The 7 classes of Royal Caribbean cruise ships, explained
Table Of Content
With the exception of a single MSC Cruises vessel, they're far bigger than any other cruise vessel afloat and like nothing else you'll find at sea. In designing the vessels, Royal Caribbean took a page from solo-targeting Norwegian Cruise Line's playbook and added several cabins specifically for solos. Quantum of the Seas offers 28 of these dedicated studio cabins, each measuring from 101 to 119 square feet. That said, Freedom of the Seas still has a huge amount to offer for all sorts of travelers, from couples to families with kids. The ship was, notably, the first in the Royal Caribbean fleet to feature a FlowRider surfing simulator on its top deck — now a signature attraction for the line. For would-be Royal Caribbean cruisers, Freedom of the Seas serves as a sort of "test the line" ship.
Allure of the Seas (
Royal Caribbean Cruise Line Photoshoot Sparks Passenger Chaos - Forbes
Royal Caribbean Cruise Line Photoshoot Sparks Passenger Chaos.
Posted: Wed, 06 Mar 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
In addition, every ship has a least one — and sometimes many — extra-charge eateries. The most common one found across the fleet is Chops Grille, the line's signature steakhouse. Many ships also have an Italian eatery, called either Giovanni's Table or Jamie's Italian by Jamie Oliver. There's also Hooked Seafood, a relatively new concept now on four vessels (Icon of the Seas, Wonder of the Seas, Symphony of the Seas and Navigator of the Seas) that serves lobster rolls, fish sandwiches and the like. The line's ships are designed to provide a little something for everyone, and they appeal to a wide demographic, including couples of all ages and even solo travelers (the line has added solo cabins to more ships in recent years).
RCI-Royal Caribbean to open second Royal Beach Club in Cozumel, Mexico
In my white robe, I am a stately presence, a refugee from a better limited series, a one-man crossover episode. (Only Suites are granted these robes to begin with.) Today, I will try many of the activities these ships have on offer to provide their clientele with a sense of never-ceasing motion. Storm Chasers consists of falling from the “mast” down a long, twisting neon tube filled with water, like being the camera inside your own colonoscopy, as you hold on to the handles of a mat, hoping not to die. The tube then flops you down headfirst into a trough of water, a Royal Caribbean baptism.
Enchantment of the Seas (
Starting March 25, 2019, the liner offered a 4-night voyage calling at Havana. Private Journeys are offered as a 3rd excursion choice (besides independent and RCI-sponsored group tours). The new choice offers direct booking through RCI (ONLY via Royal Caribbean). Booked passengers have to provide Private Journeys' staff with their idea/basics of what they want (duration, preferred places, activities, meals, etc).
RCI pet/animal policy
Ship's lifeguards are dressed in special uniforms (in bright red and white) and stationed at every swimming pool, including the Solarium (adults-only retreat) during the complex's opening hours. All Royal Caribbean lifeguards are trained through the RCI's partnership with StarGuard Elite (Florida-based lifeguard training center). Through this program, regular customers accumulate points (booking 7-day and longer voyages) to become members and earn discounts and gifts. The Key (VIP program offering exclusive onboard perks) must be purchased prior the voyage and is priced US$20-35 per person per day. Caribbean's biggest freshwater swimming pool (named Oasis Lagoon) has a swim-up bar and water loungers.
A handful of restaurants also differ from ship to ship in the series. There are plans to add waterslides to Allure of the Seas, but they were put on hold after COVID-19 shut down cruising in 2020. Royal Caribbean has also used some Quantum Class ships for sailings out of China. Keep in mind, though, that the biggest megaresorts on land are even bigger. The biggest resort in the U.S. — The Venetian in Las Vegas — has 7,092 rooms. That means it can hold more than 14,000 guests, assuming there are two people per room.
What's the difference between newer and older Royal Caribbean ships?
Since May 2018 fleetwide are used only cage-free eggs and gestation stall-free pork. By the year 2024, for all its USA-based ships, RCCL will purchase poultry only from GAP-certified producers/dealers. The corporation will require chickens to be slaughtered and processed in a manner that doesn't involve live dumping and shackling, thus eliminating conscious throat-slitting and scalding.
Royal Caribbean to Build Next Mega Cruise Ship in France - The Maritime Executive
Royal Caribbean to Build Next Mega Cruise Ship in France.
Posted: Thu, 15 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Odyssey Of The Seas
And Wallace was raised primarily in the Midwest and was a much larger, more American-looking meatball than I am. What if I leave this ship without making any friends at all, despite my T-shirt? I am a social creature, and the prospect of seven days alone and apart is saddening. Wallace’s stateroom, at least, had a view of the ocean, a kind of cheap eternity. The aforementioned gangway opens up directly onto a thriving mall (I will soon learn it is imperiously called the “Royal Promenade”), presently filled with yapping passengers beneath a ceiling studded with balloons ready to drop.
Royal Caribbean's Freedom Class cruise ships are known for packing in lots of fun activities onboard a proven ship design. In February 2024, RCI opened for booking Wonder OTS' short Caribbean voyages. The ship changes homeports (Port Canaveral to Miami) offering 3- and 4-night roundtrips out of PortMiami. The "Royal iQ" app is available on some RCI ships and features a "Cruise Compass" digital copy.
Explorer of the Seas also has several specialty restaurants in addition to the main dining room and casual buffet; specialty restaurants include a version of Royal Caribbean's signature Chops Grille steakhouse and an Italian restaurant. Like Jewel of the Seas, its interior venues include a theater, spa, casino and multiple bars and lounges. Indeed, at 90,090 tons, Radiance of the Seas and its three sisters are less than half the size of the massive Oasis Class ships. Spectrum of the Seas is the fourth vessel in Royal Caribbean's Quantum Class series and has traditionally sailed in Asia, often on cruises aimed at the Asian market. Other relatively new Royal Caribbean ships include Wonder of the Seas, Odyssey of the Seas, Spectrum of the Seas and Symphony of the Seas.
Grandeur of the Seas dates to 1996, a time when cruise ships were built far smaller than they are today and with far fewer venues. At 27 years old, it's the oldest vessel in the Royal Caribbean fleet and probably will be phased out sometime in the next few years. Along those lines, Royal Caribbean often sends some of its Vision Class ships to Europe in the summer to operate port call-intensive itineraries.
I prefer looking for a unique itinerary first before even looking at the ship. Others may prefer to choose a cruise based on the ship with the itinerary as an afterthought, and that’s totally okay, too. Another plus is that Voyager Class cruise ships sail relatively varied itineraries, from the Mexican Riviera to Europe, the northeast/Canada, Bermuda, and the Caribbean. I love the size of a Voyager Class cruise ship as it’s neither too big nor too small. Several of the ships have received amplifications, bringing the best of Royal Caribbean’s dining and activities without an overwhelmingly large size. Note that all Royal Caribbean ships are renovated and upgraded on a regular schedule every few years, so even the oldest Royal Caribbean cruise vessels have newer carpeting, updated furniture, modern decor in cabins and other updates.
If it's a sea day in a warm-weather destination, and you're bound for the top deck, that means looking like you're going to the beach — T-shirts, shorts and bathing suits (with a cover-up to go inside) are just fine. All vessels have North American-style 110-volt outlets in rooms, as well as European-style 220-volt outlets. Royal Caribbean allows you to bring two bottles of wine or Champagne per cabin onto ships at boarding, plus up to a dozen standard cans, bottles or cartons of nonalcoholic drinks such as sodas. The line charges a $15 corkage fee if you bring the wine or Champagne to an onboard restaurant or other public areas to drink.
Comments
Post a Comment