Sailing on Spectrum of the Seas from Shanghai has been on our wish list for a long time. It’s one of those itineraries that feels a bit mysterious from the UK, exciting, but full of unknowns.
The question we’re asked more than anything else is:
“How Chinese is Spectrum of the Seas – and will I feel out of place as a British guest?”
Our first full sea day on Spectrum of the Seas, sailing across the East China Sea towards Okinawa, was the perfect time to properly explore the ship and start answering that question.
This post is both a trip report from Day Two and a deep-dive into what it actually feels like to be a Western guest on a ship largely sailing with Chinese families.
Spoiler: it still feels very much like Royal Caribbean – just with a really interesting Chinese twist.
Day Two Begins: A Slightly Chaotic Start
I wish I could say I glided gracefully into my first sea day, coffee in hand, ready to embrace the sunrise.
In reality, I woke up feeling… delicate. Let’s just say I’d been a bit too enthusiastic about the cocktails the night before.
To make things worse, drunk-me had forgotten to move my phone forward an hour when we changed time zones. We had something very special planned for 11:30am, and when a message pinged asking where I was at 10:35, I thought I still had plenty of time.
Except I didn’t.
The clocks had already gone forward. It was actually 11:35 – and I was five minutes late for one of the things I’d been looking forward to most:
A Bridge Tour on Spectrum of the Seas
I’ve done around two dozen cruises at this point and had never once been invited to the bridge, so this felt like a real pinch-me moment.
I think I set a personal record for the fastest I’ve ever got dressed, before sprinting to the front of the ship to join the rest of the group. Thankfully, I made it, slightly out of breath, but there.
On the bridge, we met the senior officers and Captain and got a fascinating insight into what it takes to operate a Quantum-class ship like Spectrum of the Seas in the East China Sea.
We learned about:
The central control systems used for open sea sailing.
The bridge wings – those glass-fronted platforms that jut out over the side of the ship – used for manoeuvring in port.
The azipods (360-degree rotating propeller units) that allow the ship to move sideways as well as forwards and backwards.
The captain talked about why the East China Sea is his favourite region to sail: the sea is often flat-calm, with glassy water stretching out in every direction. The challenge, he said, isn’t the weather; it’s the number of fishing boats.
They’re understandably protective of their nets, and will sometimes change course quite assertively to protect their fishing grounds, so the bridge team have to be constantly alert to where the fleets are operating.
As a ship geek, I loved seeing the plaques on display too, each one representing a maiden call to a particular port. It’s a reminder that Spectrum of the Seas has already had quite a life, even though we often only hear about her China deployment from a UK perspective.
Recovering in Comfort: A Slow Sea-Day Morning
Once the excitement of the bridge tour was over, I’ll be honest, I retreated to my cabin for a quiet morning.
The bed on Spectrum of the Seas deserves its own mention. The mattress was just the right level of firm, the linens were incredibly soft, and there was something very soothing about lying in bed watching the sun glint off the sea as we sailed towards Japan.
Sea days don’t always have to be about doing everything. Sometimes, they’re about giving yourself permission to do almost nothing.
By early afternoon, I felt human again and ready to go exploring – and this is where the bigger question started brewing in the back of my mind:
What does it really feel like to be a British guest on a ship that’s predominantly sailing with Chinese families?
Spectrum of the Seas Balcony Cabin Tour
So… How “Chinese” Is Spectrum of the Seas?
Let’s tackle this head-on, because it’s the question that comes up in almost every conversation I had in the lead-up to my trip to China with Royal Caribbean.
Is Spectrum of the Seas a “Chinese Ship”?
No.
Spectrum of the Seas is very much a Royal Caribbean ship, based in China and tailored for the Chinese market.
If you’ve sailed on other Quantum-class ships (like Anthem of the Seas or Ovation of the Seas), you’ll recognise a lot of the layout and venues:
Two70 at the aft
SeaPlex with its bumper cars and sports activities
The North Star observation pod
Teppanyaki, Chops Grille, Izumi, Wonderland and more
The Royal Esplanade, Windjammer buffet and main dining room
The service, cleanliness, food quality and entertainment standards are exactly what you’d expect from Royal Caribbean.
What’s different is that the ship has an extra layer of Chinese culture and design woven through it, gently and thoughtfully, enhancing rather than replacing the experience for Western guests.
Who Else Is On Board? Demographic Split onboard Spectrum of the seas by Sailing Length
The honest answer is: on most sailings, as a British guest, you will be in the minority. This is often the case on Royal Caribbean, anyway, when taking a fly-cruise. The USA is Royal Caribbean’s biggest market, so Brits are often a minority; we love Royal for that reason, but in China, the largest demographic will be Chinese.
Roughly speaking:
On short 4–5 night sailings from Shanghai, around 80–90% of guests are Chinese. The remaining 10–20% are a mix of British, European, Australian and American guests.
On longer 7+ night sailings, especially those with more Japan ports, the balance shifts closer to 60/40, with more international guests onboard.
Rather than seeing this as a negative, we found it incredibly enriching. You’re in a floating mix of modern Asia, with families and friendship groups travelling together, and it adds a real buzz to the atmosphere.
Do You Feel Isolated as a Western Guest?
Short answer: no, not at all.
There are a few important reasons for that:
English is everywhere.
Signage is bilingual, with English usually larger and Chinese characters below or nearby.
The Royal app works in English.
Menus, daily planners and in-cabin information are all available in English.
Crew speak excellent English. The crew are from all over the world, just like on other Royal ships, and they’re very used to looking after international guests.
Announcements are bilingual. Our cruise director, Bonnie, would make each announcement in Chinese and English, so you never feel like you’re missing key information.
At no point did we feel like we were having a “lesser” version of the Royal Caribbean experience because of the language or the itinerary. If anything, it felt like we were getting more, all the comfort of a familiar brand, plus the cultural immersion of being surrounded by Chinese guests. It felt like a genuine extension of our Chinese adventure.
How Do Chinese Families Use the Ship?
This is where you really notice the difference, not in a negative way, just in the style of how people cruise.
Chinese families tend to:
Travel in larger, multi-generational groups.
Eat together, game together, and relax together.
Settle into venues like lounges or cafés and play board games or cards for hours.
Take part in activities as a full family unit, from grandparents to children.
If you’re used to European or American cruises where people split off and do their own thing, this feels very different – but it gives the ship a lovely communal energy.
You might find families “base camped” at a table in a lounge for most of the afternoon, chatting, laughing and playing games. It’s all very relaxed and social.
We never saw behaviour that felt rude or hostile – just a different cultural rhythm.
Food and Drink: Familiar Favourites with a Chinese Twist
From a British point of view, one of the biggest worries is often:
“Will there be anything I recognise to eat?”
You absolutely do not need to worry.
What’s Familiar
You’ll still find:
Classic main dining room menus with international dishes
Windjammer buffet with Western staples, salads, pastas and more
Chops Grille, Teppanyaki, Wonderland and Izumi
Burgers, pizza, desserts – all the usual Royal Caribbean comforts
If you wanted to eat nothing but Western food all week, you could.
What’s Different (in a Good Way)
There’s also an extra layer of Chinese and Asian options:
More Chinese dishes appear on the buffet and in some menus.
The Leaf & Bean café serves not just coffee, but also bubble tea, a nod to local tastes.
There are two speciality restaurants exclusive to Spectrum of the Seas:
Sichuan Red – serving Sichuan-inspired Chinese cuisine.
Hot Pot – offering a traditional Chinese hot pot experience at the back of Windjammer.
We didn’t have time to dine at Sichuan Red or Hot Pot on this sailing, but the fact they exist highlights how Spectrum of the Seas marries Royal Caribbean’s core product with Chinese culinary culture.
You can often find wax/plastic samples set up across the ship for all the speciality dining, as the Chinese love to see the food they are ordering before. If you are worried about what you are ordering, you can always check the sample foods. Even the main dining room menu comes with photos for each main course.
What About Bars and Cocktails?
Another key difference is around the drinking culture.
Chinese guests, as a general rule, don’t drink in the same way as British or American guests. That’s reflected in the onboard offering:
There is no British-style pub on the Esplanade.
You won’t find a dedicated Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade.
The cocktail menus are simpler and more standardised across venues.
That said:
You can still get wines, beers, spirits and a good range of cocktails.
If you have a favourite classic (an Old Fashioned, a Negroni, a Mojito), the bartenders are more than happy to make it; they love being asked, as they are mixologists at heart, so don’t be afraid to ask. I promise you’ll bring a smile to their face.
Rather than bar-hopping being the focus of the cruise, the vibe is more about family time, shows, and shared activities. As a Brit who enjoys a cocktail, I never felt deprived, quite the opposite, as evidenced by my morning hangover; I just felt like the ship’s energy was directed more towards entertainment and experiences than late-night drinking.
Main perk…. no line for the bars…
Back to the Sea Day: Exploring, Relaxing and Taking It All In
After my slow start and post-bridge recovery, I spent some time just wandering the ship.
One of the things I love about Royal Caribbean is how much effort they put into artwork and design. Spectrum of the Seas is no exception.
Every stairwell, corridor and public space features contemporary art, sculptures and installations. On Spectrum, some of these pieces have a distinctly Asian flair, which subtly reinforces that you’re sailing a familiar brand in an unfamiliar part of the world – and that’s exactly what we were looking for.
Later in the afternoon, we gravitated towards the Solarium, the adult-only retreat at the very front of the ship. With its glass roof, warm pools and comfy loungers, it’s a lovely spot to escape the busier pool deck areas on a sea day.
Even though the sailing was busy and the ship full, the Solarium still felt peaceful. It’s a reminder that, even on shorter Asia sailings, you can still find quiet corners to recharge.
North Star at Sunset: A Very Royal Caribbean Moment
As the afternoon drifted into evening, it was time for something special: our North Star experience.
For those who haven’t sailed a Quantum-class ship before, North Star is a glass observation capsule mounted on a long arm that lifts you high above the top deck for 360-degree views of the ship and the sea.
On most Royal Caribbean ships, North Star is complimentary when the ship is in port and chargeable for special sea-day or “extended” experiences.
On Spectrum of the Seas in China, North Star is always a paid experience. This is simply because demand from the local market is so high and pre-booking helps manage queues.
We met at the North Star Bar just after sunset, drink in hand, and watched as the capsule slowly rose above the pool deck. Seeing the ship lit up at night, with the East China Sea stretching out in all directions, was absolutely magical.
It’s one of those moments where you’re reminded exactly why Royal Caribbean is so good at creating “wow” experiences – no matter where in the world you’re sailing.
Teppanyaki: The Perfect Group Meal
Dinner that evening was at Teppanyaki, one of the speciality restaurants onboard. If you’ve listened to our podcast (Magically Cruising), you’ll know Sarah is a massive fan of Teppanyaki, and I’ve been keen to try it properly for ages.
I’ll be honest: I was a bit nervous at first. It’s lively, loud and very interactive, chefs joking, singing, clanging utensils, tossing food. But once we got started, it was so much fun.
We sat in a horseshoe around the hotplate, and our chef cooked everything fresh in front of us:
I ordered Takoyaki (deep-fried octopus balls) as a starter, a favourite Japanese street food of mine that I never skip if it’s on the menu.
For my main, I chose the Samurai combo – beef tenderloin and tiger prawns.
Between us, we also sampled the New York strip steak, chicken breast, scallops and lobster.
If I sailed again, I’d probably choose the New York steak and chicken breast; they were standouts. Portions were generous, and those who had scallops and lobster practically licked their plates clean.
For dessert, I couldn’t resist mochi ice cream, including a mango flavour that was my favourite by far. Even if i was ready to be rolled out by the time the hot plate started to cool down.
Teppanyaki is a brilliant choice if you’re travelling as a group, whether that’s family or friends. It’s theatre, dinner and laughter rolled into one. Great for a potential icebreaker and for making friends as you sit in a group.
And in the context of our “How Chinese is this ship?” question, it’s a good example of how Spectrum balances multiple Asian influences (Japanese dining, Chinese market, Western brand) in a way that feels coherent and fun.
It was especially lovely to do this experience, on the eve of our arrival in Okinawa, perfectly setting the tone.
70s Party in Two70: Everyone on the Dance Floor
After dinner, we headed to Two70 for the 70s party, where the atmosphere on board really came alive.
Two70 is one of my favourite venues in the Royal Caribbean fleet. During the day, it’s a relaxing lounge with panoramic ocean views. At night, it transforms into a high-tech show space, with robotic screens, projection mapping and hidden stages.
For the 70s party, the entertainment team were out in full flares and sequins, leading dance routines to classic 70s hits. What I loved most was seeing how enthusiastically the Chinese guests joined in.
Everyone followed the choreography, clapped in time, and the energy in the room was infectious.
My absolute highlight?
A group of performers dressed as the Village People rising dramatically from below the stage. It was gloriously camp, completely over the top, and honestly one of the most joyful cruise moments I’ve had in years.
Again, everything was presented bilingually where needed, but the music, the movement and the atmosphere transcended language. It was simply a brilliant night out.
We rounded off the evening with a couple of drinks at Vintages, the wine bar on board, chatting through the day and reflecting on just how much we’d already experienced, and this was only Day Two.
So, What’s Our Verdict? How Chinese Is Spectrum of the Seas?
After a full sea day onboard, exploring, eating, people-watching and soaking it all in, here’s our honest take:
Spectrum of the Seas is absolutely still a Royal Caribbean ship.
You get the same core product: great service, strong entertainment, comfortable cabins, good food, familiar venues.
You also get a layer of Chinese culture, from food and entertainment to how families use the ship.
As British guests, we never once felt isolated or out of place.
Instead, it felt like the perfect bridge between:
The comfort and familiarity of a brand we know and trust.
The richness and energy of travelling in a totally different part of the world.
For anyone nervous about visiting China or Asia more generally, sailing on Spectrum of the Seas from Shanghai is, in our view, an ideal way to start. You’re gently nudged out of your comfort zone, but never left without support or familiarity.
Would we do it again? Absolutely – in a heartbeat.
And next time, I might even remember to change the time on my phone before the bridge tour.
