Giant cruise ship with 300ft-high viewing pod, robot bartenders and bumper cars sails into port for final touches before maiden voyage

  • Quantum of the Seas will carry passengers for the first time on its journey from Southampton to the New York area
  • It is being billed as the most high-tech cruise ship in the world, boasting robotic bartenders and virtual balconies
  • Its crown jewel is a glass capsule suspended from a giant arm which will lift passengers 300ft above sea level
  • Ship will spend its inaugural season sailing between the New York area and the Caribbean before sailing to China

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The world’s third largest cruise ship is one step closer to making her maiden voyage from England to America.

With 18 decks and room for 4,180 guests, Quantum of the Seas has sailed into a German port for its final touches less than a month before it carries holidaymakers for the first time.

It is the most high-tech cruise ship in the world, boasting robot bartenders, electronic wristbands that serve as room keys, and virtual balconies for internal rooms without windows.

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Massive: Royal Caribbean International's Quantum of the Seas has sailed into port in Bremerhaven, Germany for its final touches

Massive: Royal Caribbean International's Quantum of the Seas has sailed into port in Bremerhaven, Germany for its final touches

Crown jewel: North Star, a glass observation capsule suspended from a giant arm, will lift passengers 300ft above sea level

Crown jewel: North Star, a glass observation capsule suspended from a giant arm, will lift passengers 300ft above sea level

What's your poison? Quantum of the Seas boasts robot bartenders, the first of their kind anywhere in the world

What's your poison? Quantum of the Seas boasts robot bartenders, the first of their kind anywhere in the world

Indoor fun: The first bumper cars on a cruise ship are found in a venue called SeaPlex, the largest sports and entertainment complex at sea

Indoor fun: The first bumper cars on a cruise ship are found in a venue called SeaPlex, the largest sports and entertainment complex at sea

But its crown jewel is the unique North Star, a glass observation capsule suspended from a giant arm which will lift passengers 300ft above sea level.

The passenger pod, similar to the capsules on the London Eye, offers 360-degree panoramic views of the ocean.

When passengers aren’t being lifted over the water, they can partake in a number of firsts at sea, including a skydiving simulator and bumper cars, dine at one of 18, restaurants, including an Italian franchise from Jamie Oliver, or retire to the largest guest rooms of any Royal Caribbean International vessel.

In addition to a skydiving simulator, there is a surf simulator, rock climbing wall and venues for live performances, including the musical Mamma Mia! and tribute bands. 

Catch some rays: Quantum of the Seas has plenty of common areas where guests can unwind, including a solarium

Catch some rays: Quantum of the Seas has plenty of common areas where guests can unwind, including a solarium

Relaxing: By day, a venue called Two70 is a place where passengers can chill out and take in 270-degree views of the sea

Relaxing: By day, a venue called Two70 is a place where passengers can chill out and take in 270-degree views of the sea

Shooting hoops: SeaPlex boasts a basketball court, flying trapeze and three firsts for a cruise ship – bumper cars, roller skating and a food truck

Shooting hoops: SeaPlex boasts a basketball court, flying trapeze and three firsts for a cruise ship – bumper cars, roller skating and a food truck

The massive ship is currently docked in Bremerhaven, Germany, where Eric Serakas snapped an aerial photo using a GoPro camera attached to a drone.

The 26-year-old from Florida, who has dual German and American citizenship, said he had spent time on Allure of the Seas, the world's largest cruise ship, last year and was excited to try the new one.

He said: ‘When I first saw the ship I thought to myself, 'Oh my, Royal Caribbean has done it again'. When I took the photo the North Star was being added to the ship by crane.

He added: "It is one of the last major pieces to be added to the ship before it is ready to go to sea trials.

‘It's Royal Caribbean's newest ship in their fleet and the North Star is the signature attraction of this newest ship and first ever smart ship.’ 

Coming to America: Quantum of the Seas' maiden voyage will take guests from Southampton, England to a port near New York City

Coming to America: Quantum of the Seas' maiden voyage will take guests from Southampton, England to a port near New York City

Billed as ‘the world’s most futuristic and advanced ship’, Quantum of the Seas is the first in Royal Caribbean’s new Quantum class of vessels

Billed as ‘the world’s most futuristic and advanced ship’, Quantum of the Seas is the first in Royal Caribbean’s new Quantum class of vessels

Party time: When Two70 becomes an entertainment venue at night, it uses six ‘roboscreens’ that move or unite as one to entertain passengers

Party time: When Two70 becomes an entertainment venue at night, it uses six ‘roboscreens’ that move or unite as one to entertain passengers

Billed as ‘the world’s most futuristic and advanced ship’, Quantum of the Seas is the first in Royal Caribbean’s new Quantum class of vessels.

Built at Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg Germany, it has nearly 3,000 guest rooms and boasts an area known as SeaPlex, the largest indoor active space at sea, complete with a flying trapeze, basketball court and three firsts for a cruise ship – bumper cars, roller skating and a food truck.

Quantum of the Seas is wired with ground-breaking ‘smart’ technology aimed at taking the stress out of holidays.

It has the fastest internet speeds at sea using a new generation of mid-Earth orb satellites, and smartphone apps that allow guests to plan their shore excursions, book restaurant reservations or set up spa appointments.

The robot bartenders are the first of their kind anywhere in the world, while robotics are also at work in an entertainment venue where six ‘roboscreens’ move or unite as one during performances. 

Quantum of the Seas will spend its inaugural season sailing between the New York area and the Caribbean before heading to her home port in Shanghai in the spring

Quantum of the Seas will spend its inaugural season sailing between the New York area and the Caribbean before heading to her home port in Shanghai in the spring

Fine dining: Royal Caribbean says its Grande Restaurant is a luxuriant nod to a bygone era when dining was a time-honoured ritual

Fine dining: Royal Caribbean says its Grande Restaurant is a luxuriant nod to a bygone era when dining was a time-honoured ritual

The 168,666 tonne ship is scheduled to join the fleet in November with a two-night cruise from Southampton to a port near New York.

It will spend its inaugural season sailing between the New York area and the Caribbean before heading to her home port in Shanghai in the spring.

Royal Caribbean is rolling out two more ships in its new Quantum class.

Next April, a ship named Anthem of the Seas will begin sailing from Southampton to destinations on the Mediterranean Sea.

A third ship, Ovation of the Seas, is scheduled to be delivered in mid-2016.

Royal Caribbean now owns the world’s three largest cruise ships – the Allure of the Seas, the Oasis of the Seas and the Quantum of the Seas. 

Diners will have no shortage of options when their stomachs start to growl, as the ship boasts 18 restaurants, including Jamie's Italian

Diners will have no shortage of options when their stomachs start to growl, as the ship boasts 18 restaurants, including Jamie's Italian

A wheely good time: Quantum of the Seas boasts several exclusive amenities or firsts at sea, including roller skating

A wheely good time: Quantum of the Seas boasts several exclusive amenities or firsts at sea, including roller skating

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