Australian families can pack their bags, as the ultimate family holiday has arrived. Royal Caribbean International’s Quantum of the Seas is back in Brisbane for the summer with a line-up of 3- to 9-night holidays to the South Pacific and Queensland’s stunning coast. The homecoming of Queensland’s most innovative getaway follows the arrival of Brilliance of the Seas in Sydney, marking the start of Royal Caribbean’s biggest season ever in Australia, with 30% more holidaymakers and counting ready to set sail. 

From the gateway to the idyllic islands of the South Pacific, families, friends and couples can enjoy adventure, relaxation and everything in between while on a weekend getaway or longer holiday on Quantum. Travellers can island hop and explore a variety of destinations that range from local favourites, including Airlie Beach and Cairns, Australia; as well as the welcoming South Pacific locales of Mystery Island and Port Vila, Vanuatu; and Noumea, New Caledonia. 

Royal Caribbean’s bumper 2023-2024 season will set new records, and Quantum will be at the top of the list. More than 115,000 holidaymakers have planned to take their summer holidays from Brisbane with the cruise line, a 15% increase from the 2022-2023 summer. More than two-thirds (64%) of these travellers are local Queenslanders while 1 in 10 have flown in from New South Wales (14%) and Victoria (11%), supporting Queensland’s already buoyant tourism economy. With three award-winning Royal Caribbean ships Down Under, including Ovation of the Seas set to arrive in Sydney next week, more than 250,000 guests will get away on the ultimate summer holidays from Australia this summer. 

The world’s largest cruise line will also continue to bring locally sourced produce to the table at Quantum’s 20-plus restaurants, bars and lounges as well as those on Brilliance and Ovation. This includes more than 74,800 kilograms of Queensland bananas, 112,000 kilograms of Queensland pineapples, 341,400 kilograms of Australian potatoes as well as a new partnership with Australian-owned Ponting Wines, which serves a range of locally and sustainably sourced wines blends from South Australia and Tasmania. 

Gavin Smith, vice president and managing director of Australia and New Zealand, Royal Caribbean International said: “With the highly anticipated return of Quantum of the Seas to Brisbane, Royal Caribbean’s biggest and boldest season in Australia is in full swing. Quantum and its signature line-up of experiences for all ages and types of travellers became a fan favourite right away during its first season in Queensland, and in response to that popularity, now there are 25 itineraries to choose from that vary in length and destinations. This unprecedented response to the idea of the ultimate family holiday is why we’ll see one-third more holidaymakers join us for a summer getaway like no other.” 

 From one-of-a-kind thrills and entertainment to flavours from around the world, there are endless ways for holidaymakers of all ages to make memories together and on their own adventures while sailing from one idyllic island to the next on Quantum.  

Adrenaline-fuelled activities and firsts on board the Queensland favourite include the RipCord by iFly skydiving simulator, FlowRider surf simulator, a rock climbing wall and SeaPlex – the largest indoor activity complex at sea – which features bumper cars, basketball, roller-skating and more. To refuel in between memory-making, there aremore than 20 restaurants, bars and lounges to choose from. The tasty line-up includes Chef’s Table, the most exclusive and elevated dining experience on board that serves five courses, and Jamie’s Italian for family-style Tuscan classics. And ways to cap off the day can range from enjoying full-scale productions in the Royal Theatre or at Two70,where robotics, performers and physical scenery create a multisensory experience; and live music in Music Hall, Schooner Bar and more. With so much to see and do on Quantum, holidaymakers can then kick back at the Vitality Spa or find balance with state-of-the-art equipment and panoramic ocean views at the Fitness Center.  

Royal Caribbean Down Under 

Royal Caribbean’s biggest and boldest season has already kicked off with Brilliance’s arrival in Sydney on Sunday Oct. 22. The ship’s debut in Australia marks the start of a six-month season of 20 immersive itineraries visiting 40 sun-soaked and culture-rich destinations, including Fiji, the Loyalty Islands and locales in Australia like Port Douglas,Melbourne and Kangaroo Island.  

For a seventh season from the iconic Sydney Harbour, Ovation will complete the trifecta of Australia’s ultimate summer holidays when it returns to Sydney on Friday, Nov. 3. Travellers can get away on 20 3- to 11-night holidays that will visit destinations along New Zealand’s rugged coastline like Wellington, Dunedin and Christchurch.