In december my wife book a Royal Caribbean Cruise trip in January.

I think the sian ness of not being about to travel really struck here. So she decided to book a cruise trip.

I am always against going on a cruise because I find it very bo liao that you are booking a “moving hotel”. Especially cruise to nowhere.

You can better spend the money on a staycay which we did as well.

So anyways, the trip was booked and there was actually alot of follow ups going on as Royal Caribbean will keep email you alot of stuffs.

This trip we are travelling with our 3.5 years old Loti and 1.5 years old Baby Sushi. 

This is the first time Baby Sushi is travelling with us. She has been a covid baby as covid started, we cannot travel since.

So this cruise to nowhere is like a travelling experience for her.

You can check out the rates here.

Purchase of Royal Caribbean - Quantum of the Seas

How much did we pay?

We took up the promotion where kids travel for free and Seniors pay 50%.

So we booked 2 rooms.

• 1 Room - 2 Adults + 2 Kids
• 1 Room - 1 Senior Adult

You can check out the rates at Klook too.

Days leading up to Departure

Days leading up to the boarding, RC actually send out alot of emails to my wife as she booked the cruise.

There were a lot of promotions going on in the email. Today we will cover the 3 most common promotions that went under our consideration

Internet by Voom

For your cruise to nowhere, there will not be any reception when you are in the middle of nowhere.

So if you are an internet/wifi person. This is something for you. There is promotion for up to 4 devices. And have the most discount. But if for 2 pax it will be like $60 per pax for the trip.

We really consider very long. Because don't want to pay an extra $120 for the internet. 

The Key Program

Then we research under the Key benefits. This is like buying the fast Pass in your USS.

It includes internet, your VIP priorities when boarding and departing.

• Priority access into the terminal (within booked arrival time) on Day 1*
  
• Carry-on bag drop off in the Main Dining Room with stateroom delivery**
• Exclusive welcome lunch in the Main Dining Room featuring the Chops Grille® menu***
• Private time at onboard activities**** including Rock Climbing, FlowRider and more
• Priority departure at tender ports of call from ship-to-shore
• Early access at shows in the Main theater, Aqua Theater, Studio B, and Two70 (all guests must have a reservation in order to qualify)
• VOOM® Surf & Stream 1 Device high speed internet – 1 package per paying guest
• On debarkation day, enjoy an exclusive á la carte breakfast and choice departure
• * Priority access will not be offered in Vancouver, Canada or at any ports in Australia. There is no priority queue in the ART test area, for Singapore.
  ** Carry-on luggage drop-off service is limited to two pieces per guest and can weigh no more than 25 pounds per carry-on.
  *** Welcome Lunch will not be offered in Singapore

So this Key actually cost $120 per pax. And if buying for 3 adults it will be additional  $360.

We actually compared this with the internet we are buying.

If you gonna subscribe for the $60 internet. Top up another  $60 you can get to enjoy the benefits like a suite customer!

So, we were still considering the online purchases close 48 hrs prior to departure. So no need to think.

No internet, no VIP liaos.

Ultimate Dining Packages

Initially I read a lot that you need to book some atas dining or UDP so you can to eat until you shiok. But maybe when I check those out, they are being swept clean already.

So in the end, we just ate the complimentary food from the cruise

There are in fact a lot of complimentary food from the cruise and some of them taste superb!

Pre-Boarding ART Test

So prior to boarding, we actually need to have a few health declaration questionnaires.

Register through their app/website as well.

And during boarding day, we have to travel to Raffles City to get our ART tested. And from there, we will need to travel again to MBCC to board the ship

Kan stupid lor.

Or maybe the revenue generated is not enough to get people tested at MBCC itself.

But anyways, it is a good thing we are driving so we don’t need to lug the luggage all around with 2 kids.

Boarding Day 1

Parking

During boarding day, and after our swab, we drove to MBCC. It is very straight forward to get to the carpark at level 2 and there is a security there as well to check if drivers have booked the cruise so they get to park at the carpark.

And when I approached the staff, they mentioned the carpark promotion tickets was actually sold out and I can only buy when I am back.

But what if, when I am back they are also sold out. The staff mentioned, usually quite unlikely lah.

Royal Caribbean have a tie up with the carpark management.

3pm Boarding Time

The boarding and immigration was seamless not much of a queue and everything was done in less than 30 mins.

And we are on the board ship already.

Didn’t Check in Luggage

The big question.

Nope, we didn’t check in our luggage in case we needed some things and the check in luggage will only come to you during the evening.

So if you are healthy and fit, you can still bring your luggage to your stateroom.

We brought along a stroller, a luggage, a mamasan bag and 2 kids.

Safety Briefing

Once we are onboard the ship, we are ushered to a holding area to listen to safety briefing. Less than 5 mins settle and we are on our way to our rooms! 

When you book your stateroom, you have already indicated where are you staying. So, don’t need wait for the person to tell you and pass you your room key.

The room key is hung at your door.

4pm - Check in Our Rooms

Checking in into our rooms are easy. Key card was hung at the door and there is a room attendant attending to the vicinity also. 

She makes her introduction and mention that it's good to introduce herself and she also wanted to know the guest better. 

Mind blown lor. First time encounter a stay where the room attendant introduces herself to the guest. 

Awesome! 

Our room comes with a sofa bed and a balcony. A little squeeze but good enough. 

It doesn't have a bathtub but at least the shower space is still comfortable.

Roaming Around

And once we are connected on the cruise Wi Fi it is time to check out the activities!

Note: Flowrider can only be booked 8pm on boarding day and 9am on Day 2.

We missed the 2 timing and thus unable to book Flowrider.

Registration for Kids Play

We went on to book the kids activities in person because you cannot book via the app. The registration is fast and they attend attentively to each of our queries.

For age 3-5 , it is free.

For age below 3, $6 per hour.

We booked for Day 2 10am so we can dump the kids there and go jalan jalan.

5pm - Windjammer For Dinner

Cost: Complimentary

After all the checking in and admin, sibei hungry already. So we heard that windjammer is a buffet place and food are good. So we head there to makans.

Review of Windjammer Dinner

Ermm.. We thought was good when we heard that the hashbrown not bad.

They have asian section, mexican section, kids section.

In the end, I got some roasted beef, with some beef patties, fries. 

At the mexican Section, their tortilla chips are pretty yummy!

Kids had some fried chicken fingers, fries etc. Overall alittle disappointed for adults though.

7pm - Swimming

Cost: Complimentary

After jiaks the dinner, we noticed the swimming pools don’t have much people. We quickly went to our rooms get changed and get the kids to the pool.

The swimming pool usually close at 7pm - 9pm depending on which pool. We played at the 50cm pool and the hot tub for awhile.

Towels can be collected at the towel station - But if you forgot to return for the trip.

It is $25 / towel.

8.15pm - Bumper Car

Cost: Complimentary (Only Once Per Trip)

After our swim, we went to our booked activity. The bumper car! As I wore slipper, I am unable to carry on with the play. So Mummy went ahead with the bumper car while i take care of the kids.

Review of the Bumper Car

I think hor, abit slow considering we played those fun fair and pasar malam bumper car before.

But free one mai hiam.

You can only book once during your trip lor! But then since it is not so exciting, I also didn’t wanna play much lah.

Rest And Sleep

After a hectic day, it is time to koon already. We proceed to our room, and the sofa bed is being laid out by the room attendant already! Wonderful!

Supper Dabao Pizza

Cost: Complimentary

So while the kids are sleeping + me. Mummy sneaked out to check out the night activities. She brought back some Pizza from Pizza Sorento.

As I’m on diet, at first i declined to eat. But very hard to resist the smell. In the end ate 3 slices!

Review of Sorento Pizza 

Good Pizza! The crust is thin, crispy, the ingredients are tasty and best of all. The pizza is still warm and yummy! Definitely recommended if you jin hungry.

They are open till 2am and just above the casino. Quick snack for those Casino players.

Lose your money liao then go jiak free pizza.

Day 2

We woke up to the sea! The cruise has travelled to the middle of nowhere. I think is at the East of Singapore, between Malaysia and Indonesia.

9am - Breakfast at Windjammer

Cost: Complimentary

So, we hear say the breakfast Hashbrown is not bad, so we specially go Windjammer jiak their breakfast.

Quite crowded for those popular seats. But if you go further down, still got seats available lah.

We got ourselves many hashbrowns, some noodle soup and some omelette for breakfast.

Review of Windjammer

I say so so only lah. Simple breakfast, and the highlight is the bacon and hashbrown. Nothing to wow at.

10am - Adventure Ocean

Cost: 3 - 5 Years Old Complimentary

Below 3 Years old $6 / hour

We booked the adventure ocean for kids the day before and going to deposit them there. The service of the staff was so warm and welcoming that Loti entered the center with no frills. 

We had abit of delay for Sushi. As this was a first time at a childcare center. I was handed a walkie talkie in the case that if they cannot handle Sushi. It is a big bulky phone that you will need to pay if it was damaged.

Sushi initially cried for the first 10mins. But was ok after which.

Review of Adventure Ocean

Very nice staff and environment. For $6 per year, definitely worth the money compared to a childcare we used during our Japan Trip.

It was $200 for a day - 8 hours.

Casino

Cost: Depends how much you wanna lose

Having deposit the kids at Adventure Ocean. Of course is go somewhere that the kids cannot enter one right? That is the casino.

During to Covid measures, there is a limit on how many people can enter the casino. THere is infact a queue to go in somemore lor! We queue for 20 mins before entering. 

Mummy play some games of Roulette before we need to exit to pick up the kids.

Review Of Casino:

I’m not a casino fan. So it seems quite neutral to me except that there is a queue to enter as it was full.

Tables are not so exciting because only 2 or 3 players can seat. So kinda boring if you ask me.

11am - Retrieve Kids

We went back to pick up the kids. Loti was very happy with all the activities. Some colorings and drawings and activities.

Where Sushi is watching TV all the while with some toys on the floor. Pleasant experience so far. Of course she did cry with she see us picking her. But guess that normal.

Nap

After the morning activity, sibei tired again. Time to nap again. So while Sushi and me was napping. Mummy brought Loti out for the Circus performance.

2pm - Duo Du Soleil

Cost: Complimentary

They call it Duo Du Soleil. Mummy mentioned the performance quite nice and was recommended.

4pm - Tea Break at Two Seventy

Two Seventy have this sibei yummy beef meat and burger. We went there to jiaks and chillax also. It is like a cafe, offering just some wrap and beef burger.

The beef is sliced beef and cut in to smaller pieces. It is different from those beef patties.

Sibei good leh!

Review of Two 70 Cafe

Delicious sandwiches and beef for a quick snack or tea break. Recommended to chill there while waiting for your show to start. 

4.30pm - Two 70 Theatre

Since we are near the theatre and after our tea break. We decided to head in and see what performance they have.

This timing, they had a musical performance through their robotic display. It is interesting but we are not interested. So we left in after sitting in for 10mins. lol.

5.30pm - Swimming

Cost: Complimentary

Next activity is Swimming! Kids love swimming. So it is very enjoyable to bring them for swimming.

But hor, it is only this time we realise that. Kids on diapers cannot be in the pool. 

I thought i heard wrong. I thought was kids not on swim diapers cannot be in the pool

Wah rau! Then Sushi cannot go play water and the infant pool closed at 5pm.

But of course, i do understand this. Cos wait the kids pang sai, then contaminate the water and to clean the pool will require alot efforts. So I just bring her around while Loti was playing at the pool. 

7.30pm - Dinner at Main Dining Room

Cost: Complimentary

After all the swimming, we went to Main Dining Room for dinner. This time we wanted to try this out. I thought was some common space again. But wow! I was wrong.

It is a place for more atas dining! It has 3 course meal!

Appetiztizer, Main and Dessert!

That menu was quite okay, but I ordered the wrong thing. It says steam fish with chilli. In my mind was this. But came out like that. 🙁

Kids also have their menu, and we ordered Mac and Cheese + Mini Steak for the kids.

Of course, the kids don't eat the steak. I eat for them. Also very nice!

Review of Main Dining Room:

I tell you. The garlic butter sibei power. We ordered 2 and it came 3 ! Although it was more than what we ordered. But it was delicious.

We are definitely coming back tml for this again. Confirm chop!

Day 3

9am IFly

Cost: $40 / Pax

Because there were only 2 timings left for Day 3 iFly. 9am and 2pm.  I think 9am timing more better.

We booked for 2 pax and in case Loti wanna play, we can back out.

The staff was nice enough to accommodate as they have time for another participant. But Loti backed out because she is scared.

Review of iFly

It was my first experience at IFly. The entire session took around 45mins including the briefing, safety talk and gearing up. The flying session is only 1 min.

It was quite an scary experience. I kept thinking what will happen if I fly all the way up and dropped down. Wonder if I will be injured anot. So whenever I fly higher abit, I will try to lower myself down.

Overall, I will still go and try iFly in Singapore again. Seems like a very good experience!

10am Windjammer

We wanted to head to my dining room for our breakfast but i think it is more chillax to have it at Windjammer as it is very near iFly. IFly is at deck 15 while Windjammer is at deck 14. And my dining room end their breakfast service at 10am if i remember.

So same thing.

Hashbrown again.

But today they have nasi lemak. I always a fan of Nasi Lemak but the nasi lemak at Windjammer is kinda disappointing.

The fried chicken is abit dry. Chilli is good. Rice is average.

Nap

Back to our room and it is being tidied by the attendant. We also have some notes on how do we depart and what is the timing.

We are having the tag 16 - which we are supposed to depart at 7.45am.

We actually approach the guest service staff and asked if we can depart later. He just nodded his head and said okay. That’s all.

“You can take my word for it”

So hor, actually the timing is just to streamline the guest so all don’t cluster. If those guai guai one will follow the timing. 

People like us hor, really very draggy one will always ask for late check out liao etc.

3pm - Late lunch at Pizza Sorento

After our nap, it is makan time again. This entire cruise is really sleep and eat and play nia!

Pizza we ate before during our Day 1. But this time is eat at the restaurant and while it is piping hot.

The taste really yummy. Any flavor I also find nice lor!

4.15pm Music Hall for Movie - Untamed

Since we have 2 hours to spare, we found a show Untamed at their music hall. Went in and chope seat while watching movie.

Review of Music Hall

Okay lah, It is a hall for musical performance. They screened a movie instead. So it is very comfortable to catch a movie there.

But sushi cannot guai guai sit inside. So I had to stroller her round the ship till they finished the show 90mins later!

6.30pm North Star

Cost: $20 / pax

Kids below 110 not allowed.

We booked our North Star ride at 6.30pm and that was the only slot available. We always enjoyed going to the highest point of those places of interest.

Review of North Star

A Ride that brings you to higher than the cruise and you can see the ship at a glance. Initially was hoping if we can see sunset, but the sun is only setting at around 7pm.

So no chance at all.

Still a good ride! So if you have the opportunity, book at 7pm!

And we asked why kids below 110cm are not allowed.

The staff replied: Because our safety harness can only accommodate kids of height 110cm and above.

All right that makes sense!

7.30pm - Dinner at My Dining Room

We are back at my Dining Room.

Yesterday menu not so exciting - But today’s menu got steak and lamb chop! I’m torn between both. So I ordered both instead! 

Same for the appetitizer, garlic butter escargot is available too. So we hoot also!

Superb dining experience, excellent food quality! And it is included in your package!

Rest

As we got back into our room, we are always excited to know that the room is being tidied - twice a day! 

And we started to pack out stuffs.

Last Day

Wake up - Preparing to check out

Although our departure schedule is 7.45am, we really take our time to prepare to check out. And We aga left our room at 8.30am. There is breakfast still at the restaurants but I guess we are not in time as we need to get the kids prepared as well.

Breakfast Optional

Breakfast are still available at the restaurants - Some 7 to 7.30am some 7am to 8am.

Get off the ship

Checking out is easy! Just drag your luggage out of the room, take the lift to deck 5 where we came from and hop on mainland!

Clearing immigration is also a breeze too.

Buy Carpark Pass

This is very important. Haha! Because our exit is $60+ We only paid $45 for the 4D parking. 

Savings of $15 okay!

Our Rating:

Overall as a first timer cruise I find the cruise pretty enjoyable. You don’t need to think what to eat. You just appear at the restaurants and they will surprise you. 

Service is super top notch! We have not experience such pleasant service at hotel stays before. Even our basic package, we feel that we are treated by premium guest. I cannot imagine those VIP suite ones. Maybe every hour change towel for them already.

Meals are pretty decent also. There are some misses but overall it is still good quality. 

Activities: 

There are tons of activities and probably due to covid there are some safe distancing measures. We didn’t get to book the flowrider. But there are still quite a number of activities.

There also some bo liao activities like trivia conducted several times a day if you are really bored.

Accommodation: 

Although it is a little small but good enough for comfort. The sofa bed becomes another bed for our 2 kids. And the height is good enough so they won’t fall off the bed with a loud bump. There are ample drawers and storage for your clothes and stuffs.

We had a balcony room, and have some decent view and outdoor feel as well.

Food: 

Windjammer food was average. But the Main Dining Room options make up for it. I will rate 3.5 / 5 for Windjammer, but 4.5 / 5 for Main Dining Room. For their complimentary restaurants, they did exceed my expectation though.

Although it is quite boring having fruit punch all the way. There is no complimentary soft drinks.

Overall Rating: 4.5 / 5

Will I go back again?

Nope, I think $1600 we can spend on more stuffs on staycation itself. And especially a bigger room with a bath tub.

Unless we are still unable to travel for another year, maybe will consider taking cruise again.

Still it is a good experience if you are sitting on the fence.