, so we came prepared—with both indoor and outdoor pools. The outdoor pool even features a Madagascar-themed design with characters like Alex the lion and his friends, which is super cute and perfect for kids. My child loves playing here every day—it’s also my favorite area. The hot tubs are incredibly comfortable.
The largest sports space on the ship is the multi-purpose Sports Court on Deck 15. Depending on the schedule, it hosts activities like basketball, bumper cars, and ice skating. During the day, it’s a bumper car arena, and at night, you can come here to roller skate. Around the central court, there are also tabletop competitive ball game stations. The entire venue is thoughtfully arranged with colorful, modern lighting. It’s the best area for families with kids.
Deck 16 is the highest level, featuring activities like rock climbing, deck surfing, and deck skydiving. It’s also a great spot to enjoy the sea view from the deck—the views are absolutely breathtaking. On a good weather day, it’s also the best place to watch the sunrise or sunset.
Deck surfing is another innovation on Quantum of the Seas, and it's completely free. Passengers can experience the thrill of surfing under the guidance of an instructor on a 12-meter simulator, offering surf enthusiasts a great ride.
The entertainment facilities on the cruise ship are so abundant that it's almost overwhelming—you simply can't experience them all in just a few days. Overall, everyone can find something they enjoy on board.
Shopping
The duty-free shops on Quantum of the Seas offer a wide range of brands, including cosmetics, watches, bags, tobacco and alcohol, souvenirs, and more. There are often discount promotions, usually on the first and last day of the cruise, with the last day featuring the most variety. I bought a set of Estée Lauder on the first day at a very good price. My husband and our child also got something—they found the watch he'd been wanting for ages, and we got a high-value-for-money toy for our kid.
Nagasaki
The itinerary I chose this time included a stop in Nagasaki, Japan. Nagasaki is a city marked by the wounds and suffering of war. The view of Nagasaki taken from the cruise ship shows no high-rises—houses are built along the mountains, facing the sea, showing that Nagasaki is a city that thrived because of its harbor. Nagasaki Port is an alluvial plain, surrounded by mountains on three sides and the sea on one. It's a typical excellent harbor, with the Mitsubishi Shipyard pier located across from it.
In the large building at the former site of the Nagasaki Second Pier Club, there is a detailed introduction to the rise and fall of Nagasaki’s maritime industry. In addition, the Nagasaki Traditional Culture and Crafts Museum displays ritual items used in important local festivals.
Stroll to Nagasaki Peace Park, which was built on a hill north of the atomic bomb explosion’s epicenter as a memorial park for world peace. The park includes the Peace Statue, the Peace Memorial Hall, and various other facilities. This Peace Statue was completed in 1955 after five years of work. Its right hand points to the sky, symbolizing the threat of the atomic bomb; the left hand stretches horizontally, symbolizing eternal peace. Its gently closed eyes signify prayers for the repose of the victims. The park features various sculptures donated by governments from around the world. The white marble Statue of the Goddess of Peace in the park was a gift from the Chinese government, with the Chinese character for "peace," handwritten by Hu Yaobang, inscribed on the back.
When you visit Nagasaki, don’t miss the night view—the Nagasaki Yamate (Glover Hill) night view is one of Japan’s three best night views.
After going on this trip, my 5-day, 4-night Royal Caribbean cruise came to a perfect close. This wonderful experience erased my previous concerns about cruise travel. For Chinese travelers abroad, the biggest worries are “language barriers” and “safety issues.” But with Royal Caribbean, there’s nothing to fear. Onboard, you’ll see many staff in yellow shirts with smiley faces who can communicate in Chinese, Japanese, and English. Over 80% of the service staff in restaurants, shops, and entertainment areas also speak Chinese, providing thoughtful and attentive service that makes you feel very reassured. Overall, cruising is a fantastic travel option for families—you don’t need complicated preparations or itineraries, just relax and enjoy the rich variety of food and entertainment onboard, and take in the breathtaking sea views. Royal Caribbean offers a wide selection of routes, so you can always find a destination and theme that suits you. It’s especially suitable for family trips. Next year during National Day holiday, I definitely want to bring my parents along for a three-generation trip. I can’t wait to start my next seaside vacation.