Royal Caribbean International has marked the official start of construction for its next “Quantum Ultra” ship at Meyer Werft with a steel cutting ceremony. The cruise line also announced that the new ship will be named Spectrum of the Seas.
Set to debut in 2019, the Spectrum of the Seas will aim to be the next evolution of Royal Caribbean’s Quantum class of ships. Based in China and the Asia-Pacific region, the new ship will also incorporate amenities designed specifically for the Chinese cruise market.
Royal Caribbean had announced plans to deploy the new ship to Asia back in April, before it had been officially named. There the ship will join Quantum of the Seas and Ovation of the Seas, which will sail from Shanghai and Tianjin, respectively.
When the Quantum class debuted back in 2014, it incorporated a number of new, hi-tech amenities for the brand. These included the North Star glass pod that takes guests on an aerial trip resembling the London Eye, a skydiving simulator and a bar with robot bartenders. Interior staterooms were also equipped with “virtual balconies” that used high-definition live video to offer guests something of a view, as well as WowBands that allow guests to open doors and record purchases.
There’s no word yet on what new amenities are in store for the Quantum Ultra class, or the itineraries planned for the new Spectrum of the Seas in China.
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