Latest news with #QuantumoftheSeas
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Truly pioneering Southampton cruise ship celebrates 10th anniversary
It's hard to believe it's been a decade since Anthem of the Seas first graced the waters, a true titan of the seas that quickly became synonymous with groundbreaking innovation and unforgettable voyages. Calling Southampton her cherished home, this second jewel of Royal Caribbean International's esteemed Quantum Class has continually pushed the boundaries of what a cruise experience can be. Codenamed "Project Sunshine," Royal Caribbean's ambitious vision for a new class of ships started to take shape in February 2011 with an order placed with Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany. The excitement with the subsequent order for a second ship, and finally, in January 2013, the world learned the official names: Quantum of the Seas and her sister, Anthem of the Seas. The keel of Anthem was laid on a crisp November day in 2013, marking the physical commencement of what would become a truly extraordinary vessel. A momentous day arrived on April 10, 2015, when Anthem of the Seas was officially delivered to Royal Caribbean. Just five days later, she sailed into her first homeport of Southampton, ready to embark on her maiden European summer season. The city embraced her with open arms, and it was in Southampton that a truly unique christening ceremony unfolded on April 20, 2015. Read more: Photos show night club that later became a strip club and then Junk Robbers threatened to set pub landlord and wife alight in terrifying ordeal Forgotten Southampton star who shunned the club in search of fame Breaking from tradition, Royal Caribbean sought a godmother who embodied grace, beauty, social consciousness, and an adventurous spirit, ultimately selecting Emma Wilby, a British travel agent and military wife known for her singing prowess in the Military Wives Choir. The christening itself was a spectacle befitting a ship of Anthem's stature. Held in the vessel's Royal Theatre before 1,300 distinguished guests, the ceremony was a vibrant tapestry of tradition and modern flair. It began with a captivating procession, followed by stirring performances from the Reading Scottish Pipe Band and the enchanting Welsh boys' choir, Only Boys Aloud. The highlight, however, was Emma Wilby's powerful rendition of Katy Perry's "Firework," culminating in her pressing a button that sent a bottle of Perrier-Jouët champagne soaring down a zipline from the ship's iconic North Star gondola, smashing against a wall bearing the ship's name. From her very inception, Anthem of the Seas was designed to be a pioneer. Boasting 16 passenger-accessible decks and an impressive 2090 passenger cabins, her facilities were, and still are, revolutionary. Her towering rock-climbing wall offered panoramic views, while the RipCord by iFLY skydiving simulator provided an exhilarating taste of flight. Read more: "Marry Her": Judge's verdict for labourer who reported himself over teen love Rare video shows large Southampton family - and it's MASSIVE! Huge crowds descended on Southampton park for major youth festival One of its most iconic features is the "North Star," a jewel-shaped glass capsule that rises over 300 feet above sea level, offering stunning panoramic views, which have provided unique perspectives of Southampton and the Solent many times. She also boasts a bar where robots mix cocktails. Passengers order their drinks via tablets, selecting from a menu of classic cocktails or getting creative with their own designs or concoctions from a wide selection of spirits and mixers. Robotic arms get to work. They can select ingredients from the inverted bottles above them, muddle, stir, shake, and strain drinks with impressive precision. Beyond these adrenaline-pumping attractions, Anthem offers an array of swimming pools, a tranquil solarium, a state-of-the-art Spa and Fitness Centre, a grand theatre for world-class entertainment, and a casino. Over her ten years of service, Anthem of the Seas has navigated both serene waters and challenging conditions. While the vast majority of her voyages have been seamless, she has encountered a few notable incidents that have only highlighted the robust design and safety protocols in place. In February 2016, she faced extreme wind and sea conditions off Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. Despite the severity of the storm, which caused damage and minor injuries, the ship and crew admirably managed the situation, prioritising passenger safety. Read more: Life 100 years ago on the outskirts of Southampton - it was TOTALLY different! The 'death' of Southampton: When the city was in deep decline Why this Southampton pub had TV cameras rolling and thousands in queue Similarly, in September 2016, she encountered stormy weather from Hurricane Hermine, again showcasing her ability to weather nature's challenges. More recently, in February 2020, Anthem of the Seas was part of a global conversation when a coronavirus-related quarantine was implemented as a precautionary measure. Swift action by Royal Caribbean, in collaboration with health authorities, ensured the safety and well-being of all onboard. The situation was quickly resolved, with guests testing negative and the ship cleared to sail. As Anthem of the Seas celebrates her tenth anniversary, her legacy as a trailblazer is firmly cemented. She continues to be a beloved home away from home for countless travellers, embarking on incredible journeys from Southampton among other places.
The Guardian
18-03-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
Victorian Liberal leader faces backlash after saying he was visiting cyclone-hit parents while also going on cruise
The Victorian opposition leader, Brad Battin, is facing criticism from his own party for claiming he was visiting his cyclone-affected parents last week despite also going on a cruise. The timing of the holiday meant the newly installed Liberal leader was absent when Labor announced tough new bail laws after months of feverish debate over what some have labelled a 'crime crisis' in Victoria. Battin had been a vocal proponent of a bail laws crackdown, having claimed Victoria was 'facing a crime crisis that has never happened anywhere in this country at this level'. Sign up for Guardian Australia's breaking news email His office had told reporters he was on planned leave last week, postponed from January. On Saturday Battin fronted a press conference, in which he said he visited Queensland to see his parents, who had been affected by Cyclone Alfred. But the Herald Sun on Tuesday revealed Battin also took a four-day cruise on Royal Caribbean's ship Quantum of the Seas, sailing to Airlie Beach from Brisbane. Several of Battin's Liberal colleagues have since told Guardian Australia they only learned about the holiday from the media report. 'It's not on the same level as Scomo jetting off to Hawaii during the bushfires but it's a pretty bad look,' one MP said. Another Liberal MP said Battin had 'failed to capitalise' on the government's admission it had had 'got it wrong' with changes to bail laws made in 2023. 'This should've been his moment, but true to our party's form, we've turned what should be a win into an own goal,' they said. Former opposition leader John Pesutto, who Battin successfully ousted in a spill in December, made a subtle dig at his successor's trip. 'I didn't get a chance to take any leave. I worked pretty hard but I'll let Brad handle that,' Pesutto told reporters as he arrived at parliament on Tuesday. 'He's doing a good job and he's holding the government to account.' Battin admitted he should have been more upfront about his trip, saying he didn't regret spending time with his family, but that he should have communicated his plans with colleagues. 'I took four nights away up in Queensland. I did take a cruise. I wasn't trying to be evasive. [Had I] been more upfront with it, it wouldn't have been a bigger story as it is today. I have to take a lesson from that,' he said. The premier, Jacinta Allan, said a cruise ship wasn't her 'preferred method' for a holiday and maintained she was always transparent about her leave arrangements. She said parliament 'won't be leaving' this week until Labor's bail law reforms are passed, but revealed the changes would be rolled out in two stages. The first stage, to be introduced to parliament on Tuesday, will scrap the principle of remand only as a 'last resort' for accused youth offenders. In its place, community safety would become the 'overarching principle' when deciding bail for children and adults. The bill also introduces two bail offences – 'committing an indictable offence while on bail for indictable offence' and 'breaching of condition of bail'. The former will only apply to adults, which covers bail breaches that are 'more administrative in nature like failing to report or meet curfew'. Both will be punishable by up to three months' imprisonment on top of any other sentence imposed. A range of offences such as armed robbery, aggravated burglary, home invasion and carjacking will also face the tougher bail tests. Further changes – including a new bail test for serious repeat offenders – will be included in a second bill, later this year. The government is banking on the Coalition supporting the bill but tensions boiled over when attorney-general, Sonya Kilkenny, failed to provide her counterpart, Michael O'Brien, with a copy of it ahead of a briefing on Monday night. Kilkenny accused O'Brien of 'chucking an absolute tantrum', while the Liberal MP said the government was 'disorganised and arrogant'. After a subsequent briefing on Tuesday, O'Brien said the opposition wouldn't 'stand in the way' of the bill's passage through parliament but said the crackdown should go further. Meanwhile, a rally organised by legal, human rights and First Nations groups will be held outside parliament on Tuesday afternoon to urge the government to 'abandon the suite of kneejerk bail law changes'.
Yahoo
06-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Multiple Cruises Stranded at Sea Due to Unexpected Port Closure
A rare storm is brewing in the Pacific Ocean, sparking one cruise port to batten down the hatches. As a result, some passengers are getting extended vacations while others have found their travels canceled. A Category 2 tropical cyclone named Alfred is hurtling toward Brisbane, located on the southeastern coast of Australia—a city that hasn't been impacted by such severe weather in decades, according to The New York Times. Airports, schools, and public transportation were all shuttered in response to the storm expected to make landfall late Friday or early Saturday morning—including its port, which ships like Carnival Luminosa and Royal Caribbean's Quantum of the Seas call home at this time of year. 🎬 🎬 The Luminosa was expected to return to the port on March 6, after an 11-day Fiji South Pacific itinerary, while the Quantum of the Seas was meant to return on March 7, after a seven-day South Pacific cruise. John Heald, a senior cruise director and brand ambassador for Carnival Cruise Lines, shared the message the company sent to passengers who had their trips aboard the Luminosa canceled as a result, on Facebook, noting that, once the storm passes, officials will still need to "conduct a post-storm assessment before [the ship] can be cleared to safely return to port." The earliest they anticipate the ship docking is on March 8. However, the speed of the storm and any resulting damage will factor into it. Until then, the ships will remain at sea, with the captain "keeping the ship a safe distance from any bad weather." While some might expect those stuck on the water due to weather to panic, passengers aboard the Luminosa replied to Heald's post with praise for the crew. "I am onboard the Luminosa now and the Captain and all involved has done an amazing job all cruise to keep us safe," one wrote. Another agreed that the crew was "amazing," keeping them "updated throughout the cruise with as much information as has been available." Next:
Yahoo
06-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Carnival, Royal Caribbean cruises delayed by Cyclone Alfred
Cruise lines are adjusting operations as Tropical Cyclone Alfred approaches Queensland, Australia. Carnival Cruise Line's Carnival Luminosa ship will be delayed returning to Brisbane, the cruise line told USA TODAY. 'Given its current track, the storm is expected to directly impact the Brisbane area in the coming days and the port is now closed,' a spokesperson said in an emailed statement. The ship departed from Brisbane on Feb. 23 for a cruise that was set to end on Thursday, according to CruiseMapper. Carnival Luminosa will return once it's safe to do so, possibly on Saturday morning, the spokesperson added. 'The Captain is sailing a safe distance from the storm to minimize discomfort for our guests,' the statement said. The vessel's next cruise, which was set to start on Thursday, was canceled. Guests will get a full refund of their fare and any pre-purchased items. Was your cruise itinerary changed?: What to do next Royal Caribbean International's Quantum of the Seas was also delayed due to the storm. 'Guests currently onboard will spend three extra days cruising the South Pacific before returning to Brisbane,' a spokesperson for the line's parent company, Royal Caribbean Group, told USA TODAY in an emailed statement. The ship left from Brisbane on Feb. 28 and was scheduled to return on Friday, according to CruiseMapper. The company did not address a question about the ship's subsequent sailing or whether guests would receive compensation. Cyclone Alfred stalled off Australia's east coast on Thursday as officials shut airports, schools and public transport while residents stockpiled supplies and sandbagged homes against flooding expected when the category-two storm hits. The storm is now likely to make landfall by Saturday morning near Brisbane, Australia's third-most populous city, the Bureau of Meteorology said in its latest update, compared with a prior projection of landfall by early Friday. Brisbane Airport said it would suspend operations around 4 p.m. on Thursday but keep its terminals open for defense operations. Qantas Airways said its international operations from Brisbane would remain suspended until Saturday noon and domestic flights until Sunday morning. Contributing: Eve Chen, USA TODAY; Renju Jose, Reuters Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at ndiller@ This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Cyclone Alfred keeps Carnival, Royal Caribbean ships at sea
Yahoo
06-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Carnival, Royal Caribbean cruises delayed by Cyclone Alfred
Cruise lines are adjusting operations as Tropical Cyclone Alfred approaches Queensland, Australia. Carnival Cruise Line's Carnival Luminosa ship will be delayed returning to Brisbane, the cruise line told USA TODAY. 'Given its current track, the storm is expected to directly impact the Brisbane area in the coming days and the port is now closed,' a spokesperson said in an emailed statement. The ship departed from Brisbane on Feb. 23 for a cruise that was set to end on Thursday, according to CruiseMapper. Carnival Luminosa will return once it's safe to do so, possibly on Saturday morning, the spokesperson added. 'The Captain is sailing a safe distance from the storm to minimize discomfort for our guests,' the statement said. The vessel's next cruise, which was set to start on Thursday, was canceled. Guests will get a full refund of their fare and any pre-purchased items. Was your cruise itinerary changed?: What to do next Royal Caribbean International's Quantum of the Seas was also delayed due to the storm. 'Guests currently onboard will spend three extra days cruising the South Pacific before returning to Brisbane,' a spokesperson for the line's parent company, Royal Caribbean Group, told USA TODAY in an emailed statement. The ship left from Brisbane on Feb. 28 and was scheduled to return on Friday, according to CruiseMapper. The company did not address a question about the ship's subsequent sailing or whether guests would receive compensation. Cyclone Alfred stalled off Australia's east coast on Thursday as officials shut airports, schools and public transport while residents stockpiled supplies and sandbagged homes against flooding expected when the category-two storm hits. The storm is now likely to make landfall by Saturday morning near Brisbane, Australia's third-most populous city, the Bureau of Meteorology said in its latest update, compared with a prior projection of landfall by early Friday. Brisbane Airport said it would suspend operations around 4 p.m. on Thursday but keep its terminals open for defense operations. Qantas Airways said its international operations from Brisbane would remain suspended until Saturday noon and domestic flights until Sunday morning. Contributing: Eve Chen, USA TODAY; Renju Jose, Reuters Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at ndiller@ This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Cyclone Alfred keeps Carnival, Royal Caribbean ships at sea
