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Five Royal Caribbean ships make best cruise ships for families list

In:
06 Feb 2012

The Today Show Travel listed their favorite cruise ships for families and five of Royal Caribbean's newest ships made the list.

First up is Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas.  The sheer number of amenities are notes for fun things for kids.

The two largest ships at sea each have pretty much everything you need to entertain the kids: a sprawling H2O Zone water park, a pair of rock-climbing walls, a miniature golf course, two surfing simulators, a basketball court, an ice-skating rink, and a hand-carved wooden carousel.

The Freedom-Class ships were also mentioned, including Freedom of the Seas, Liberty of the Seas and Independence of the Seas.

Aside from a huge playroom and video arcade aboard the Freedom-class ships, kids can't enough of the H2O water park, rock-climbing wall, ice-skating rink, surfing simulator, mini golf course, and basketball court. Kids of all ages love the Ben & Jerry's ice-cream parlor and the Johnny Rockets diner on board for burgers, fries and milkshakes (both venues at an extra charge).

Royal Caribbean cancels All-You-Can-Drink packages for Independence of the Seas

In:
04 Jan 2012

Royal Caribbean has decided to not offer its all-you-can-drink alcohol packages that are currently offered aboard Independence of the Seas when she arrives in Florida for a seasonal deployment.

In November 2012, Independence of the Seas will sail out of Fort Lauderdale, Florida for the fall and winter Caribbean sailings.  While home ported in the United States, the alcoholic  beverage packages will not be offered.  Royal Caribbean will continue to offer them while Independence is based in Southampton, England as well as on its transatlantic repositioning cruise from Southampton to Fort Lauderdale.

Royal Caribbean spokesman Harrison Liu discussed the decision, "As Royal Caribbean International is a global cruise brand, our ships' offerings are tailored to the markets from where they draw their guests.  Independence of the Seas [from] Southampton was primarily a British product. When the ship sails in the Caribbean, the onboard offering will be adjusted to cater to a more North American and international clientele, as well as reflect the cultural norms here.  The drinks package will not be expanded to additional ships yet."

The all-you-can-drink packages start at $29 per day and are available on Grandeur of the Seas, Legend of the Seas and Independence of the Seas.  All three of these ships are based outside of the United States.

Royal Caribbean will bring Independence of the Seas back to the Caribbean

In:
26 Oct 2011

Royal Caribbean has announced that Independence of the Seas, which has been based out of the United Kingdom, will be based in the Caribbean for the 2012-13 season.  The move will offer American three Freedom-class ship options in 2012-2013 cruise season

Independence will depart her home in Southampton, England on November 22, 2012 and arrive at Port Everglades, Florida on December 5. She will offer six and eight-night itineraries before returning to the UK in April 2013.

Royal Caribbean's president and group managing director, UK, Ireland and Northern Europe, Dominic Paul, commented on the move, “Independence of the Seas has been an instant hit with British guests and homeporting it out of Southampton has played a significant role in growing our market share and building brand awareness. We continue to gain great support from our trade partners and know that they will support Independence of the Seas during her winter season in the Caribbean."

British writer tries out Oasis of the Seas

In:
14 Sep 2011

British new site BurtonMail sent one of their writers to Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas to see what all the hype is about.

The writer had concerns about cruising during hurricane season, but the temptation of being on the second largest cruise ship in the world was too much, "Well we put our fears to the wind and took the leap — to discover scorching temperatures and some of the most beautiful ports of call we have experienced."

The size of the ship seemed to really capture their imagination as well, "Without a doubt, if you are a first time cruiser you will be blown away by the enormity of this 5,400 passenger vessel which is 213ft high from the waterline and 1,187ft long."

They did manage to compare Oasis of the Seas to Independence of the Seas, a Freedom-class ship based in the United Kingdom that they are familiar with.

Firstly the non-specialised restaurants on the Oasis have a limited selection. The buffet style cafe — the Windjammer —offers far less menu choices than the same-named venue on the Independence.

Plus you can’t help but notice where the Independence of the Seas blueprint has pretty much been recreated bolt by bolt in some areas — it’s a case of spot the difference at some venues between the Independence and the Oasis.

A few cost-cutting measures are also sneaking in much to the annoyance of Royal Caribbean’s faithful following. For example the DVD of your cruise is widely advertised as the way of keeping your cruise memories alive, but it’s only when you get it home you realize that what used to be a personalized offering of footage shot during your cruise is now just a one cut suits all DVD filled with ship documentaries.

These niggles in no way detract from an amazing ship but past customers do notice these changes.

Alicante, Spain busy with Royal Caribbean cruises this week

In:
03 Sep 2011

The Port of Alicante, Spain this week has received more than four thousand tourists arriving on board the biggest cruise ship that sailed the Mediterranean Royal Caribbean's Independence of the Seas. Independence of the Seas arrived at 8 am and departed at 4.30pm on Monday.

After just a few hours there were no shortage of visitors to Santa Barbara Castle and the Old City. According to the cruise line, these are along with the beach, are the great attractions of Alicante. Some charms, together with the short time of docking, the majority opted to stay in the passage in the city.  

The activity around a cruise begins early to use the time in port at 8.30am, where cruise ships dock, was already a hive. Nine buses, three of them bound for Benidorm for being the most requested tour and the rest to other parts of the province as Novelda, Elche, Guadalest and the Fuentes del Algar, waiting for the tourists to drop ship. Royal Caribbean explained that prices of the tours range from 19 euros it costs to transfer by bus to Benidorm to 35 or 45 euros for those who leave the other tours. 

"We've never been to Benidorm, but we hear it's beautiful," said Jean and Ray, a married Australian who traveled to the English port of Southampton to climb aboard this floating hotel.  

But "most people will visit for free the city and especially to the beach," said Coralia Leopea, responsible for Royal Caribbean's excursions. Hence the line of tourists can be seen walking along the pier throughout the day and the constant trips that a shuttle bus between the boat and access to the port to avoid the long ride cruisers without shade. 

Independence of the Seas will stop in Galicia, Spain next month

In:
22 Aug 2011

Officials of the Port Authority Ferrol-San Cibrao have confirmed that, as initially announced, Royal Caribbean's Independence of the Seas will return to the city of Galicia  on September 26 after docking for the first time on April 25.

The arrival of Independence of the Seas will, as happened in the time before a flood of tourists in just a few hours. This giant cruise ship usually bring more than 4,000 passengers on board, in addition to the compliment of crew members that can also descend upon the city

The September 26th is a Monday, so travelers will find all the retail and hospitality of the city open, which will make their shopping more comfortably than the previous occasion, which fell on a holiday.  This will also be an opportunity to give the tourists a good idea of what the city is really like. 

Independence of the Seas returns to Alicante

In:
01 Aug 2011

Royal Caribbean's Independence of the Seas, the largest cruise ship sailing the Mediterranean, has made ​​its third stop in the port of Alicante, Spain. More than 4,000 passengers have had an opportunity to make numerous trips to Alicante and its province, as reported in a statement by the Port of Alicante.

Thus, the ship, which comes from Palma de Mallorca, sails on Monday for Lisbon, Portugal before sailing north back to their summer base in Southampton, UK.

Independence of the Seas has a capacity for 4,500 passengers and 1,500 crew members and is 339 feet long and 38 wide, making it one of the largest cruise ships in the world, the highest among those who ply the waters of the Mediterranean, and will dock in Alicante on August 29. 

On September 22, representatives from seven North American carriers will also come to Alicante, where they remain until the 24th for a tour that includes visits to the port facilities and various destinations in the city and the province "suitable" for travelers cruise. 

Royal Caribbean offering new chauffeur service in UK

In:
04 Jul 2011

Royal Caribbean in the United Kingdom is offering its passengers an extra layer of luxury service with chauffeur serviceto and from UK ports and London airports.

For those sailing on Royal Caribbean's Independence of the Seas out of Southampton and Jewel of the Seas out of Harwich or those flying from London airports can book a chauffer driven service with partner Tristar Chauffeur Services to and from their address to their port or airport of departure.

Royal Caribbean Associate VIce President and General Manager of United Kingdom of Ireland, Jo Rzymowska,  commented on the new service, "This is a great addition to the list of optional extras we offer our guests.  Having the opportunity to transfer in luxury is the perfect way to make the most of your holiday time and a fantastic treat.”

Peak time transfers cost approximately £65 for first 15 miles and £1.40 per mile thereafter. Off-peak transfers cost approximately £55 for first 15 miles and £1 per mile thereafter. Costs will vary depending on where the guest is being picked up from.

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