Cruise ships come in many different styles and configurations, and recognizing different classes is a way to quickly note a ship’s size and features. One of the most distinctive and popular classes in the world is Royal Caribbean’s Quantum-Ultra class, but what exactly do these ships offer that make them stand out so much?

First Came Quantum Class Cruise Ships

Quantum class is the parent class of the Quantum-Ultra subset of ships in Royal Caribbean’s fleet. The first Quantum class ship set sail in 2014. It is tradition, though not universal, that the first ship of a new class bears the class name, and appropriately, the first Quantum class ship was Quantum of the Seas.

The new class was developed under code name Project Sunshine, and Quantum of the Seas – along with her sister ships – was built at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg in northwestern Germany. Since its founding in 1795, Meyer Werft has been known for its innovative ship designs, making it the perfect choice to debut the new Quantum class of vessels.

The second and third Quantum class ships, Anthem of the Seas and Ovation of the Seas, quickly followed in 2015 and 2016, respectively, bringing this new class of ships into the forefront of modern cruise vacations.

The Quantum-Ultra Announcement

In 2017, it was announced that the fourth Quantum class ship, Spectrum of the Seas, would be Quantum-Ultra class, involving significant upgrades from the original class but not so different as to become a completely new class of ships.

It is not unusual for ships later in a developed class to be further tweaked and upgraded as the class evolves.

This happens as cruise lines analyze guests’ reactions to new features. Very popular elements of a new class may be further expanded in later sister ships, while less popular features could be discontinued or altered to better appeal to more guests. Later ships may also have completely new features introduced, if those features were not quite ready when the original class debuted.

What Makes Quantum-Ultra Ships Different

Quantum-Ultra ships continue the most successful features of the popular Quantum class ships. These ships are the most technologically advanced ships in the world, and are designed for the ultimate in versatility.

This is particularly true of indoor spaces, which are adaptable to a range of different activities. The SeaPlex, for example, is not only a fun bumper car arena, but can also be converted for soccer shootout tournaments, basketball games, volleyball playoffs, and more.

This adaptation of indoor spaces is particularly important to the Quantum-Ultra ships, as they are designed to operate more northern itineraries and need spaces that can adapt to inclement weather as needed.

As the next evolution of the Quantum class, the Quantum-Ultra ships are home to many innovative features, including:

• North Star observation pod for outstanding views
• Ripcord by iFly skydiving experience
• Two70 lounge with panoramic windows and programmable roboscreens
• SeaPlex indoor, adaptive complex for athletic activities
• Multi-generational suites and suites-only areas
• Windjammer that is 20 percent larger

The Quantum-Ultra class ships also continue the most popular innovations of the Quantum class ships, including the Bionic Bar with its robotic bartenders, the innovative main show lounge, and more.

Ships in the Quantum-Ultra Class

Spectrum of the Seas debuted in 2019 as the first Quantum-Ultra class ship, with great excitement and enthusiasm. Her sister ship, Odyssey of the Seas, was to have debuted as the second Quantum-Ultra class ship in November 2020, but was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic that shut down cruise operations worldwide.

Instead, Odyssey of the Seas debuted first in Europe in April 2021, before moving to her official homeport at Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in July 2021.

No further ships have yet been planned or announced for the Quantum-Ultra class. It is not inconceivable, however, that Royal Caribbean may choose to renovate and update the existing Quantum class ships in the future to bring them into the Quantum-Ultra classification.

The Next Royal Caribbean Class

At the moment, Royal Caribbean is working on its next class of ships, the much-anticipated Icon class. This class was first announced in 2016, but due to pandemic-related delays, the first ship – Icon of the Seas – will not enter service until 2023. The second and third ships are already ordered as well, and planned for delivery in 2025 and 2026.

The Icon class ships will be Royal Caribbean’s first vessels powered by liquified natural gas (LNG). While there have not been many additional details yet announced, they are sure to be as innovative and exciting as all of Royal Caribbean’s fleet, and are expected to be among the largest cruise ships in the world when they set sail.

The word “odyssey” means “an adventurous journey” and there are indeed many adventures awaiting guests on every journey of Odyssey of the Seas, one of Royal Caribbean’s newest and most advanced ships. How many of these thrilling features will you attempt on your next cruise?

Adventures on Odyssey of the Seas

Odyssey of the Seas is a Quantum-Ultra class ship, measuring 1,139 feet in length and weighing in at 169,379 gross tons. This provides plenty of room for amazing adventures on board, and Odyssey is packed with thrills for passengers of all ages and interests.

Classic Thrills

Royal Caribbean is well known for offering adventurous thrills on every ship in its fleet, and Odyssey of the Seas continues that tradition with several classic thrills that have come to be expected on many Royal Caribbean ships.

The first thrill Royal Caribbean ever offered is the rock wall, which was introduced in 1999 and then added to every ship in the fleet in 2002. Odyssey’s rock wall is a colorful climbing adventure located on deck 15, on the starboard side of the ship’s funnel.

Several skill levels are incorporated into the wall, and climbers of all experience levels – or no experience at all! – can climb to new heights to ring the bell at the top, signifying their success.

The FlowRider is another classic adventure first introduced by Royal Caribbean in 2006 and now widespread throughout the fleet. This 40-foot long surfing simulator lets guests catch perfect waves and show off boogie boarding and surfing skills right on deck.

The Odyssey of the Seas FlowRider is located on deck 16, aft, and offers both free surfing opportunities as well as private lessons (for a fee).

Sky Pad is a newer adventure on Royal Caribbean ships and was just introduced in 2018. This bungee trampoline offers both an open-view as well as a virtual-reality experience, and guests can choose whether to enjoy classic jumping or to engage in a high-tech adventure with the VR headset option.

Sky Pad has four jump pads to accommodate multiple guests at once, and on Odyssey of the Seas, guests will find the iconic yellow bubble that encases Sky Pad on deck 16.

Outrageous Thrills

Royal Caribbean has amped up the thrills on Odyssey with several next-level adventures that allow guests to take to the skies – literally!

North Star is the ultimate observation deck, available exclusively on Royal Caribbean’s Quantum-class ships. Odyssey of the Seas features the world’s tallest North Star pod, with the ability to extend more than 300 feet above sea level – 1.2 degrees higher than the North Star on Spectrum of the Seas, and the tallest of any cruise ship in the world.

While the observation pod operates slowly and gently to suit any passenger, the thrilling views it offers cannot be matched. North Star experiences will vary based on the ship’s itinerary and whether it is in port or not, and some experiences require additional fees. Access to North Star is on deck 15.

Guests who want an even more thrilling view can take to the skies on Ripcord by iFly, a skydiving simulator that lifts guests to new heights with the guidance of an experienced skydiving instructor.

Available exclusively on the Quantum-class ships, this flight offers just a minute of airtime in the specially designed vertical wind tunnel, but the thrilling memories last a lifetime. Guests can find the access to Ripcord by iFly on deck 15, aft, and view the wind tunnel on deck 16, just forward of FlowRider.

Guests who prefer to stay grounded in their adventures won’t want to miss the bumper cars in the SeaPlex on deck 15. This multi-use space is transformed into different adventures throughout every cruise, from pickleball tournaments to soccer shootouts, but the biggest thrill is when the electric bumper cars take the floor.

These full-size bumper cars offer full-size thrills that aren’t scaled down just because they’re on a cruise ship. The floor is generously spaced so the dozen or so cars reach top speeds and the collisions can be intense – be sure your seatbelt is fastened and all belongings are tightly secured! Rides last several generous minutes and there is no charge for the adventure.

Finding Your Odyssey of Thrills

With so many adventures on available, everyone can be thrilled at this new ship – and this list doesn’t cover nearly every thrill on board!

Don’t miss the interactive video game arcade, the robot bartenders, Splashaway Bay, the deck games, multi-sensory high-tech shows, and other thrills onboard, not to mention the thrilling destinations Odyssey of the Seas visits, including top ports of call and Perfect Day at CocoCay!

Where will your odyssey of adventures take you with Royal Caribbean’s Odyssey of the Seas?

Disclaimer – Cruise Hive was invited to participate in a complimentary 2-night trade sailing of Odyssey of the Seas to explore the ship’s thrills firsthand, but that experience in no way influences the impressions made of the ship or the recommendations made in various articles.