Royal Caribbean International is known very well for its non-stop innovations and changes. That is a beauty to work with this company: I have to learn about all new stuff on regular basis to be current.
I decided to write the overview of major changes in the company to inform my clients and followers.
Before I start, I am excited to let you know that I plan a first ever webinar for cruisers-to-be with Royal Caribbean’s 2015 Manager of the Year Lori Madeo will be held at the end of January 2016. Harmony of the Seas will be a topic for this webinar. Be turned! I will put more details next week.
Ships
Royal Caribbean adds more ships to the fleet in 2016 and refurbish the old ones. Let’s start with new ones.
Harmony of the Seas
New, the most excited addition to the fleet. The biggest and the most innovative ship-to-be in the fleet. I and Lori will give more details about newcomer in webinar, so I skip details here.
Ovation of the Seas
New Quantum class ship with all features as for Quantum class ships. This ship will work in Australia and New Zealand market. The most exciting part – repositioning cruise from Southampton, UK to Tianjin, China.
As you know, repositioning is more affordable compare to regular cruises.
Also, you can book segment of this voyager or a few of them.
Empress of the Seas
This new ‘old’ ship. She left fleet 8 years ago. Built in 1989, she will pass through major revitalization that gives her a new look and feel.
Starting in March 2016, Empress of the Seas offers 4 and 5 night Caribbean getaways from Miami.
You can share every moment with VOOM, the fastest internet at sea.
The best part? Longer stays! Some itineraries even have overnight stay at Cozumel, Mexico to enjoy land experience.
You can start every day with a Sunday brunch, with a complimentary Bloody Mary or Mimosa.
As a hidden gem in cruise industry, prices are very competitive.
Ship Refurbishments
Four ships are planned to pass through dry dock in 2016:
- Liberty of the Seas
- Jewel of the Seas
- Majesty of the Seas
- Adventure of the Seas
I plan to write about each ship’s improvements when they are due out of dry dock.
Here some overview of future improvements:
- New features will be added as aqua parks on Liberty and Majesty of the Seas.
- New specialty restaurants will be added – each ship will have their own addition. In most cases it will be the favorite ones: Sabor Taqueria, Izumi or Chef’s Table
- New staterooms will be added. In some cases, those in demand – family staterooms with separate bedroom.
- Addition of Voom high-speed internet on some of them.
5 Best Itineraries for 2016
Royal Caribbean International does the great job to make itineraries more excited.
Here my 5 top itineraries that you can’t miss:
1. Harmony of the Seas Taste – 1 departure only
3 nights Bahamas for those who don’t have time or can’t afford 7 nights.
November 5, 2016: Fort Lauderdale, Florida– Nassau, Bahamas – cruising – Fort Lauderdale, Florida
2. Cozumel Overnight – 3 departures
5 nights for those who wish to explore Cozumel at night
May 9, 23, 2016 and June 6, 2016: Miami, Florida – Cruising – Cozumel, Mexico (overnight) – Cruising – Miami, Florida
3. New Year Eve on Oasis of the Seas
8 nights for those who wish the best holiday experience at sea with ports of call that Oasis class ships don’t visit too often.
December 31, 2016: Port Canaveral, Florida – Cruising (2 nights) Basseterre, St. Kitts – Philipsburg, St. Maarten – San Juan, Puerto Rico – Labadee, Haiti – Cruising – Port Canaveral, Florida
Don’t forget that Oasis of the Seas will operate from Port Canaveral (Orlando airport the closest one.)
4. Ovation of the Seas Exploration – only 1 departure
16 nights segment for Ovation of the Seas global odyssey.
May 10, 2016: Barcelona, Spain – Cruising – Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy – Naples/Capri, Italy – Cruising – Athens (Piraeus), Greece – Cruising (2 nights) – Suez Canal (Passage) – Aqaba, Jordan – Cruising – Dubai, United Arab Emirates
5. Pacific Coastal – only 1 departure
8 nights for those who have never been on the Western coast, beautiful Victoria, Canada and San Francisco overnight.
September 30, 2016: Seattle, Washington – Astoria, Oregon – Cruising – Santa Barbara, California – San Francisco, California (overnight) – Cruising – Victoria, British Columbia – Seattle, Washington
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If you need me or Donna for professional service planning your cruise vacation – call us at 772 335-7017.
Talk to you later!
