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Royal Caribbean cruise earns top honors in the quality amongst all the international cruise line. It was founded in 1969; the company has expanded rapidly both in the number of mega-liners and cruise regions.
Royal Caribbean cruise is a leader in ship size and design. 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 light filled and offering exceptional sea views from public areas. Built in three pairs of sister ships, the Vision class includes Legend and Splendor 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 delivery in April, 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. It will carry 3,600 passengers (double occupancy) and 1,400 crew. RCI has ordered a second Ultra Voyager for delivery in 2007 and a letter of intent for a third to be delivered in 2008.
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.
The Royal Caribbean 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; family staterooms and suites are also available on the newer ships. 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 the miniscule cabin size on the older vessels (Sovereign/Monarch/Majesty of the Seas, Empress of the Empress), although even the newer Vision ships have some smaller staterooms compared to other vessels in this price range.
Special Features & Programs:
Two private resorts, CocoCay in the Bahamas and Labadee, Haiti. "ShipShape" onboard fitness program, including full jogging track, work-out classes, full gym, spa and solarium. "Golf Ahoy!" with scheduled golfing in the Caribbean, Bahamas, Bermuda, Mexico and Hawaii. Climbing walls, popular on the voyager and radiance-class ships have been added to the entire fleet.
The Academy at Sea offers passengers a chance to learn about a variety of topics on sea days. Register for classes in Theatre Production; Beauty; Health and Fitness; Hospitality and Beverage; and Photography. Each course is 1 hour per day on sea days with a guest limit of two courses per cruise. The highly informative yet informal classes are taught by onboard staff and are well attended.
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.
Shore Excursions:
Moderately priced with plenty of water sports, golfing, sightseeing and programs 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.
Taking The 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, will be rolled out fleetwide by the end of March 2005. The program 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, dining 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.
RCI has a seven-night "Orlando Experience" package, a seven-night program featuring a four-night Sovereign of the Seas cruise from Port Canaveral, accommodations at the Portofino Bay Hotel a two-day pass to Universal Studios, $20 meal voucher at Hard Rock Cafe, one-day admission to the Guinness World Records Experience attraction and a 15% discount on Alamo car rentals.
Tipping
Royal Caribbean suggests gratuity of $3.50 per person for the waiter and stateroom attendant; $2.00 for the Assistant Waiter. These gratuities may be paid in cash or charged to your onboard account. A 15 percent gratuity is automatically added to all beverage tabs. Gratuities for head waiter, room service, spa, casino and other staff are at your discretion.
Rates
Royal Caribbean offers early booking discounts and promotions for past passengers. Sample fares, per person double occupancy, with early booking savings start at:
- Majesty, Sovereign, three/four-night Bahamas, $309
- Monarch, three/four-night Mexico, $269
- Empress of the Seas, seven-night Bermuda, $749
- Rhapsody, Enchantment, Grandeur seven-night Caribbean, $749
- Voyager, Explorer, Radiance, Mariner, Adventure, seven-night Caribbean, $899
- Brilliance, 10-night Caribbean/Canal, $1,099
- Splendour, seven-night Europe, $1,099
- Splendour, 10-night Caribbean $999
- Grandeur, 12-night Europe, $2,099
- Legend, 11-night Hawaii, $1,149
- Legend, seven-night Mexico, $849
- Legend, 14 nights, Europe, $1,989
- Radiance, seven-night Alaska, $1,099
- Serenade, seven-nights Caribbean $899
- Vision, seven-night Alaska, $819
- Vision, seven-night Mexico, $679
- Jewel, 12-nights, Baltic $2,299
- Jewel, six-night Caribbean, $859
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