Quantum of the Seas: Balcony Stateroom Review

Balcony staterooms on Quantum of the Seas are definitely a step down from suites, but they still have everything you need.

On my first-ever cruise, I decided to go all out and book a Grand Suite so I could enjoy the extra space and additional perks (such as the Concierge Club and Coastal Kitchen access). 

The second time round, I booked a regular Balcony stateroom to get a feel of what a more “typical” Royal Caribbean experience would be like. While the quarters are certainly more cramped, it’s still comfortable enough for the amount of time you’ll spend inside. 

🚢 Cruise to Nowhere: Royal Caribbean

Balcony Stateroom: Overview

Royal Caribbean’s Quantum of the Seas has more than 2,000 staterooms, split into the following categories: 

 StateroomBalconyMax Cap.
Interior Rooms
Studio Interior 101 ft2N/A1
Interior w Virtual Balcony166 ft2N/A2
Ocean View Rooms
Ocean View182 ft2N/A4
Spacious Ocean View302 ft2N/A4
Balcony Rooms
Studio Ocean View Balcony119 ft255 ft21
Ocean View Balcony198 ft255 ft24
Ocean View w Large Balcony177 ft265 ft24
Suites
Junior Suite267 ft281 ft24
Junior Suite w Large Balcony276 ft2161 ft24
Grand Suite351 ft2109 ft24
Grand Suite w Large Balcony351 ft2259 ft24
Grand Suite (2BR) 543 ft2259 ft24
Owner’s Loft Suite w Balcony975 ft2501 ft24
Grand Loft Suite w Balcony696 ft2216 ft24
Royal Loft Suite w Balcony1,640 ft2553 ft24
Sky Loft Suite w Balcony673 ft2183 ft24

Balcony staterooms measure in at 198 ft2, with the balcony itself adding a further 55 ft2. A balcony may not seem essential on a four-night cruise which doesn’t sail past anywhere particularly scenic, but it provides a private patch of open air to have a drink or read a book. 

Balcony stateroom floorplan
Balcony stateroom floorplan

Balcony Stateroom

I’d chosen to stay on Deck 8, and selected cabin 8154 during the booking process. I could have sworn this was supposed to be located at the middle of the ship, but ended up being more towards the bow. This forward area is supposed to experience the most movement, but remember it’s all relative- modern cruise ships are remarkably stable. It never got uncomfortably choppy throughout. 

First-timer cruisers might be surprised to learn that Royal Caribbean operates in a rather high-trust environment. Your SeaPass (which is needed to open the stateroom, pay for purchases, enter venues and rent towels) is left in an envelope outside the door. You simply show up and let yourself into the room. Keep an eye out for your check-in luggage, because it’ll similarly be left outside the door later. 

Quantum of the Seas Balcony Stateroom
Quantum of the Seas Balcony Stateroom
Quantum of the Seas Balcony Stateroom
Quantum of the Seas Balcony Stateroom

Quantum of the Seas was launched in 2014, so the cabins are just about seven years old by now. They’ve been relatively well-maintained, but don’t expect luxurious interiors or high tech gadgetry. 

While there aren’t many frills, it’s still got everything you’d need. The queen-sized bed in the Balcony Stateroom was just as comfortable as the one in the Grand Suite, and additional pillows were available in the cabinet above the bedframe. 

Bed
Bed
Bed
Bed

There’s only one power outlet by the bedside (Type B plug), so it might be a good idea to bring an adapter plus a USB charging hub for your devices. 

Bedside tables
Bedside tables

The TV opposite the bed has satellite TV and a decent selection of movies, but be warned- the movies aren’t free. They cost US$11.99 each, and you’re only renting them for a 24-hour period (free movies are screened elsewhere on the ship during the day; check the Cruise Compass for details). 

Television
Television

Here’s a protip: bring a HDMI cable to connect your personal media device to the TV. Housekeeping will tell you this is “impossible” as the TV is “locked down”, but that’s totally untrue. Feel around the bottom right of the TV for a button, and keep pressing it until you change the input to HDMI. Done! 

Diagonally opposite the bed is a dressing table with a large circular vanity mirror. 

Quantum of the Seas balcony stateroom dressing table
Dressing table
Quantum of the Seas balcony stateroom dressing table
Dressing table

While there are 2x USB ports and sockets to fit Type A, B and C plugs (bring an adaptor, because we use Type G in Singapore), it’s not great for getting work done. The chair has little to no back support, and you’re better off heading down to the main promenade on Deck 4 and snagging a table near Harp and Horn pub where there’s a few outlets to plugin to. 

Wi-Fi coverage in the room was spotty, and speeds were miserable. Although I was on the faster VOOM Surf + Stream package, I barely got download speeds above 2 Mbps, and I had to move elsewhere on the ship to get a steady connection. 

On the dressing table were a small bottle of hand sanitizer and two masks. During the previous voyage, the masks were presented unwrapped (!), but thankfully they came in their own plastic wrapper this time. 

A small hairdryer can be found in one of the drawers. It’s not particularly powerful, so bring your own if you’re particular about this (hairdryers aren’t on the list of prohibited items, but note that extension cords are)

Hairdryer
Hairdryer

On boarding day, you’ll be provided with 2x 500ml bottles of drinking water. That’s all you get- unless you’re in suites, water isn’t replenished daily. Fortunately, tap water on the ship is perfectly drinkable, and every restaurant, cafe and bar will give you free iced water on request. 

Bottled water
Bottled water

The vacant mini-fridge provides storage for your own drinks (remember, Royal allows you to bring 2 x 750ml bottles of wine or champagne per stateroom). The sticker on the outside says “cool not cold”, but trust me, it’s cold enough. I imagine the label exists so litigation-happy cruisegoers don’t plonk their medication inside. 

Mini-fridge
Mini-fridge

While the stateroom is small, there’s ample wardrobe space. One section is next to the bed…

Wardrobe
Wardrobe

…and the other is next to the bathroom entrance. Between the both of them, you’ll have more than enough room for a four-night cruise. We were able to fully unload our bag and park it under the bed. 

Wardrobe
Wardrobe

The bathroom is extremely compact, with a narrow shower cubicle and not a lot of space to maneuver. The ventilation isn’t great either, which may be the source of marital friction. 

Balcony stateroom toilet
Bathroom
Quantum of the Seas Balcony stateroom shower
Bathroom

On the plus side, the shower’s water pressure is decent, and I didn’t notice any temperature fluctuations. Bathroom amenities aren’t nearly as glamorous as the L’Occitane ones given in suites. Instead, you have a YMCA-style wall-mounted dispenser with 2-in-1 hair and body wash. You’re going to want to bring your own. 

Hair & Body Wash dispenser
Hair & Body Wash dispenser

The cozy balcony allows you to take in some sea air, but you’re only separated from your neighbours by a thin partition (that has gaps at the bottom), so keep it down lovebirds. 

Balcony
Balcony area
Balcony
Balcony area

Royal Caribbean clearly demarcates (and discounts) balcony rooms with obstructed views during the booking process, so you shouldn’t encounter any nasty surprises upon boarding. I had a completely unobstructed view. 

View from Balcony stateroom
View from Balcony stateroom

Conclusion

It’s certainly a big step down from a suite, but if you plan to be out and about most of the day, a balcony stateroom offers a good compromise between price and performance. You’ll still have a little private space to get some fresh air, and the noise insulation is good enough for a solid night’s rest. 

If you ask me, there really isn’t a whole lot to separate this stateroom from its equivalent on World Dream (except perhaps Royal’s balcony is notably more spacious). What I’d be really interested to see is one of Royal’s virtual balcony interior rooms though…

Aaron Wong
Aaron Wong
Aaron founded The Milelion to help people travel better for less and impress chiobu. He was 50% successful.

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Krayden

Just to check,The larger suites are not able to have more than 4pax?

Cheval

Certain suites I.e grand suite with 2bdrm May accommodate up to 8 pax. However, you have to call the RCL hotline for reservation.

Raymond Wee

“The ventilation isn’t great either, which may be the source of marital friction.” LOL!

ZYX

To me the low SES people the RC Grand Suite is really prohibitive. Looking at S$1200 per night and there are yet activities to be paid on board…

Last edited 2 years ago by ZYX
Joseph

Do you plan to try the Junior Suite?

Amelia

The bed and pillows feels the SAME as Grand Suite? Luxury Pillow Top Mattress was in the Royal Suite Class Sky Class Benefits list

Linda

Is room 6546 very noisy please?

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