You’ve heard the hype about Royal Caribbean’s new Quantum of the Seas and how it’s purported to be the world’s first and only “smart ship.” I sailed on the inaugural voyage out of Bayonne, New Jersey, to find out how accurate that statement really is.

First things first, Quantum of the Seas is one of the world’s largest passenger cruise ships. It’s longer than five Boeing 747 jets parked end-to-end and can accommodate a maximum of 4,905 guests. Add 1,500 crew members into the mix and the total number of people on Quantum is about equal to the entire population of Aspen, Colorado. With that many people co-existing on a “floating city,” it’s no wonder Royal Caribbean invested in new technologies to make the ship more tourist friendly, efficient, and environmentally sustainable.

Here’s a look at the technology that really makes a difference onboard Quantum:

Download the Royal iQ App Before You Leave Home

While most cruise lines have online planners that allow guests to pre-book dinner and show reservations as well as shore excursions and spa appointments, Royal Caribbean now offers the Royal iQ app that allows you to track every aspect of your trip once onboard—using Quantum’s Wi-Fi (more on that later)—from your smartphone or tablet. Don’t worry if you’re not carrying any technology. Special freestanding iQ stations are positioned throughout the ship so you can log on and manage all of your reservations. Given how ubiquitous smartphones are, apps like this should become standard on all lines in the future.

Courtesy Royal Caribbean

Quantum’s Most Important Innovation: Fast Curb-to-Cabin Check-in

Perhaps Quantum’s most important innovation, smart check-in greatly reduces the time you spend in line on embarkation day. The new boarding procedure begins right in your own home. Simply hop online, fill out some details (passport information, birth date), and upload your own photo ID (take a picture with your webcam or upload a more formal portrait). Then, you print your documents and head for the port. When you arrive at the terminal, dozens of check-in agents are standing at the ready with tablets in hand. They scan your documents and passport and then direct you to the security line. Once you step through the metal detector, you’re on your way to your cabin. (The process took just eight minutes for me.)

If you hand luggage over to the porter, it will be tagged with an RFID (radio-frequency identification) chip, which uses electromagnetic fields to wirelessly transmit data. In conjunction with an app on your smartphone, you can monitor the progress of your bags from check-in all the way to your cabin.