Royal Caribbean – Cruise Ship Profiles

ROYAL CARIBBEAN REVEALS NAME & HOME PORT OF FIFTH OASIS CLASS SHIP

World’s Largest Cruise Ship to Sail from China

LONDON, UK, Oct 10, 2019 – Today, Royal Caribbean International announced the home port and name of its fifth Oasis Class ship. The next ship to join the leading cruise line’s innovative lineup will be named Wonder of the Seas and will set sail from Shanghai, China.

The details were revealed by Royal Caribbean President and CEO, Michael Bayley, at a global cruise industry conference event held in Shanghai.Debuting in 2021, the world’s largest cruise ship will introduce a new era of cruising as the first of the renowned Oasis Class to sail the Asia Pacific.

“Royal Caribbean is known for its innovation and constantly pushing the boundaries of what’s possible, and an Oasis Class ship in China is proof of that,” said Bayley. “Wonder of the Seas will redefine the ultimate vacation and be revolutionary in her own right, and she marks one of Royal Caribbean’s most exciting chapters to come.”

“Royal Caribbean has been a market leader in China for more than 10 years by consistently showcasing bold deployment strategies and driving growth of the new to cruise market,” said Dr Zinan Liu, Chairman, Royal Caribbean Asia. “The deployment of Wonder of the Seas is a manifesto of new era for Royal Caribbean.”

What to expect onboard

Wonder of the Seas will be part of the Oasis class of ships which are the largest in the world. The new ship will combine the iconic seven-neighbourhood concept that her sister ships feature along with a bold lineup of thrilling experiences, imaginative dining, unparalleled entertainment and the latest technology.

Construction

Today also marked an important milestone for Wonder of the Seas as the ship began construction at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France. During what is known as the keel-laying ceremony, Wonder’s Keel, a 970-tonne block measuring 155 feet by 65 feet, was lifted onto the building dock with a 1,400-tonne crane. This ceremony marks the beginning of her construction.

1st keel section lifted in to building dock at Saint Nazaire Image: Royal Caribbean

Wonder of the Seas continues the popular Oasis Class ship series, whose last introduction was 2018’s Symphony of the Seas. Royal Caribbean has said Oasis 5 will have the same seven-neighborhood concept, thrilling experiences, imaginative dining, exciting entertainment and the latest technologyMore information on Wonder of the Seas itineraries and brand-new adventures will be announced soon.

No further details of the ship have been revealed but she will be a similar design to her sisters’ ships however comparing the renderings to her earier sister Harmony of the Seas she some significant changes in her design.

Comparison between *Harmony & Wonder of the Seas*

Sports Deck & Aqua Theater Image: Royal Caribbean

Earlier this year, Royal Caribbean entered into an agreement with Chantiers de l’Atlantique for a sixth Oasis-class ship, to be delivered late in 2023.

The cruise line currently has six cruise ships currently under construction or on order. Odyssey of the Seas will be the next new ship to join the fleet in 2020 and then followed by Wonder of the Seas in 2021. In 2022 the first Icon-Class Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) powered Royal Caribbean ship will arrive taking the cruise line into a new era of cruising.

Have you sailed on an Oasis class? and are you excited for the fifth Oasis class ship?

As always thank you for taking the time to read my latest post

About Royal Caribbean International

Royal Caribbean International is the world’s largest global cruise line, delivering innovation at sea for more than 50 years. Each successive class of ships is an architectural marvel featuring the latest technology and guest experiences for today’s adventurous holidaymakers. The cruise line continues to revolutionise holidays with itineraries to more than 260 destinations in 72 countries on six continents, including Royal Caribbean’s highly anticipated Perfect Day Island Collection including the first private island in The Bahamas, Perfect Day at CocoCay.

UK consumers and travel agents think we’re doing great things… in 2018, Royal Caribbean won over 30 national and international awards including “Best in Cruise ” in the Sun Travel Awards, “Best Cruise Line for Entertainment” and “Best Cruise Line for Suites” in the Cruise Critic UK Editor’s Picks, and “Best Mainstream Cruise Company” in the Globe Travel Awards.

The cruise line sails 26 of the world’s most innovative cruise ships to the most popular destinations in Bermuda and the Caribbean, Europe, Canada and New England, Alaska, South America, Asia, and Australia and New Zealand.

Royal Caribbean newest ship Odyssey of the Seas homeport and itinerary revealed

Odyssey of the Seas Inaugural Season Starts November 2020, sailing from South Florida

Royal Caribbean has just released details of where it’s newest ship, Odyssey of the Seas will sail when she launches in November 2020.

Odyssey of the Seas_MG_6496.jpg — Steel cutting ceremony 1 February 2019 Image Meyer Werft

Royal Caribbean International will dial up the adventure in South Florida in autumn 2020 with the debut of the highly anticipated Odyssey of the Seas – the first Quantum Ultra Class ship to arrive in North America. The global cruise line’s 27^th ship will arrive to her seasonal home port of Fort Lauderdale in November 2020 to offer 6- and 8-night Caribbean cruises. Odyssey will then continue her inaugural year in Europe for summer 2021.

Offering even more ways to experience the sun-soaked islands of the Western and Southern Caribbean, Odyssey of the Seas will be the first Quantum Ultra Class ship to call on Aruba and Curacao as part of its 8-night itineraries. Island-hopping holidaymakers can explore Aruba’s rugged landscape off-roading in Arikok National Park, and discover the beloved architecture and narrow streets of Willemstad, Curacao. Primed for memory-making, Odyssey’s 6-night adventures will open the door to deep diving in Cozumel, Mexico; swimming with sea turtles in George Town, Grand Cayman; and a day of thrill and chill on Perfect Day at CocoCay, home to Daredevil’s Peak, the tallest waterslide in North America; Up, Up & Away, the helium balloon experience that soars up to 450 feet in the air; Oasis Lagoon, the Caribbean’s largest freshwater pool; and the pristine, white sand beaches of The Bahamas.

Odyssey’s Caribbean cruises are now open for sale; and Europe itineraries will open in November 2019.

As part of the Quantum Ultra Class, Odyssey of the Seas will represent the next evolution of Royal Caribbean’s groundbreaking and high-tech Quantum Class. First introduced in 2014, Quantum Class ships boldly redefined the industry with unprecedented innovations in design, thrilling activities, game-changing technology and multidimensional entertainment.

Travellers on board Odyssey can expect to find an unrivaled combination of new, soon-to-be-announced features, plus “Only on Royal” features, including the RipCord by iFLY sky-diving adventure; North Star, a glass observation capsule that takes guests more than 300 feet above the ocean;

North Star onboard Anthem of the Seas © Andrew McAlpine

The state-of-the-art Two70 entertainment venue; and a robust line up of culinary experiences. The ship will also tout SeaPlex, the largest and most revolutionary indoor active space at sea, featuring a trapeze school, full-size basketball court, roller-skating rink and bumper cars.

SeaPlex & bumper cars onboard Anthem of the Seas © Andrew McAlpine

The second Quantum Ultra Class ship, Odyssey of the Seas will offer a number of activities and entertainment. Royal Caribbean will announce new, soon-to-be-announced experiences soon. The ship will offer a number of Quantum Class activities, including:

RipCord by iFLY sky-diving simulator
North Star observational capsule
Two70 entertainment venue
SeaPlex featuring
- Trapeze school
- Full-size basketball court
- Roller-skating rink
- Bumper cars

For a taste of what will be on offer take a look at the following video from Royal Caribbean:

Odyssey of the Seas will be the cruise line’s second Quantum Ultra Class ship and is under construction at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany.

Odyssey of The Seas Factfile

Shipyard: Meyer Werft, Papenburg (Germany)

Hull No.: S713

Keel Laid: May 2019

Class: Quantum – Ultra (sister ship Spectrum of the Seas)

Length: 348 m

Width: 49 m

Gross tonnage: 168,666 GT

Passengers: 4246 – 4819

Staterooms & suits: 2,095

Decks: 16

Cabin Decks: 9

Crew: 1551

Cruising speed: 22 knots

Thank you for taking the time to read my latest post.

ROYAL CARIBBEAN REVEALS DELICIOUS NEW VEGAN DINING OPTIONS

So it is with great interest that I saw the latest press release from Royal Caribbean announcing their new vegan food options. I became vegan in 2018 having been vegetarian for one year before, so vegan dining options on board are now of great importance. With the rise of veganism and flexitarian diets cruise lines need to offer new dining options as they are now effectively mainstream.

OC_Plant_Based_Impossible_cheese_burger_088-fill-800x599.jpg — OC Plant Based Impossible cheese burger Image: Oceania

A number of lines have offered vegan options for a number of years, In Spring 2017, Oceania Cruises – the world’s largest luxury cruise line launched an a plant based menu which in April this year was extended and now features more than 250 dishes and is available fleet wide in all dining venues. In the same year the German cruise line Hapag-Lloyd Cruises introduced a new vegetarian and vegan menu on Europa 2, which featured more than 80 vegetarian and vegan options.

“As the number of people and families adopting a vegan lifestyle continues to grow, we wanted to formalise our vegan offerings in a dedicated menu (available upon request in the Main Dining Room) where guests can explore options and choose their dish – it’s all part of the dining experience!

“It’s important to us to meet holidaymakers’ dietary choices.”

The vegan menus are now available on board Royal Caribbean’s ships, including its 2020 European flagship Allure of the Seas.

The one route they will not be found on is ships travelling to China.

Plant-based in the Windjammer Buffet

Royal Caribbean also say that plant-based options will also be available in the Windjammer Buffet in edition to the evening dining options.

Independence of the Seas in Southampton © Andrew McAlpine

Royal Caribbean Press Release

ROYAL CARIBBEAN REVEALS DELICIOUS NEW VEGAN DINING OPTIONS

The palate-pleasing, plant-based provisions will tantalise taste buds across the entire Royal Caribbean fleet from August 2019*

LONDON, UK, 6 August 2019 – Royal Caribbean International has announced new mouth-watering vegan menus, which will be rolled out across its fleet this month. While vegan options have always been available on board Royal Caribbean ships, the new menus have been added to the Main Dining Room, enhancing the dining choices for every guest.

The three-course menus will be available on request, offering a range of gastronomic delights to cater for diners following the increasingly popular vegan lifestyle. New vegan options include edamame-stuffed Portobello mushrooms, vegan spaghetti “bolognaise” and orzo pasta stew with green vegetables, as well as desserts such as a toffee “cheesecake” with dark chocolate and a peanut butter crust.

“At Royal Caribbean, we’re always looking at how to raise the bar of our dining offerings and we do it with one specific purpose: delivering great holidays for our guests,” said Linken D’Souza, Vice President of Food & Beverage, Royal Caribbean International.

The vegan menus are now available on board Royal Caribbean’s ships, including its 2020 European flagship Allure of the Seas, when she home ports in Barcelona next summer following a $165 million makeover.

End

Its unfortunate that as yet Royal Caribbean have not released any images of the dishes being served as yet, but check out the latest post from https://vegancruiser.co.uk where Sanna has shared the full 7-day vegan menu.

New Royal Caribbean vegan menu finally here!

I would be very interested to hear your thoughts and whether you have tried the new menu.

As always thank you for taking the time to read my latest blog post.

Allure of the Seas second Oasis-class cruise ship to undergo huge refurbishment

Allure-of-the-Seas

Iconic Ship Sets Sail from Barcelona in May 2020 with Added Thrills, Nightlife and Dining

MIAMI, July 11, 2019 – Travelers can soon take in Europe’s historic destinations from a bold, new perspective on board the amplified Allure of the Seas. Royal Caribbean International has revealed the signature feats and innovative experiences coming to the renowned Oasis Class ship as part of a 58-day, $165 million transformation. Guests will be able to conquer a continent’s worth of adventures and come back for more with Allure’s upcoming lineup of new features, including the Ultimate Abyss, the tallest slide at sea; The Perfect Storm trio of waterslides, completely redesigned Adventure Ocean kids and teens spaces, the first Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar, and Quantum Class original Music Hall. Reimagined as the ultimate summer vacation in Europe, Allure will open its season of 7-night Western Mediterranean cruises from homeport Barcelona, Spain on May 10, 2020.

Bold Family Favorites
Whether the moment calls for thrills or relaxation, vacationers sailing on the amplified Allure of the Seas can test their courage or sit back at the Pool and Sports Zone neighborhood that will now tout the perfect family day out. Feature highlights include:

The 10-story Ultimate Abyss, the tallest slide at sea
The Perfect Storm trio of waterslides, Typhoon, Cyclone and Supercell
Splashaway Bay kids aquapark, featuring twin drench buckets, three waterslides, fountains, pools, water cannons and a Splash Pad for tots
Reimagined pool deck, complete with The Lime & Coconut signature bar across two locations, a wider variety of seating and shade with cabana-like “casitas,” daybeds, hammocks and swing seats; new whirlpools on the top deck, and a reinvigorated, adults-only Solarium

The thrill will go from the outside-in on board the amped-up Allure. Expanding on the ways that families can spend time together and on their own are the additions of completely reimagined, dedicated spaces for babies, kids and teens, and popular Royal Caribbean activities.

All-new Adventure Ocean, where younger kids can choose their own immersive adventures across an entirely new layout. The major makeover will bring to life interactive, personalized and unexpected activities and features in areas redesigned from top to bottom, including whimsical rooms with climbable creations at Play Place, hands-on art, science and tech fun at Workshop; friendly competition in physical, interactive games at Arena; the Hangout, to chill and make new friends over gaming consoles or sit back for some quality “me” time, AO Babies for babies and tots, and experiential activities at the multipurpose AO Junior space specially designed for 3- to 5-year-olds
Maxed-out teen spaces, debuting a 360-degree transformation, with a secret speakeasy-like entrance leading into an exclusive lounge with gaming consoles, music, movies, places to hang out and a new outdoor deck
Glow-in-the-dark laser tag in Clash for the Crystal City and Royal Escape Room – Apollo 18: Lunar Landing, an out-of-this-world expedition that challenges guests to solve puzzle after puzzle before time runs out

A World of Flavors
Allure will deliver an array of culinary possibilities with more restaurants, casual spots and bars joining the already-diverse offering of specialty and complimentary options.

Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar, a new take on a guest-favorite, will offer the beloved family-style, rustic dining experience with an enhanced menu of Italian staples, complete with hand-tossed pizza from the new in-house pizza oven, an expansive charcuterie station and a wide selection of wines and limoncellos
Portside BBQ will serve up a menu inspired by popular barbecue styles across the United States, including brisket, pulled pork, chicken, burnt ends, mac and cheese, homestyle cornbread and more
Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade for gameday watch parties on big-screen TVs, tournaments, bar bites with a twist and ice-cold brews
El Loco Fresh, featuring casual Mexican “street fare”
Sugar Beach, the sweetest spot on board with more than 220 types of candy and ice cream
Bionic Bar by Makr Shakr, manned by two robot bartenders shaking up classic cocktails and custom orders

Amped-Up Hotspots
After a day of exploring iconic destinations and channeling their inner adventurer, guests can go out for a “night on the town” and find new venues added to the nightlife offered on board.

Music Hall, a Quantum Class favorite, will take live music to the next level with revolving setlists and cover bands, ample lounge seating on two levels and room to rock out on the dance floor
Spotlight Karaoke, the dedicated karaoke bar with both main stage and private room experiences will feature thousands of songs to choose from, music trivia and themed nights

Beginning May 2020, Allure of the Seas’ 7-night Western Mediterranean cruises sailing roundtrip from Barcelona will visit must-see cities such as Palma de Mallorca, Spain; Provence (Marseille), France; Florence/Pisa (La Spezia), Rome (Civitavecchia) and Naples/Capri, Italy.

Allure joins the original gamechanger, Oasis of the Seas, as the second Oasis Class ship to be reimagined in the $1 billion Royal Amplifiedfleet modernization program. These two revolutionary ships will steal the spotlight next year in Europe and the New York area, respectively, as the boldest summer vacations on both sides of the Atlantic.

In November 2020, Allure will make its way coast to coast to Miami for the winter season. Sailing from Royal Caribbean’s state-of-the-art Terminal A, the reimagined ship will offer 7-night Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises. Many of the ship’s Caribbean itineraries will include visits to the cruise line’s new private island destination in The Bahamas, Perfect Day at CocoCay.

About Royal Caribbean International
Royal Caribbean International has been delivering innovation at sea for more than 50 years. Each successive class of ships is an architectural marvel featuring the latest technology and guest experiences for today’s adventurous traveler. The cruise line continues to revolutionize vacations with itineraries to more than 270 destinations in 72 countries on six continents, including Royal Caribbean’s highly anticipated private island in The Bahamas, Perfect Day at CocoCay, the first in the Perfect Day Island Collection. Royal Caribbean has also been voted “Best Cruise Line Overall” for 16 consecutive years in the Travel Weekly Readers’ Choice Awards.

Media can stay up-to-date by following @RoyalCaribPR on Twitter, and visiting RoyalCaribbeanPressCenter.com. For additional information or to make reservations, vacationers can call their travel advisor; visit RoyalCaribbean.com; or call (800) ROYAL-CARIBBEAN.

As always thank you for taking the time to read my blog

SPECTRUM OF THE SEAS CELEBRATES INAUGURAL SEASON IN CHINA

First Quantum Ultra Class Ship is Royal Caribbean’s Third New Ship to Homeport in Shanghai

1559228148_SC-first-arrival-in-HK-3 — Spectrum of the Sea arrives in Hong Kong Image: Royal Caribbean

June 4, 2019 – Spectrum of the Seas, Royal Caribbean International’s newest ship, made its highly anticipated debut in China yesterday. The first Quantum Ultra Class ship sailed into Wusongkou International Cruise Terminal in Shanghai after completing a 46-night Global Odyssey that spanned 17 cities. In honour of Spectrum arriving to her new home, the cruise line held a grand naming ceremony with Chinese celebrities and Royal Caribbean brand ambassadors, Xiaoming Huang and Angelababy, in attendance. Honoured with the lifetime role of Godparents, the popular couple were on hand to name the ship and bestow a blessing of safekeeping over all those who sail on her.

Spectrum’s historic milestone is on the heels of Royal Caribbean’s 10^th anniversary in China. Building on years of success with Quantum of the Seas and Ovation of the Seas, the arrival of the largest and most expensive cruise ship in Asia will continue to raise the bar and lead the Chinese cruise industry into a new era.

“Royal Caribbean has always been known for innovating and pushing the boundaries and Spectrum of the Seas is a great example of this,” said Michael Bayley, President and CEO, Royal Caribbean International. “Spectrum brings to life the best of Royal Caribbean along with specifically designed and curated experiences for our Chinese consumers.”

Custom built for the Chinese market, Spectrum of the Seas features bold and unexpected experiences, including the cruise line’s first private enclave for suite guests, new stateroom categories, innovative dining concepts, and stunning features and experiences – many of which have never before been seen at sea.

Transformational Spaces

Spectrum features a two-level, 2,809-square-foot Ultimate Family Suite, accommodating up to 11 guests. The three-bedroom suite features a master bedroom and a bathroom that extends over the side of the ship for unparalleled ocean views, along with two additional suites for grandparents and other family members. Kids have their own kid-friendly space on the upper level, complete with an in-suite slide that will transport them to the living area below. Everyone in the family can enjoy time together in the recreation room, featuring surround-sound equipment for a night of karaoke, movies or video games.

Glowing on the aft of the ship is Sky Pad, a virtual reality, bungee trampoline experience, where guests can strap in, don a virtual reality (VR) headset and be transported to another time and planet with three new games: Jump Rally, Sugar Leap and Bass Bouncer. The out-of-this-world experience is for guests of all ages and can be enjoyed without headsets, for those who prefer to look out over the ocean as they leap toward the sky.

Exclusive Suite Club

The Suite Club on decks 13 through 16 offers Royal Caribbean’s first exclusive suites-only area, which features 36 Golden Suites and 106 Silver Suites. The Golden Suites and Silver Suites have exclusive access, elevator, as well as a private restaurant and lounge. In addition to a range of amenities, Gold Suite guests may access The Balcony, a private outdoor space with the best views of the sea; and The Boutique, which can be reserved for private shopping, intimate parties and wine tastings. Travellers in suites are also provided with a dedicated team of Royal Concierges who provide excellent value-added services, including concierge services, Royal embarkation, enhanced food and beverage experiences and exclusive room service.

Diverse Dining Options

Onboard Royal Caribbean’s newest ship are 33 dining options to meet the diverse preferences of its guests. The lineup includes innovative dining concepts such as: Sichuan Red, a brand-new restaurant debuting on Spectrum that features authentic cuisine from the Sichuan province of China; a traditional tea room and café parlour known as Leaf and Bean, where guests can enjoy a range of authentic Chinese teas, classic coffee drinks as well as freshly baked Chinese and Western desserts and pastries; Teppanyaki, offering authentic oriental flavours cooked in Japan’s traditional teppanyaki style; Splashaway Café, near the kids’ pool area; and the Noodle Bar, which serves up freshly made noodles and live chef demonstrations.

Introduced on the Quantum Ultra Class, the main dining room has been combined into one awe-inspiring, three-level dining room with 1,844 seats. The complimentary venue also serves a variety of Chinese and Western a la carte options that rotate every day of an itinerary. For holiday-makers looking for a more casual dining venue, the Windjammer Marketplace on Spectrum has been designed to be 20% larger than those on Quantum Class ships. The laidback option offers a wide selection of Chinese and Western dishes.

Multidimensional Entertainment Experiences

Three new production shows developed in-house by Royal Caribbean – The Silk Road, The Effectors and Showgirl! Past. Present. Future. are taking the stage. Each full-scale production features unrivalled talent, immersive technology and unparalleled special effects to create spectacular entertainment experiences. The entertainment doesn’t end on stage. Spectrum offers guests a thrilling lineup of activities including Battle for Planet Z, an epic glow-in-the-dark laser tag adventure for the whole family; Star Moment, a lively and energetic karaoke venue where family and friends can sing like stars;Expedition Two70, where guests can test their adventuring skills in four fully immersive augmented reality (AR) games; SeaPlex, the multipurpose indoor sports and entertainment complex that offers activities from various parts of the world including various indoor ball games as well as fencing and archery – activities never before seen at sea in the Asia market.

Cutting-edge Technology

Spectrum of the Seas features a bold lineup of new digital experiences, from digital room keys and automated stateroom controls, to immersive AR games. The Royal Caribbean mobile app is also available for the first time for guests in China and supports both Mandarin and English language. Designed to seamlessly deliver unprecedented holiday experiences at sea, technology is prevalent throughout the ship, substantially increasing guest convenience and efficiency while offering new experiences that entertain and amaze.

1559228153_SC-first-arrival-in-Hong-Kong — Image: Royal Caribbean

Itineraries

From Shanghai, 4 roundtrip itineraries:

7-day “Best Of Japan” (Kobe, Yokohama)
5-day “Kagoshima and Okinawa” (Kagoshima, Naha)
4-day “Best Of Okinawa” (to Naha)
4-day “Best Of Kagoshima” (to Kagoshima)

From Hong Kong, 3 roundtrip itineraries:

7-day “Japan and Philippines” (Naha, Salomague Island, Luzon Island/Subic Bay)
5-day “Best Of Vietnam” (Da Nang, Nha Trang)
4-day “Best Of Chan May” (to Da Nang, Vietnam)

You can find out more about Spectrum of the Seas and her 2019/2020 itineraries here:

http://www.royalcaribbean.co.uk/our-ships/spectrum-of-the-seas/itineraries/

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Royal Caribbean redeploys Independence of the Seas in 2020 away from UK

Sailing from Southampton May 2018 © Andrew McAlpine

Royal Caribbean have announced that the UK’s favorite ship Independence of the Seas will not be sailing from Southampton in 2020 and a deployment change will instead see her stay in Port Everglades, Florida.

With new itineraries to the Caribbean, Independence of the Seas will be making calls to the newly relaunched private island, Perfect Day at Coco Bay.

On Royal Caribbean’s UK website, the cruise line explained the change:

“Your sailing is being cancelled because we’re making changes to our 2020 season that require the Independence of the Seas to remain in the Caribbean, instead of sailing to Southampton.

Our goal is to provide our guests with the best itineraries that take you to exclusive parts of the world and have decided to make these changes for the 2020 season to maximise our capacity in the Caribbean. We are terribly sorry. We know this news is disappointing. We do hope you find an alternate vacation option with us.”

The company also issued a statement on its twitter channel:

Royal Caribbean UK also apologized for canceling sailings some guests have booked, “Our goal is provide our guests with the best itineraries that take you to exclusive parts of the world and have decided to make these changes for the 2020 season to maximize our capacity in the Caribbean. We are terribly sorry. We know this news is disappointing.”

Booked guests will receive a full refund and a future cruise credit, which is valued at 25% of their Independence of the Seas cruise fare, as a result of their cruises being cancelled and will be notified as soon as possible by the cruise line or their travel agents.

In 2020 both Explorer of the Seas and Anthem of the Seas will still be operating from Southampton.

Anthem of the Seas Maiden Call — Anthem of the Seas seen on her maiden call to Southampton April 2015 © Andrew McAlpine

For further information or help on the changes click on the following link

https://help.royalcaribbean.co.uk/hc/en-gb/sections/360004499552-Independence-of-the-Seas-2020-changes-to-sailings

As always thank you for taking the time to read my blog

Royal Caribbean welcomes Spectrum of the Seas to the family

ROYAL CARIBBEAN WELCOMES SPECTRUM OF THE SEAS TO THE FAMILY

First Quantum Ultra-Class Ship Features New Suite Class,

Innovative Dining and First-to-Brand Experiences

London, UK, April 11, 2019 – Royal Caribbean International, the world’s largest cruise line, officially took delivery of the 26^th ship in its fleet, Spectrum of the Seas, in a ceremony held today in Bremerhaven, Germany. Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. Chairman and CEO Richard D. Fain and President and CEO of Royal Caribbean International Michael Bayley received the new ship from Meyer Werft Yard’s Managing Partner Bernard Meyer at the official handover ceremony. The first in the Quantum Ultra class of ships, Spectrum will homeport from Shanghai starting June 2019.

SPECTRUM OF THE SEAS Signing ceremony 14 — Michael Bayley signs to except delivery

“We are excited to welcome Spectrum of the Seas, our first Quantum Ultra class ship to the Royal Caribbean family,” said Michael Bayley, President and CEO, Royal Caribbean International. “We have once again combined revolutionary ship design with the latest technologies to deliver a ship that will redefine the China cruise market. We are excited for our guests to make amazing family memories.”

Designed and built to deliver an unforgettable vacation experience for all guests, Spectrum will debut the global cruise line’s first private enclave for suite guests, new stateroom categories, and innovative dining concepts, along with stunning features, experiences and technology – many of which have never before been seen at sea.

Spectrum’s highlights include:

Royal Caribbean’s first exclusive suites-only area, which will feature the exquisite Golden and Silver suite accommodations in a private enclave at the forward end of the ship on decks 13 through 16. Vacationers booked in these luxury suites will have special keycard access, a private elevator and a dedicated restaurant and lounge. In addition to a range of exclusive amenities, guests will have access to The Balcony – a private outdoor space for sunbathing and relaxing – that offers the best views on board; and The Boutique, a shopping area where travellers can book private shopping experiences.

The two-level, 2,809-square-foot Ultimate Family Suite, accommodating up to 11 guests. The three-bedroom suite includes a master bedroom and two additional bedrooms for grandparents and other family members. Kids have their own kid-friendly space on the upper level, complete with an in-suite slide that will transport them to the living area below. Everyone in the family can enjoy time together in the recreation room, featuring surround-sound equipment for a night of karaoke, movies or video games.

Innovative dining concepts Sichuan Red– with authentic cuisine from the Sichuan province of China, Wonderland’s Dadong – a new outpost of Chinese chef Dong Zhenxiang, renowned for his much-coveted roast duck, and the Leaf and Bean traditional tea room and café parlour offering a range of authentic Chinese teas, classic coffee drinks as well as freshly baked Chinese and Western desserts and pastries.

A new lively and energetic karaoke venue, Star Moment, where family and friends can belt out and sing like stars. This venue debuts on Spectrum.

An enhanced SeaPlex– the largest indoor sports and entertainment complex at sea where families can enjoy bumper cars, roller skating and basketball – with new augmented reality walls and floors, providing guests with thrilling, high-tech interactive experiences.

56639991_2263351297261289_3050552929174945792_o — Innovative Spy Pad

The iconic Sky Pad, a virtual reality, bungee trampoline experience located on the aft of the ship, as well as Quantum Class favourites the North Star, a glass capsule that takes guests more than 300 feet above the ocean for incomparable panoramic views; RipCord by iFly, a heart-pounding skydiving simulator experience; and the FlowRider surfing simulator.

Cutting-edge and transformative venues, such as Two70with its expansive floor-to-ceiling windows offering breath-taking 270-degree views of the ocean. Two70 features its signature Vistarama technology, which transforms the panoramic windows into a projection surface more than 100 feet wide and over 20 feet tall showcasing spectacular digital shows. Six agile Roboscreens, measuring over 7 feet tall and controlled by powerful, yet nimble robotic arms, create scenes as they soar and twist solo or as one. Two70 will also feature new room-scale augmented reality experiences that transport vacationers to new worlds of adventure.

Accommodating 4,246 guests at double occupancy and 1,551 international crew members, Spectrum will be the largest and most expensive ship in Asia when she arrives to her new home in Shanghai, China on June 3, 2019. Before Spectrum arrives to her new home this summer, she will sail a 46-night Global Odyssey from Barcelona, Spain to Shanghai, taking guests to an exciting array of ports including Aqaba, Jordan; Dubai, UAE; Muscat; Oman, Cochin, India and Georgetown, Malaysia. In winter 2019, the ship will reposition to Hong Kong to offer special holiday cruises.

Watch a video of the delivery ceremony here

https://www.royalcaribbeanpresscenter.com/video/1093/spectrum-of-the-seas-delivery-ceremony/

56862242_2263351210594631_7113351095065247744_o — Spectrum of the Seas Bridge

56734865_2263351240594628_7886337658069188608_o — Main Dining room

Spectrum of the Seas Fact File

Measurement	169,000 GT
Overall Length	347.1 m
Width on frames	41.4 m
Number of decks	18
Draft	8.50 m
Machine power Wärtsilä 2x 12 V 2x 16V total	67,200 kW
Drive Power	41.00 kW
Speed	22.0 kts
Passengers (Double Occupancy)	4246
Number of passenger cabins	2090
Number of outside cabins (including suites)	1759
Number of inside cabins	378
Crew	approximately 1550
Theater capacity	1281
Number of restaurants	18
Number of bars / lounges	12
Total weight of the applied paint	300 t
Total length of laid cables	2900 km
Glass (areas total)	17,500 m²
Total length of laid pipelines	about 400 km
Flag	Bahamas
Class	DNVGL

I really like the look of the Quantum & Quantum-Ultra classes, in my opinion the blue hull really suites the design.

Images courtesy of Royal Caribbean & Meyer Werft

Oasis of the Seas Involved in Dry Dock Accident at Grand Bahama Shipyard

Around 18:43 local time yesterday Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas was involved in an incident after a crane collapsed on the vessel while she was at the Grand Bahama shipyard having repaired made to her azipods.

oasis_t670 — image shared online of the Oasis of the Seas listing at Grand Bahama Shipyard, April 1, 2019.

According to reports, Royal Caribbean’s 225,000-tonne Oasis of the Seas was in the shipyard’s Dry Dock No. 2 when the accident occurred, leaving at least one large crane toppled on top of the vessel and the cruise ship with a noticeable list to starboard which can been seen in photos and video posted online. It was not immediately clear whether it was the Oasis of the Seas was listing inside the dry dock, or if it was the floating dry dock that was listing.

Eight people are reported to have been injured but thankfully none were believed to be life-threatening, the Grand Bahamas Tribune reported

A video released by Bahamas Press shows the lower part of the crane against the ship hull.

Royal Caribbean issued the following statement shortly after the incident:

“Earlier today, we responded to a site incident at the Grand Bahama Shipyard, where Oasis of the Seas is currently in dry dock.

Shipyard management has informed us of eight injuries, none of them considered life-threatening.

We are aware of damage to the dock structure and to the construction cranes. We are assessing damage to the ship. Drydock is a maintenance procedure and there are no guests oboard the ship.”

Grand Bahama Shipyard’s Dry Dock No. 2, at 300 meters in length by 58.5 meters wide, is the largest of three floating dry docks at the yard. The dock is equipped with four large dock cranes. The Grand Bahama Shipyard is located in Freeport, Grand Bahama, Bahamas, only about 100 miles east of Miami, Florida.

gbsl_facilites_cruise_label_web — Image showing the layout of shipyard (Courtesy of Grand Bahama Shipyard)

An image was later released showing the collapsed crane laying across the Aqua Theater.

Built in 2009 at STX Shipyard Turku, Finland Oasis of the Seas was the lead ship in Royal Caribbeans Oasis class. With a length of 361.6 m and at 225,282 GRT, and capacity of 6780 guests, she was the world’s largest cruise ship when launched, a title which she held until 2010 when her sister Allure of the Seas was launched.

Royal Caribbean will issue a further statement at 5pm local time today.