Royal Caribbean is known for having amazing cruise ships and outstanding facilities and is a firm favourite with cruise passengers from around the world. They are always upgrading their ships, adding to their fleet and offering the newest and coolest features for passengers to enjoy whilst on board.
One of the coolest and most unique features of Royal Caribbean’s Quantum Cruise Ships is the North Star – a giant glass-enclosed pod! Read on to find out more!
What is the North Star?
The North Star is a large observation pod with ceiling to floor glass windows. The pod is similar to a capsule on the iconic London Eye although it isn’t attached to a Ferris wheel but a huge mechanical arm instead! The arm enables to pod to be manoeuvred up, down and also over the side of the ship!
This special feature offers passengers 360-degree views and can reach 300 feet above sea level! If you don’t like heights then this might not be a cruise activity for you! The mechanical giant arm moves slowly and so its not so much a thrill ride but offers awesome views and some very cool photo opportunities!
The pod accommodates up to 14 people and cruise passengers need to be at least 107cm tall. There’s also a weight limit of 136kg per person.
How much does it cost?
One of the best things about the North Star is that it is free! Unless you are on Quantum of the Sea sailings out of China and then there is a small fee to be paid. There’s also a fee for primetime sailings which include sunset and sunrise or reservations for private flights. The North Star can even be hired for onboard wedding ceremonies!
How long will a ride take?
A ride on the North Star will take between 15 and 20 minutes. There can be a queue to hop on and so it can be good to time when you go. The best time to go is to go early in the morning for the first ride of the day. A good tip is to check the Cruise Compass to find out what time is the first ride of the day and to arrive a little before to get to the front of the queue. Rides can also be pre-booked online via the Cruise Planner so look out for this.
Lines can also be shorter when the ship is docked in port as many passengers will be at shore exploring. However, the only downside to taking a ride when in port is that there are restrictions on how far the North Star can extend over the side of the ship.
What ships can The North Star be found on?
The North Star can be found on the Quantum class of Royal Caribbean ships including the Anthem of the Seas, Quantum of the Seas and the Ovation of the Seas.
If a ride on the North Star doesn’t sound special enough, when sailing to Alaska passengers can enjoy the special North Star Alaskan Experience. This is offered when the shop calls on Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier during the Alaska cruise season in the summer months. this unique experience allows the lucky passengers unrivalled views of the glaciers and incredible Alaskan landscape. There is an additional charge for this experience with it costing $49 per person.
The North Star is definitely a real selling point for these ships and is a really fun and unique experience. Have you ever taken a ride? Let us know in the comments below!