GEORGE TOWN: Royal Caribbean International today announced that Asia’s largest and most revolutionary cruise ship, Quantum of the Seas, will be back in Southeast Asia for six months from next year to 2020.
This is the cruise line’s longest ever deployment of a quantum class ship in the region, bringing hundreds of thousands of tourists to Malaysia and the region.
Quantum of the Seas will visit Malaysia on 27 of her 34 cruises out from Singapore.
She will make a total of 43 calls to Port Klang and Penang, with about 190,000 tourist arrivals for both ports combined.
Her itineraries include four-night cruises to Penang or Phuket, five-night cruises to Kuala Lumpur (Port Klang), Penang and Phuket, seven-night cruise to Kuala Lumpur (Port Klang), Penang and Phuket (with an overnight) and seven-night cruise to Bangkok (Laem Chabang) (with an overnight) and Ho Chi Minh City.
Royal Caribbean International’s Asia-Pacific managing director Sean Treacy said the commitment to bring in bigger and better ships such as Quantum of the Seas demonstrated the company’s confidence in the region continuing to experience record-breaking growth.
“Over the past few years, Malaysia has grown to be one of the region’s most significant cruise destinations. Each port-of-call here is unique – Penang is rich in cultural and gastronomic attractions, while Kuala Lumpur offers attractive shopping and cultural options,” he said onboard the Ovation of the Seas at the Swettenham pier here today.
“We believe they will continue to be popular destinations which can appeal greatly to Quantum of the Seas’ guests from all markets.
“Malaysia is the fastest growing source market in the region for Royal Caribbean in recent years. With an outstanding product like Quantum of the Seas in the region next year, this growth is expected to continue, and we look forward to growing the Malaysia cruise market with our partners here.”
The 18-deck high, 168,666 gross registered ton ship carries 4,905 guests.
It is offering the ‘North Star’, an observation capsule that rises 92m over the ocean; ‘Two70’ – a hi-tech entertainment venue, the ‘Bionic Bar’ with robotic bartenders; skydiving and surfing experiences; interior virtual balconies with real-time ocean views; and ‘SeaPlex’, the largest indoor activity space at sea – housing a basketball court, roller-skating, bumper cars and more.
The ship boasts 18 restaurant venues with cuisines from around the globe, including imaginative cuisine at Wonderland and Jamie’s Italian by celebrity chef Jamie Oliver.
