I’ve blogged from time to time about Royal Caribbean’s newest ship, Quantum of the Seas. To say I’m excited about this ship would be an understatement. In fact, MrsMJ and I are cruising aboard Quantum in December.  The ship will feature many new innovations like an onboard skydiving simulator and bumper cars. Among the biggest innovations are the new dining changes, including eschewing traditional dining for multiple dining rooms with different themes, a concept known as Dynamic Dining.

We’ll still enjoy Royal Caribbean’s newest ship in the New York area later this year, but in May 2015, she’ll reposition to China. According to Royal Caribbean CEO Adam Goldstein, “every trend we are seeing in China tells us we can achieve real long-term competitive advantage and appealing returns on our investments in this fast-growing market by accelerating our presence there.”

According to RCL’s press release, Quantum of the Seas will debut in November 2014, and will spend its inaugural season sailing from Cape Liberty in Bayonne, N.J., before repositioning to China in May 2015. Beginning late June 2015, the ship will sail three- to eight-night itineraries year-round from Shanghai to Japan and Korea. Liberty of the Seas will then arrive to Cape Liberty to sail to Bermuda, the Caribbean, and Canada and New England for the 2015 summer and autumn seasons. The Freedom-class ship will be the company’s newest and largest ship to offer cruises to Bermuda from the New York-metropolitan area.  Finally, Quantum of the Seas’ sister ship, Anthem of the Seas, which launches in April 2015, will complete her inaugural Europe season from London (Southampton), U.K., before arriving to Cape Liberty in November 2015 to continue Quantum-class cruising to the Bahamas and Caribbean for the winter 2015-16 season.

Interesting moves by my favorite cruise line. I’m not surprised by the focus on China. As a shareholder, I think it’s a great move. Excited to see other Royal Caribbean ships in the New York area too. Otherwise, I’m most curious to see which ship they replace Majesty of the Seas with in the short cruise market from Miami.

-MJ, April 16, 2014