Quantum of the Seas Arrives in Hong Kong

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Royal Caribbean Quantum of the Seas arrives in Hong Kong.

Dignitaries welcome the largest ship ever to berth in Hong Kong.

It was a really big deal. Literally. En route to its home port of Shanghai, Royal Caribbean’s biggest ship, the Quantum of the Seas made a guest appearance in Hong Kong harbor. The “berthing ceremony” as it was called, was commemorated on June 20 with a prestigious ceremony attended by government officials, key industry stakeholders and invited guests.

The Hong Kong Police Pipe Band entertaining the guests.

Among the senior government officials aboard the 16-deck, 168,000 ton Quantum of the Seas included the Honorable Gregory So Kam-leung, GBS, JP (Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development); Mr. Philip Yung Wai-hung, JP (Permanent Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development — Commerce, Industry and Tourism); Miss Cathy Chu Man-ling, JP (Commissioner for Tourism); and Dr. Peter Lam (Chairman, Hong Kong Tourism Board). Royal Caribbean cruise line executives in attendance were Mr. Michael Bayley (President and CEO of Royal Caribbean International) and Mr. Dominic Paul (Senior Vice President, International).

After the ceremony, guests were taken on a tour of the Quantum of the Seas. They were able to experience the North Star aerial observatory, a glass capsule that takes guests more than 300 feet above the ocean for incomparable panoramic views; RipCord by iFLY simulated skydiving and FlowRider surfing simulators. Guests were even invited to check out SeaPlex, the multi-purpose sports facility offering a variety of activities, including a first for any cruise ship, bumper cars.

The event also commemorated Royal Caribbean’s one-year success in driving local cruise demand and standards by investing millions to launch a fully-owned and operated office and the home porting of Voyager of the Seas in Hong Kong.

The Quantum will home port in Shanghai to sail mostly four and five night itineraries, with an occasional six-, seven- or eight-night voyage though 2016.

Launching in April 2016, a fourth Quantum-class ship, Ovation of the Seas will join Quantum of the Seas, Mariner of the Seas, Voyager of the Seas and Legend of the Seas in the China seas. All totaled, Royal Caribbean will have five ships of varying size for the China cruise market by mid-2016.