Royal Caribbean's Mariner of the Seas 2013 Deployment to Asia

Royal Caribbean's Mariner of the Seas 2013 Deployment to Asia

At a press conference in Beijing, China, executives from Royal Caribbean International announced that the recently revitalized Mariner of the Seas will head to Asia in June 2013 and offer numerous itineraries from China and Singapore to Southeast Asia, Japan and Korea throughout the rest of the year.

The addition of a second 3,114-guest ship to China, to join Voyager of the Seas, illustrates the company’s commitment to the growing cruise industry in Asia. Together, they represent the two largest capacity and most innovative cruise ships operating in the region. 

Richard D. Fain, chairman and chief executive officer of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., and Adam Goldstein, president and chief executive officer of Royal Caribbean International, made the announcement with Dr. Zinan Liu, group managing director for China and Asia.  

Royal Caribbean International will deploy Mariner of the Seas to China in June 2013. Offering a wide variety of itineraries, ranging from three nights to 12 nights, the move is designed to offer additional capacity to a fast growing Chinese cruise vacation population, as well as attract cruise guests from around the world to visit China and sail around Asia.  The ship will adopt the same product customizations made for Voyager of the Seas' entry in the market – including Chinese-style menus, as well as enhanced retail and entertainment offerings, and language services.

“The opportunities to attract guests from China to cruise are abundant,” says Goldstein.  “Mariner of the Seas recently received a host of Royal Advantage enhancements and I’m confident cruisers here will be amazed by the Oasis-class innovations available for everyone of all ages on this ship.”

“We’ve made it clear we see Asia in general, and China in particular, as a strategic objective,” adds Fain.  “We have been so pleased by the market’s response to bringing Voyager of the Seas to Asia that it made strategic sense to send a second ship of equal size.”

Mariner of the Seas weighs 138,279 gross registered tons, spans 15 guest decks and was built in Turku, Finland before making its maiden voyage in 2003.  The ship will depart the Caribbean in April and head to Singapore and onto China via Dubai and the Suez Canal. 

“This is another major step forward, in a short period of time, for the cruise industry in China,” says Dr. Liu.  “The feedback from guests sailing with Royal Caribbean has been tremendously positive, and we look forward to continuing to work with other Chinese ports and travel partners to further develop the country’s overall cruise economy,” says Dr. Zinan. 

When she sails into China in June 2013, Mariner of the Seas will offer guests the benefits of the multi-million dollar Royal Advantage strategy, including enhanced staterooms and other innovative features that Royal Caribbean International has created in recent years.  As well as a greater variety of new onboard dining and entertainment options, there will be:

• Outdoor movie screen:  A giant outdoor screen overlooking the pool deck.
• Royal Promenade:  An indoor “main street” stretching nearly the full length of the middle of the ship, lined with places to eat, drink, shop and be entertained.   
• “Studio B” Ice Rink:  An ice skating rink for guests that doubles as a 700-seat venue for ice show productions with world-class figure skaters.
• Boardwalk Dog House:  A casual eatery for guests to enjoy a range of brats, links, wieners and dogs.
• New Technology:  Guests will enjoy pervasive Wi-Fi, interactive flat-panel televisions in staterooms, and electronic mustering. 
• Digital Wayfinding Systems:  Onboard activities, real time updates, customized directions and routing, as well as ship factoids will all be at guests’ fingertips with new plasma and LCD touch screen signs prominently placed throughout the ship.
• Sports facilities including an inline skating track, Royal Caribbean’s signature rock-climbing wall, a 9-hole mini golf course, a golf simulator, a full size sports court with a basketball court, three swimming pools and six whirlpools.

There’s also the cruise line's signature Viking Crown Lounge, the Schooner Bar, Casino Royale, a 1,400-square meter Day Spa & Fitness Center, and complimentary Adventure Ocean youth program.  In addition to a fabulous range of activities, the ship offers conference facilities which provide the ideal environment for corporate meetings. 

Underscoring the significance of the growing Chinese cruise economy and established desire to sail with Royal Caribbean International, Voyager of the Seas is confirmed to return to China in 2013 for a second season.  Meanwhile, Legend of the Seas, which has operated out of Singapore and Shanghai for the past three years, will return to Europe.   

About Royal Caribbean International
Royal Caribbean International is a global cruise brand with 22 innovative ships, calling on more than 270 destinations in 72 countries across six continents. The line also offers unique cruise tour land packages in Alaska, Canada, Dubai, Europe, and Australia and New Zealand. 

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Royal Caribbean Forms Strategic Relationship with Xiamen Government and China World Cruises

Royal Caribbean International has entered into a strategic relationship with the Xiamen municipal government and China World Cruises (CWC) in China that involves CWC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Beijing-based property and theme park developer Shan-Hai-Shu, chartering Legend of the Seas for a total of four months in 2012.

During the four months, Royal Caribbean International will operate and market 21, three- to eight-night sailings from Xiamen, as well as Shanghai, Tianjin and Hong Kong, to ports of call in Taiwan, Vietnam, Japan and Korea. The inaugural, five-night charter sailing will depart from Hong Kong on March 20, 2012, while the first departure of guests from Xiamen will be on March 26.

The time charter agreement is fully supported by the Xiamen Municipal Government as part of the government’s development of Xiamen as the fourth cruise home port for Royal Caribbean International in China, following Shanghai, Tianjin and Hong Kong.

“This is an incredible opportunity for Royal Caribbean International, the Xiamen municipal government and China World Cruises, and is truly unique to the fast growing cruise industry in Asia,” says Dr. Zinan Liu, group managing director for China and Asia, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. “We are the first cruise brand to bring together the support of the government and local private industry.”

Working with the Xiamen municipal government, Xiamen-based CWC aims to invest around $5 billion in the Xiamen waterfront area and harbour district to develop a “Cruise Homeport City”, with a theme park, retail units, luxury hotels, condominiums, as well as a new, four-berth cruise terminal. Xiamen is located between Shanghai and Hong Kong, is less than

200 miles from Taipei, Taiwan, and is one of the most important and fastest growing ports along the Chinese coast.

“China holds amazing opportunities for the cruise industry, including port infrastructure development to attracting vacationers from around the world,” says Michael Bayley, executive vice president of International for Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. “These are exciting times and we are delighted to be working with the Xiamen Municipal Government and China World Cruises on this strategic arrangement.”

Legend of the Seas is an award-winning, 1,804-guest, double occupancy, ship that has been operating in Asia, out of Singapore since 2008 and out of Shanghai since 2010. At 63,130 gross registered tons, the ship features:

• 11 guest decks
• 902 staterooms
• An array of entertainment and relaxation choices for families and couples
• Complimentary and award-winning Adventure Ocean kids and teen programming
• A nine-meter rock wall and nine-hole miniature golf course
• Broadway-style musical productions
• A fitness center, day spa, lounges, and Solarium indoor pool
• A wide variety of international cuisines, ranging from formal to casual dining styles.

“We believe Royal Caribbean International is the right cruise brand to work with in developing the cruise industry in China,” says George Buge Zhang, President of China World Cruises. “In just a few years, they’ve established themselves as the market leader and proven they understand local market conditions and Chinese guests’ needs and preferences.”

The strategic relationship with the Xiamen municipal government and China World Cruises follows the announcement in June that Royal Caribbean International will deploy the 3,114-guest, double occupancy, Voyager of the Seas to China in June 2012. Offering a wide variety of itineraries, ranging from four to eight nights, Voyager of the Seas will double the size of any cruise ship operating in China, and in the Asia-Pacific region.

Spanning 14 guest decks and with 1,556 staterooms, Voyager of the Seas will start its Asia 2012 season with a sailing from Singapore, followed by itineraries out of Shanghai (Baoshan) and Tianjin, to ports including Fukuoka and Kobe in Japan, and Busan and Jeju in Korea until October. Voyager of the Seas will begin 14-night sailings from Sydney, Australia on November 24, 2012 to ports in Australia and New Zealand, while itineraries in early 2013 will include stops in Tasmania and the South Pacific.

Today’s announcement and the deployment of Voyager of the Seas to Shanghai in 2012 are part of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.’s strategy for global diversification and growth.

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Royal Caribbean's Voyages of the Seas to Asia in 2012

September 6, 2011 – Executives of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. announced today Royal Caribbean International’s 2012 Asia cruises deployment schedule for Voyager of the Seas – the largest and most amenity-filled cruise ship to sail in the region.

At 137,276 gross registered tons, Voyager of the Seas ranks among the world’s 10 largest and most innovative cruise ships and will offer vacationers unparalleled experiences in the region. The ship’s inaugural Asia season will start on May 26, 2012 in Singapore, followed by sailings from Shanghai (Baoshan) and Tianjin in China.

“We have a leading market position in China,” explains Dr. Zinan Liu, group managing director of China and Asia for Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. “Customer demand is strengthening and we’re responding by increasing our commitment to the region with an additional, bigger ship, to offer a wider range of itineraries to even more ports.”

With Voyager of the Seas and Legend of the Seas, which has been deployed in China since 2010, Royal Caribbean International will offer 49 sailings out of the country in 2012, and will add Xiamen as its fourth homeport after Shanghai, Tianjin and Hong Kong.

“Voyager of the Seas deployment to Asia is another milestone for Royal Caribbean International, and a mark of our confidence and commitment to the region’s potential, as well as part of our global growth strategy,” says Michael Bayley, executive vice president of International, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.

Voyager of the Seas will offer vacationers a wide range of short cruises – three-, four-, five- seven- and eight-night itineraries in Asia – to longer, 14- to 18-night cruises in the South Pacific to New Zealand and Australia. Chinese guests can also expect to experience a greater variety of products and services tailored to their needs.

Cruises will include the seven-night “Pearls of the Orient” and “Jewels of Asia” sailings, calling at various destinations in Japan and South Korea. Vacationers also can choose a repositioning cruise aboard Voyager of the Seas from Singapore to Fremantle, Australia, departing October 22, 2012, and returning on March 9, 2013. Voyager of the Seas will reposition to begin its winter season from Sydney on November 5, 2012. Bookings for Voyager of the Seas’ 2012 Asia itineraries open today.

When she sails into Asia next year, Voyager of the Seas will introduce several unique concepts never before seen at sea in the region, including the following signature onboard amenities:

• Royal Promenade – an indoor “main street” stretching nearly the full length of the middle of the ship, lined with places to eat, drink, shop and be entertained. Guests can stroll up and down the four-story street and enjoy regular street parades.
• “Studio B” Ice Rink – an ice skating rink for guests that doubles as a sensational 700-seat venue for ice show productions with world-class figure skaters.
• Eleven dining venues include specialty restaurant “Portofino” for classic Italian fine dining and 50s inspired American diner “Johnny Rockets”. There’s also the grand three-story, 1,919-seat main dining room.
• Unparalleled sports facilities including an inline skating track, Royal Caribbean International’s signature rock-climbing wall, a nine-hole mini golf course, a golf simulator, a full size sports court with basketball court, three swimming pools and six whirlpools.

In the evenings, there are award-winning Broadway-style musical revues, or opportunities to recount the day’s experiences in multiple onboard bars and lounges over cocktails.

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Royal Caribbean Announces Biggest Ever Asia Australia Deployment in 2012-13

Royal Caribbean International today announced a record-setting winter 2012-13 Australia cruises and cruisetours season, offering vacationers three of the world’s largest and most innovative cruise ships in the region. Voyager of the Seas – the largest and most amenity-filled cruise ship to sail the Indian and Pacific oceans – Radiance of the Seas and Rhapsody of the Seas will sail an eclectic mix of Australia and New Zealand itineraries, ranging from one to 18 nights, and cruisetours for up to 23 nights. Bookings for Royal Caribbean’s 2012-13 Australia and New Zealand cruises and cruisetours open today.

“Royal Caribbean will offer more capacity in Sydney than any other cruise operator during the season,” said Betsy O’Rourke, senior vice president of Marketing, Royal Caribbean International. “Vacationers have the widest choice among the region’s most innovative ships, exclusive onboard amenities and compelling itineraries. Combined with our signature friendly and engaging Gold Anchor Service, Royal Caribbean’s Australia and New Zealand season is delivering the Royal Advantage to guests on an adventure Down Under.”

Vacationers also can choose among five cruisetour itineraries, which combine a cruise aboard one of the ships and an escorted multi-night land tour. Destination highlights on the land tour include visits to Ayers Rock, rising high above the Northern Territory’s dramatic desert plain, and enjoy a gourmet barbeque under the vast Outback sky; and cruise, swim, snorkel and dive in the Great Barrier Reef from Port Douglas. In New Zealand, guests will explore Auckland and Rotorua and enjoy a Hangi and Maori concert among many other activities. All Royal Caribbean cruisetours are escorted by a knowledgeable Adventure Specialist and include hotel accommodations, transportation and select meals.

Voyager of the Seas, Radiance of the Seas and Rhapsody of the Seas will offer vacationers a wide range of short cruises – one-, two-, and five-night itineraries – to longer, eight- to 18-night cruises in the South Pacific to New Zealand and Australia. Vacationers also can choose a repositioning cruise aboard Voyager of the Seas from Singapore to Fremantle, departing October 22, 2012, and return on March 9, 2013. Radiance of the Seas and Rhapsody of the Seas both will reposition from Vancouver, British Columbia to Sydney, via Hawaii, in September 2012, and return in May 2013.

At 137,276 gross registered tons, Voyager of the Seas ranks among the world’s 10 largest and most innovative cruise ships and will offer Australia vacationers an unparalleled experience in the region. The ship offers exclusive Royal Caribbean onboard amenities, such as an ice-skating rink for spectacular ice show performances, nine-hole mini-golf course, and the Royal Promenade, a boulevard that runs nearly the length of the ship, flanked with boutiques, restaurant and lounges, and ideal for dance parties and parades. Radiance of the Seas and Rhapsody of the Seas are both appointed with multi-deck, dazzling glass windows, affording guests sweeping vistas of the landscape as it unfolds.

Aboard all three ships, guests can race to the top of the ships’ iconic rock-climbing walls for an even more thrilling view from the ship’s highest point or enjoy a variety of rejuvenating spa treatments in the Day Spa. Younger guests will be entertained and enlightened in the cruise line’s award-winning Adventure Ocean and teen programs, with scheduled activities led by a college-graduate counselor beginning from 9 to 2 a.m. In the evenings, guests can enjoy the Royal Caribbean Productions’ award-winning Broadway-style musical revues, and recount the day’s experiences in multiple onboard bars and lounges over cocktails.

Royal Caribbean International is a global cruise brand with 22 ships currently in service.

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Royal Caribbean Announces Major Upgrades to the Fleet

Royal Caribbean International today announced that it will invest approximately $300 million to bring the latest innovations to the cruise line's ships across the fleet and introduce the highest guest-rated programs from its award-winning Oasis-class ships. The revitalizations will offer guests a greater variety of new onboard dining and entertainment options, pervasive Wi-Fi, iPod docking stations, and many more amenities, to deliver even more of the "WOW" aboard all Royal Caribbean ships sailing worldwide. Planned through 2014, the revitalizations are yet another example of why Royal Caribbean has been voted Best Cruise Line Overall for eight consecutive years in Travel Weekly's Readers' Choice Awards. These fleetwide enhancements build on Royal Caribbean's best-in-class global vacation offering and deliver to guests the Royal Advantage - the industry's most innovative cruise ships, combined with exciting itineraries and destinations, and world-renowned friendly and engaging Gold Anchor Service.

"The Royal Advantage revitalizations takes many of the best features that we have created in recent years and introduces them across our fleet, offering our guests enhanced vacation choices around the world," said Adam Goldstein, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean International. "We never stop trying to make the experience even better, and no other cruise line can offer the same high quality vacation experience with such an array of choices that cater to every guest."

The Royal Advantage revitalizations began with Radiance of the Seas in May 2011, and will be followed by Splendour of the Seas in November. In 2012, revitalizations are scheduled for Vision-class ships including Rhapsody of the Seas (March 2012) and Grandeur of the Seas (May 2012), as well as Radiance-class Serenade of the Seas (November 2012). Each ship will enter dry dock for approximately a month and re-emerge as even better versions of the ships that guests love, complete with new dining venues, entertainment options, technology enhancements and more.

"We are thrilled that the ongoing Royal Advantage revitalizations will result in a virtually brand-new fleet that offers the most contemporary experience, no matter which ship or itinerary vacationers choose," said Lisa Bauer, senior vice president of Hotel Operations, Royal Caribbean International. "From new dining concepts to cutting-edge entertainment to technological advancements, we are raising the bar across the fleet to offer guests our signature Gold Anchor Service and the world's most innovative cruise ships that sail to exciting destinations worldwide."

With the cruise line's recently announced 2012-13 deployments, vacationers have the opportunity to enjoy new and unparalleled onboard experiences and itineraries. Revitalized Grandeur of the Seas will offer vacationers seven-night Western Mediterranean or 10- and 11-night Greece and Turkey itineraries from Palma de Mallorca, Spain, and Venice, respectively, in summer 2012. Moreover, the newly revitalized Rhapsody of the Seas and Radiance of the Seas will offer vacationers additional dining and entertainment options for a cruise or cruisetour in awe-inspiring Alaska in summer 2012 or rugged Australia and New Zealand in winter 2012-13.

Among the revitalizations and enhancements to the Vision-, Voyager- and Radiance-class ships throughout the next three years, will be:

• New Technology: Guests will enjoy pervasive Wi-Fi, interactive flat-panel televisions in staterooms, and electronic mustering.
• Digital Wayfinding Systems: Onboard activities, real time updates, customized directions and routing, as well as ship factoids will all be at guests' fingertips with new plasma and L CD touch screen signs prominently placed throughout each of the ships.
• Outdoor LED Video Walls: Oversized video screens will be installed on the pool decks to liven up outdoor entertainment and programming, day and night.
• Royal Babies and Tots Nursery: Safe, fun and interactive vacation environments will be available in nurseries designed for babies and tots ages six through 36 months.
• New Staterooms: New levels of accommodations, including staterooms ideal for families, will be added to suit a variety of guest needs and requirements.

Additional Dining Options:

• Chef's Table: An exclusive experience co-hosted by the Executive Chef and Sommelier for an intimate wine pairing dinner of five courses.

• Izumi: A pan-Asian cuisine restaurant featuring mouthwatering flavors and a sushi bar with hot-rock cooking.
• Chops Grille: Royal Caribbean's signature steakhouse featuring a menu of prime cuts prepared a la minute.
• Park Café: A casual dining venue featuring gourmet salads, sandwiches, soups and pastries.
• Rita's Cantina: A casual yet vibrant restaurant offering traditional Mexican fare, comprehensive selection of margaritas and live evening entertainment.
• Boardwalk Doghouse: A casual eatery for guest to enjoy a range of brats, links, wieners and dogs.

In 2013 and 2014, additional Royal Advantage revitalizations will take place on Vision-class ships, including Legend of the Seas and Vision of the Seas, four Voyager-class ships - Navigator of the Seas, Voyager of the Seas, Explorer of the Seas and Adventure of the Seas - and the Radiance-class Brilliance of the Seas. Royal Caribbean also will deliver the Royal Advantage through less extensive enhancements planned for Freedom-class Independence of the Seas, Voyager-class Mariner of the Seas, and Vision-class Enchantment of the Seas.

Radiance of the Seas' recent revitalization doubled the ship's onboard dining options among other enhancements, and is now alternating seven-night South- and North-bound Alaska itineraries this summer before repositioning for its first winter season in Australia and New Zealand. The final and most extensive revitalization this year will be Splendour of the Seas in November, which afterwards will offer two-, three- and four-night Brazil cruises, as well as seven- and eight-night Argentina & Uruguay Cruises from Sao Paulo, Brazil. In early 2011, Oasis of the Seas, Freedom of the Seas, and Liberty of the Seas had received popular enhancements and programs that were introduced aboard the newly launched Allure of the Seas, such as the DreamWorks Experience. Having previously undergone extensive revitalizations in recent years, both Sovereign-class Majesty of the Seas and Monarch of the Seas are currently delivering the Royal Advantage to guests on short Bahamas cruises from Miami and Port Canaveral, Fla., respectively.

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Voyager of the Seas to China in 2012

June 8, 2011 at the Shanghai International Conference Center in China, executives from Royal Caribbean International told an audience of 300 travel agents and media partners that it will introduce Voyager of the Seas

to the China market in 2012.

Michael Bayley, executive vice president of International for Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., and Dr. Zinan Liu, group managing director for China and Asia, revealed that Royal Caribbean International will deploy the 3,114-guest Voyager of the Seas to Shanghai, China in June 2012. Offering a wide variety of itineraries, ranging from four nights to 10 nights, the move is designed to offer exciting new cruise experiences to Chinese vacationers, as well as attract cruise guests from around the world to visit China and sail around Asia.

“There are clear opportunities in the China market, a key area for Royal Caribbean International’s global development,” says Adam Goldstein, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean International. “Our brand’s strategy for China is to leverage Royal Caribbean International’s leading position in the market by offering innovative ships and customized services. And we look forward to working with our travel partners and helping to grow the cruise economy in China. ”

Voyager of the Seas will be double the size of any cruise ship operating in China, and in the Asia-Pacific region – weighing in at nearly 150,000 gross registered tons and more than double the size of Legend of the Seas. Spanning 11 guest decks and with 1,556 staterooms, the ship will come to Shanghai from EuropeSydney, Australia in October. and offer a variety of sailings to ports in Japan and Korea until August, including Fukuoka and Kobe in Japan, and Busan and Jeju in Korea. Voyager of the Seas will depart for

“Customer demand for our brand has been very strong in China,” says Bayley, “We are excited to be able to bring such an innovative ship to the China market in 2012.” For more than 40 years, Royal Caribbean International has been providing vacationers incredible cruise experiences, constantly pushing the limits of what is possible with its innovative ships, exciting destinations, countless onboard activities, award-winning entertainment, delectable dining and its signature Gold Anchor Service.

“This is a major step forward for the cruise industry in China. We will continue working with the Chinese ports and our travel partners to further develop the country’s overall cruise economy,” says Dr. Zinan.

“Along with Michael Bayley, we’ve been meeting with various agencies and officials on playing an active role in the development of home ports for international cruise ships. There’s also the need to build necessary support facilities, including bonded warehouses and distribution centers. Our aim is to support cities like Shanghai, Tianjin, Hong Kong and Xiamen, to grow into world class cruise tourist destinations.”

Underscoring the significance of the growing Chinese cruise economy and established desire to sail with Royal Caribbean International, Legend of the Seas will also return to Shanghai in March 2012 for its fourth season. For the two ships, work is underway to offer a wider variety of tailored onboard products to Chinese guests, including more Chinese language services, authentic Chinese food and culturally appropriate recreational activities and duty-free items.

When she sails into Shanghai in June 2012, Voyager of the Seas will introduce several unique concepts never before seen at sea in Asia:

• Royal Promenade – an indoor “main street” stretching nearly the full length of the middle of the ship, lined with places to eat, drink, shop and be entertained. Guests can stroll up and down the 4-story street and enjoy regular street parades.
• “Studio B” Ice Rink – an ice skating rink for guests that doubles as a sensational 700-seat venue for ice show productions with world-class figure skaters.
• Eleven dining venues include specialty restaurant “Portofino” for classic Italian fine dining and 50s inspired American diner “Johnny Rockets”. But Voyager’s most stunning eatery is the grand three-story, 1,919-seat main dining room.
• Unparalleled sports facilities including an Inline skating track, Royal Caribbean’s signature rock-climbing wall, a 9-hole mini golf course, a golf simulator, a full size sports court with basketball court, three swimming pools and six whirlpools.

There’s also the cruise line's signature Viking Crown Lounge, the Schooner Bar, Casino Royale, a 1,400-square meter Grandeur Day Spa & Fitness Center, and complimentary Adventure Ocean youth program, where kids of all ages engage in age-appropriate fun as well as educationally enriching activities. In addition to a fabulous range of activities, the ship offers conference facilities which provide the ideal environment for corporate meetings.

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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.

Royal Caribbean Announces 4 Ships in Europe in 2011

Royal Caribbean International today announced the cruise line’s 2011 Europe cruise and cruisetour season, the cruise line’s biggest ever European deployment with 10 ships slated to sail Baltic and Mediterranean waters. The 2011 European deployment will be an increase from eight ships in 2010 and offer 109 unique itineraries, ranging from three to 15 nights and visiting 27 countries and 78 ports. Two ships, Liberty of the Seas and Grandeur of the Seas,will sail their maiden Europe seasons from Barcelona and Palma de Mallorca, Spain, respectively.

Independence of the Seas will continue its year-round service from Southampton, U.K. and, with Liberty of the Seas, make two Freedom-class ships to sail European waters as the largest and most innovative cruise ships. Navigator of the Seas, Voyager of the Seas, Adventure of the Seas, Brilliance of the Seas, and Splendour of the Seas will sail a variety of Mediterranean itineraries, while Jewel of the Seas and Vision of the Seas will ply the Baltic and North seas. Most 2011 Royal Caribbean International Europe cruises and cruisetours are now open for booking.

“Vacationers will have the widest selection of Europe’s largest and most innovative cruise ships with Royal Caribbean in 2011,” said Betsy O’Rourke, senior vice president of Marketing, Royal Caribbean International. “With four classes of ships in the region, Royal Caribbean is offering a 2011 Europe cruise lineup that will appeal to a wide range of vacationers from couples seeking the romance of Europe to multigenerational family vacations. And all of our guests receive the Royal treatment from our friendly and engaging staff and crew.”

Vacationers also can choose a Royal Caribbean Europe cruisetour, providing a more comprehensive vacation experience. A cruisetour allows guests to choose from packages that combine a Europe cruise aboard one of seven Royal Caribbean ships with a three-night Italian Lakes and Venice, four-night Paris and London, four-night Madrid and Barcelona, five-night Venice, Florence and Rome, or a four-night Istanbul and Cappadocia land tour itinerary. Each land tour is escorted by a Tour Director, and ground transfers, hotel reservations, city tours and some meals are inclusive.

Guests can enhance their Europe cruise vacation with a panoply of excursion options for an additional charge, including overland options such as one featuring a comprehensive overview of the Holy Land with a stay in Jerusalem on “Grand Overland,” and another which includes both Cairo and Luxor and the Valley of the Kings on "Grand Egypt Tour." Guests also can choose from a long roster of day excursions, from visits to the ruins of Athens’ Acropolis on “Athens Sightseeing and Acropolis,” trips that explore the craters of Italy’s Mt. Etna on “Taste of Sicily: Mt. Etna & Taormina,” and an overview of Russia’s St. Petersburg, visiting the famed Hermitage Museum, Catherine’s Palace and Peterhof Palace on “The Grand St. Petersburg with Hermitage.”

For its part, Liberty of the Seas will begin its very first Europe season at Barcelona with nine short roundtrip sailings, four- and five-night Western Mediterranean itineraries. Then, Liberty of the Seas will offer a repeating seven-night Western Mediterranean itinerary for the remainder of the season. Sister-ship Independence of the Seas will offer year-round Europe itineraries for the second consecutive year, beginning with alternating 14-night roundtrip Eastern and Western Mediterranean sailings from Southampton, U.K. The ship will then sail 11-night Canary Islands itineraries in autumn and 18-night Ultimate Mediterranean itineraries during the winter months. Liberty of the Seas and Independence of the Seas will be the only vessels in Europe exclusively featuring amenities that have revolutionized the cruise industry, such as the FlowRider surf simulator, the H20 Zone water park, a boxing ring, cantilevered whirlpools, and the four-bedroom, four-bathroom Presidential Family Suite that sleeps up to 14. With eight restaurants and more than 15 bars and lounges, each of the two ships offer guests one-of-kind vacation experiences found on no other ship in Europe.

In 2011, Voyager of the Seas will mark the first ever arrival of a Voyager-class cruise ship to Venice and offer new seven-night roundtrip itineraries from the City of Canals, opening for booking at a later date. Sister-ship Adventure of the Seas will homeport for a second year in Malaga, Spain, offering a seven-night Western Mediterranean itinerary through early autumn, followed by six five-night sailings alternating a Mediterranean with Canary Islands itinerary. Navigator of the Seas, meanwhile, will offer a seven-night roundtrip Eastern Mediterranean itinerary from Rome, which includes a call at Chania (Souda), Greece, a new port for Royal Caribbean. All three Voyager-class ships are equipped with ice-skating rinks, the line’s iconic rock-climbing walls, nine-hole miniature golf courses, and the Royal Promenade, a boulevard, lined with shops, restaurants, bars and lounges running nearly the length of the ship.

Grandeur of the Seas will offer vacationers two brand-new alternating seven-night itineraries, Western Mediterranean and Italian Mediterranean, sailing roundtrip from Palma de Mallorca, a new homeport for the cruise line. Brilliance of the Seas will return to Barcelona on alternating 12-night roundtrip Mediterranean sailings, which feature maiden calls at Italy’s Naples (Salerno) and Ravenna, a new port offering more choices of tours to Milan and Florence.

From Istanbul, Turkey, Vision of the Seas will offer six roundtrip sailings in autumn 2011 on new 10- and 11-night Holy Land itineraries. Splendour of the Seas will be homeported at Rome (Civitavecchia) and offer a variety of itineraries, including new 12-night roundtrip Mediterranean Holy Land and Mediterranean Egypt cruises. The Egypt itinerary features a two-day overnight call in Alexandria Egypt.

The 2011 summer Baltic season for Jewel of the Seas will offer vacationers a range of 12-night roundtrip itineraries from Harwich, England, to Scandinavia and Russia. Ports of call include Copenhagen; Stockholm; Tallinn, Estonia; and an overnight at St. Petersburg, Russia. Vision of the Seas, meanwhile, will offer a range of three- to seven-night Baltic and Scandinavia itineraries sailing from Copenhagen, Oslo, or Stockholm. On the June 11, 2011 sailing, Vision of the Seas will make a maiden call at Liverpool, England.