I’ve been on a few cruises with RCI and another popular cruise liner, and I would have to say this was the most interesting, entertaining, educational, and unusual one we have ever been on. This was quite an experience for us two Americans, flying from our home in Texas to Shanghai for a cruise. We stayed for two nights in Shanghai before boarding Quantum of the Seas. From the hotel in Shanghai, we took a taxi from our hotel which was located on the east side near the Bund. The taxi was 120RMB (~$20 USD) for a 45 minute ride to the cruise terminal. We arrived at the cruise terminal around noon. We had a Suite, so we got to bypass the massive lines and chaos, and was expedited around. Being expedited it still took about 40-45 minutes to get onboard, but without it, it would have probably took 2 hours! I would highly recommend a Suite (Jr Spa Suite) for any International person boarding this ship, at this port!
After we were on-board and settled in, we took a look at the cruise port about 3:00-3:30p, and it looked like a ghost town. So, if you are not in a hurry to board, and don’t want to stand in line, just arrive a little later in the afternoon, because I think Noon is prime-time when everyone else checks in. On the first day, after we checked the weather forecast, we booked the iFly Ripcord and North Star. You would do this at a self-service kiosk on Deck 5. These were extra fees, but was well worth it! Then, we signed up for the Ultimate Drink Package, because we are going to need it! You can do this throughout the ship. I believe it was about $30-40 per day, per person, and you have to pay for all days up front.
While on the ship, we also enjoyed the Bumper cars (get there early, as soon as they open to beat the slow moving long lines), We also enjoyed the Adult Only Solarium pool and hot tubs (although, the water could have been a little hotter), and the many bars. The crew does a fine job to keep children out of the Adult Pools in the Solarium. The previous reviews for the ship are spot on! The ship is about 95% China citizens, since it departed from Shanghai, but a few are from the surrounding regions (Taiwan, Philippines, Korea, Japan, etc.) as well. Most of passengers and crew speak good English, and there are a few that are very polite. We didn't really have any rudeness from the crew. The waiters, bartenders, cabin attendants, were always nice to us, and would bend over backwards to make sure we are enjoying ourselves. We noticed most of the passengers dress very well, as I walk around the ship in my comfortable t-shirt and sweat pants. I think we were the only natural born American citizens on board, and I'm sure it was quite noticeable. We did see a couple (like 2) other American Passports, when passports were taken up upon debarkation, but we didn't see or meet any. Don't be alarm by having your passports taken up... You will get your passports back the following day out to sea.