Royal Caribbean's Quantum of the Seas - Singapore Departure

ABBEY:

Activities

Still we haven’t left the “hotel at sea” as there are a lot things to do.

We did wall climbing and this time the belay is automatic. I managed to reached the top. Make sure not to climb when the sun is at its peak else you burn your hands.

Next is Flowrider. I was afraid I will get another fall like when I was on skates but good thing is you can ride the waves in your belly. Balancing is hard but I enjoyed it. Being hit and wiped out by a jet stream of water is also part of the fun.

Bump cars are also there. This is the time that you want to crash into a car. Remember to turn the wheel for continuous movement.

Next is Laser Tag. Our team lost but my consolation is that I was the top scorer. This is workout in itself.

They also have game consoles and table tennis.

All these activities are for free. You either just make a reservation or queue in line.

Room

Our room this time has no physical balcony but instead a virtual one. There’s something in the water at night that makes me feel that something would just grab me and no one will notice. Haha. The room has enough space to store our clothes for the whole trip. The bed is comfortable as well as the pillows and the sheets are clean. Our attendant really pays attention to our needs.

Ship

Quantum of the Seas is definitely bigger than our first cruise ship Mariner of the Seas. What I like is the Solarium; a serene place for adults where you can lounge or dip in the pools. Yup, no kids. Hehe. We got a chance to alight the ship at Port Penang and really had a good view its massive size. It has 15-16 decks. They removed the outdoor basketball court though. An indoor area was allocated for it as same as bump cars and laser tag.

Quantum of the Seas | First Revolutionary Cruise Ship - Singapore

Activities, Rooms and FREE Dining 

Royal Caribbean's Quantum of the Seas - Singapore Departure 

Jamie’s Italian

Royal Caribbean's Quantum of the Seas - Singapore Departure 

Wonderland

WILL: Royal Caribbean is not contented with their previous services. Well, they gave a huge effort to exceed every cruisers expectations. Bigger ship, high tech rooms, more exciting activities, and add up a fabulous entertainment. 

Let’s go with the bigger vessel. The quantum fleet is humongous. It has 17th floors. Floors that holds a room, restaurants, activity floors, pools and gym. 

How can I say high technology rooms. Because I do not like to look on a black emptiness every night outside through balcony’s glasd door. I requested Abbey for us stay at inner— stateroom. No windows. But this doesn’t stop Royal Caribbean ingenuity. They install a 72-inch tv beside the bed for  witness what us happening outside the ship. Well, I feel more comfortable on that. 

Quantum of the Seas do really have an array of activities. I enjoyed the bump car, laser tag (reservation needed), the Vitalis gym, Solaris’ (adult only area) jacuzzi, and quite diffucult wall climbing. For the Flowrider, I hated it. Tried once and I will not do it again. Haha! Put some hoops at the basketball court too. 

Please indulge in their complimentary restaurants. The Windjammer which is open from breakfast to dinner. Please look out for their juicy grilled porkchop. The Solaris Restaurant have the almost same food with the Windjammer but that place is quieter and serene. There’s a timing for the hotdog and ice cream booth. Do not miss those out. Main Restaurant’s waiters are absolutely cool. They will treat you like a king and queen. The menu changes every night and there’s a live entertainment by your very own waiters too. You want a sandwich for your lunch? Go to The Cafe @Two70. The best!  Italian cuisine? Sorrento's Pizza is open to serve you. Craving for sweet pastries? Cafe Promenade is there! Do not hold yourself. Just eat! You are in holiday! And it is FREE! 

Abbey and I decided to have our first dinner at Wonderland Restaurant. I can only describe it in one word.. WONDERFUL! Gosh! All the dishes are bursting with uncommon but delight flavours! Yummmm! The dinner costs us USD98 per pax. Please alot 2-hours to enjoy the magical presentation and explanation of dishes and it’s every bite. Haha. If you want to double up the serving, do not hesitate to request. They will sure give you another serving. 

Jamie’s Italian is present in most of malls in Singapore but someone told us that the food on board of Royal Caribbean tastes different. Oh gosh! We pigged out! Please watch the YouTube video of Abbey here. There’s a warm hospitality from the crew of Jamie’s. Everybody is checking on us if we are enjoying our time. Well, yes it is everybody because even the Sous Chef went to our table to see if everything is fine. The food? Delizioso!  

The shows are highlighted for Chinese speaking cruisers. Still acceptable as there’s only one language for smile and laughter. Oh! The performers are interacting more with the audiences. 

Bravo! Royal Caribbean! 5-days is not enough to enjoy all amenities in your ship! Of course! We will book and book and book again with Royal Caribbean on our next cruise!

***

Royal Caribbean's Quantum of the Seas - Singapore Departure 

(W) https://www.royalcaribbean.com

Marina Mandarin | 5 Star Hotel Singapore Marina Bay - Christmas Eve Staycation (2015)

ABBEY: Got reservation at Marina Mandarin on the eve until Christmas day. We understand that it will be a busy day at the hotel and services will somehow will be delayed. But the hotel management also must need to consider that if it is a holiday then more people is needed to support the workforce. Sadly, we got the room keys by 4PM. We were there since 2PM.

We got a deluxe room at 14th storey with a view of Marina Bay. Ths room and spacious, the pillows are soft and we got a bathtub :)

After spending few hours watching reruns we went down to grab some bite to eat.

Coming back to the hotel, we had a chance to see live performance at the lobby. Christmas spirit can be filled thru the songs. We also took a look at their gym. It was clean and I even tried some of their machines.

Night has passed and I'm looking forward for the breakfast. It was a buffet. It was included in the roomrate we had. They have Japanese, Indian, Western and local cuisines. I indulged myself with salmon teriyaki and sashimi, sushi. Pair it with vegan fried rice and it is a combo. I also have some sausages, ham and eggs. The egg station offers omelette, fully cooked sunny side up and the one with "runny and gooey" yolks :) The bacon is not that good as it is not crispy.

We dipped few minutes on their pool, fixed our things and then we headed for checkout.

WILL: Without having a second thought, I clicked the link when I saw the advertisement of Meritus Group for their holiday season. It will be a our first time to experience celebrating the festivity out of own home. That was August. 

Fast-forward December 24th, we have reached the hotel around 2pm. Well, the queue is not that long but we wasted so much time in waiting for our keycard to be handed over. They informed all of their guests that the rooms were not yet ready. The check-out time is 12pm and check-in is 2. I can only see that they maybe lack of people to clean the room. And you know what time when we got to our place? It is around 5pm. 

It gets me frustrated, of course, but I chose not to go to that mood because I do not want to ruin our staycation. 

As requested (came with a fee) we have a room with a view of Marina Bay Sands. The room is pretty huge, the bed and beddings feels and smells clean same as the bathroom. I commend their bath foam, one small tube is enough to bubble up the whole tub. When we go to the terrace, the floor tiles are still wet maybe because of the rain that noon time. 

After the dinner at Burger Bar, we roamed around to check out their pool and their gym. The gym is quite impressive. They have those complicated apparatuses inside. After walking and walking we sat and watched a mini concert  that was held in the lobby. The happiness is really in the air. 

Their breakfast buffet at AquaMarine is love! A quite of variety to indulge to. The pool! And the falls! Instant hydrotherapy haha! 

I noticed that their hallways are not properly lit even in the early mornings, the reason we do not get a good shots on that. 

Thanks for a wonderful experience Meritus Group - Marina Mandarin Hotel. :)

***
Marina Mandarin Singapore by Meritus
6 Raffles Boulevard
Marina Square, Singapore 039594

Tel: (65)­ 6845 1000
Fax: (65)­ 6845 1001

Reservations: resvn.marina@meritushotels.com
General Enquiries: marina@meritushotels.com

https://www.facebook.com/marinamandarinsg

Universal Studios Singapore® - Santa's All-Star Christmas 2015

ABBEY: I've been to Universal Studios Singapore many times and I act as a tour guide to our visitors. This time my highschool bestfriend paid a visit. The theme park "theme" is of course Christmas as the holiday is fast approaching. We were given candy canes at the entrance. We first rode the Madagascar : A Crate Adventure. Next is the 4D movie of Shrek in Far Far Away. After that was the new ride Puss in Boots' Giant Journey. I started to get dizzy. Haha.

We also got a chance to watch a dance showdown by Rockafellaz; Pinoy's very own Streetboys. We had pizza and pasta for lunch. Good thing that it was saved by Sesame Street Spaghetti Space Chase.

We got a chance to see and feel how it is like to be in a sound studio in Lights, Camera, Action.

By the time we rode Transformers The Ride, my head is really spinning. It rained hard but still Wilma and Jennnee queued up for Cyclon of Battlestar Gallactica. Me? Just waiting for them to finish.

No one ride The Mummy indoor roller coaster. No one wants to experience the unknown.

We also got a snap with Marilyn Monroe. As the rain pour hard, we rested in Jurassic Park's Discovery Centre while sipping coffee and munching chicken lollipops. The Waterworld show was cancelled due to the weather.

The last ride we had is the Canopy Flyer. Our guest was happy and got a great time.

WILL: This is my first time to go to Universal Studios Singapore during festive season. Why? Because I am avoiding a jam-packed themed park, because I hate long queues for the rides and for the toilets, because it is very hard to take a seat for some snacks, and ultimately.. because I will not enjoy the rest of the day. But, when we were there, there is no queue at all, but of course except the leading rides. Haha. 

I am praying not to rain but it did. It is Sunday but the sun fails to showed up! Argh! But still the fun never stops. Umbrella is on! Haha. 

I enjoyed their Sesame Street Saves Christmas Show, as if I came back to my childhood! Haha. As the rain is pouring, we sat and ate at Loui's NY Pizza Parlor. Luckily when we went out from the diner, drizzles greeted us. Oh, I am so excited for this.. Battlestar Galactica Cyclone version. Wohoooo! I only got to try the human version because the cyclone is always under repair when we visited the park. So what I can say? Cyclone version is indeed the best! Literally a hair-raiser, haha! I want to go for one more ride but Jennee refused my suggestion. Hmp!  

Next stop is the Transformers. Because I am with engineers, after the ride, they are explaining how it was made. Still raining, so we go to witness my one of favorite, Lights..Camera..Action. The. We go for kiddie ride Sesame Street Spaghetti Space Chase. Speaking rides for kids, we also got to try the new Puss in Boots Giant Journey and Abbey and Jennee cursed me when I asked them to seat behind the Canopy Flyer at The Lost World. 

We ate our snack at Discovery Food Court with my favourite corndog. Haha! We ended our USS tour with Donkey Show. We are definitely entertained. 

I hope our visitor enjoyed as we do. :) haha! Thanks rain and cloud another first time. First time visiting USS with no sunburn. 

Singapore's Holiday Trees 2015

ABBEY: Christmas is a happy season. As the song goes, "It is the most wonderful time of the year". The holiday spirit is full of love, happiness, sharing and giving. Singapore malls and hotels showcase their giant and unique holiday trees. 

One is made of macaroons, while the other full of lights. Orchard road is where you can feel much of the holidays. Lights, songs, people in costumes and specially the wonderful Christmas trees. 

This year a couple of those caught fire. Still the festive mood goes on. Hoping to see more design in the coming years.

WILL: You will definitely feel the holiday and festive season once you see the gigantic Christmas Trees all over Singapore. From North to South, East to West, every mall and establishments have their own to express their feelings. 

Very creative minds were behind this magnificent trees. Next year? Hmmm... I am thinking who will win the award for Orchard Road Business Association's (ORBA) Best Dressed Building Contest for next year.

10k Steps Challenge - National Steps Challenge Singapore

ABBEY: We registered in Heath Promotions Board's National Steps Challenge. Aside from getting a step tracker, we also want to know if we can meet the 10,000-steps-a-day. 

First two days I'm not able to reach the target. But on the third day I was surprised when I clocked 10k steps. It was an accomplishment for me. Since that day, I was aiming for the goal as I've already did it. I'm hoping and trying my best to be on top of it.

WILL: Singapore never fails to make their health projects a fun thing to do. 

We are very interested on their National Steps Challenge program and we are so glad to know that we can join it. We download the Healthy 356 app, registered, and collected our step tracker for only $5. You can get this tracker here.   

As soon as we  we paired our trackers with our phones, the competition between me and my husband began. Haha. Well, as of now, I already redeemed the first tier. Abbey? Nahh!! Haha.

Thanks Health Promotion Board. We enjoy your program. :)

The Nobel Prize: Ideas Changing The World Exhibit @ ArtScience Museum of Singapore

ABBEY: By visiting The Nobel Prize : Ideas Changing the World exhibit at ArtScience Museum, I got more knowledge about the coveted award. The founder Alfred Nobel stated on his will that his fortune should be used as prizes for those who excel in 5 categories: chemistry, physics, medicine, literature, peace and economic studies. The gallery displays the winners and laureates as well as the reason why they've been given that honor. Among them were Alexander Fleming (penicillin), Malala Yousafzai, and United Nations.

There is also an interactive game in form of a survey of what could be the future Nobel awards.

With these breakthroughs, inventions and maintaining peace and harmony the world will become a better place.

WILL: After we tour my siblings at National Museum of Singapore and a sumptuous meal at Baja Fresh we headed to ArtScience Museum at Marina Bay. We are there to checkout the Nobel Prize Exhibition.  

In there, the exhibit visitors were educated on how and why this noble award started. It was astonishing that mostly the things we use from day to day won this award. Like mosquito nets, the syringes and even some books that create a deep impact on humankind's lives. 

We definitely love this exhibit. It adds up to knowledge and the feeling of to do more for others..to give back to society. 

To Nobel Prize and beyond! Cheers!

OCBC Skyway - Get Up Close To The Supertrees @ Gardens by the Bay

ABBEY: There's always a long queue on the ticket booth of OCBC Skywalk and since we planned going there on Deepavali, we expected a longer one. Fortunately, no queue by the time we arrived. This means we can have the skywalk by ourselves, have lots of snaps and take the time to be amazed by the view at the top. 

A ticket costs 5SGD. It will take 5-10 mins to finish the walk but for us we took it very slow. It was refreshing and enjoyable.

WILL: This is one of the sights that we do not want to go to unless we have tourists on board with us. We walked our way out from Marina Bay Sands The Shoppes to Gardens by the Bay. And our aim is the OCBC Skywalk. 

For only $5 each. You can see from the top the beauty of flora and fauna of the Multi-awarded garden/park of Singapore. You can have a great spot to take the MBS Hotel as your backdrop on your photos.

I think we stayed there for 30 minutes. Why? We are just staring at the beautifully arranged garden below us and my siblings like the sweet smell of wind hitting our skin. 

Please take note: Be there before 5pm or else you will not enjoy the sights because too many people already walking around.

MegaZip Adventure Park - NorthFace (Wall Climbing) & Megazip (Zip Line)

ABBEY: Wilma's siblings love to have thrilling activities. So she booked them the Panther package of Megazip. With that they can do wall climbing and zipline. None of us reached the top except Wilma as our arms and legs are burning and screaming with pain :) 

After our futile attempts on the wall we climbed the tower to the start of the line. The zipline is 450m long and 75m high and 3 persons can go at a time. It was fun and the view is breathtaking. Don't worry about your things. The staff will collect it before you head to the zipline and will be given to you at the end of the ride. Videos and photos are available for your souvenir.

WILL: This is one of the exciting part of my siblings trip in here. Why? All of them is their first time to do a wall climbing and two of them is their first time to experience a zipline. 

I gave their itinerary weeks before to ready their body in such activity. But I think weeks are not enough. None of them reached the top of the wall. Thrice they tried but they failed. Hehe.

I conquered the MegaZip Adventure Park's NorthFace!!! After all (except me, ehem) surrendered on wall climbing we went for MegaZip. Abbey and I done this few times but this will be our first time to do in Singapore. That is a 450m line. What I like the most on that experience? The greenery and the fact that you land on a breakwater. Ha!

We enjoyed the time spent with MegaZip specially the all-smile and friendly team of yours. Till next time guys! Till next our next adventure!

Images of Singapore & Madame Tussauds Singapore - Sentosa Island

ABBEY: What Singapore did with Madame Tussauds gallery is that they bundled it with Images of Singapore. I don't know if the guests can have the option to directly go to Wax Museum or not but it would be better to go to Images of Singapore first. It is 40-minute live show that presents Singapore's beginning and future plans. Then you will be riding a boat and see Singapore icons like The Singapore Flyer, Marina Bay Sands, and F1 Grand Prix.

Political figures will greet you at the first stop on the museum. It includes US President Barack Obama, Mao Zhe Dhong, Queen Elizabeth, Singapore's own Lee Kwan Yew and Kwa Geok Choo, PM Lee, and Singapore First President Yusof bin Ishak.

Next are the sports superstars like Yao Ming, David Beckham, and Tiger Woods. 

I also had a pose with local artist Gurmit Singh. Then our Indian friends celebrating Deepavali were ecstatic in taking their snaps together with some of the Bollywood stars: Amitabh Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai, and Hrithik Roshan.

The wax figures of international singers are also displayed. Beyonce, King of Pop Michael Jackson, King of Rock and Roll Elvis Presley, The ABBA, Madonna and Taylor Swift.

After Bollywood comes Hollywood. The Terminator, Jackie Chan, Johnny Depp, Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Tom Cruise and Nicole Kiddman were among them. Even though the museum is smaller than in Hongkong I still enjoyed my visit.

WILL: We bought the ticket for both.

Images of Singapore is a interactive place that you will learn and participate from the past and present of Singapore. An informative and good place to know how this Little Red Dot starts their journey from freedom to its present being. 

We alighted from the boat ride and from that I know that we will be entering the famous wax museum. 

This is the second Madam Tussauds we visited. First is at Hong Kong. So what we love in here? Of course we want to see the figure of Lee Kwan Yew and Madam Kwa Geok Choo, PM Lee, and haaay...Taylor Swift (my husband's greatest crush). 

All my siblings had fun specially they know that they can touch and even kiss the wax figures of the celebrities they really like. 

See some of the photos. They really enjoyed being close to them right? Haha! 

You can have a $10 discount if you buy online. Click it here to check it out.

2015 FORMULA 1 SINGAPORE AIRLINE SINGAPORE GRAND PRIX

ABBEY: Another F1 season came in Singapore from September 18-20. We bought Bay Grandstand tickets for the whole 3 days and we saw some actions on Turn 18. The qualifying rounds for the Formula 1 cars was exciting as Sebastian Vettel finished a lap with 1 minute and 44 seconds. Though he didn't matched that record on Sunday night's race, he still proved that he is the champion of Marina Bay circuit. He managed to maintain the lead until the end.

For the concert line up, it was great. Pharell on Friday, Maroon 5 got the crowd singing and dancing on Saturday and Bon Jovi capped the event on Sunday.

Room for improvements and I hope Singapore Airline F1 committee will look into it.

1. Please open the track as soon as the race ended for the people to go to Padang stage. Bon Jovi was already on the middle of his concert when we arrived there.

2. When opening the track, I mean open the track in Turn 18 so the people can pass thru the Esplanade (under the bridge) just like the earlier years. What happened is that the people are routed to Esplanade bridge itself. And they have to go thru the fences or camera slots just to go in the concert ground. This is very disappointing. Adding to that the marshal is telling that that is not allowed. When he was asked where should the people go, he became silent.

3. Have Fanzone bands like the one when Singtel is the promoter. This will ensure that the ticket holder can enjoy both the race and the concert in the fanzone. This year, the patrons will have to decide if they will watch the race on their seats or wait for 7 hours for the concert in Padang just to get a good position.

4. Have more promotion/contest for ticket upgrades. The contest that I saw was only to have 1 pair of ticket to be upgraded, unlike other years where the all the tickets that you bought will be upgraded.

Hoping to get some improvements in future races. More power Singapore GP.

WILL: Nothing's gonna stop the roaring and revving machines of Singapore Grand Prix 2015. Yeah even haze can't stop people in merrymaking. 

This is my third time to watch this yearly phenomenal event here in Singapore and it just getting bigger and better. So what are the things that they made it more exciting for 2015? First of all is the list of main stage performers at Padang Stage. For three consecutive nights we were treated with famous singers from Hollywood. Pharrell Williams touched the stomping feet of teenagers. Maroon 5 make the girls scream and Bon Jovi makes our hands swayed up in the air. All generations were touched by F1 2015. 

How about the race? Not so many action as expected to Mercedes Benz. You can observe that Anti-Red Team is bored while they are watching Vettel leads the parade of racing cars. I think Vettel can drive in Singapore's Night Track even his eyes were closed. Haha!

On my third time to attend this, I assessed that I am more on to watch the actual race itself than to attend the concerts. Haha! I am converted now. 

Long Live Singapore GP. Hope to have an access again to Fan Stand by next year! :)

2015 Formula 1 Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix - Pit Lane Experience

ABBEY: This is the second time I went to the Pit Lane Experience. I got a pair of tickets from Singapore GP by choosing an icon and voila, I won. At 7:30 we headed to Gate 1 where a long queue keeps on growing. A couple of minutes later and we found ourselves inside and enjoying the Hawaiian dance from The Dancing Fire. The roaming performance and music of Fiesta Tropicale will keep you on the beat. 

On the Village stage, the Boys of the Band rendered the version of songs of The Beatles and Motown. It was a trip on the memory lane. After the break, this Michael Jackson impersonator really set the stage on fire. With his copy cat moves and resemblance of the King of pop, Dajiow won the hearts of his fans. Then its time to assemble for the garage experience. Bloco Loco welcomed all the guests with their upbeat thumping of the drums. People took snaps and videos while the teams showed their skills on changing the tires of the car. 

We're not lucky to have a sighting of the drivers themselves, but something magical happened to me. I was interviewed by one of Fox Sports anchor and Food Detective herself, Nikki Muller. :) 'Twas a great night.

WILL: Singapore GP is one of the most awaited event here in Singapore.. an annual festival. But hey there is more! Before the actual festivity, Singapore GP is holding different kinds of activities for the people. 

Abbey won a pair of ticket for the second time. Yes! He won in two consecutive year and what makes us keep coming back? Well, except of the F1 cars, you can witness how really fast when they change tires, performers that you can only see at Zone 1 and you can do all what you want at the Pit Lane for a photo shoot. Some poses as if they are inside a racing car, some lay down, and some just kisses the floor. Haha! 

It is really a fun thing to do before the race day starts. 

Head over at their website and be updated! See you all there next year!