When it was first unveiled more than a year ago, many cruise industry observers were left wondering just what experience it would provide. I'm talking about the North Star, Royal Caribbean's iconic new attraction on the just christened Quantum of the Seas.
Part crane, part cherry picker, part London Eye, the North Star is one of the most unusual offerings on a cruise ship ever imagined. But coming from a cruise line that gave us rock-climbing walls and surfing machines, perhaps it takes some imagination to create such an unusual and groundbreaking attraction.
I got the chance to try out the North Star this past weekend while onboard the post-christening two-night cruise aboard Quantum of the Seas. We were lucky enough to have media passes to get a ride on the North Star, though I can imagine there will be strong interest among paying passengers to experience the ride. Royal Caribbean executives say there are enough attractions onboard to mitigate any lines, but I have to think North Star will be extremely popular.
PHOTO: The North Star's cabin holds 14 guests and one attendant. (All photos by James Shillinglaw)
We waited for about 15 minutes in rather cold conditions (these christening events on the North Atlantic can be a bit nippy). But we finally walked up a spiral staircase to enter our 15-person glass-enclosed high-tech cabin (14 passengers and one cabin attendant). And yes, it does look like the cabins on the London Eye.
A second later we were off--and quite smoothly at that. Our cabin was lifted gently above the deck by a giant piston as we gazed out over the pool area. We rose slowly until we were high over the ship. Inside out cabin, we all walked from one end to the other to get photos of the scene below. I mean the only time I've seen a ship from that angle is from a helicopter.
PHOTO: The view of the pool on Quantum as the North Star rises high above the ship.
The entire cabin then moved slowly starboard over the water, until we could see the waves against the ship far below. It's a vantage point again that can only be duplicated by a helicopter or drone, giving passengers an incredible view of the ship. We took more photos!
The North Star then slowly returned to hover over the center of the ship again, before gradually descending to the deck below. We took more photos as we descended.
The entire experience takes roughly 15 minutes (plus the wait time). It's certainly one of the most interesting and scenic activities I've ever engaged in on a cruise. I can only imagine what it will be like when the ship is in port or near some scenic islands. But hovering in a small glass cabin high above the choppy waves of the North Atlantic was exciting enough. Our entire passenger complement of mostly hardened cruise journalists was falling all over themselves to take photos from every angle possible.
PHOTO: The North Star swings high and far off the ship's starboard side.
The Scottish-born crew member who served as our attendant told us the North Star can be used in almost any weather. I had been worried that heavy wind and high waves might lead Royal Caribbean to cancel the experience.
So Royal Caribbean has a winner on its hands with the North Star. It's definitely going to be in high demand on cruises. Fortunately Quantum of the Seas has two other unusual attractions to keep passengers busy--the Ripcord by iFly, a sky diving simulator and bumper cars in the Seaplex indoor sports arena near the ship's stern.
Now I have to admit I didn't try the Ripcord, although it looked enticing. I just didn't have enough time (though I did take lots of photos of other passengers "flying" in an enclosed glass turret. On the other hand, I did have some fun in the bumper cars. The ship has a rather large area for guests to enjoy that activity and I did have a lot of fun. Word has it that those same bumper cars are a favorite of Royal Caribbean Chairman Richard Fain.
But for my money, the North Star is definitely the attraction that every guest, of every physical ability, will enjoy most (there is an elevator to the cabin for those who have special needs).
The North Star clearly deserves its place alongside Royal Caribbean's other great innovations in cruising!
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