Ultimate Guide to Singapore’s Cruise to Nowhere on Royal Caribbean

If you have never been on a cruise or if the concept of cruising for a vacation doesn’t attract you, then this post is meant just for you. Even till a few weeks back, I would have never imagined going on a cruise for vacation. However, experiencing Singapore’s “Cruise to Nowhere” on Royal Caribbean’s Quantum of Seas has completely changed my views about cruising. At first, the concept of cruising with “no destinations” felt absurd and the perfect hot-spot for breeding the pandemic. Travel-starved for 14 months, this was the only semblance of travel I could afford living in Singapore. With international borders still closed, I am happy to have experienced this mini-getaway that did wonders to my mental health. Also, thanks to Singapore’s exemplary management of the pandemic so far, I was never concerned about health and safety.

Before going on Royal Caribbean’s Cruise to Nowhere, I had no idea what to expect from it. A few positive reviews from friends inspired me to book this cruise as I was desperate for some change. But little did I know, I needed to plan a few important things that would make this cruise experience better. Although spontaneous getaway is good, you definitely don’t want to miss these insider tips to make this cruise vacation even more amazing. So if you want to find the ultimate guide to planning the perfect “cruise to nowhere” vacation in Singapore, continue reading below.

REVIEW OF QUANTUM OF THE SEAS

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE BOOKING THE CRUISE TO NOWHERE

1. WHAT IS THE ITINERARY OF CRUISE TO NOWHERE

As the name suggests, Cruise to Nowhere sails with no fixed destinations. Typically the first day starts off from the Marina Bay Cruise Center in Singapore when the cruise departs at 8pm. Next few days it sails on the sea and finally returns back to Singapore on the last day. During our 4-nights cruise, we had sailed far away from Singapore, Malaysia, & Indonesia and for most parts there was no land in sight. The vast expanse of the endless ocean merging with the horizon and the sound of waves gently breaking against the hull of the ship will make you feel relaxed throughout the entire trip.

2. HOW MANY DAYS FOR CRUISE TO NOWHERE

This is entirely dependent on you. Currently Royal Caribbean Cruise to Nowhere in Singapore is having options of 2-3-4 nights cruises. Depending on your schedule as well as your mood, you can opt for either one of these options. The cruise to Nowhere has so many events that you will never feel bored even if you decide to go for the maximum 4 nights option.

Back in January when I had booked this cruise for March, only options available were 3-nights (starting on Mondays) and 4-nights (starting on Thursdays). Currently, Royal Caribbean has 2 nights options which is ideal for people who are seeking a cruise experience on a budget. Since our main purpose of the trip was to celebrate our wedding anniversary and go on a weekend trip to avoid extra leave days from work, we chose the 4-nights option.

3. WHERE TO GET THE BEST DEALS FOR CRUISE TO NOWHERE

I am not a cruise expert but while planning, the official site of Royal Caribbean was the best site for finding the best deals. They are currently running amazing promotions where kids sail free, 50% discount over regular rates to name a few. During our booking, we availed Chinese New Year sale promotions which was fabulous. Being flexible with dates will also help in saving a lot of money. So, to get the best deals, I will highly recommend to book from their official site.

4. ACCOMODATION OPTIONS IN ROYAL CARIBBEAN CRUISE

There are 4 types of Staterooms (rooms in Cruise) one can choose during sailing.

• Interior Room ($$) – Big & comfortable rooms for family with wide array of amenities with no external view.
• Ocean View Room ($$) – An upgrade to Interior room with ocean view window.
• Balcony Room ($$$) – As the name suggests, you get amazing views of the ocean from the comforts of your room’s balcony.
• Suites Room ($$$$) – If you are in the mood to splurge, then suites is the ideal option for celebrating an occasion! There are two kinds of Suite available on board. Junior Suite (267 sq. ft. room with 81 sq. ft. balcony) and Grand Suite (543 sq. ft. room with 259 sq. ft. balcony). The Grand Suite is the most expensive splurge with a mezzanine level, a king sized bed, two bathrooms, a spacious living and dining area and a huge balcony. Some of the rooms even come with a private jacuzzi.

Depending on your budget and number of members traveling together, you have to decide on the staterooms. If your sole purpose is to experience cruise life on a budget, the interior room is your best option. While those who wish to splurge, balcony or suite rooms are ideal. Since this was my first “cruise vacation” celebrating our wedding anniversary, I was looking for a junior suite. Unfortunately, suite rooms were completely sold out for our preferred dates. So we settled for balcony room and to my surprise it was big & perfect for a couple! I am extremely happy with the balcony room as I got to enjoy the lullaby of endless waves crashing!

Cruise Tip: If you have missed booking the room of your choice due to unavailability, fret not, as you will get another chance to try your luck. Just a week before sailing, Royal Caribbean will email you with the option of bidding. Provide your best bid and you can end up securing one of your dream rooms at a much cheaper price!

5. ROOMS WITH BEST VIEWS FOR CRUISING

Once you decide on the kind of staterooms, you will need to decide the location of the stateroom. There are 3 options; Aft (back of the ship), mid-ship (center of the ship) & forward (front of the ship)! Next, you will need to decide on the floor of the deck! If you are prone to seasickness and want to be at the center of all attractions, mid-ship will be your preferred choice. Usually lower decks close to the dining places tend to be more expensive while upper decks are cheaper in general. If you opt for balcony rooms, any deck from 10th & above in mid-ship will be best for views of the ocean While 13th deck may seem close to most attractions of the cruise, it can also get busy and noisy!

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Another great tip to decide your stateroom is looking at the options of rooms given on the cruise planner. If you look carefully, certain staterooms with specific symbol can accommodate more number of people. For example, a triangle can accommodate 3 people even though you are paying for 2 guests. This will ensure you are securing a bigger room. Make sure to avoid selecting the rooms which has obstructed views from the balcony if you are keen on that aspect. Finally the lower the numerical value against the stateroom, the better the room size will be. For instance, 1D option will be better than 2D in terms of size.

While booking for balcony rooms, you can either select your own room or let the system automatically select best available rooms. If you are totally unsure of your choices, then latter may seem the best fit! Since I had done my research and was keen on certain aspect of the room, I chose the room of my choice looking at the cruise map of the room as mentioned above.

Cruise Tip: Since the cruise will be sailing North of Singapore in the first few days, select your balcony room facing west i.e. left of the cruise. This will ensure amazing views of the ocean from the balcony while avoiding the harsh sun during the daytime. In addition, you will get to experience amazing sunset views as well as breakfast views from the comforts of your balcony.

PRE-BOARDING TIPS FOR CRUISE TO NOWHERE

Since this was my first cruise experience, I was completely unaware of the things to expect inside the cruise. But since this was an all-inclusive cruise vacation, we did not have to worry about detailed planning. However, few of the things mentioned below will come very handy for a hassle-free experience during your cruising.

1. COVID-19/PCR TESTING

As travel is slowly restarting, PCR tests is the new norm. On Royal Caribbean “Cruise to Nowhere”, the cost of swab tests for PCR is included in the cruise package. One will need to test negative to be eligible for boarding.

Once you have booked the cruise, approximately 10 days before sailing, you will receive email with instructions for scheduling PCR test. The swab tests are done at Raffles Convention Center at Raffles City Shopping Center. You will need to create an account on TrustOne web or download the TrustOne App where you can view the test results within 24 hours of testing. Generally the PCR test opens 3 days before sailing date. We took our tests 2 days before sailing and received the negative test result the next day.

The PCR test can be a bit uncomfortable but definitely bearable and quick. The entire process takes less than a minute. Staying calm and relaxed will ease the process. Previously, they did another test after disembarking. However, this has been discontinued.

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2. THE APPS YOU WILL NEED FOR CRUISING

For pre-boarding and planning, these are the 3 apps that you will need:

• TustOne App – As mentioned before, you will need this app to schedule and view the PCR test result.
• TraceTogether – You can either carry your TraceTogether token or if you are like me, you can use this app for contact tracing. Every guest on board also receives a “Tracelet” (bracelet for tracing) which you are to wear at all times.
• Royal Caribbean App – The most used app before and during the cruise. With negative PCR-test result, one has to answer the health questionnaire before checking-in. This app has everything you need from checking-in to the day wise activity schedule as well as for monitoring any in-cruise expenditure. Once you link your booking, you will be able to start the check-in process and also select the boarding time.

Cruise Tip: Boarding time opens at 2 pm until 7pm at an interval of 30 mins to ensure safe distancing. Bear in mind, the sooner you get on board, the earlier you can connect to the ship’s wifi which will allow you to book the entertainment and dining options which tend to get filled up quickly. You can also start enjoying the cruise amenities immediately after boarding.

3. PLAN YOUR CRUISE EVENTS BEFORE SAILING

Royal Caribbean app will be the most useful app during your cruise for booking entertainments, shows, dining and other activities. However once you have logged onto the app with your given confirmation dates, the events don’t show up until the very day of the sailing. If you are a planner like me, this may frustrate you.

To overcome this issue, all you need to do is change the date of sailing closer to your sailing time. Keep in mind to select the dates that correspond to the same nights of cruise for better planning. For instance, if you are sailing on 1st- 5th April, then under your account, “select a different sailing” as shown in the photo. On next page select “Get more details on ships we support” and select “Quantum of the Seas” under Supported Ships. Among the several dates shown, select the one matching most close to your itinerary. I opted for the 25-29th March (4-nights cruise) to have a detailed views of the events, categorized by days and time with full details.

This tip will come in very handy if you want to plan or know things in advance. Trust me, you will save plenty of time on board if you have this valuable information before hand. This will help you to know the exact timing of the shows that you may want to book and plan your trip better.

Cruise Tip: You can book all the shows staged on the venues of Royal Theatre, Two70 and Music Hall only after boarding. The shows are available on a first-come-first-served basis. Therefore, the earlier you book your check in, the higher the chances of your getting the preferred time slots.

4. NO NEED FOR BEVERAGE AND DINING PACKAGES

Royal Caribbean cruise package involves complimentary dining for over 11 different restaurants on board. Barring a couple, the food is delicious and good in most restaurants that one can save money on food & drinks package. If you are keen to trying some of the speciality restaurants, that I highly recommend, paying separately will be the best option.

On boarding, you will receive 2 bottles of drinking water. For the remaining days, it’s best to carry your own water bottles and fill them during your meals at restaurants. Alternatively Café Promenade and Sorrentos serve water upon request. Alcohol is not complimentary in the package. Although one can opt for drinks package to have alcohol any time of the day, I did not see the need. The alcohol pricing and quality is similar to that of USA. So for every meal you can have a very good wine at ~10$ while the package is ~65$ per person/day.

Cruise Tip: During room service, which is complimentary, request glasses of water for free. Avoid bottled water as it will cost you additional money. Also, they stop serving alcohol after 10:30 pm on board just like in Singapore. It’s best to carry your own alcohol and every person can carry two bottles of alcohol which you can consume in room even after 10:30pm. If you carrying your own alcohol (highly recommended), carry them in your hand luggage as you will not be allowed to carry them in check-in luggage.

5. PREBOOK WIFI ON CRUISE PLANNER BEFORE DEPARTURE

If you wish to enjoy your favorite Netflix shows or stream music nonstop or share your live stories with the world, you will require good internet. While the cruise has public wifi, the speed is really slow for seamless streaming. It is best to purchase the wifi on the cruise planner few days before the departure. Few weeks before sailing, you will receive email promotions about VOOM Surf+ Stream packages. You can avail 10-20% discount on packages that range from 1 to 4 devices. We booked the package for 2 devices, one for each.

Cruise Tip: The cut-off time for online booking on cruise planner for internet, dining, beverages packages is 3-days before the sailing. Once you miss this time frame, you cannot avail the discounts. Also if you wish to save money on internet packages, you can book just for 1 device and click the “forget wifi network” and toggle between your devices under the same internet package.

THINGS TO DO ON QUANTUM OF THE SEAS

The number of activities and events that are available on this cruise is truly incredible. There are activities for all kind of travelers, be it adventure seekers or leisure travelers. The scale and extravaganza of everything will leave you in awe if you are cruising for the first time making you wonder how is it possible to have all these activities inside a huge moving vessel. You can choose to jam-pack your days with tons of activities or take it slow and easy. I have mentioned some of the activities that are worth trying and experiencing for an unforgettable experience.

1. THE NORTH STAR

For the most incredible views on the cruise, get on the North Star! Seeing the cruise and ocean 300 feet high above the sea level simply feels amazing.

This ride takes about 7 mins and you can have 360 views of the incredible expanse. Each ride takes in six people at a time, with allocated standing spots one metre apart. Book the ride through the app as soon as you embark using the Royal Caribbean App.

Cost: US$20 per person
Tip: After the ride, while getting off the stairs, the views are amazing for clicking some photos.

2. ROCK CLIMBING

For all those who want an adrenaline rush, rock climbing on a cruise may seem exciting. Although avid climbers may find it underwhelming, it is a very different experience to climb on top with the views of ocean all around. A fun and safe experience to give it a try if you have never tried rock climbing before, especially for kids over 6 years.

Cost: Free

3. THE SOLARIUM

There are 3 pools on the cruise but Solarium is the adults-only indoor pool (16+ years only)! With floors to ceilings glass windows, Solarium is located at the front of Royal Caribbean on the top deck. This place is perfect for couples and friends who want uninterrupted time soaking in the jacuzzis while gazing at the stunning ocean views.

The rules for these indoor pools are strict and you may have to wait in queue to get inside the pool due to safe distancing measures. There is also a bar and two jacuzzis at the front for magnificent views of the ocean. If you just want to chill, there are plenty deck chairs to lounge with drinks and views. Don’t forget to collect your pool towels before entering the Solarium!

Cost: Free
Tip: Best time to soak in for views is around sunset. We saw some of the best sunsets from the Solarium. There are doors at the extreme end of the Solarium where you can go out to get a side view of the cruise and enjoy the evening breeze with a glass of wine.

4. DODGEM CARS

For all the thrill seekers out there, you can enjoy the fun of bumper cars on the cruise. It’s fun for both kids and adults to drive and bump into each other.

This is inside the SeaPlex, an indoor entertainment center on the 15th floor. It hosts many activities like dance class, crossbar challenge, basketball, foosball, table tennis and an arcade.

Cost: Free
Tip: Since there are limited spaces, it is best to book the activities at the opening time at 9AM.

5. WATCH EVERY SUNSETS & SUNRISES

Never before this cruise, I had known how blissful it is to watch the sunrises and sunsets onboard the cruise. If your room is facing the East, don’t miss the sunrises! While we watched few sunsets from our west-facing room, our favorite was to watch rising or setting sun from the top deck or from the Solarium. The 360 degree uninhibited views of the ocean will ensure you will enjoy the surreal moments without fail.

Cost: Free
Tip: If you are lucky enough, you may even spot few dolphins!

6. RIPCORD BY iFLY

If you have always fancied to sky-dive but never mustered the courage yet, this is your chance! Ripcord by iFLY helps you to experience the indoor version of sky-diving providing all the thrill and excitement of free-falling.

Since I have already ski-dived before, I passed on this activity. But, definitely one of the coolest experiences on board that you may want to try out (kids over 3 can also experience this).

Cost: US$40 (Free for suite guests)

7. BOOGIE BOARDING / SURFING

Another amazing experience to try is surfing on the 12-meter simulator of waves! If you have always wished to surf but never had the opportunity, this FlowRider surf simulator is ideal activity. With 100,000 liters of gushing water, surf like a pro or balance to stay upright on the board! This activity is sure to pump-up all the adrenaline junkies.

This activity is open for 7 hours from 9:30AM-5PM and entrance is subject to capacity. The first and last half an hour is set aside for advanced surfers. I couldn’t get a chance to surf as the queue for this activity was long as it is a popular activity.

Cost: Free for group sessions, US$69 and above for private sessions.
Tip: To secure a free spot, queue for this activity before they open in the morning.

8. LIVE PERFORMANCES / SHOWS

The array of entertainment shows and live performances in this cruise is simply spectacular. The theatrical performances will make you wonder if you are watching on land or on a cruise. Been deprived of live performances for more than a year, watching every show on the cruise was a special delight. With cutting-edge high-tech acoustics and revolving, multi-functional stage shows, you will feel like watching shows in Las Vegas! Definitely book the shows first thing on board through the app and recommend watching them all.

Cost: Free
Tip: Since seating is on first-come bases, arrive 15-20 mins before show to secure best seats!

The BeatleManiacs

If you are a fan of Beatles then this event is for you. Although I am not a big fan of Beatles, I loved watching this first live performance after more than a year. Some of the classics will make you swoon and singalong.

Sequins & Feathers

With extravagant costumes, sets and choreography, these performers will take your breath away. This particular performance made me feel I was watching one of the Las Vegas shows live on the cruise. Everything was so dazzling and amazing that you will be thoroughly entertained.

Starwater Show

This was my second favorite live performances because of the amazing songs and spectacular performances. The talented artists and every-changing stage will keep you enthralled throughout. A spell-binding visual treat, “Starwater explores the nature of human emotion through a fusion of live performance artistry and groundbreaking technology”. Definitely a must watch performance!

Gold Art Duo

The winner of Ukraine & America’s Got Talent, this duo will make you believe in the impossible. With body as flexible as a ribbon, they flawlessly creates a spellbinding performance of magic, comedy, aerial and complicated acrobatic. If you have time for watching only one performance, then this is your MUST-WATCH!

9. MUSIC & DANCE

Apart from the above four live performances, the Royal Caribbean’s Cruise to Nowhere has several other musicals and dance shows that will keep your days busy and making the late nights excited. Honestly there were far too many options than that we could attend. One of the musical shows that we enjoyed a lot is Piano Bar Entertainment by Paul O’Shea late nights at Schooner Bar. Another one was Live Jazz with Orchestra at Boleros. The relaxing atmosphere with good music was perfect to wind down the busy eventful days.

10. RUNNING TRACK ON TOP DECK

Although there is a fully functional gym on cruise, the joy of running on the jogging track of Quantum of Seas is unparalleled. If you are a fitness freak, you will absolutely love running on the amazing track on deck 15 either during sunrise or later in the evening.

The cold breeze sweeping you while running and the views of the vast endless ocean all around makes running a lot more fun. It’s also a perfect way to keep a check on the unlimited calories from all the gourmet food on cruise.

11. CASINO

As soon as you’re out in international water, you can hit the casino. This is a pretty decent sized casino and entrance is based on the capacity. With cards being shuffled, stacked chips and poker machines paying out, this casino has all the feels of Las Vegas. There’s everything from the slots to blackjack, roulette to poker, all at a manageable minimum bet.

12. SHOPPING & SPA

Finally if you are in the mood to get pampered, then visit the onboard Vitality Spa. One of the largest spas at sea, you can avail medispa services to a full-service spa and beauty salon. I pampered myself with a manicure & pedicure and thoroughly enjoyed the experience overlooking the ocean views.

Also for all the shopaholics, Cruise to Nowhere has an array of international brands that will provide amazing retail therapy. Brands like Tiffany, BVLGARI, Coach, Michael Kors, Salvatore Ferragamo etc have retail stores as well as events that keep the shoppers engaged.

FOOD & DRINK OPTIONS ON QUANTUM OF THE SEAS

COMPLIMENTARY DINING

Royal Caribbean’s Cruise to Nowhere is an all inclusive package with a wide array of food options. The complimentary food options are plenty with variety of cuisines like Indian, Italian, Asian, Chinese, Mexican, Japanese. There are many food options available for vegetarians as well as gluten-free.

We opted to have our most meals in Main Dining Room & My Time Dining Room. These served continental breakfast, and changing menu for lunch and dinner with amazing views of the ocean. Sorrento’s Pizza was perfect place for quick bites pizza while Solarium Bistro was ideal for munching some snacks in the late afternoon. You can reserve most of these places on the Royal Caribbean app or walk-in to get your seat.

Windjammer is an all-you-can-eat buffet hall with a wide array of cuisines. It’s open during every meal times (breakfast, lunch and dinner). This particular restaurant was a hit-or-miss one for the food options for me but all the desserts that I tried was simply fabulous.

One thing you shouldn’t miss while cruising is having the complimentary Room Service. We opted to have Breakfast from our balcony overlooking the ocean and it was such a treat. If your room is facing the West, it’s best to have breakfast in the balcony as the harsh rays of the sun wont disturb you.

SPECIALITY DINING

Apart from all the complimentary restaurants, the cruise offers many speciality dining options. We treated ourselves with lunch at Jamie’s Italian and it was just amazing. The gourmet Italian lunch experience with wine was worth the extra splurge of US$30 per person, where we got to choose one dish from every category! It was so much food that we stuffed ourselves & spend the afternoon napping after the sumptuous meal.

Since we love sushi, we had our last dinner at Izumi Sushi and it was the perfect end to the cruising vacation. The wonderful maki rolls & sashimi paired with sake was a wonderful change to our palette. The food was amazing and the service was top notch to make this whole dining experience wonderful.

Although we had heard great reviews about Wonderland, we were not able to secure any reservation to this restaurant. With limited capacity and open only for dinner, this restaurant is hard to book onboard. If you are keen to dine in this creative themed restaurant, I would strongly advise to call (+65 6305 0033) and make reservation the moment you have booked your cruise.

BARS

There are many bars and lounges on the cruise that are ideal to get your favorite cocktails and drinks. Almost every main decks have bars with good options for drinks. I loved the Sky Bar by the pool and Sunshine in the adults only Solarium. If you are up for something fancy, don’t miss out the chance to get your drinks made by the robots at Bionic Bar. It’s just a wonderful experience to watch the robotic arms work in perfect synchronization and mixing the ingredients to get you the perfect cocktail!

FINAL DAY OF CRUISE TO NOWHERE

The day before disembarkation, each room will receive a luggage tag with a number on it! Based on the number on the tag, each room will have an allotted time for disembarkation. On the final day, the cruise arrives at the port at 6:30am and disembarkation begins as early as 7am until 10am to ensure safe distancing measures. Our luggage tag was 33 and hence we stayed on the ship till 9:30am.

Since we had a late departure, we were able to enjoy the breakfast at the cruise along with some time photographing the Singapore skyline from the top deck. There’s no fixed pattern how the numbers were allocated but we were glad to receive a late slot and enjoy some more time on the cruise.

Few weeks ago, after disembarking, every guests had to undergo an antigen testing. However, this test is no longer needed as more and more residents of Singapore are getting vaccinated.

IS A CRUISE TO NOWHERE WORTH IT?

Hell YEAH!! ABSOLUTELY YES!!

Let’s be real… after 14 months of being stuck in Singapore, this was the closest semblance to vacation that I could have. Sailing far away from the lands and seeing the vast ocean with sounds of waves crashing against the ship helped me disconnect from the real world and feel completely relaxed.

Not once throughout the cruise I was worried about the pandemic as Singapore government and cruise management have demonstrated exemplary measures to ensure safety and public health. We had to do gazillion times temperature screenings and contact tracing but it was worth every bit for this wonderful holiday. The stress free enjoyment and relaxation that was possible on this “Cruise to Nowhere” was beyond words. The joy of watching live performances, movies on board, listening to musicals and get to eat amazing food and unwind at pools were far worth the fact of not having a destination.

Although I have never been on a cruise before, this sailing gave me the best experience of a cruising life minus the hop-off-destinations. I am glad I was introduced to cruise life in this manner as I got to explore and experience everything that was offered on board and I truly loved it. This was definitely once in a lifetime experience and Royal Caribbean’s Cruise to Nowhere is the only vacation we can have before the international borders open!

Planning to go on a cruise to nowhere? Comment any questions you have below & I will be happy to clarify!

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I hope this detailed guide to Cruise to Nowhere in Singapore has inspired you!

For further reading on other Singapore inspirations, discover:
🏨 The Hotel with the Best View in Singapore – The Ritz Carlton Millenia
🌳 Best Photo Spots in Gardens by the Bay, Singapore

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