Hi Everyone,
I received this information from the Royal Caribbean and thought it
would be of interest. If you have missed any of my news' postings,
they are available on my web site.
Best regards,
Ray
LIGHTHOUSE TRAVEL
800-719-9917 or 805-566-3905
http://www.lighthousetravel.com
'World's Largest' Cruise Ship Title Soon To Be Shared Honor
Royal Caribbean International Floats Out Liberty of the Seas Growing
The Freedom Family
MIAMI, Aug. 4
In less than a year, Royal Caribbean International's Freedom of the
Seas, the cruise ship holding the title "world's largest," will have
to share her designation with her new younger sister. With her hull
now complete, Liberty of the Seas, under construction at Aker Yards in
Turku, Finland, reached an important maritime milestone today when she
was "floated out" -- moved from dry dock to wet dock -- for the final
months of finishing work leading up to her May 2007 debut.
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060804/FLF008 )
At official ceremonies held at the shipyard, Royal Caribbean
executives, Harri Kulovaara, executive vice president, Maritime; Lisa
Bauer, senior vice president, Sales; and Alice Norsworthy, senior vice
president, Marketing, and Yrjo Julin, president for Aker Yards Cruise
and Ferries, assisted by an exclusive group of Royal Caribbean's
travel partners, turned the valve releasing 87 million gallons of
water into the wet dock area.
Freedom of the Seas and Liberty of the Seas will hold the dual title
of largest cruise ships at sea, weighing in at 160,000 GRT and holding
3,634 guests double-occupancy. Among new programs and onboard
embellishments yet to be announced, amenities on Liberty will include
the popular innovations already found on Freedom including the
FlowRider(R) surf simulator; the wet and wild H20 Zone aqua park;
cantilevered whirlpools, suspended 112 feet above the ocean; an
ice-skating rink; a boxing ring; and the 1,215-square-foot
Presidential Family Suite, which sleeps up to 14.
"We are pleased to announce that Captain Hernan Zini will command the
newest addition to Royal Caribbean's fleet, Liberty of the Seas,"
stated Kulovaara. "Most recently serving as captain of Grandeur of the
Seas, Captain Zini brings with him a passion for nautical adventures
and appreciation for modern ship engineering and innovation."
Kulovaara added, "We created Freedom based on guests' wishes and
demands and there are so many things to do, see and experience, that
it allows cruisers to escape and have the freedom of choice. It's a
terrific time for our brand and we look forward to introducing Liberty
of the Seas to returning guests and first-time cruisers."
The two ships in Royal Caribbean's new Freedom class, to be joined by
a third in 2008, will alternate between 7-night Western and Eastern
Caribbean itineraries, Liberty departing on Saturdays and Freedom on
Sundays from Miami. Both itineraries will bring guests to the Royal
Caribbean's private destination, Labadee, Haiti, before returning to
Miami. In addition, Liberty's Western Caribbean itinerary calls in
Cozumel, Mexico; George Town, Grand Cayman; and Montego Bay, Jamaica;
while the Eastern Caribbean itinerary calls in San Juan, Puerto Rico;
and Philipsburg, St. Maarten, allowing for a third day at sea to take
advantage of all the ship has to offer.
Royal Caribbean International is a global cruise brand with 20 ships
currently in service and three under construction. The line also
offers unique land-tour vacations in Alaska, Canada and Europe through
its cruisetour division. For additional information or to make
reservations, call your travel professional.
-- |