Royal Caribbean

Royal Caribbean’s massive 2019/20 Aussie deployment

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Royal Caribbean's massive 2019/20 Aussie deployment

Royal Caribbean has announced big details around the 2019/20 Aussie season. There will be a total of 30 South Pacific sailings – 25% more than last season, Ovation of the Seas will be returning, Voyager of the Seas will be fresh from a refurbishment and more. The 2019/20 season will kick off with the arrival … Read more

Royal Caribbean’s Symphony of the Seas launches

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Royal Caribbean's Symphony of the Seas launches

The world’s largest ship, Symphony of the Seas has been officially delivered to Royal Caribbean ahead of her inaugural sailing.

She is the latest ship from the cruise line and boasts more amazing features than ever including a two-storey family suite with a slide from the top to bottom floor as well as new eateries, bars and entertainment.

She caters for a staggering 6,680 passengers and will be sailing around the Mediterranean for the summer before heading to her homeport of Miami.

“Symphony of the Seas is the latest example of how our people work to push the envelope of innovation with each new ship,” said Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. Chairman and CEO Richard D. Fain.

“The Oasis Class has been a trend-setting design, but the team has evolved the design to build on that success to provide even more incredible family adventures. We’re thankful to have a partner in STX France that is every bit as ambitious as we are about building technologically advanced ships.”

“Symphony will take family vacationing to an all new level with energy and options never before found in one place. This ship is the perfect blend of our greatest hits we know guests love and a lineup of vibrant, new restaurants, activities and unparalleled entertainment – all purposefully designed around vacationers’ preferences,” said Michael Bayley, President and CEO, Royal Caribbean International.

The 25th ship in Royal Caribbean’s fleet, Symphony of the Seas is 228,081 gross registered tons, measures 238 feet tall and spans 1,188 feet long.

She will welcome 5,518 guests at double occupancy in 2,759 staterooms, including 28 additional balcony rooms that overlook the ocean or signature Boardwalk neighborhood.

One Oasis Class ship, seven distinctive neighborhoods, the tallest slide at sea with the Ultimate Abyss and countless adventures for guests of all ages, the family adventure of a lifetime has surprises at every turn:

New Culinary Adventures

  • Hooked Seafood: This upscale eatery atop of the world’s largest cruise ship in the Solarium serves up the real taste of New England-inspired seafood and unparalleled ocean vistas to match. Approachable and unassuming, the menu offers classic coastal favorites, such as lobster rolls, crab claws, signature fish sandwich, and a raw bar where oysters are shucked to order.
  • Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade: Stretching the length of a reimagined Boardwalk, now touting fresh energy and swagger, the whole family can watch the home team play across 31 big-screen TVs, during the day and into the late night. The indoor and outdoor arcade, packed with over 20 games, offers the opportunity for friendly competition. The on-point menu of classic American bar food features everything from wings, burgers and popcorn shrimp to picture-perfect sundaes; as well as craft beers and cocktails.
  • El Loco Fresh: Made-to-order tacos and burritos wrapped with fresh tortillas are among the Mexican “street food” favorites that will hit the spot for adventure seekers looking to fuel up with minimal downtime.
  • Sugar Beach:The signature candy and ice cream shop is the sweet spot on the Boardwalk with more than 100 types of candies, a lineup of ice cream flavors and even DIY activities for the aspiring culinary artist.

New Ways to Play

  • Battle for Planet Z: Royal Caribbean’s first glow-in-the-dark laser tag game brings two teams of eight head to head in an out-of-this-world adventure to determine who will claim the last planet in the galaxy.
  • Escape the Rubicon: In the ultimate race against the clock, friends old and new must band together in the Rubicon submarine – a sophisticated, custom-built escape room – to solve a collection of puzzles before time runs out.

Unparalleled Family Accommodations

  • Ultimate Family Suite: A two-level, 1,346-square-foot suite filled with awesome thrills offers more than enough room for the whole family – and friends – to come together and catch up on “me time.” Features include an in-room slide, a private cinemawith an 85-inch HD TV, a floor-to-ceiling LEGO wall, a 212-square-foot balcony complete with table tennis and a full-size whirlpool. Complete with a Royal Genie, who caters to every whim, there are many more surprises awaiting guests along the way.

Symphony of the Seas will welcome her first guests on Saturday, March 31 for a one-time-only, 5-night preview sailing, calling on Naples and Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy.

The ship’s maiden 7-night Mediterranean voyage departs Saturday, April 7 from Barcelona, Spain.

Symphony of the Seas will homeport in Barcelona for the summer, visiting Palma de Mallorca, Spain; Provence, France; and Florence/Pisa, Rome and Naples, Italy. Starting on November 10, she will be homeported in Miami and itineraries include seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises will call on Perfect Day at CocoCay, Royal Caribbean’s newly revealed destination in the Bahamas.

 

Royal Caribbean scouting for private islands in Australia and around the world

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Royal Caribbean scouting for private islands in Australia and around the world

The cruise line which builds the world’s largest ships, Royal Caribbean has signalled its plans to revamp 10 of its cruise ships as well as scouting for private islands in Australia.

“Royal Caribbean is always on the look-out for new opportunities to deliver guests exceptional destination experiences, and we are currently considering multiple locations for the Perfect Day concept around the world,” said a RCCL spokesperson.

The line will be spending US$900 million – starting with Independence of the Seas as well as Mariner of the Seas.

The ‘Royal Amplified’ program will affect every part of the passenger experience on all Freedom-class and Voyager-class ships as well as Oasis and Allure of the Seas. This includes specialised pools for families as well as the VR bungee trampoline experience called Sky Pad.

Independence of the Seas will be the first to get the refresh and is getting the Sky Pad, laser tag, The Perfect Storm trio of slides, a new escape room as well as new dining venues like Fish and Ships, a seaside seafood eatery which serves favourites like fish and chips, Izumi Hibachi and Sushi serving Japanese delicacies as well as Sugar Beach.

Mariner of the Seas will be getting a $90 million refurbishment which includes the Sky Pad as well as laser tag, a new dining option called The Bamboo Room as well as Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade.

The line will also be refurbishing Oasis of the Seas in 2019, 10 years after her debut with new pools, activities, bars as well as new restaurants and onboard experiences similar to that of Symphony of the Seas. Allure of the Seas will also be getting a refreshed look in 2020.

“Royal Amplified is built on our passion for innovation, relentless attention to detail and commitment to always exceeding our guests’ expectations,” Michael Bayley, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean International told Cruise Critic.

“We sail with more than five million guests worldwide each year, and recognize the need to always innovate and stay ahead of the curve.”

Here are some of the big things to expect from Royal Caribbean over the next four years.

Private islands

Aside from the 10 ships, Royal Caribbean also announced it would be developing its private islands around the world in other destinations like Asia, Australia and the Caribbean. The ‘Perfect Day Island Collection’ includes the relaunch of the line’s private Bahamian private island Coco Cay in September. RCCL said it spent US$200 million refurbishing the island where guests will find a pair of water towers with 13 slides including the 135-foot Daredevil’s Peak. The Thrill water park will have the Caribbean’s largest wave pool as well as a kid friendly obstacle course pool. Another new attraction is Up, Up and Away, a helium balloon which soars up to 450 feet. The Chill Island will be for those who want to rest and relax with cabanas, daybeds as well as activities like glass-bottom kayaking, zorbing as well as volleyball. The upscale Coco Beach club will offer guests the first overwater cabanas.

Dining

RCCL are debuting three new dining options onboard Symphony of the Seas – Hooked, Playmakers Sports Bars & Arcade as well as El Loco Fresh. But the line said there will be more casual eateries. Mariner of the Seas will be getting a Polynesian-themed Bamboo Room and a Caribbean themed bar. There will be other new outlets like a music hall, karaoke spot and lounge-style nightclub. Other new food outlets include Fish and Ships, Sugar Beach as well as Izumi Hibachi and Sushi.

Pool deck

There will be lots of new pools as well as public spaces designed for couples who want to relax, or families looking for some fun. There will be new spas as well as cool waterslides like The Perfect Storm. The upper decks will also be dedicated to areas like the Sky Pad, bungee trampoline experience as well as the Planet Z laser tag course.

 

 

One month to go – inside Symphony of the Seas

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One month to go - inside Symphony of the Seas

The arrival of the world’s largest ship, Symphony of the Seas, is just around the horizon with the Royal Caribbean ship passing the first of its sea trials. These sea trials are undertaken in the final months of construction before ships are delivered to test the ship’s engine, manoeuvrability, communications, propellers and navigation systems. The … Read more

You asked – now cruise ships respond with new options

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You asked - now cruise ships respond with new options

Cruise lines are responding to the growing diversity of passengers – from millennials to the more intrepid – by providing more options. Many have come about because of special requests. Here are some of the new options you’ll find: Larger cruise ships We’re seeing an emergence of more lines building bigger cruise ships. While Royal Caribbean … Read more

Could Meghan Markle be a Virgin godmother?

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Virgin

The engagement of Prince Harry and American TV star Meghan Markle has sent the world in to a frenzy. It’s even sent the cruise world into a spin with punters in Britain and the US now trying to pick which cruise ship she will christen. For Duchess Kate, it was the Royal Princess which made … Read more

Most budget friendly cruise lines

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Most budget friendly cruise lines

Who doesn’t like to look after their budget? A new report by prestigious U.S News and World Report has revealed the cruise lines that give you most bang for your buck. They may not always be the cheapest – but they offer the best value. Here’s the list  – and send us your own thoughts … Read more

Ovation of the Seas arrives in Fremantle ahead of her season Down Under

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Ovation of the Seas arrives in Fremantle ahead of her season Down Under

Ovation of the Seas, Australia’s largest and most modern megaliner will be arriving in Fremantle next week ahead of her season Down Under. Making her way from Singapore to her Sydney summer home, Fremantle is Ovation of the Seas’ first Australian port of call for her second and significantly longer season down under.  At 348 metres long, … Read more