We recently took a cruise ship from Brisbane to Sydney return! But we’re still cruising the east coast of Australia aboard Poseidon, so you’re probably wondering why we went on a cruise! Do I hear you chuckle? In response, if you live near the beach…does that mean it’s the only beach you ever go to? Anyway, this was part of my birthday celebration and also combined with our wedding anniversary. And it was a fabulous treat where we did absolutely nothing, no provisioning, no route planning, navigating, no engine checks, no cooking, didn’t even make the bed!
Summary
Lowlights
There were plenty of highlights on our cruise, but let’s get the lowlights out the way first.
- The original cruise was supposed to go to Eden. We were very much looking forward to this, since we haven’t been further south than Sydney in Poseidon. But some time after booking, they advised the Eden leg was cancelled and we were staying an extra day in Sydney.
- We never received an email of where to board and google told us Royal Caribbean depart from the Portside Wharf Cruise terminal. So you can imagine our surprise when there was no big ship waiting there. Someone advised they no longer left from there and to go to the Brisbane International Cruise Terminal.
- The boarding procedure needs work. We’d arranged a time to board, and despite going to the wrong place, we were still on time. But there seemed little adherence to the times, and those queues…
- We purchased a dining package and proceeded to book, in their ap, the restaurants we wanted to go to. But there’s no linkage between the dining package we purchased and the restaurants and our credit card started to be charged. This was sorted out by the concierge on board, and we had to cancel our bookings so she could rebook them all. Suggestion, fix the ap!
- There were some other issues with the ap, not optimised for an iPad, the Japanese restaurant didn’t display in our Calendar, and some events didn’t display in the Daily Planner, meaning we couldn’t select them.
But everything else was fantastic and our cabin was definitely luxurious. We were also amused by the “towel art” that we’d come back to and we could have even gone to a towel art demonstration!
Highlights
After day 1, which was a bit frustrating due to the lowlights, everything got much better. I actually think you need a couple of days to get used to how everything works on a cruise. Here are some of the highlights.
- Service was excellent, all staff wore masks, there were plenty of hand sanitiser stations, the boat was spotless, and our cabin was refreshed twice a day (really, once would have been enough!).
- Restaurants were top quality, lots of fine-dining, and plenty of variety. Even the Windjammer (buffet) was very good (although always busy).
- The quality of performers (except the comedian) were top notch. You’d pay a lot to see these shows in any city.
- You could enjoy free drinks and canapés in the Concierge lounge every afternoon, while enjoying the view from the stern of the boat.
- The “access all areas” tour of the boat was really detailed and interesting.
- Every day you could do as much or as little as you wanted. In fact you could eat so much, but we decided that just because food was available, it didn’t mean you had to eat it.
Fun facts about Quantum of the Seas!
- Length: 348m – in contrast, we’re 15.2m. Quantum is 23 times longer than Poseidon
- Beam: 42m – in contrast, we’re 4.75m. Quantum is 9 times wider than Poseidon
- Draft: 8.5m – in contrast, we’re 1.4m. Quantum 6 times deeper from water line to keel than Poseidon. Do they need to plan to go places based on the tide? NO – they just don’t go there!
- 16 decks total, 14 of them being guest decks.
- 16 passenger lifts, often people took the lift to travel one flight of stairs!
- 4 bow thrusters with 4,694 horsepower each – in contrast, Poseidon has none
- 1500 crew (international).
- Capacity for about 5000 guests.
Amenities on board included 2 indoor and 2 outdoor pools, plenty of restaurants, a casino, games arcade, surf simulator, cinema, show halls, concierge lounge, rock climbing wall, walking track that we used a lot, and more!
Details and photos
Restaurants and food
We are of the opinion that just because food is available 24×7, it doesn’t mean you have to eat it all, despite the restaurants providing mouth-watering cuisine.
- Wonderland was the first restaurant we went to on day one and it’s all about pushing the culinary envelope. It started with us being provided a paintbrush, water, and a blank page. We had to paint the page to reveal the menu, which focus on five natural elements – Earth, Sea, Fire, Ice and Sun. The dishes are designed to tantalise your taste buds and present a visual feast. We opted to have tastings of several appetisers brought to us by the staff, and then choose our own main course. We were managing to eat it all until dessert arrived!
- Jamie’s Italian offers guests a casual Italian dining option. While the signature plank of Italian antipasti looked delicious, it was too much for us so we shared a small entrée and had a main course each. I think the staff were surprised when we also passed on dessert!
- Chops Grille was recommended as the place to try steak, but there was a more to the menu, which also includes fish, lamb, pork and chicken options. But the steak was mouth-watering, and extremely tender. I’d say it was almost as good as how Robert cooks steak.
- Chef’s Table offers a guided private epicurean six-course experience with accompanying wines to a limited number of 14 guests. Each course was described along with the wine and we chatted as if we were attending a dinner party with friends.
- Izumi specialises in mainly sushi, which suited us although there were non-sushi items on the menu. We enjoyed dinner at this restaurant on our last night and while eating, we were serenaded by Christmas Carols from singers on the deck below.
So these were just where we ate dinner and it goes without saying, we’re now focused on eating less. While I don’t usually take photos of food, I made the exception for dinner at Wonderland.
Two days and one night in Sydney
We arrived in Sydney after a full day at sea and dropped anchor near Taronga Park Zoo. Thousands of people disembarked via tenders across to the Sydney Opera House, including Robert who had an appointment. I decided to relax on the boat while there were fewer people around! That night we motored to the Overseas Passenger Terminal for the night and up until 4pm on the following day. We had a short walk around Barangaroo, and enjoyed a beer at the Hero of Waterloo.
And the views of Sydney harbour never fail to disappoint us. I actually took a lot of photos, so as well as those below, there’s also a slideshow if you’re interested.
Access all areas tour
This tour was definitely a highlight for me, but I almost missed out as it wasn’t listed in our daily planner. Luckily, I heard about it and managed to be a late inclusion! And while I was learning about the boat, Robert had a very short game of poker.
The tour included hearing from the chefs and seeing a few restaurants, visiting the kitchens (galleys), hearing about the provisioning, visiting the laundry (some serious technology there), seeing the engine control room and my favourite, the bridge. Some things I learnt.
- Provisions are ordered 3 months ahead of time, based on menu, number of guests, and demographic.
- Eight staff load and store about 400 pallets of food within 8 hours
- Our cruise had 90,000 eggs and 1000kg of broccoli
- The environment office monitors all recycling:
- Most leftover food is ground down and released when 12NM out to sea as fish food
- Old cooking oil is stored and then returned to the vendor to be converted to bio fuel
- Waste water, including that from toilet, laundry, shower, is purified using UV lights and discharged at sea when over 12NM from land
- 99% of water used on board is desalinated sea water
- Toilets are vacuum operated, just like on an aeroplane, and use about 1/3 the amount of water than a normal gravity-fed toilet.
- While there are four bow thrusters, there are no stern thrusters because it has an Azipod propulsion system that can move the stern 360°.
- Each engine uses 2 tonne of diesel fuel per hour (we use 10l per hour)
Below are some photos I took and if you click them, you’ll see a description.
Galley and storage
Recycling and engine control room
Laundry and Royal theatre
Bridge
Would we do another cruise?
You might be wondering if we’d do another cruise? Had you asked me on day 1, I probably would have said no. However, I got into the cruising routine/rhythm and I think I could go again in two or three years. But I’d like to go somewhere that I haven’t been before, like some of the islands, not just Sydney!
7 Responses
I found this so interesting, Pam. Loved the facts and figures.
Hi Pam & Robert
We just found time to review your wonderful
blog . You sound like you had an awesome time. We hope you had a special Christmas wherever you are now & that you have a safe & healthy new year. Cheers
Happy New Year
Happy anniversary! Nice to not have to do all the work & put your feet up for a change! Tour sounded very interesting, great pics, so glad you didn’t miss out!
Hope you both have a great Xmas & a happy, safe and healthy 2023!
That’s a great write up. Not convinced that we would choose that mode of travel, but might be a great way to get to NZ without flying. Best wishes to you both for holiday season and wishing you happy boating in 2023! XX
Hi Pam and Robert,
Sounds like an interesting cruise. We’ll have to catch-up and “compare and contrast” our cruise experience in Norway.
Guessing Robert is over his Covid, hope you are both well and that you have a wonderful Xmas.
When do you leave Qld?
Love and cuddles,
P and D
Another awesome blog Pam. Great info and photos. Did Robert win at poker?
Happy anniversary to you both.
Wishing you and Robert a merry Xmas and safe and happy 2023 xx
Happy Anniversary!
That’s the way to go!
But, Up to 5,000 passengers!
Glad you had a great time.