The Quantum of the Seas

At 225,000 tonnes with 5600 guests, Allure is the world's biggest ship. "Sometimes the ship becomes the destination", Beck explains suggesting that people choose to sail a particular vessel almost as much as they select a route.

Game changers in the cruise industry

As with The Quantum of the Seas and her sister ship Anthem of the Seas, due to launch in April 2015, Allure and Oasis of the Seas are also game changers that separate the company from the rest of the cruise industry - something that Royal Caribbean International holds at its core. Their share price, $67 and change at the time of writing, sharply up from its $35.97, 52-week low, reflects Wall Street's affection for the brand's ability to move with the times.

While some lines, Cunard's Queen series comes immediately to mind, seem to focus on exclusive access; voyages rather than cruises, and a rich history, Royal Caribbean positions itself to "wow" guests with left-field architectural and interior design attractions. I was also wowed by the can-do service and personal guest interaction I experienced while cruising the Baltic on their Brilliance of the Seas, last year.

"Who'd expect that a team of landscapers and gardeners would form part of a ship's crew", Beck asks while mentioning the gardens on The Allure that make it sound more like a country club than a sea-going vessel.

With RCL since September 2000, Helen oversees several markets in Europe, Middle East and Africa for all sales, marketing and operational activities for Royal Caribbean International as well as for their two other brands - Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Club Cruises.

Azamara Club Cruises, with its intimate vessels, bring guests directly into the ports rather than to cruise terminals, like larger ships do, to focus on destinations with longer stays and immersive experiences, such as night tours. While Celebrity positions itself as offering premium modern luxury with a focus on culinary options, including American-style contemporary fine dining.

Embracing new technology

The focus for our chat now is, however, how RCL has evolved since 2000 and, specifically, how the company is embracing new tech.

"We recognises that the new market is one of digital natives but we are careful not to alienate any guests who still wish to receive paper tickets and printed copies of our daily Cruise Compass newsletter. Guests on Quantum, for example, can select to use the Royal IQ App on their hand-held devices for a tailored schedule of theatre attractions, restaurant reservations or the bridge game that they've scheduled between spa treatments.

RCL's investment in 40,000 Windows tablets for crew along with a promise of free-flowing broadband connectivity from satellites that will follow the fleet, suggests the company is embracing our connected and social-media sharing world.

Wi-fi was offered on The Brilliance during our Baltic cruise but I found it to be costly and erratic. Beck says they've taken this on board and the new plan, to have satellites beaming down to the ships, promises uninterrupted and super-fast connectivity. "We're future-proofing", she says. Like air-conditioning and hot running water, wi-fi, even at sea, will have to become part of the standard offering.

Staying connected to the world

I can see Helen gets this as she talks about younger family members for whom being in a connected world is not an added luxury purchased from a menu but simply the way things are.

The marketing benefits of having snaps at the pool, on the climbing wall or, in fact, beaming video taken of the robot (yes!) bartenders mixing a Caipirinha at the Bionic Bar to social media sites around the globe, are clear as they extend and amplify RCL's marketing efforts.

While initially only offered on Quantum, the new tech will roll out across the fleet.

Book in advance

Another development, that speaks to a growing trend of people wanting to engage with and prolong their vacation is cruise planning and booking well in advance of taking to the high seas. There is now the opportunity to plan in detail both on board and shore excursions via RCL's website. "Especially for people in South Africa who may feel at the whim of Rand/Dollar currency fluctuations and prefer to keep tight control of their spend, it is possible to prebook on-board packages that rule out your Pina Colada, for example, costing you R100 rather than R75 when you planned your trip", she says.

Technology onboard smartship

"Two70 on Quantum is home to a playful and agile troupe of six Roboscreens that stage surprise performances during every cruise, creating scenes while soaring and twisting solo, or uniting as one. Guests will also experience Vistarama, floor-to-ceiling glass walls that transform into an expansive ambient surface that projects any scene, real or imagined, including the multidimensional performance spectacle, Starwater" she says of the way technology is being used on board Quantum and continues: "Technology has even played a part in making the ship more environmentally friendly.

Sophisticated computer modelling was used to reduce the vessel's energy consumption with efficient hull configuration, engine design and energy saving devices. The ship has eliminated the use of incandescent bulbs; all lighting will be provided by low-energy LED or fluorescents. Motion sensors even dim hallway lighting when no one is present, "she ends.

View a video about Quantum's new tech and go to www.cruises.co.za for more.