The Quantum of the Seas, seen from above. Royal Caribbean’s $1-billion new cruise ship can accommodate more than 4,900 passengers and is equipped with such features as an observation pod on a crane arm. (Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times)
Royal Caribbean’s Quantum of the Seas, unveiled in late 2014, looms beyond a sand spit at Coco Cay, a private island in the Bahamas where Royal Caribbean passengers can get some off-ship R&R. (Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times)
The cruise ship’s most prominent innovation is what it calls the North Star -- a sort of observation deck on a crane that offers bird’s-eye views of the ship and sea below. (Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times)
A closer look at the North Star. (Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times)
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The American Icon dining room, seen here, is one of more than a dozen restaurants aboard. (Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times)
Much of the cruise ship’s third deck is devoted to the Casino Royale (usually far busier than seen here). (Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times)
Quantum of the Seas contains several performing arts venues, occupied by a shipboard troupe of singers and dancers and guest musicians like the Nashville band Savannah Jack, seen here. (Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times)
The ship’s troupe of singers and dancers. (Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times)
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One of the most popular activities on the ship -- and a first in the cruise business -- is simulated skydiving in a vertical wind tunnel that looks like a see-through smokestack. (Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times)
The cruise ship includes what it calls the Seaplex area, full of sports and games. Here, a passenger practices trapeze work. That’s a basketball backboard in the background. (Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times)
Royal Caribbean has a pact with DreamWorks that brings animated characters, like “Kung Fu Panda,” aboard to entertain families. (Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times)
Quantum of the Seas makes frequent stops in the Bahamas at Coco Cay, run as a private hideaway by the cruise company. Activities there include kayaking and snorkeling. (Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times)
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At Coco Cay, passengers are occasionally surprised by native iguanas. (Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times)
A musician works the waterfront in downtown Nassau, the Bahamas, a frequent stop for Quantum of the Seas. (Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times)
