Royal Caribbean has announced that Spectrum of the Seas will commence sailings from Singapore in October 2022, marking the ship’s first return since 2019.ย
Unlike the incumbent Quantum of the Seas (which will wrap up itsย cruise to nowhere schedule in April 2022), Spectrum will offerย 3/4/5/7/9-night Southeast Asia getaway cruises. This effectively means that Royal is betting on ports opening up by 3Q 2022.ย
Overview: Spectrum of the Seas
Spectrum of the Seasย undertook her maiden voyage in 2019, having been designed specifically for the China and Asia market. Although she’s roughly the same size as Quantum (169,379 gross tonnage versus Quantum’s 168,666), Spectrum part of a more modern class known as the Quantum Ultra.ย
The ship has capacity for 5,622 guests and 1,551 crew, spread across 16 decks. Here’s an infographic provided by Royal Caribbean (you can tell what market the ship was designed for, based on the comparisons they make).ย
A total of 2,137 staterooms are available, split into 142 suites and 1,995 regular cabins. Suites are divided into the following categories:
| Category | Name | No. of Suites | Capacity |
| Star Class | Ultimate Family Suite | 1 | 11 |
| Grand Loft Suite | 4 | 4 | |
| Sky Class | Owner’s Suite | 4 | 4 |
| Grand Suite | 16 | 4 | |
| Golden Junior Suite | 5 | 2 | |
| Golden Balcony Suite | 6 | 2-4 | |
| Sea Class | Junior Suite w Large Balcony | 28 | 4 |
| Junior Suite | 78 | 2 |
Regular cabins are split into:
- 1,487 Balcony staterooms
- 142 Oceanview staterooms
- 366 Interior staterooms
Here’s what guests can look forward to, according to the press release:
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Quantum veterans will spot familiar attractions like FlowRider, North Star, iFly, and venues such as SeaPlex and Two70.ย
However, there are some differences to take note of. While Quantum splits the main dining room into four different venues (American Icon Grill, Chic, Silk and The Grande), Spectrum has a single large venue simply called the Main Dining Room.
Suites guests on Quantum enjoy access to the exclusive Concierge Club, but Spectrum takes that one step further by having a Suites-only areaย of the ship, located at the forward end of decks 13 through 16. This has a special restaurant, lounge and outdoor space, together with a shopping outlet.ย
In other nods to its Asian audience, Boleros has been replaced by Star Moment (a karaoke joint hopefully more Teo Heng than lup sup KTV), Harp and Horn pub has been replaced by a tea room called Leaf and Bean, and new specialty restaurants like Teppanyaki and Sichuan Red join classics like Wonderland and Chops Grille.ย
For a detailed review of the Spectrum experience (from 2019), refer to the link. Additional reviews can be found here and here.ย
Sailing dates
Spectrum will be offering 3/4/5/7/9-night Southeast Asia getaway cruises, with departure dates running from 21 October 2022 to 6 April 2023.ย
| Itinerary | Departures | Ports |
| 3-nights Penang | 2022 Oct 31 Nov 7, 14, 21, 28 Dec 5, 12 2023 |
Penang |
| 4-nights Penang & Phuketย | 2022 Nov 3, 10, 17, 24 Dec 1, 8, 15, 29 2023 |
Penang Phuket |
| 5-nights Spice of SE Asia | 2022 Oct 21, 26 Dec 19, 24 2023 |
Kuala Lumpur Penang Phuket |
| 7-nights Spice of SE Asia | 2023 Jan 2 |
Kuala Lumpur Penang Phuket (overnight) |
| 9-nights Spice of SE Asia | 2023 Feb 23 |
Nha Trang Ho Chi Minh Bangkok (overnight) |
The inaugural cruise on 21 October 2022 will be a 5-night Spice of SE Asia itinerary visiting Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Phuket.ย
It won’t be cheap
While Spectrum sounds exciting, would-be cruisers should know that it’ll cost you a fair bit more than Quantum. I’m sure some of it boils down to the fact that cruises to somewhere are more expensive to operate than cruises to nowhere, but to illustrate, a 4-night Spectrum cruise in December 2022 starts from:
- S$1,372 for an Interior stateroom
- S$1,364 for an Ocean View stateroom (don’t ask me why this is cheaper)
- S$1,712 for a Balcony stateroom
- S$2,664 for a Silver Junior suite
- S$3,204 for a Golden Balcony suite
- S$5,904 for a Grand suite
For comparison, I paid the following for 4-night cruises to nowhere on Quantum:
- January 2021:ย S$2,257 for a Grand Suite
- March 2021:ย S$1,274 for a Balcony stateroom
- January 2022: S$1,655 for a Grand Suite
HSBC and AIA are offering discounts on cruises to nowhere with Quantum, but these discounts do not currently apply to Spectrum sailings. It’s possible they may add them later, but for now, what you see is what you pay.ย
Remember that you can enjoy US$50-250 of onboard credit if you hold a minimum of 100 Royal Caribbean shares (NYSE: RCL).ย
Cruise with Confidence does not apply to Spectrum sailings
Under Royal Caribbean’s Cruise with Confidence programme, guests can cancel their sailings up to 48 hours prior and receive a 100% Future Cruise Credit valid for bookings by 30 April 2022 and sailing by 31 December 2022, or one year from the original sailing date (whichever is later).
However, Cruise with Confidence covers bookings made by 31 October 2021, with sail dates up till 30 April 2022. This means it will not apply to Spectrum sailings, which will be subject to regular cancellation policies.ย
These are summarised below:
| 3N to 5N Cruises | |
| If Cancellation is Made | Cancellation Charge |
| >45 days prior to sailing | No charge (except for Nonrefundable Deposit amounts) |
| 31-45 days | 25% of total price |
| 15-30 days | 50% of total price |
| <15 days | 100% of total price (No refund) |
| 7N Cruises | |
| If Cancellation is Made | Cancellation Charge |
| >60 days prior to sailing | No charge (except for Nonrefundable Deposit amounts) |
| 31-60 days | 25% of total price |
| 15-30 days | 50% of total price |
| <15 days | 100% of total price (No refund) |
| 9N Cruises | |
| If Cancellation is Made | Cancellation Charge |
| >90 days prior to sailing | No charge (except for Nonrefundable Deposit amounts) |
| 46-90 days | 25% of total price |
| 15-45 days | 50% of total price |
| <15 days | 100% of total price (No refund) |
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Note: I’m basing the above on what Royal Caribbean’s website shows me when I try to make a booking for Spectrum.ย ย
However, Royal Caribbean’s FAQs describe a slightly different cancellation policy. When in doubt, refer to your agent. |
Conclusion
Those who have sailed on Quantum and expect a totally brand new experience on Spectrum might be disappointed, because the two ships do share many features and architectural similarities. In fact, you can argue that Spectrum would be slightly worse for non-suite guests because they lose access to the solarium, one of my favourite places onboard.ย
But I do believe that actually sailing somewhere adds a whole new dimension to a cruise, and provided you’re willing to forgo suite privileges, regular staterooms are at a somewhat reasonable premium to Quantum.ย
For more resources on cruising, refer to the links below:
- Full Review: Royal Caribbean Cruise to Nowhere
- Full review: World Dream Cruise to Nowhere
- Ultimate Cruise to Nowhere Showdown: Dream Cruises vs Royal Caribbean
- Sealions (Milelion Cruise Society)
Will you be booking a Spectrum of the Seas cruise?
That’s quite a bold bet. We shall see.
Wait how did you get a 4 night grand suite at QOTS for just 1600+? Is this offer still ongoing?
I know-that’s an incredible price, even if Jan is low season for RCL. But it’s long gone. I saw someone post about these fares in the Sealions group back in July, decided it was too good to pass up.
Haha crazy deal indeed…I paid more than that for my balcony stateroom
How was the SEA cruise market in Singapore? I doubt people will choose cruise over flying if borders open…
Someone actually named something Horn Pub. Good stuff ๐
Hey, Aaron, thanks for the great article. Since you are going again next year, if Mr. Francisco is your Suite Concierge, please help me say one of your reader said Hi to him and thanks him for his service, heโs really professional and helped me booked stuff and answered my question
Hey, Aaron! Thanks for the great information. How did you get the 4 Night Grand Suite for just $1.6K?! Are you going to review the 2022 experience, I went a few weeks ago and it was different. Are you going to try the Royal Up for the next cruise?
I’ve actually decided to postpone the Jan cruise and wait for spectrum to come! I know, $1.6K was a fantastic price (AIA Vitality discount plus the fact Jan is low season), but I’ve already done the ship twice and I figured it’s time to look for something new.
So I guess you just spent $5,904 on a 4 Night Cruise in a Grand Suite. Although itโs extremely overpriced, you are actually getting more exclusivity. I think you should try Royal Up, sometimes itโs a good deal.
not paying grand suite prices on spectrum, no way! and it’s actually more than $5,900, i checked.
Actually, I recommend the Silver Junior Suite. Sea Class still have access to the Suite Only Facilities like Solarium on Spectrum, unlike on Quantum. Which cabin do you intend to go on then?
even junior suite is really expensive. might just do interior stateroom and do royalup to a balcony…
Hmmโฆ About $2,000 for 3 Nights in Silver Junior Suite, while $3,500 for Silver Junior Suite for 5 Nights. I paid S$2,640 for 3 Nights of Grand Suite on Quantum. Take note itโs going to ports and I think itโs more expensive to operate than Cruise To Nowhere. But I wish there is a crisis to nowhere option twice every month for people who donโt want to explore ports. Why do you want to book interior room? In my opinion itโs better to go book balcony, or go for ocean view if price for balcony is too high, then royal… Read more »
Hi may I know $1600++ for 4 night Grand suite is for how many pax in a stateroom??
Do silver suites get access to the solarium?
Hi where did you get the info that solarium on spectrum is only for suites guests only?
removed- this only applies to sailings from china.
Cool thanks!
We just joined their first cruise from Singapore. It is a bit better than Quantum in terms of facilities and it feels brand new. If you already been on Quantum in a cruise to nowhere, you know 95% what to expect, so it doesn’t make too much sense to try this one, unless you cannot travel out of Singapore. Meanwhile I was hoping for a sea VTL, but I have seen they just made the cruise to nowhere longer, until Oct 2022. Here is our full review of Spectrum from 11th of April, its first trip from Singapore to nowhere:… Read more »