I recently came back from a solo trip on board Royal Caribbean’s Quantum of the Seas. This cruise ship has dedicated solo cabins, so I thought it would be worth trying to see how the experience differs from other ships that don’t specifically cater to solo travelers.
I’ll start by saying that I really loved this ship’s layout and amenities. It was GREAT as a vacation ship, but I found it lacking in some areas for remote work. So, let’s break down the good and the bad things about cruising solo on Quantum of the Seas (especially if you’re planning to work remotely).
The Good
Let’s start with some of the reasons to consider booking a solo trip on Quantum.
1. Dedicated solo cabins
This is the first ship I have been on that has dedicated solo cabins. They’re available as both interior and balcony rooms, and they are less expensive than regular rooms in those categories. I saw deals for the interiors as low as $400 for a 4-night cruise, and I got my balcony for around $800 (with a $75 on-board credit).
That was a decent price for a balcony, BUT I also saw regular interiors for around $600, even with the solo supplement. I booked this one before I ever took a solo cruise, thinking that I had to book a solo cabin if I was traveling alone. The truth is that you can book a regular category room even if you’re the only one in there. So, if you want to cruise solo and are budget-conscious, look at ALL of the options, not just the solo cabins.
2. Solo meetups
Because this ship caters to solos, more people were attending the solo meetups than I had seen at other ships. I met some people through our group Facebook page on the afternoon of embarkation day, and they expanded our group by attending the solo lunch the next day (I was napping and missed it. Whoops).
The nighttime meetups on the app are hit or miss, but the lunch seemed to be a big hit. So, if you want to meet other solo travelers, I recommend attending the solo lunch if it is offered on your sea day. I found that other solos have a similar mindset to mine, where they’re happy to have people to hang out with at night and for stuff like trivia, but they don’t want to be tied down.
3. Accommodating staff
I appreciated not getting a pitiful “oh, you’re by yourself?” from the staff this trip. On other ships, I felt like some staff felt obligated to talk to me and entertain me. On this one, they confirmed I was alone at dinner and then went on their way. I liked that.
4. Activities galore
Compared to The Navigator and Serenade of the Seas, this ship had so many activities! I enjoyed roller skating, game shows, trivia, main shows, live music, pickleball class, and the spa. I was never, ever bored, and I honestly didn’t really use my balcony all that much because I was hardly in the room.
5. Easy places to eat alone
I really enjoyed the Solarium Bistro on this ship because it combines the relaxation of a sit-down experience, where you have a dedicated table, with the convenience of a buffet, so you can try a little bit of everything. The Dog House in the Seaplex is another easy place to grab a bite to eat and then sit and watch whatever is happening, like the dodgeball tournament.
I really loved Café 270, which features soups, salads, and hot and cold sandwiches. If you’ve been on an Oasis class ship, the food here is comparable to what you’ll find in the Central Park café, but with expanded options.
>> Related: Where to Meet People As A Solo Cruiser
The Bad
1. Horrible wi-fi connection
I’ve heard bad things about the signal on Quantum, and, sadly, that seems to be true. The wi-fi kept going in and out, and the app didn’t work for a significant portion of the cruise. Fortunately for me, I was taking this as more of a vacation than a workation, so it didn’t ruin my plans. But had I been expecting to work 30 hours, it would have been a huge problem.
2. Cabins are not set up for working
The desk is teeny tiny, and you have a stool instead of a chair. I worked from the balcony, but it was not super comfortable. I recommend bringing a pillow for some lumbar support if you’re going to be working from your balcony.
3. There’s not a great other place to work or be alone quietly on board
The library is tucked away inside 270, where music plays constantly unless there’s an event. There’s also music playing at all of the bars on board, and there aren’t tables outside either. This cruise was not designed with remote workers in mind. (Which is fair, considering most people don’t go on a cruise to work!)
Bottom Line
You can see I have more pros than cons here, which indicates that, overall, I enjoyed my time sailing solo on Quantum of the Seas. If I were to cruise on her again, I wouldn’t plan to work a whole week, and I’d book a standard room instead of a solo cabin for the added desk space and the double Crown & Anchor points.
Have you cruised solo on Quantum? I’d love to hear what you thought! Leave a comment or DM me on Instagram with your thoughts.
The Sea Suite 
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