**Trip Summary:**
**Duration:** 7 days
**Companions:** Friends
**Activities:** Culinary delights, photography, and cruising
**Locations Visited:** Shanghai
**Published on:** 2019-12-15 08:40
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**Cruise Experience:**
In the final month of 2019, I decided to take a break and switch up my usual mode of travel, opting for a more leisurely and relaxing cruise experience. Typically, I meticulously plan every detail of the journey to avoid any unnecessary complications. This time, I resolutely chose the **Royal Caribbean Spectrum of the Seas** for a romantic voyage at sea.
Under the warm winter sun and with the calm sea stretching before me, I relished the final moments of the year and reflected on the gains and losses of the past month. The **Royal Caribbean Spectrum of the Seas** offers various themed cruises each year. In March 2020, there will be a ‘De Yunshe Cruise’, which is great news for those who enjoy both comedy and travel.
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**Accommodation:**
I arrived early on the Spectrum to enjoy the experience and plan to return in March for the ‘De Yunshe Cruise’ to listen to Yue Yunpeng’s stand-up comedy. I stayed in a **Sunny Sea View Large Bed Deluxe Room**, known for its spaciousness and thoughtful layout. The ship offers a variety of room types suitable for different preferences and budgets, allowing guests to choose based on their personal tastes or financial considerations.
During the inaugural voyage, I stayed in a **Sea View Balcony Large Bed room**, which I enjoyed, and thus selected the same type of room this time. The recent weather has been sunny, allowing the warm sunlight to stream in through the curtains, making one feel no chill at sea.
The wardrobe, large bed, drawers, desk, and sofa are arranged in order. Surprisingly, a suitcase can fit inside the cabinet, and there are two large wardrobes for hanging clothes, as well as a sofa that could accommodate another person. The writing desk features two USB sockets, which is very considerate. With a converter, one can use the ship’s power supply.
The bathroom design is also very reasonable, with good separation of wet and dry areas. Please note that you need to bring your own toothbrush, toothpaste, and other toiletries. There is also a spacious vanity table, and a full-length mirror by the door, allowing you to dress up and look handsome before going out.
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**Entertainment and Activities:**
I experienced a full range of entertainment facilities on the cruise, which has always been an important factor for me when choosing a cruise. During the voyage, there may be times when you have no signal, so choosing an entertainment option that suits you is crucial.
The ship features a karaoke room called ‘Star Moment’, where friends who enjoy singing can experience the feeling of being a star performer; there is also a multi-purpose sports hall at sea, which includes various indoor sports and bumper cars, as well as an interactive entertainment hall with AR walls and floors.
Without the need for a mobile phone or AR device, guests can directly interact with virtual and real elements through body movements and actions, experiencing high-tech, strong interaction.
There are many cute panda sculptures on the deck of the ship. The Flowrider surfing facility is something I would play with every time I went to the seaside. The surfing facilities here mimic the effects of real waves. With a surfboard, one can enjoy the thrill within. Surfing in winter is a bit cold, so I could only watch others enjoy it.
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**Music Hall and Socializing:**
There are quite a few activities on the **Spectrum of the Seas** in the Music Hall. If you are a relatively quiet person, you can also choose to sit in a music bar, order a few drinks, and chat with friends while sitting. Spending an afternoon leisurely is also a good choice. The overall decoration style of the Music Hall is relatively simple and elegant. The dim lighting and glass bottles create a good atmosphere.
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**Rock Climbing Wall:**
There is another place on the **Spectrum of the Seas** that attracts me a lot, that is rock climbing. If you love rock climbing, you can experience it here. I have no previous experience in rock climbing, so I just tried it a little. If you master the skills, it is not too difficult to climb. There are still many rock climbing masters on the ship. Some reach the top quickly. But for beginners, don’t pursue speed. Instead, take one step at a time and pay attention to safety.
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**Shopping Mall and Duty-Free Store:**
If you don’t say this is a cruise ship, you may think you are in a commercial complex. Because in addition to having fun here, it can also satisfy girls’ shopping desires. The duty-free store on the **Spectrum of the Seas** has become a paradise for girls. There are quite a few brands here. Since I haven’t compared prices, I don’t know how the prices are. When I see something I like, I still can’t help but buy some. Many people will also choose gifts here to take home and give to relatives and friends.
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**Entertainment Shows:**
Watch wonderful entertainment shows. The reason why people like **Royal Caribbean** may be related to the above entertainment performances.**Cruise Ship Entertainment Shows**
Every day on the cruise ship, a variety of performances captivate audiences. Beyond the physical enjoyment of entertainment facilities, these shows offer a visual盛宴. Three new and wonderful entertainment shows have successfully drawn the attention of every passenger: ‘Silk Road’, ‘Showgirl’, and ‘The Effectors’. These shows, combined with the high-tech, colorful stages and the dedication of the actors, have added distinctive flair to the entire cruise experience.
**’The Effectors’**
‘The Effectors’, staged in the Royal Theatre, tells the tale of four superheroes with diverse personalities and formidable powers. Captain Coreo, the team’s leader, wields the superpower of controlling sports and movements. Lume, the lively and unrestrained member, controls all light. The enigmatic Pixel manipulates video images and projections, while Reverb, known for his unexpected actions, commands all sounds and sound effects. The show’s spectacular stage lighting and high-tech design create a futuristic atmosphere. Royal Caribbean aims to break the traditional barrier between stage and audience, crafting a seamless theater experience.
**’Showgirl’**
‘Showgirl’, also performed in the Royal Theatre, is part of Royal Caribbean’s original performance series, The Sequins & Feathers. This captivating dance, with its elegant movements, has roots in the small cafes and hotels of Montmartre in Paris during the 19th century. The show narrates the evolution of the European and American song and dance industry from the past to the present and into the future. It features ultra-modern choreography, top-tier vocals, and dynamic lighting and stage design, providing a comprehensive sensory experience for the audience.
**’The Silk Road’**
The original Royal Caribbean grand show, ‘The Silk Road’, is staged in a 270-degree panoramic hall. It symbolizes the convergence of Eastern and Western civilizations through two divine eagles from Greek mythology, recounting the journey of the protagonists across the Silk Road. The show integrates Chinese, Persian, Indian, and Roman elements of costume, music, and dance, presenting the ‘Silk Road’ story in an innovative and unexpected manner. The immersive performances of the actors offer a truly stunning visual experience.
**Spectrum of the Seas: A Unique Cruise Experience**
The Royal Caribbean Spectrum of the Seas offers a unique blend of local charm and global elegance, alongside a plethora of entertainment options and a diverse array of international cuisines. Catering to Chinese food enthusiasts, the ship offers specialized dining experiences, including the authentic Sichuan cuisine restaurant, Chuan Gu Hui, and Hai Han hotpot, inspired by traditional Sichuan hotpot flavors.
The newly conceptualized Windjammer Marketplace, spanning nearly 3,200 square meters, is 20% larger than its predecessor and can accommodate thousands of diners. It offers a fusion of Chinese and Western self-service delicacies, specialty noodle counters, pizza, baking, dim sum, Japanese teppanyaki, and Hai Han hotpot. The buffet remains a favorite, allowing for unrestricted dining at any time, with a wide selection of seafood, including large king crabs, and a variety of baked pastries.
**Leaf & Bean: A Tea Bar and Café**
Leaf & Bean combines a tea bar and café, offering Chinese pure teas, classic coffee, fashionable drinks, and both Chinese and Western pastries. It also provides a range of internet-famous milk cap teas, making it a perfect spot for social media photo opportunities. While tea or coffee is chargeable, spending an afternoon here is a delightful option.
**DeYunShe Cruise and Xiao Yue Yue**
In March 2020, the ‘DeYunShe Cruise’ was launched, featuring performances by Xiao Yue Yue and other DeYunShe comedians on the Spectrum of the Seas. This was a serendipitous discovery for fans of Xiao Yue Yue’s comedy, who has been captivating audiences since ‘Happy Comedian’. Attending a live performance of Xiao Yue Yue’s comedy promises to be an unforgettable experience.
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### Royal Caribbean’s DeYunShe Themed Cruise: A Unique Experience
Recently, I learned from the news that Royal Caribbean International, a global leader in luxury cruises, announced that in March 2020, a Royal Caribbean exclusive DeYunShe themed cruise will depart from Shanghai. This marks the first themed cruise departing from Shanghai for the luxury cruise line.
### Departure Details
The itinerary is scheduled to depart on March 28, 2020, from the Shanghai Wusongkou International Cruise Port, embarking on a 7-night, 8-day journey, with stops in Osaka and Tokyo, Japan.
### A Missed Opportunity No More
Although this themed voyage marks the fifth performance by DeYunShe on Royal Caribbean Cruises, I have always missed them due to scheduling conflicts. Fortunately, with the dates in advance, I can now reserve the time to bring family and friends to experience the Spectrum Voyage in March.
### Entertainment on Board
Instead of merely entertaining ourselves on board, occasionally listening to comedy and spending the day amidst laughter is also a good choice. As the most famous major professional comedy troupe in China, DeYunShe adheres to the principle of ‘bringing comedy back to the theater’ and has brought countless laughs to audiences across the country in recent years.
### A Bold Move by Royal Caribbean
This time, bringing DeYunShe’s performance on board can be considered a bold move and is one of the three themed voyages strongly promoted by Royal Caribbean in March 2020. In addition to the DeYunShe themed route, there is also the ‘Goddess Route’ setting sail on March 5, 2020, the ‘Qiaohu Route’ setting sail on March 21, and the ‘DeYunShe Route’ setting sail on March 28. Everyone can plan their voyage based on their interests, but I will choose the DeYunShe route, believing this voyage will be very enjoyable.
### Postscript: The Spectrum Experience
The Spectrum is no longer a simple cruise ship; she has surpassed your imagination. It is an international metropolis at sea where you can dive into the ocean and soar into the sky. Here, childhood nostalgia meets the technology of tomorrow. One moment you are marveling at the scene before you, and in the next moment, you have entered a completely different future.
### Traveling with Xiao Dou
On the road, I am used to working and switching between different hotels. With only one month left in 2019, I seize this opportunity to travel to the cities I have not yet visited. The world is waving at you. I am Xiao Dou, a freelance travel photographer whose footprints cover the Americas, Southeast Asia, Japan, Korea, and Thailand. I also love food, am a free writer, and always on the road, usually based in Hangzhou, with irregular domestic and international travel photography, hoping to take you through the beautiful landscapes with my camera and measure every corner of the world with my steps, recording and sharing more travel stories with you.
Every day is a new journey, and everyone who has walked with us for a while is worth being grateful for. Life is neither long nor short, just enough to see the world well. With Xiao Dou, let’s tell stories through the lens.
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