All Aboard! The Cruise To Nowhere

What’s it actually like on Royal Caribbean’s ‘Cruise to Nowhere?’ All your burning questions answered.

Look, It’s been a minute. We relocated to Singapore just as the pandemic kicked in and we haven’t been able to leave the country ever since. For 18 months we have explored every nook and cranny of this tiny island- so of course we jumped at the chance to try out the infamous ‘Cruise to Nowhere’ – anything for a change of scenery! In this blog I will share an honest review and share some helpful tips and tricks to help you make the most of the experience. Let’s go!

BUT before I dive into the nitty-gritty – full disclosure. We are not frequent cruisers, in-fact I must admit that spotting a cruise ship during our travels used to signal the arrival of a cattle herd of people we would not usually associate with. The concept of a cruise is still such a strange one to fathom… traveling with hundreds (if not thousands) of strangers, having to queue for absolutely EVERYTHING, a generic room, and menu that does not reflect the geographic location and the constant humdrum of kids squealing in delight.

But hey, who am I to judge- it’s obvious that for some of us, this is the ideal vacation and there’s a first time for everything! So if you harbor (see what I did there..) similar feelings for “the cruise life” I hope this blog will answer all your burning questions.

What Exactly is a “Cruise to Nowhere?”

Well, it’s pretty self-explanatory- guests board the ship for a short voyage and sail into international waters but unlike a normal cruise, this one does not stop at any ports and guests do not disembark. The facilities, theatres, restaurants, and bars are still open for the guests to enjoy as per usual- but of course, with the covid safety measures, I am sure that for the avid cruiser, this would be anything but usual.

How Do I Pick A Room?

I had absolutely NO idea that picking a room on a cruise ship was so intricate. We decided to get a balcony room and if your budget allows it, I would highly recommend you do the same. The gorgeous ocean views are worth it and it really does create the illusion that you are far away from Singapore. There are a variety of different rooms to choose from- interior rooms, rooms with windows, rooms with obstructed views, suites, and many more.

So once we decided on the type of room we wanted- the search for the perfect room was on! So this is where I found myself diving headfirst into a dark hole of the “cruise critic” community. Guys- avid cruisers from all over the world have come together to share detailed room reviews to aid in your search. Now it’s no secret that I am a VERY light sleeper so when we travel we usually try to book a room far away from the buzz and thanks to these helpful reviews, we knew exactly what deck and room to avoid. We stayed on deck 8 in room 8706 -thanks Cruise Critics! Click on the link below for some expert advice.

https://cruiseadvice.org/CruiseShips/BestCabins.aspx?ShipName=quantum+of+the+seas

What is included?

The total price includes three main meals a day, served in the ‘Main Dining’ area. It also includes access to the theatre shows and a variety of yummy snacks all day long. Tea, lemonade, ice water, and coffee are also freely available throughout the day. It does however not include alcoholic beverages and specialty beverages (like sodas, bottled water, cappuccinos, etc) or dining at the specialty restaurants onboard.

TOP TIP: For those that plan on having quite a few cocktails on board, you can purchase a “deluxe beverage package” prior to boarding and this includes ALL specialty drinks – depending on how much you plan on consuming during the trip- it’s definitely worth it!

It’s literally a ‘Cruise To Nowhere’ do I need to take my passport?

Yes, you do! This was perhaps the most exciting part of the trip- having to present your passport to the immigration. It’s the closest thing to traveling you can get at the moment.

Side note- before you get to immigration you will undergo an ART test and you’ll have to wait for the result. We waited about 45minutes before we got the all-clear to board.

So What is it like onboard the ‘Cruise To Nowhere’?

Disclosure- the protocols will most likely be different for every cruise as things are constantly changing. This includes the overall capacity of the ship*

The beauty and size of the Quantum Of The Seas was a sight to behold. I really enjoyed the low capacity (it was about 25% full) and I cannot imagine what a trip at full capacity would be like. I personally think this is a great way to experience a cruise- so if you were ever curious about trying it out- go now!

We hardly had to queue for anything- including bar service, pool, and loungers. Side note- this obviously depends on the capacity of the ship at your time of sailing. Our sailing was at 25% and there were only about 500 guests on board so it was essentially empty.

Covid Restrictions And Safety Protocols

I must mention that the safety regulations on board can definitely hinder your experience. We had to present our trace together app, a ‘Tracelet’ and a ‘Seapass’ at EVERY entrance and exit. We also had to wear an armband to show our vaccination status in order to eat and drink in public. After a day or two it became a comedic choreographed routine -“Scan this, Beep This, Show This, Swipe this”. It was A LOT and at times quite frustrating to remember to carry every little device around with us whenever we left the room.

TOP TIP: Pack a small beach or tote bag to take with you every morning to avoid having to run back and forth all day.

We had to wear our masks all the time except for in the pool and in the dining area.

In general, the staff are all on edge and on high alert and at times it can feel overregulated. But hey- at least you can have peace of mind that your safety comes first. We did not let this ruin our holiday but for some, this could be a deal-breaker.

Would young couples, a group of friends or solo travellers enjoy the ‘Cruise To Nowhere’?

To be honest with you all -when I saw that “kids sail free” I was not too keen to book a trip. We don’t have children (yet) and don’t get me wrong- I love them and hopefully, we will be lucky enough to have babies in the future! But I was concerned about having to compete with the kiddies for the pool and how noisy the ship would be etc…

BUT much to our delight we discovered the Solarium- an adult-only section at the very front of the ship. This gorgeous indoor paradise is usually reserved only for guests staying in the Suites but due to safe distancing, it’s now open to all guests above 16 years of age. With the vast ocean views, comfortable loungers, pool bar, dipping pools, and hot tubs you will feel relaxed and instantly transported to your happy place.

For those with kids debating about whether or not to book a ‘Cruise To Nowhere’- Do it! There is plenty to keep them busy onboard. From bumper cars to family quiz nights – it’s truly the perfect family holiday. I saw so many parents blissfully sipping cocktails in the sunshine while their kids were eating ice cream and enjoying the pool.

What is the food and drinks like?

The food was definitely a pleasant surprise and a highlight for us. With a menu that changes every day, there is something for everyone and they make sure to follow up on any dietary requirements. The quality of the food was good and well presented.

It is a three-course meal every time so pace yourself! We spoiled ourselves with a fruit-loops starter for breakfast and the lamb shank at dinner deserves a special mention. The extensive wine list was a treat and the cocktails made at the pool bars were strong and delicious. Oh and I almost forgot to mention the Bionic bar- a very freaky concept where literal robots make cocktails for you.

TOP TIP: Reserve your dining time when you book your tickets. We opted for the 8pm slot and this worked perfectly for us as we had time for sundowners before dinner. For the early birds- there’s a 6pm slot for you.

Sounds kinda boring -what else is there to do on a ‘Cruise To Nowhere’?

There are endless activities running throughout the day. There are numerous pub quizzes, fitness classes, wine tastings, arts and craft sessions, live bands, and art auctions you can attend. For an additional fee, you can go rock climbing, indoor skydiving, or take a ride on the North Star. We also discovered an arcade and the bumper cars were so much fun! And if you’re feeling lucky- why not pop into the casino.

TOP TIP: Make sure to download the Royal Caribbean App as soon as you have booked your trip. You will only be able to book activities once on board and it’s best to do so as soon as possible. The theatre productions fill up quickly and you do not want to miss out.

Theatre Productions And Live Music

We really enjoyed the theatre productions. Every night there is a different “headliner show” at either 8pm or 10pm. We saw an incredible acrobatic duo, a magician, a violinist, and an amazing production called “Sequence and Feathers”. It’s been so long since we’ve been able to watch productions like these so it really was a treat and the performers were incredible.

There are live band sessions throughout the day too and they deserve your support! You will have to queue for a seat though, as it’s on a first -come- first -serve basis.

So what’s the verdict?

Look guys, this is by no means the ideal vacation- especially with the strict covid protocols and the pre-determined itinerary. We all miss jumping on a plane, sandy beaches, and sipping cocktails at a remote beach bar that you stumbled upon by chance. I had my reservations at first but much to my surprise it’s the first “staycation” that truly felt like a vacation. We’ve done so many “staycations” (a floating Airbnb in Punggol harbor, a night at the famous Marina Bay Sands, an anniversary stay at the Sofitel) and the cruise was by far the best value for money. The vast ocean views were breathtaking and the fact that you don’t even have to make your bed is a bonus! For anyone craving a breakaway- do it!

What about the coffee?

I’m not gonna beat around the bush coffee snobs- the coffee onboard is bad. The watered-down coffee made in bulk is best to be avoided at all costs. I would recommend stopping by a coffee shop called the “Patisserie” to get your coffee fixed at an additional cost. Be warned- the coffee is still sub-par and super milky- opt for an iced white to be safe or else you’ll receive a burnt cappuccino/latte/who knows. The only dairy alternative is Soy (eew!) so make sure to pack your own dairy alternative if you don’t drink dairy.

TOP TIP: If you’re like me and you would like to enjoy a coffee on your balcony first thing in the morning- DO NOT be tempted to order via room service. Instead, grind your favorite beans, make sure to pack your Aeropress or Nanopress, and make your own coffee in your room. There is a kettle and small fridge provided so you can store your milk/milk alternative in there for the duration of your trip. It was a lifesaver and you will not regret it.

Tip & tricks

Are you planning on taking a ‘Cruise To Nowhere’ anytime soon? Or have you taken one? Let me know about your experience!