Company Overview:
In the highly competitive world of cruise companies, Royal Caribbean International consistently earns top honors in the quality of its ships. Founded in 1969, the company has expanded
rapidly both in the number of mega-liners and cruising regions. Formerly
synonymous with Caribbean cruises, today RCI's vessels are a mainstay in
Alaska, Mexico, New England/Canada, Hawaii, the Baltic and
Mediterranean.
Royal Caribbean is a leader in ship size and design. The innovative
Viking Crown observation lounges originally wrapped around the ships'
funnels. In 1988, the first mega-liner with atrium, Sovereign of the
Seas, was introduced and was so successful, the design concept was
quickly adopted by other cruise lines. Sovereign's sister ships Monarch
of the Seas (1991) and Majesty of the Seas (1992) added staterooms with
balconies to the design. (Sovereign of the Seas underwent a major
rebuild in November 2004 which included the addition of balconies to 62
staterooms.)
The Vision-class ships made the viking-crown lounges more easily
accessible by adding them to the top of the centrum (atrium). These
ships are noted for the extensive use of glass making them lightfilled
and offering exceptional sea views from public areas. Built in three
pairs of sister ships, the Vision class includes Legend and Splendour or
the Seas (1995, 1996), Grandeur and Enchantment of the Seas (1996, 1997)
and Rhapsody and Vision of the Seas (1997, 1998). The line has plans to
stretch Enchantment of the Seas in 2005 by adding a 73-foot midsection,
turning her into an 80,700-ton vessel with 151 additional staterooms and
new public areas.
In November 1999, RCI launched the first 138,000-ton Voyager-class
vessel, Voyager of the Seas, which carries 3,838 passengers when full.
Again, there were many "firsts", including an ice skating rink, rock
climbing wall and roller blade rink. Voyager also sports a Skylight
Wedding Chapel, Aquarium bar (56 Tons! of saltwater with tropical fish),
High Notes nightly jazz session, inside promenade cabins, Studio B
(where live TV shows will be produced) and Scoreboard sports bar with
satellite feeds from around the world. Voyager has another "first" --
it's own zip code i.e. 33132-2028.
Voyager had four sister ships in service by the end of 2003: Explorer of
the Seas (2000), Adventure of the Seas (2001), Navigator of the Seas
(2002) and Mariner of the (2003). These ships held the record as the
largest passengers ships in the world until the delivery of Cunard
Line's Queen Mary 2 in December 2003. RCI will take back the record,
however, with the delivery of the first Ultra Voyager ship, Freedom of
the Seas, scheduled for May, 2006. At 158,000-tons, measuring 126 feet
by 1,112 feet and standing 18 stories high, Freedom of the Seas will
surpass the Queen Mary 2. At 100 percent occupancy, it will carry 3,600
passengers and 1,400 crew. RCI has ordered a second Ultra Voyager for
delivery in 2007.
RCI introduced the Radiance-class vessels starting in 2001. Smaller at
90,090-ton, but offering enhanced entertainment options similar to the
Voyager-class, these 2,501-passenger vessels feature more glass than
other RCI ships including all glass elevators facing the sea. They
feature a new design of gas turbine engine which is smokeless and
vibration-free, with azipod propulsion. The first, Radiance of the Seas
entered service in March 2001 followed by Brilliance of the Seas (2002),
Serenade of the Seas (2003) and Jewel of the Seas (2004).
Empress of the Seas is the new name for Nordic Empress which underwent a
major revitalization prior to the 2004 Bermuda season. The major changes
onboard include the addition of more dining areas, an expanded spa and
gym, a new card room and the conversion of two existing lounges into a
Latin themed bar and the nautical-themed Schooner Bar.
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Royal Caribbean Cruise Line Experience:
A Royal Caribbean executive once used the phrase "mass with class" in
describing his company's vessels, a fairly apt description. For me, what
most distinguishes RCI's 11 vessels is their beauty. For example, the
"Vision class" series of six nearly identical ships
(Legend/Vision/Grandeur/ Enchantment/ Splendour/Rhapsody of the Seas),
and "Radiance Class" (Radiance/Brilliance/Serenade/Jewel of the Seas)
have acres of glass ensuring the sea and sky are always within sight,
beautiful spas with and subdued yet refined art. These are wonderfully
romantic ships, popular with honeymooners and anniversary celebrants.
But don't assume these are stuffy ships: this cruise line has some of the top entertainment afloat - including "name" performers - and boasts enough fitness and spa facilities to keep the whole NFL busy. RCI's distinctive Viking Crown Lounges are romantic glass-enclosed lounges high above the sea. These are wonderful ships for families with children of all ages, including teens, who have their own private club and disco; on the Vision-class vessels and Voyager of the Seas, family apartments are also available. Service is friendly and efficient and, from our most recent experience, RCI's cuisine has improved certainly on the Vision-class vessels. My one big gripe is miniscule cabin size, especially on the older vessels (Monarch/Majesty of the Seas, Nordic Empress), although even the newer Vision ships have small staterooms compared to other vessels in this price range. |
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Fellow Passengers
Honeymooners, families and couples from their mid-30's to retired in the Caribbean, Bermuda, Bahamas, Mexico and Hawaii cruises. Couples in the 55+ age group in other cruising regions and on 10+ day sailings. |
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Taking Kids:
Royal Caribbean's "Adventure Ocean" youth program has age-specific facilities and programs supervised by youth counselors for Aqaunauts (age 3-5, must be toilet trained), Explorers (age 6-8), Voyagers (age 9-11), Navigators (age 12-14) and Teens (age 15-17). A new program for infants and toddlers 6 months to 3 years, in partnership with toy maker Fisher-Price offers 45-minute playgroups for children accompanied by an adult, involving storytelling, creative arts, music and a variety of Fisher-Price learning toys and games. Aqua Babies are six months to 18 months old while Aqua Tots are 18 months to three years old.
Adventure Ocean runs year-round in the Caribbean, Bermuda, Bahamas,
Mexico, Hawaii and Alaska. Parents can leave their children at Adventure
Ocean while they take shore excursions. For this purpose, the facilities
open 30 minutes ahead of morning shore excursion departures. Otherwise,
organized activities are offered from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., with group
babysitting from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. for a fee. Teen centers are now open
past 2 a.m.
Private babysitting is offered from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m., provided
sitters are available, for children from six months old. The rate is
$8.00 per child per hour with a minimum of three hours and a $2.00 per
hour charge for each additional child. Cash payment is made directly to
the sitter.
Private teen clubs and discos are found on the Vision, Voyager and
Radiance-class ships. Supervised activities are available on RCI's
private islands, Labadee and CocoCay.
Educational programming is provided by the "Edu-tainment" of the
Adventure Ocean activities. In addition to learning about the ports of
call, there is Adventure Science and Adventure Art programming. On
Voyager and Radiance-class ships, Adventure Ocean Computer Centers have
age-appropriate software and staff-guided tutorials.
There are special menus for children and a "Fountain Soda Package" can
be purchased for the cruise. The package includes fountain sodas and
juices at all bars, lounges, diing rooms and private destinations. Kids
17 and younger pay $4.00 per person per day plus a 15% gratuity. For
teens 17 and older, and adults, the charge is $6.00 per person per day
plus the 15 % gratuity.
Family staterooms and suites are available on the Vision, Voyager and
Radiance-class ships. Request cribs through your travel agent. Strollers
are not available.
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Shore Excursions:
Moderately priced with plenty of water sports, golfing, sightseeing and programmes for the active cruiser. See the line's web site for a complete listing and description of shore excursions. Can be booked online up to ten days before sailing.
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Repeat Passenger Programs:
Crown & Anchor Society members receive discounts at onboard shops and special discounts on select sailings; 4 programme levels with added amenities; admission to Crown & Anchor clubs in select ports; onboard recognition; quarterly newsletter. |
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