To Whom It May Concern:
We came across this information in the trades and thought it would be of
interest to this newsgroup as well.
Happy sailing,
John Sisker, SHIP-TO-SHORE CRUISE AGENCY®
(714) 536-3850 or toll free at (800) 724-6644 & (pagoo ID: 714.536.3850)
www.shiptoshorecruise.com
MIAMI, Aug. 4, 2006 - 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.
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
Yrjö 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® 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, go to www.royalcaribbean.com
or call (800) 327-6700. For more information visit www.royalcaribbean.com or
phone 02 8644-1880
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