Our Journey from Nashville to Los Angeles and Aboard Quantum of the Seas

Our Journey from Nashville to Los Angeles and Aboard Quantum of the Seas

Some trips begin with smooth arrivals, exciting first impressions, and everything falling neatly into place. Others begin with a little more unpredictability, a few frustrations, and plenty of memorable moments along the way. Our February 2026 journey from Nashville to Los Angeles and onboard Royal Caribbean’s Quantum of the Seas definitely gave us a mix of both.

From a comfortable stay at Hotel Ziggy in West Hollywood to embarkation perks with The Key, port time in Cabo San Lucas, evenings at shows and lounges, and a few service issues that stood out more than they should have, this sailing gave us a lot to talk about. Here’s a look back at our experience from the start of the trip to disembarkation day.

On Thursday, February 12, 2026, we flew United Airlines from Nashville to Burbank to begin our trip. After landing, we had a private car service waiting to take us to Hotel Ziggy, which made arriving in Los Angeles feel easy and stress-free. After a full travel day, having that smooth transfer in place was definitely appreciated.

Once we arrived at Hotel Ziggy, it was easy to see that this was not your typical hotel experience. The property has a fun, laid-back, and creative energy with a very music-driven, rock-and-roll vibe that makes it feel fresh and different from the moment you walk in. It has a playful personality, a casual West Hollywood feel, and an atmosphere that feels both relaxed and social at the same time.

After checking in, we grabbed lunch at Pizza Girl, located right inside the hotel, which made for a convenient first stop after flying. It gave us time to settle in and take in the property before the rest of the afternoon. Later, we met with Taylor, the Director of Sales for three Los Angeles hotels, including Hotel Ziggy, which made our time in LA both productive and worthwhile.

One thing that really adds to the appeal of Hotel Ziggy is the energy it carries into the evening. The hotel offers live entertainment at night, which helps create a lively and welcoming atmosphere for guests who want more than just a place to sleep. That entertainment element, paired with the hotel’s bold personality and fun design, gives it a unique edge and makes it a great fit for travelers looking for something with character. Overall, it was a great mix of business and leisure before heading to the cruise port the next day.

On Friday, February 13, we took another private car service to the port, about an hour away, and officially began the embarkation process for what was a very special sailing. This cruise was not just a getaway for us — we were also hosting a group of 48 guests who had come together to celebrate Ron Frost’s 60th birthday. It was such a fun reason to be onboard, with friends and family all sailing to help him celebrate.

After completing the required safety videos and making our way toward boarding, one of the first benefits of purchasing The Key immediately became clear. We were able to bypass much of the standard boarding line and get onboard faster, which definitely made the process feel far more manageable, especially on a busy embarkation day.

Once onboard, we checked in at our muster station, connected to the ship’s Wi-Fi, and booked our shows for the sailing. Another Key perk was the special embarkation lunch, which was a nice added touch. That said, even there, we noticed some inconsistency right away. We ordered the same meal, but both plates came out with completely different sides. It was a small detail, but it ended up being an early sign of some of the inconsistencies we would notice throughout the trip.

When we made it to our stateroom, we were met with a surprise that was not exactly reassuring. There were three room keys waiting for us, including one for someone we did not know, and the couch had already been made into a bed. We contacted Guest Services and housekeeping, along with the room attendant who came by to address it. Everyone apologized, but no one seemed able to explain who the extra guest was supposed to be. When we followed up further, one screen in the system showed one thing while another showed something else entirely. It was strange, confusing, and not the smooth welcome we expected for the start of the cruise.  It also became a very weird thing as we kept getting mail and announcements for this person.  Every time there was a knock on the door, we kept wondering if Royal was sending us a roommate.

After dealing with the room situation, we made our way to the sail away party, and thankfully that helped shift the mood. There is always something special about that first afternoon onboard. The music, the energy, and the feeling of finally sailing away have a way of pulling you into vacation mode, even after a few bumps in the day. It also felt especially meaningful knowing we were onboard with such a large group all gathered to celebrate Ron’s milestone birthday.

That evening, we joined our group for dinner at Silk, but unfortunately the meal fell short. I ordered the prime rib, which came with far too much fat, while Scott ordered the New York strip, which was tough and lacking flavor. It was not the kind of first-night dining experience we had hoped for, especially when traveling with a group gathered for such a special occasion. Afterward, we stopped by Windjammer to take a look at the buffet. There were plenty of options available, which was a positive, but the dessert selection felt surprisingly limited and underwhelming. 

We ended the night at the Starwater show, which is Royal Caribbean’s signature immersive production aboard Quantum of the Seas, performed in the ship’s innovative Two70 venue. Rather than a traditional theater show, it is a fully immersive multimedia experience that blends live performers with advanced technology, including 270-degree digital projection mapping, robotic moving screens, and cinematic lighting effects that transform the entire space. As the performance unfolds, the floor-to-ceiling aft windows become a dynamic visual canvas, surrounding guests with shifting imagery while dancers and singers move seamlessly through the environment. The result is a highly atmospheric, abstract production that focuses on emotion, movement, and visual storytelling rather than a linear plot, creating a one-of-a-kind entertainment experience unique to the Quantum class ships. The show provided us an enjoyable close to the first day onboard.

On Saturday, February 14, Valentine’s Day, we started the morning with brunch at Silk. Once again, service issues stood out. The staff seemed slow in taking orders and delivering drinks, and even the prosecco arrived warm, which certainly did not feel very festive for brunch. Afterward, we headed to the Solarium, the ship’s adults-only area, which offered a much more relaxing pace for the day. It was one of the better places onboard to unwind and take a break from the busier public spaces.  Plus, no kids!!!

Later, we spent some time in the Harp & Horn Pub, a British style pub, where we relaxed, played games with Julie and Jim Frost,  and watched people decorate and draw on T-shirts while expressing birthday wishes nearby. It gave the afternoon a fun and casual energy. That evening, we returned to Silk for dinner and we had a group photo, which was a nice keepsake moment from the trip. 

After dinner, we stopped by the Harp and Horn Pub, where we ordered Old Fashioneds and fried pickles. The drinks were enjoyable, though the fried pickles turned out to be more like gherkins than what we expected. It is also worth noting that the pub’s bar bites are an added charge, which some guests may not realize until after ordering.

Later that evening, we headed to the Royal Theater for the Sequins and Feathers show. One small detail that stood out was that they were selling boxes of popcorn for $2.95, which gave the show a more classic theater feel. We wrapped up Valentine’s Day at the wine bar for the LGBTQ meetup, which was not well attended outside of our group, but still made for a fun and welcoming end to the evening.

On Sunday, February 15, we eased into the day with brunch at Silk before heading back to the room to relax for a bit. Once the ship arrived in Cabo San Lucas, we had to tender ashore, and once again The Key proved useful. One of its best perks was priority tender access, which allowed us to get off the ship before the larger crowds and made the process much easier.

While in Cabo, we made our way to Senior Frog’s, which gave us a fun and easygoing stop in port before returning to the ship. Once back onboard, we went to Windjammer, but unfortunately the food felt subpar and did not leave much of an impression.

Later, we spent time at the English bar, chatting and hanging out, before ending the evening at the Vintage wine bar for the LGBTQ gathering. Those quieter social moments ended up being some of the more enjoyable parts of the cruise.

On Monday, February 16, we decided to keep part of the day simple and ordered room service, including a burger, chicken tenders, and a quesadilla. After several days of rotating through the ship’s dining venues, it was nice to have a more casual meal in the room and take a little downtime.

Later in the day, we were also set to host a cocktail party for Ron’s birthday celebration, which added another special element to the sailing. Since this trip brought together so many of Ron’s friends and family, it was a great opportunity for everyone to gather, celebrate, and enjoy more time together for his 60th birthday.

That evening, we had dinner at Wonderland, one of the most unique dining experiences on Quantum of the Seas. Unlike a traditional restaurant, Wonderland is designed to feel imaginative and theatrical, with a menu and presentation that lean into surprise, creativity, and a more playful style of dining. From the atmosphere to the way the courses are introduced, it feels more like an experience than just a meal. Devi, our server, helped guide us through the evening, which made the dinner feel even more engaging and memorable. After dinner, we headed to the Sonic Odyssey show, which was another entertainment highlight and a great way to close out the night.

By Tuesday, February 17, the trip was starting to wind down, and some of the frustrations were becoming more noticeable. That morning, breakfast service apparently ended at 9:30 a.m., even though on other days it had run until 12:30 p.m. Since we missed it, we went to Windjammer instead. Unfortunately, that visit was one of the least pleasant buffet experiences of the trip. The area was crowded, and some guests were behaving in ways that were honestly off-putting, including grabbing food with their hands. To make matters worse, they had already run out of Coke Zero and bagels, which only added to the sense that the operation was not especially well managed that morning.

Later in the day, we packed in preparation for departure. That evening, we had dinner at Silk again and then went to review the onboard photos. One moment that really stood out was learning that the group photo would cost $256, which felt excessive and difficult to justify.  We were told that any picture with so many people could not be included in any photo package and would not be allowed to be a perk for those with Diamond status.  Unfortunately this was the first time we heard this.  We had told the photographer that several members of our group wanted the photo as part of their packages and several wanted it as one of their Diamond perks, but no one corrected us at the time it was taken. We were disappointed to say the least.   Ultimately, after much negotiation, we did get the photo. 

On Wednesday, February 18, we had our final breakfast on Deck 3 in the Grande Main Dining Room, using the Key breakfast menu before disembarkation. Unfortunately, even that last meal reflected some of the same issues we had seen elsewhere during the cruise. The table was dirty, the coffee mug was dirty, and the service felt very disjointed, which was not the best final impression to leave with guests.

Disembarkation itself was also frustrating. Getting off the ship took about 45 minutes, and the process felt far more chaotic and drawn out than it should have. After finally making it off, we had a private car service to the airport, which at least brought a more comfortable and seamless ending to the trip after a rough departure morning.

In the end, our time aboard Quantum of the Seas was a mix of enjoyable moments, useful perks, and service inconsistencies that were hard to ignore. We appreciated the convenience of private transfers, the advantages that came with The Key, some of the entertainment offerings, and the chance to spend time with friends both onboard and ashore. At the same time, inconsistent dining, operational confusion, cleanliness issues, and a frustrating disembarkation made this sailing feel less polished than we had hoped.

As with so many trips, though, the full story is rarely just one thing. It is the combination of the highs, the lows, and the unexpected moments in between that shapes the experience. And this sailing definitely gave us plenty to remember.  It also made us remember, we really prefer Royal’s newer ships like Utopia of the Seas and Star of the Seas.

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