On 7th April 2022, I went on a 5-day “Cruise to Nowhere” on the Royal Caribbean Quantum of the Seas.
The ship has 16 decks with the capacity to accommodate over 4000 passengers. However, at a time when Singapore was starting to open for tourism, the boat was thankfully not at all crowded. Everyone still observed the routine practice of putting on masks and keeping a distance from one another.
Leisure programmes offered by the ship were entertaining, enjoyable, and of high quality. The food, ambiance, and services at the various restaurants were good. The staff was courteous and helpful. A cafe and a large buffet-style restaurant provided food throughout the day. While the variety and quantity of food are large at the buffet restaurant, the quality is not as good as that of the serviced restaurants where food is chosen from a menu (which changes daily) and served. There were also specialty restaurants that required payment.
After dinner, there was a performance by Filippo virtuoso baritone singer Reuben Laurente who sang all-time favourite songs from popular musicals including ” Phantom of the Opera,” “New York, New York,” and Italian Neapolitan songs with a pianist and 5-men orchestra at the Royal Theatre. His last song in Mandarin, “The Moon Represents My Heart,” drew long and enthusiastic applause! You can enjoy a brief recording of his performance attached below.
At another venue was a magical show by a Chinese male magician with a European woman’s assistant. On a different night, the show featured an acrobatic juggler of balls. Both shows attracted enthusiastic applause from the packed audience in seats pre-arranged to ensure adequate distancing.
After the theatre, the Piano music at the Schooner Bar was excellent. A Ukrainian pianist named Albert offered a variety of light classical music by Bach, Schuman, Chopin, Rossini, Tchaikovsky (Four Seasons), and Ukrainian composers. At the same time, appreciative clients and the audience sipped their preferred cocktails, wines, and beers.
Another Bionic Bar featured two robotic bartenders programmed to shake, stir and mix up your desired drinks. These mechanical mixologists could create an almost endless combination of cocktails, from classic cosmos to custom-crafted sips designed by the customer.
Good-looking Venus Tsai, a professional crossover electric violinist from Taiwan in tight-fitting shimmering clothes, gave a most enjoyable performance with a male European pianist. She had exceptionally long hair that reached well below her waistline. At first impression, she reminded me of Vanessa Mae, one of the earliest crossover violinists, the daughter of Singaporean pianist Pamela Tan and a Thai engineer. Venus surprised everyone with her talent and versatility. She played some technically challenging classical pieces like Gypsy air and melodic tunes like “Salute d’Amour” and “Meditation.” She was also an accomplished pianist and amazed the audience by beautifully playing two Nocturnes by Chopin. Surprisingly, she was also a competent vocalist with a sparkling soprano voice. She sang several evergreen songs, including “The Moon Represents My Heart.”
Among several shops offering branded apparel and goods was an art gallery, “Park West” from New York, which carried nearly 3000 pieces of paintings and sculptures worth US$5.5 million. An extensive collection of almost 3000 pieces of original artworks and limited prints in a wide range of styles were on offer. The largest and most costly work was a 30 ft tall red polar bear so large and heavy that it had to be placed on the open deck. Another large installation work was a display of 210 enameled steel and aluminium butterflies from 30 different species spread over a wall of several storey high. They were lovely. A daily auction of artworks was held. Each time it attracted a full house and much interest. Several paintings were sold this way. The same auction venue was turned into a mini-concert hall at night with pink floodlights. This venue featured two European musicians: a young female violinist and a male pianist. They offered a programme of light classical music and transcribed music from popular operas and musicals. The evening I was there, they started with “The CARMEN Fantasy suite for violin and piano. They also played Elgar’s “Salute d’Amour,” Schubert’s well-known Serenade, and ended with “Hello Dolly”!
One night, I passed a packed bar with loud pop music and a boisterous environment. There was a quartet of black musicians belting out songs typical of nightclubs. It was not my cup of tea, and I left after observing a few minutes
The two upper-most decks were for those who like to exercise in the gym, play a ball game in a multi-purpose hall, jog around the ship, swim and sunbathe, enjoy the jacuzzi, or visit the spa. The open-air swimming pool was not large enough for comfortable distancing and swimming!
Thankfully, on the whole, it was a relaxing and enjoyable cruise!
Tan It Koon
Before retirement, Dr Tan It Koon was, among many appointments, Head of Clinical Biochemistry at SGH’s Dept of Pathology. He was the Deputy Chairman of the National Theatre Trust and Chairman for Grants and Scholarships of the Spore Cultural Foundation. He received the National Day Awards, PBM, and PPA, for his contribution to cultural and community development and excellence in Public Administration.
