2022 Cruising Experience at Asia’s Largest Cruise Ship!
All aboard Spectrum of the Seas, Royal Caribbean’s Biggest Cruise Ship in Asia!
As Singapore opens up to fully vaccinated travelers and eases up on travel restrictions, this good news is a welcome development for Pinoys who have the urge to revenge travel after the quarantine. Royal Caribbean is making it even more tempting by offering discounted rates of up to 50% off on Asian cruises and 30% off for the rest of the world. However, this fantastic deal won’t last long, so you’ll want to make your reservation as soon as you can.
This was my first time traveling abroad again in almost two years. I’ll be sharing with you my first-hand experience of our 2022 cruise with Royal Caribbean Philippines, complete with tips and a list of all the free activities, dining, and entertainment options onboard. Including the requirements and antigen tests necessary to ensure passengers’ health and safety, giving us that wonderful experience of feeling safe throughout the cruise.
ABOUT SPECTRUM OF THE SEAS
ROYAL CARIBBEAN’S SPECTRUM OF THE SEAS, has just the perfect ship size, it wasn’t too enormous that it would be too tiring to explore, but large enough to sparkle our imaginations.
Perfect for vacationing families, couples, and seniors looking for a cruise experience that has something for every type of traveler to enjoy. And being a Quantum Class fleet this innovative ship offers state-of-the-art amenities including our favorite free fall simulator iFLY, robotic bartenders crafted drinks at the BIONIC BAR, bungee trampoline experience at SKY PAD, the first bumper cars at sea in SEAPLEX, and incredible 360-degree views 300 feet above sea level inside the NORTH STAR.
There was no dull moment on the ship because there were endless entertainment options, including spectacular nightly shows, bands, game shows, and movie nights. Plus amazing specialty dining options that tickled our taste buds. For a more relaxing and quiet getaway, you can always visit the adults-only indoor and outdoor pool retreat SOLARIUM.
And don’t forget to take advantage of the shore excursions, where you’ll wake up in a different country, experience breathtaking sights, learn about a new culture, and, of course, sample the local cuisine. The ship truly offers enough fun and excitement to be considered its own destination…
ROYAL CARIBBEAN PHILIPPINES International Representatives – Arpan Air Inc. Telephone: +632 892 2701 Mobile: +63 998 983 7315, +63 948 526 6174 Email: rylcaribbean@arpanair.com.ph Facebook: Royal Caribbean Philippines Website: www.cruising.com.ph
Visit ROYAL CARIBBEAN PHILIPPINES Facebook or your preferred travel agent to learn more.
FREE ACTIVITIES & ENTERTAINMENT
POOL AREA– Why watch a movie inside? When you can relax on the pool deck with the ocean breeze in front of a 220-square-foot movie screen showing first-run movies, live sporting events, and many other programs at the pool area.
SPLASHAWAY BAY. The aqua park will provide hours of fun for the small cruisers. Colorful waterslides, water cannons, fountains, pools, and whirlpools await tots and tweens (and their supervising parents) at this bigger, better water adventure.
ROYAL THEATER. I strongly recommend you not to miss any of the new shows planned by Royal Caribbean Entertainment for the deck.
Especially the ship’s major performance SHOWGIRL with its jaw-dropping dancing and musical numbers, which pays homage to the renowned stage to the iconic siren of the stage — the showgirl — across the decades.
Funny and entertaining magic shows with HEADLINER.
FLOW RIDER. Ride through a simulated high-adrenaline surfing attraction that allows riders to experience a surfing wave in a safe environment.
Tip: The Flow rider is best tried at night when the cues are shorter and the sun isn’t too hot.
Beginners are taught “Body Boarding,” or surfing while laying flat on their stomachs, which is similar to real-world surfing. This type of Flowsurfing is easier and more suitable for children!
SEAPLEX. The largest indoor activity space at sea boasts the first bumper cars on board a ship as well as a full-size basketball court.
Backed with sounds blasting from an overhead floating DJ booth.
You’ll find Xbox, archery, ping pong, air hockey, and foosball are just more options at SeaPlex.
Learn to shoot a bow and arrow by practicing your aim and technique at their onboard archery experience.
SOLARIUM. If you’re looking for a quiet escape, I recommend the ship’s adults-only Solarium, a glassy indoor pool area with tons of sunlight, for something calm and relaxing.
ROCK CLIMBING. Climb the signature Rock Climbing Wall, which is forty feet above deck.
THE SILK ROAD. Watch the colorful and exotic cultures of the Far East with an unforgettable display of stunning music, dazzling costumes, and diverse dance styles, combined with high-techTwo70groundbreaking entertainment technology, such as 12k visual screens controlled by 36-axis robotics.
With fun activities and facilities onboard, Royal Caribbean Cruises will keep you fit and on the move.
You’ll find traditional amenities such as a swimming pool, jogging tracks, and a fitness center…
ADVENTURE OCEAN is the Royal Caribbean ship’s youth club. It’s a fun zone where junior cruisers can meet other kids their age and pass the time onboard with games, themed parties, crafts, and educational fun activities supervised by the playful crew members.
Adventure Ocean is free but you have to pay an additional $7/hour if you leave your kids after 10:00 pm.
ACTIVITIES WITH ADDITIONAL FEES ($$$)
RIPCORD by iFLY is a fun and safe indoor skydiving simulator with a professional instructor to help you through the entire experience.
Worthy of your “bucket list”! We can say that this experience belongs in the books! ($30/per pax)
The NORTH STAR is a glass observation pod connected to a massive mechanical arm that lifts the pod 300 feet above sea level for breathtaking 360-degree views.
It’s about ($20/per group) which is not a bad deal for me, especially when you get to see this kind of view!
The best time to do this ride is undoubtedly just before dusk like we did!
This thrilling attraction called SKY PAD combines bungee jumping with trampolines.
Let’s see how high you can jump! ($15/per pax)
Other activities & shows include Karaoke Night, Singles Night, Teen Lounge, Adventure Science Lab, Dance Class, scrapbooking, game shows, live bands, arcades, theme nights, jewelry making, salsa dancing, cupcake making, sushi making, and the likes.
FREE DINING EXPERIENCE & ENDLESS FOOD
I wouldn’t be surprised if you gained a few pounds while on a cruise. Try a different dining venue each day, whether it’s for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. This way you get to explore other dining options and dishes you’d come to love on the ship.
Here is a list of everything we ate for free onboard…
WINDJAMMER. Windjammer Marketplace is Royal Caribbean’s buffet restaurant, serving a wide variety of dishes and cuisines from all over the world. It provides casual, all-day dining that is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
I recommend you visit here during breakfast and lunch service.
The ham for breakfast and the cookies for dessert comes highly recommended by my frequent cruise companions!
MAIN DINING. The three-level main dining room offers multi-course dining for breakfast and dinner. Get a reservation and choose between the seating assigned at 6 p.m. or the second seating at 8:00 p.m. The Main Dining Room’s menu rotates each night except for the classic best-sellers, which means you can go an entire week without ever repeating a course.
Here’s a sample menu and dishes we loved and tried…
Tip: For the Main Dining, make sure to be on time as they are strict with no more orders after the cut-off time. The dress code is also strict (no shorts, close shoes only, smart casual) Don’t be shy to order as many courses as you want, the food in the Main Dining Room is complimentary.
SORRENTO’S. At Sorrento’s you can have a slice anytime especially if you’re looking for a free meal after drinking (opens till 2 am).
Highly Recommended for their authentic New York-style pizzas!
THE CAFÉ @ TWO70. I got to visit the cafe during breakfast service and loved the cream cheese bagel with smoked salmon, croissants, and yogurt parfaits.
A good decision, because I got “umay” at Windjammer’s breakfast buffet from eating there three straight breakfast services.
SeaPlex Dog House. The first Food Truck at sea, Dog House makes handcrafted Hot Dogs. Enjoy it just the way you like with their multiple relish selection.
There are also complimentary soft-serve stations spread all over the ship. Ice cream is one of my favorite sweet treats to help us cool off at the pool area.
SPECIALTY DINING ($$$)
I’ve always wanted to try the WONDERLAND experience ever since I saw its debut! The restaurant’s quirky decor, fancy chandeliers, throne-like chairs, and other features make you feel as though you’ve been transported to a place of fantasy when you walk in, much like the beloved tale of Alice in Wonderland. We are certainly impressed by its “wow-factor” imaginative and experimental dishes.
The invisible ink reveals the restaurant menu…
The restaurant’s menu, is categorized into five categories (Sun, Ice, Fire, Earth, and Sea).
Although I did not particularly enjoy the vegetable dishes, but I just might be biased because I’m not a fan of veggies.
Mains:
Dessert:
Why settle for just dinner, when you can have a performance that goes with it? That’s what you get when you dine at TEPPANYAKI, where we had the best culinary show at sea.
One of the best dinners we had, not only were the staffs very entertaining with their tricks and jokes, but the food especially the beef dishes was superb.
Other specialty restaurants on board include the Japanese Sushi restaurant IZUMI, the Tuscan-inspired cuisine at JAMIE’S ITALIAN BY JAMIE OLIVER, Asian-inspired dishes at SICHUAN RED, and the CHOPS GRILLE steakhouse.
Tip: Be alert and snag a specialty dining sale pre-cruise or just when you step on the ship to get a good deal!
The BIONIC BAR ($) features automated robot bartenders pulling from a library of liquors and mixing cocktails to the beat!
THE ROOMS
BALCONY CABIN
The Ocean View staterooms measure 198 sq. ft. with 55 sq. ft. balcony, offering a gorgeous view with two twin beds and a private bathroom. (Up to 4 guests)
There’s 24-hour room service in case you ever get hungry in the middle of the night
The bathroom comes with complimentary towels, shampoos, and soap.
Tip: The twin beds can be converted to a Royal King of your choosing, and the couch is a pull-out sofa bed.
SPA ($) Head to the on-ship Spa to recharge your batteries…relax and enjoy the massages and beauty treatments.
Travel to a Different Country (Shore Excursions)
Shore Excursions can get you all excited! Imagine waking up in a different country, seeing amazing sites, experiencing a new culture, and tasting delicious food.
Each shore excursion varies and can entice foodies, culture seekers, and adrenaline junkies depending on the destination
Choose to join a tour for a fee ($) or DIY your itinerary. For those who plan to DIY their trip, just make sure to return to the ship on time before it departs, since they will not wait for you if you are late
PORT KLANG Shore Excursion
Explore the capital city of Malaysia-Kuala Lumpur! A picture with the iconic Petronas Twin Towers- one of the world’s tallest buildings is a must!
We had a fun time strolling in KL’s Chinatown at Kwai Chai Hong, a famous alley featuring colorful murals of Chinese settlers that portray the daily life of the bygone era in the 1960s.
PENANG Shore Excursion
George Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, boasts some of Malaysia’s most unique architectural and cultural townscapes left over from the island’s 171-year British presence. British aesthetics were blended with Malaysian, Indian, and Chinese influences to create a distinct architectural style.
Penang is a Foodie’s Haven! It has a nice mix of traditional Malay, Chinese, Indian, and Peranakan cuisines, and many of them can be found popularly sold at roadside hawkers at a very reasonable price!
A famous cendol shop, as you can see by the long lines! I heard what makes this cendol shop special, is because they use very fresh coconut milk.
Ernest Zacharevic, a street artist, started the Penang street art trend in 2012, which influenced hundreds of murals and street art from different artists that can be found around George Town in Penang. Today, the paintings are as much a part of George Town as the old historic buildings. Some of the murals even include tangible objects, allowing you to interact with the artwork.
DUTY-FREE SHOPPING GALORE ($)!
Watch out for those Sale events that happen onboard! Perfumes, bags, jewelry, watches, and Korean beauty products are among the products that we found that were on sale.
PRE-BOARDING CHECKLIST
1. Royal Caribbean accepts only fully vaccinated guests (+12 years) old on this sailing. Prepare a copy of your proof of vaccination ( https://vaxcert.doh.gov.ph/ ). Only fully vaccinated passengers are allowed Quarantine free entry to Singapore.
Fully Vaccinated means: 2 doses of AstraZeneca, Covaxin, Moderna, Covishield, Novavax, Pfizer, Sinovac or Sinopharm, or 1 dose of Cansino or Janssen.
***If vaccinated with Sinovac or Sinopharm without a 3rd dose. Vaccination is considered lapsed after 120 days after second dose.
I uploaded a Vaxcert for my main vax card and my original vaccination card for proof that I got my booster shot.
2. (Before arriving in Singapore) Fill up the Singapore Arrival Card within 3 days of arrival in Singapore. You can submit this via https://eservices.ica.gov.sg/sgarrivalcard/
3. (Before arriving in Malaysia) All guests must download MySejahtera App and upload their vaccination cards. You can download it via Apple App Store or Google Play.
4. A negative antigen test took no earlier than 1 day before boarding the ship is required. This can be done either in your home country (Philippines) or in Singapore. Your pre-cruise COVID-19 test results must be in English for them to be accepted during check-in. The scheduling and cost of this test will be the guest’s responsibility.
In our case, we decided to arrive 3-4 hours earlier at the airport (NAIA 2) to have more than enough time to avail of the PCR/antigen tests at Detoxicare Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory located at the NAIA Terminal 2 North Wing Departure Area.
The Antigen tests cost PHP 600 with results released in 30 minutes. Testing is available via walk-in and is open daily (Monday-Sunday, including holidays) from 2:00 AM to 9:00 PM.
*Confirm with your travel agent to refer you to any accredited clinic.
5. (Back to the Philippines) All travelers are required to register at One Health Pass ( https://onehealthpass.com.ph/registration/ ) within 48 hours before arriving back in the Philippines.
6. Before sailing, download the Royal Caribbean App and complete your online check-in. View your check-in status, activity calendar, and pre-book various cruise-related activities all at a tap of a button.
Travel Tip: Arrive a day before your cruise departure, incase your flight gets delayed.
Additional things to bring for check-in:
- USD (Only acceptable Currency onboard)
- Global Credit Card
- Face Masks
* Please take note Royal Caribbean changes up their testing & health requirements for guests sailing on Spectrum of the Seas depending on the countries’ protocol. Make sure to check the updated cruise & health updates on their official website or contact your local travel agent.*
FINAL THOUGHTS
Overall, we highly recommend sailing with Royal Caribbean’s SPECTRUM OF THE SEAS! Especially if you take advantage of this very good deal, so don’t pass up the chance to book this fantastic offer for the entire month of August before it end. We very much appreciated the extra safety precautions, such as antigen checks for all passengers, hand-washing, and mask use at all times except when dining, swimming, or participating in activity were in place.
ROYAL CARIBBEAN PHILIPPINES International Representatives – Arpan Air Inc. Telephone: +632 892 2701 Mobile: +63 998 983 7315, +63 948 526 6174 Email: rylcaribbean@arpanair.com.ph Facebook: Royal Caribbean Philippines Website: www.cruising.com.ph
For Cebu inquiries, please email cebu.sales@barontravel.com.ph or contact +63 998 844 2861. P.S. Still, have questions? Visit ROYAL CARIBBEAN PHILIPPINES Facebook or your preferred travel agent to learn more.
Live an Awesome Life,
Disclosure: Thank you to Royal Caribbean Philippines for the awesome Spectrum of the Seas experience! I wrote this article with my biases, opinions, and insights.
This is the most informative and detailed article I’ve seen ao far. Thank you! Can’t wait for our cruise next year! 🥰
hello Abi,
Thank you for sharing this information – very helpful. Did you booked for the shore excursion or pwedeng hindi na and we can roam around on our own? (i.e. Penang, Malaysia).
Thanks,
Leah