The 167,800gt Quantum of the Seas was floated out of Meyer Werft’s Building Dock II on 9th August to take the title of the third largest cruise ship in the world. The first noticeable difference in this newbuild is the shade of light blue applied to the ship’s hull thus breaking the tradition of RCI’s white hulled fleet. However, the ship looks very smart indeed.

After the float out the ship was berthed at the fitting out quay overnight before being turned to enable thruster and stabiliser tests. The ship’s conveyance down the river Ems to the North Sea took place in the middle of September.

The groundbreaking Quantum-class ships, Quantum of the Seas and sister-ship Anthem of the Seas will introduce a new set of first-at-sea onboard experiences, such as Ripcord by iFLY, a skydiving experience, North Star, an adventure that transports guests more than 300 feet in the air, cutting-edge venues including SeaPlex, the largest indoor sports and entertainment complex at sea with bumper cars, roller skating, and more, and the cruise line’s largest and most advanced staterooms ever.

The 4,180 passenger capacity Quantum of the Seas will visit Southampton in November prior to sailing onwards to New York. The sections of the Anthem of the Seas continue to be formed into a working ship and she will debut in Southampton in April 2015 in place of the 154,407gt/2008 built Independence of the Seas.