Luxury Cruising Editorial

When she debuted in 2014, Quantum of the Seas was a real step forward for Royal Caribbean. She was entirely themed around innovation, introducing new features and tech that have become mainstays of the cruise line. And some of those innovations included new cabin types.

But you know what you can innovate? A ship where every cabin is perfect for every guest. And so even with such amazing new ideas, there are still some cabins on the ship that (some of) you are going to want to avoid.

And trust me – you don’t want to make a mistake with this. The wrong cabin can really put a dent in your Quantum of the Seas experience…

How to Choose the Best Cruise Cabin

While I’ve written this guide specifically about Quantum of the Seas, I also have a handy checklist you can keep with you that applies to any ship.

Just drop your email in this form and I’ll send it straight to you.

The Different Rooms on Quantum of the Seas

You’re hardly short of options when choosing which stateroom or suite you want to book on Quantum of the Seas. There are over 2,090 of them, after all, including over 170 suites. Around 75% of the accommodation options have a balcony too – perfect for making the most of the view.

With 24 individual cabin types, working out which is the best can be tricky, though most of them can be grouped and some have special purposes, too.

Here’s a look at all of the cabin options on Quantum of the Seas:

Quantum of the Seas Room Sizes

One quick but important note – the room sizes listed in the table are averages. Some might be slightly smaller, but some might even be slightly bigger.

The best thing you can do is check the Quantum of the Seas deck plans when you’re booking a room. They’re accurately drawn to scale, so you can see which rooms look to be slightly bigger or smaller, or have a slightly extended balcony.

Often they’ll be the same price as a regular-sized room in the same category, so you can nab a bargain.

The Cabins to Avoid

A lot of thought was put into the stateroom options on Quantum of the Seas, and there are some spectacular choices available. Still, not every cabin is right for every cruise passenger. It’s not that there are bad cabins, just some that maybe you would like but someone else wouldn’t, and vice versa.

While it’s true that the Quantum-class ships aren’t the biggest in the Royal Caribbean fleet, they’re still pretty massive, and so it’s worth planning which parts of the ship you’ll spend the most time in, and using that info to work out a good stateroom.

You don’t want to have to trek up loads of floors and across the length of the ship a couple of times a day if you don’t have to.

So, here are some of the cabin types and cabin locations to consider avoiding:

1. Obstructed View Rooms

6160 to 6232, 6560 to 6632

It’s not unusual for cruise ships to have obstructed view rooms. They’ll be balcony or ocean-view rooms where your view is compromised, usually by lifeboats but sometimes by other ship structures.

Quantum of the Seas is no different. The obstruction isn’t awful – the rooms are above the lifeboats, so it’s only when you look over the railing that it’s obstructed – but definitely one to be careful of if you choose one of the balcony cabins or suites in this part of the ship.

That said, these rooms are cheaper than standard balcony rooms. And, if you’re savvy, you can book a room with a balcony that’s between the lifeboats, rather than right behind one, so your view won’t be that bad at all.

Take a look at this video to see what the view looks like from an obstructed balcony on Quantum of the Seas that’s between two of the lifeboats…

2. Cabins Directly Adjacent to the Royal Theatre

3146, 3149, 3546, 3549

There are a few places on a ship where you might suffer from some noise disruption. Common locations on a ship include above the loudest bars, or below the pool deck, and that advice would apply on Quantum of the Seas too.

But there are four rooms in particular worth steering clear of from a noise perspective. They share a wall with the Royal Theatre, which is where nightly live performances will take place. While they don’t run super late, it’s best to steer clear if you want a good early night ahead of the next day’s adventures.

3. Rooms a Very Long Walk from Elevators

Because of the size of Quantum of the Seas, she has some slightly awkward elevator placement. She’s not big enough to fit three sets, so instead there are elevators near the front of the ship and then in a mid-ship location, slightly towards the aft.

It means that any of the aft-facing rooms from Deck 8 upwards, and a handful of inside cabins on Deck 7, are quite a long walk from the elevator.

It’s not an issue for most people – especially if you want to get those steps in to burn off the buffet food each day – but if you’re carrying younger children back from the kids’ clubs (right at the front of Deck 11) when they’re tired and napping at the end of the day, you’ll definitely notice the distance!

4. Deck 11 Forward Rooms Without Kids

11118 to 11160, 11518 to 11560

The staterooms and suites by the forward elevators on Deck 11 are adjacent to the Adventure Ocean kids’ clubs. There are Balcony Staterooms, Junior Suites and Inside Staterooms there, and regardless of which one you choose, you’re going to experience a higher level of traffic outside the room – and a lot more noise.

If you aren’t sailing with kids, then this is probably one of the worst places you can book, unless you plan on being out of your room nice and early and staying out until late.

Otherwise, the excited kiddos on their way to the kids’ club or the many parents picking the kids up could easily disturb you.

If you are cruising with kids, however, then this is a really handy place to be.

5. Expensive Suites

Quantum of the Seas has several options for loft suites, ranging from the Sky Loft Suite up to the best suite on the ship, the Royal Loft Suite.

These two-storey accommodation options are beautiful and very spacious… But they also don’t come cheap. And it’s definitely something to think very carefully about when deciding whether they’re worth the money.

It’s not just about whether you can afford the high prices (up to £20,000 per person, per week for the Royal Loft Suite). It’s whether you’d be better booking that, or choosing a Grand Suite for a week and then having the budget spare for another 1-2 cruises in a Grand Suite again.

You need to check out the Royal Caribbean Suite perks to see what’s included as well as having the extra space, but for a lot of people, it’d make more sense to choose a cheaper option (including some of the smaller suites) and book several cruises instead.

6. Rooms That Can Cause Seasickness

The worst places on any ship for seasickness are right at the forward or aft parts of the ship, on the highest decks. That’s where you’ll feel the most motion.

With Quantum of the Seas, height isn’t a huge issue – there are no decks above Deck 13 with accommodation options. However, I’d still steer clear of Deck 12 and Deck 13 rooms at the very front and very back if you know you suffer badly from motion sickness.

The best rooms to avoid seasickness would instead be something mid-ship and lower down, preferably with a balcony so you can focus on the horizon and get some fresh air while lying in bed. In fact, the obstructed balcony staterooms could be ideal if seasickness is your concern.

7. Connecting Cabins If You’re Not Booking Both

A common problem with cruise ship staterooms is when you book a connecting room without needing it. The shared doorway between connecting rooms is not great at isolating noise, so while it’ll stay locked if there are strangers on the other side, you might hear more from their room than you would in a regular stateroom. And equally, they might hear more from you.

All kinds of noises can come from an adjacent stateroom. Loud snoring, arguments, other things… If you’d rather avoid the risk of hearing those, don’t book a connecting stateroom. Leave those for when you’re travelling with a group and want to book both together.

8. Deck 13 Rooms

I mean, it’s Deck 13 – why tempt fate?

I’m joking, of course, but it does seem odd that the Quantum-class ships are the only ones in the Royal Caribbean fleet that have a Deck 13. Most skip it, going from Deck 12 straight to Deck 14, and that is because of superstition.

It’s not like the Quantum Class set the tone for Royal ditching superstition – the newer Icon-class ships also avoid a Deck 13.

Even if you’re not superstitious, it’s still wise to avoid deck 13 on this ship. The swimming pools are all on deck 14, which means that you’ll likely be able to hear sunloungers being dragged around through your ceiling in the early hours of the morning.

Best Rooms on Quantum of the Seas

While most rooms are great, here are some of the standout rooms on Quantum of the Seas:

1. Studio Rooms

The Quantum-class ships for Royal Caribbean introduced more options for studio rooms. On other ships, it can sometimes be rare to get a room designed for single passengers, and when you do it’ll be an inside room, 99% of the time, with maybe a chance of a window, unless you’re willing to pay double the fare to book a regular room as a solo passenger.

While many of the studio rooms on Quantum of the Seas are Interior, there are also Balcony options too, which is fantastic for single travellers who don’t want to miss out on waking up to a wonderful view.

Solo travel is becoming more and more popular, so it’s great for guests to have this option on the ship.

2. Family Connected Staterooms

Some of the Studio Interior staterooms on Quantum of the Seas are connecting cabins, linked with a standard Balcony stateroom and a Junior Suite, so you can fit up to 10 people in ‘one’ room.

You’ll find these midship on decks six to thirteen (shown in pink on the deckplan below).

If you’re travelling as a group, booking these rooms together can be a great idea, since you can share the balcony space but enjoy a separate bedroom area.

They aren’t like regular connecting rooms. They have their own main door, but with a secondary door protecting the vestibule that they share. If booked individually, it’s just three rooms with their own main door which also share the secondary door. But book them together and you can leave the doors open, and just use the vestibule door as your entrance.

The Studio room has to be registered with an adult, but you could take a teenager with you and then let them have that room as their own, even if the Studio officially belongs to the parent. Then they get their own space, without needing an expensive two-bedroom suite.

3. Corner Spacious Oceanview Staterooms

From Decks 8 to 11, the staterooms right at the front of the ship are Spacious Oceanview rooms. They can’t be balconies, because the wind would force the balcony door to remain shut most of the time, so instead they offer a bigger Oceanview room with a fantastic view.

If you can book one of the corner rooms, you’ll get even more space – they’re considerably bigger again! Just check the deck plans and you’ll see what I mean…

4. Virtual Balcony Staterooms

First introduced on Quantum of the Seas, the Virtual Balcony staterooms are a great alternative to a regular Interior stateroom.

You still get a view – albeit on a digital screen. While it won’t help with the lack of natural light, it is good if you want to see what time of day it is (the virtual balcony is a livestream from outside the ship) and it’s better than just having four plain walls.

5. Deck 11 Rooms with Kids

See every reason I gave for not booking a Deck 11 Forward stateroom if you didn’t have kids? Reverse those if you do. It’s great being so close to the kids’ clubs, and having the pool deck and buffet restaurants only a couple of decks away too.

This is super-convenient, especially when it comes to collection time and the younger kids are refusing to walk and have to be carried in your arms.

The Best Deck on Quantum of the Seas

There’s no single best deck on Quantum of the Seas, but it’s recommended to have staterooms above and below you if you want the least noise – so Decks 7 to 12 would be the better options.

Avoid rooms on Deck 11 near the front of the ship if you don’t have kids, but anything mid-ship towards the aft would be fine since that’s away from the kids’ clubs.

The Best Room on Quantum of the Seas

The biggest room on Quantum of the Seas is the Royal Loft Suite, and it is a stunning option, though it’s very expensive. The Interior Staterooms with Virtual Balcony are a great option if you’re on a budget and want to enjoy some form of view, even if it is digital.

Choose Your Own Room or Go for the ‘Guarantee’ Option

When booking your Quantum of the Seas room, you’ll be able to pick a category and then have the option of paying extra to choose your specific cabin number, or opting for a cheaper ‘Guarantee’ room where the cruise line will pick your room for you.

It’s risky, because you can only select whether you want Interior, Oceanview, Balcony, or a specific Suite type. You can’t pick a deck, so you could end up with one of the rooms I’ve told you to avoid.

Still, if you’re laid back and don’t intend to spend much time in your cabin anyway, the saving might be worth it to you.

Find More Information About Quantum of the Seas Cabins

To put this guide together, I spent a lot of time reading Quantum of the Seas reviews and browsing some social media groups and forums. I recommend you check them out, too. You might find specific information on a stateroom you have your eye on.

• Quantum of the Seas Facebook Group
• Another Quantum of the Seas Facebook Group
• Quantum of the Seas Reviews

Related Posts

• Quantum of the Seas Statistics & Facts
• Quantum Class Cruise Ships: Everything You Need To Know
• Royal Caribbean Ships Ranked From Best To Worst

The post Quantum of the Seas Cabins to Avoid appeared first on Cruise Mummy.

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