Royal Carribbean Announces Cruise From Galveston and New Orleans

May 7, 2010 - Royal Caribbean International announced the cruise line’s exciting winter 2011-12 Caribbean cruise season aboard Voyager of the Seas from New Orleans, La., and Mariner of the Seas from Galveston, Texas. Voyager of the Seas will debut in New Orleans as the largest and most innovative cruise ship to homeport in the city, and offer a third convenient Gulf Coast city to embark on a Royal Caribbean cruise. Vacationers can choose from 45 sailings aboard Voyager of the Seas and Mariner of the Seas from November 2011 through April 2012, which comprise seven distinct itineraries that call at eight unique Caribbean ports. The two ships augment the already-announced short Western Caribbean cruises aboard Jewel of the Seas from Tampa. Royal Caribbean’s winter 2011-12 Gulf Caribbean cruises are now open for booking.

“With our return to New Orleans in winter 2011, Royal Caribbean will offer three vibrant and convenient Gulf Coast cities to embark on a memorable family vacation or winter getaway,” said Betsy O’Rourke, senior vice president of Marketing, Royal Caribbean International. “Our ships offer guests the widest array of exclusive onboard amenities and offer something for everyone and every age. Throughout, all guests will enjoy the Royal treatment, delivered by every member of our renowned friendly and engaging staff and crew.”

Guests of Voyager of the Seas and Mariner of the Seas also have a wide range of exciting shore excursions to enhance their cruise vacation for an additional charge. Guests can enjoy a fun-filled day at the beach sunbathing and swimming on the "Playa Mia Deluxe Beach Break" in Cozumel, Mexico, or swim with the graceful Southern Atlantic stingrays at the world-famous Stingray City on "Stingray City Sandbar Swim & Snorkel" in Grand Cayman. For the more adventurous, guests can soar through trees from platform to platform on the “Chukka Canopy Experience” at the new cruise port of Falmouth, Jamaica.

Voyager of the Seas begins the new season from New Orleans on November 12, 2011, offering vacationers seven-night Western Caribbean cruises sailing every Saturday from the city’s newly renovated Julia Street Cruise Terminal. Mariner of the Seas will take over for Voyager of the Seas at Galveston and offer two alternating seven-night Western Caribbean itineraries. A special nine-night Western Caribbean itinerary, departing November 11, 2011, will kick off Mariner of the Seas’ inaugural season at Galveston and an eight-night holiday cruise will depart on December 18. A six-night cruise, departing on January 2, 2012, will offer vacationers a relaxing and rejuvenating post-holiday getaway.

Voyager-class Mariner of the Seas and Voyager of the Seas are two of the world’s 10 largest and most innovative cruise ships at sea. Both ships feature the cruise line’s iconic rock-climbing wall, the Studio B ice-skating rink, nine-hole mini-golf course, an in-line skating track, a full-size basketball court, and the Royal Promenade, a boulevard of boutiques, restaurants and lounges and bars. Voyager of the Seas features the cruise line’s signature Portofino Italian restaurant, while Mariner of the Seas offers a second specialty restaurant option, Chops Grille steakhouse.