A Detailed Review of Our Inside Passage Alaskan Cruise

The embarkation process was remarkably efficient. We arrived in Seattle three days prior to our cruise, spending two nights in Vancouver and one night in Seattle. Card Player Cruises arranged accommodations for us at the Even Hotel in Seattle at a competitive rate. Having completed all our embarkation paperwork online before the cruise, our check-in took merely a few minutes. Card Player Cruises also provided shuttle services from the hotel to the cruise terminal. Although I had forgotten our luggage tags, the baggage handlers at the Port of Seattle had designated stations available for those in need of tags. There were no queues, and the only delays we encountered were during the security screening. From the moment we left our shuttle to the time we boarded the ship, it took just 20 minutes, including a brief bathroom break. This experience ranks among our best to date. We arrived at noon and enjoyed lunch in the Windjammer lounge. Impressively, all cabins were ready before 1 PM, and our luggage was delivered shortly after we entered our room. The efficiency and speed of our boarding and settling in surpassed any previous cruise experience.

We primarily had our breakfasts and lunches at the Windjammer, while our dinners were consistently enjoyed in the Main Dining Room each evening. A designated area was reserved for Card Player members, allowing us to commence our meals around 5:00 PM, ensuring that poker players could conclude their games and reach the card room on the 13th floor by 7 PM. The food quality was satisfactory, yet none of the meals were particularly remarkable. The main courses lacked the refinement and flavor typically found in a high-end restaurant. This is understandable, as the rising costs of food must be balanced with the overall expenses of the cruise. In the Main Dining Room, my wife found the appetizers more appealing than the main dishes, often opting for several selections. Prime Rib was featured on the first sea-day formal night and lobster tail was the featured dish on the second sea-day. While the main courses were adequate, there was no enthusiastic praise for any of the options. The offerings at the Windjammer Marketplace remained fairly consistent, with minimal variation from day to day. A few main dishes changed according to the daily cuisine theme, but most items remained the same. My wife particularly appreciated the Indian food section, although there were limited international selections available. The salad options in the Windjammer were superior to those on other Royal Caribbean ships we have experienced. Generally, I found myself consuming similar foods for both breakfast and lunch. We chose not to visit the specialty restaurants instead of the Main Dining Room, as we genuinely enjoyed the company of our fellow Card Player participants. The camaraderie at our dinner table of nine was so delightful that we were willing to overlook the average quality of the food. In our view, the food selections in the Main Dining Room represent an area where Royal Caribbean could improve its offerings. In my view, the standout culinary offering from Royal Caribbean is Sorrento’s Pizza. There is nothing quite like indulging in late-night pizza to conclude the day. I sincerely hope that Royal Caribbean continues to feature this on all their ships, as it is one of the aspects I most eagerly anticipate during my time aboard.

The majority of the activities we engaged in were centered around entertainment. My wife spent most evenings playing poker with fellow passengers from Card Player, which led me to explore various other activities available on the ship. Different venues featured a variety of musicians, ensuring there was always something to enjoy. Given that this was an Alaskan cruise, the chilly weather made it impractical to relax on the pool deck. However, many guests took advantage of the Solarium and the covered pool. The cruise also included a speaker series designed to enhance passengers' understanding of Alaska and the destinations we visited. Sammi Conneen, a long-time resident of Alaska, delivered insightful talks on the places we visited, Alaskan wildlife, glaciers, the gold rush, and life in Alaska. Her presentations were well-attended and thoroughly enjoyable. I commend Royal Caribbean for providing enriching experiences for passengers who appreciate learning while traveling. My wife and I utilized the gym facilities at the Vitality Spa on Deck 6 daily. The gym was well-equipped with a sufficient number of treadmills, elliptical machines, stationary bikes, cam weight machines, and free weights. I dedicated nearly two hours each day to exercise and found the space to be uncrowded. I never had to wait for access to an elliptical or weight machine. There was a wide array of activities available for everyone. One would only experience boredom if they chose to do so. The activities were ongoing and typically continued until after midnight. Before embarking on our cruise, we signed up for the Vroom Internet access online at a reduced rate, and it proved to be quite satisfactory. Royal Caribbean has now integrated Starlink, which represents a significant enhancement compared to its former system. While we typically prefer to disconnect during our vacations, we have discovered that reliable Internet access can greatly enrich our overall experience. Additionally, we needed to stay in touch with family members back home, and we have come to appreciate sharing photographs and providing updates to our loved ones. For this cruise, we opted for a 2-Device package with Streaming. The download speeds were commendable, and we encountered no issues whatsoever. This was the most reliable Internet connectivity we have experienced on any cruise ship, with no problems reported anywhere on board.

I always anticipate the entertainment segment of our cruises and attempt to participate in one or two activities each evening. Typically, I attend only one show per night. The only performance that required reservations was Starwater, owing to the limited seating capacity of the 270 Theater. Overall, the entertainment was of high quality, and I commend Royal Caribbean for their concerted efforts to offer passengers a professional and varied experience each night. This approach stands in stark contrast to NCL, which frequently recycles shows across multiple evenings and bases major theater productions on acts already featured in other venues. Other cruise lines appear to lack a commitment to delivering a quality experience. I extend my appreciation to Royal Caribbean for their initiatives. However, I must express my longing for the Broadway Shows, which were always a standout feature of a Royal Caribbean cruise. I sincerely hope they consider reinstating them. >Welcome Aboard Showtime: Jeff Nease: The entertainment for the opening night was provided by Jeff Nease, who excelled in making the audience laugh. His natural comedic talent allowed him to engage with attendees effectively, incorporating their reactions and stories into his performance. 
 >Sequins and Feathers: For those who appreciate vibrant dancing and singing with a touch of Vegas flair, this performance is sure to please. I found the dancing particularly enjoyable, as the performers demonstrated considerable talent. While I appreciated the overall experience, the musical selections did not particularly impress me. Nonetheless, the show is certainly worth attending for its impressive choreography and stunning costumes. >Starwater: This production was unique in that it required reservations. It takes place in the 270 Theater, which is specifically designed to accommodate performances that blend various technological elements. The show lacks a coherent narrative, or at least one that was easily comprehensible to me and many others in the audience. It primarily features stylized dance and vocal performances that incorporate lifts, visuals, and elaborate costumes. While it is worth experiencing if you have not seen it before, it did not leave a significant impact on me. All you need to know is that the robotic video screens received their own curtain call at the conclusion of the performance. >Magician: Chad Chesmark: I have a fondness for magic shows, particularly those that feature grand illusions that captivate the audience. However, the magic presented in this show was on a more intimate scale. Chad Chesmark infused his performance with humor, making it quite entertaining overall. This show would likely be enjoyed by families. >The Las Vegas Tenors: The three singers were all very talented and sang a wide range of music. I attended all of the first show and some of the second show. Neither show was well attended, mostly because many people were on excursions that lasted almost to 7 pm. The tenors sang a wide range of songs and overall the show was very good and worth seeing.  >The Las Vegas Tenors: The trio of singers displayed remarkable talent and performed a diverse array of musical pieces. I was present for the entirety of the first performance and part of the second. Unfortunately, attendance for both shows was low, primarily due to many individuals being engaged in excursions that extended until nearly 7 PM. The tenors delivered a broad selection of songs, and overall, the performance was commendable and worth seeing.
 >Sonic Odyssey: Initially, I had reservations about this show, as the promotional material suggested a focus on music created with an Earth Harp. While the Earth Harp was indeed a significant element of the performance, the show predominantly showcased exceptional music, impressive vocal performances, outstanding choreography, and the incorporation of various instruments. Ultimately, it became my favorite show and one I would highly recommend. >Late Night Adult Comedy: Jeff Nease: This comedy performance took place at 9:45 PM on the final evening of the cruise. It served as an excellent conclusion to the week. The theater was at full capacity, and the comedy was exceptional, providing continuous laughter from start to finish. It is important to note that the humor is intended for an adult audience and is not suitable for those under 18. Arriving early is advisable to secure a seat.

We did not have any children under 18 with us. We were told that about one-third of the passengers were under 18.

Our room steward, Pancho, provided exemplary service throughout our stay. He consistently greeted us each day, ensuring we felt appreciated. We utilized the Do Not Disturb sign to communicate our availability for room cleaning, and the process was seamless. The service we received, along with the delightful towel animals, was truly remarkable. The wait staff at the Windjammer Cafe demonstrated attentiveness, politeness, and a willingness to assist. We were consistently welcomed and made to feel at home. Any requests we made were promptly addressed. In the dining room, our servers, Gilwin and Anjeli, performed exceptionally well. Gilwin discreetly attended to our needs and swiftly resolved any requests we had. Anjeli greeted us with a warm smile and went above and beyond to ensure our satisfaction with both the food and service. She possesses the qualities of a head waiter. Each day, we eagerly anticipated our interactions with the service staff, as they were outstanding as a team.

The Quantum of the Seas started its passenger operations in 2014 and was, at that time, the third-largest cruise ship globally. Presently, the vessel caters to the Alaskan and Australian cruise markets. In 2016, my family and I had the pleasure of sailing on a sister ship, Anthem of the Seas, departing from Port Liberty in New Jersey, and we found the experience to be highly enjoyable. Despite being eight years old, the ship maintains a remarkably new appearance. The crew is consistently engaged in efforts to ensure cleanliness and a fresh look. Accommodating approximately 4,000 passengers, the ship still retains the ambiance of a traditional cruise experience. There are numerous areas to discover, making it easy to overlook the various spots available for listening to music, reading, and unwinding. I encourage you to take the time to explore these spaces.

As part of our Card Player Cruises package, we were assigned a balcony room located on the 12th floor (12284), conveniently situated near the central staircases. The Conference Room, located in the aft section of the 13th floor, was easily accessible for my wife. We were positioned two floors below the Windjammer Lounge on the 14th floor, which also served as the pool deck. The majority of dining options and entertainment venues were found on the 4th and 5th floors. The stateroom was a standard-sized balcony room; however, its layout provided more navigable space compared to other ships we have experienced. In our view, most cruise ship rooms are of comparable size unless one chooses a suite. The room was well-maintained, featuring ample storage for hanging garments and drawers for folded items. Both my wife and I had our own wardrobe closets. The bathroom was of the typical small size found on cruise ships, yet it included numerous shelves for storage. We appreciated the presence of multiple outlets for charging our electronic devices. The room was equipped with two 15-amp US standard wall sockets and two USB ports, including an additional socket located next to the balcony side of the bed. Anticipating our charging needs, I brought along a USB hub to ensure we had sufficient ports for our phones, earbuds, Kindles, laptops, and other devices.

The Port of Seattle and Royal Caribbean provide a unique luggage program that enables passengers to pay for their airline checked-bags on board the Quantum at the same rate as at the airport. To utilize this service, one must register by the specified deadline. Subsequently, passengers are required to affix their luggage tags the night prior to disembarkation and place their bags outside by 10 PM. The luggage is then transported to the airport and checked in for the respective flight. This service proved to be extremely convenient. Additionally, Royal Caribbean facilitates the check-in process for flights and issues boarding passes. We availed ourselves of this service, and it was exceptional! As a result of not having to manage our luggage, we were able to enjoy a later morning and disembarked from the cruise ship around 9 AM. Our only task was to walk off the ship, since there was no customs inspection to navigate. We took a shuttle to the airport and relaxed there until our flight. A further advantage was that our flight with Alaskan Airlines was scheduled for 3:30 PM. Alaskan Airlines permits bag check-in only three hours before departure. However, since our luggage was already checked through by Royal Caribbean and the Port of Seattle, and we possessed our boarding passes, we could proceed through security and enjoy our time at the airport. In contrast, those who did not utilize this service had to wait until noon to check their bags with Alaskan Airlines.