Hi Everyone,
I received this press release from 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
Royal Caribbean Deploys Record Seven Ships to Europe in Summer 2008
Increased Capacity Provides Widest European Cruise Vacation Selection
For Guests
MIAMI, March 9, 2007
Royal Caribbean International today announced its largest deployment
in Europe with seven ships visiting the continent in 2008. Choosing
from four- through 14-night cruises, guests will be able to tour
Europe aboard the new Independence of the Seas, the first
Freedom-class ship in the region; two Voyager-class ships, Navigator
of the Seas and Voyager of the Seas; and Brilliance of the Seas, Jewel
of the Seas, Legend of the Seas and Splendour of the Seas. Bookings
for Royal Caribbean's 2008 Europe cruises will open on March 14, 2007.
"Our increased capacity in Europe reaffirms Royal Caribbean's strong
commitment to the region, which has shown tremendous growth in the
recent years," said Adam Goldstein, president, Royal Caribbean
International. "The Europe cruises will take guests to some of the
most spectacular locations throughout the continent aboard some of the
world's most innovative ships, offering travelers a range of exciting
itineraries and experiences that best accommodate their needs. Active
travelers, families and first-time cruisers will marvel at the rich
history and culture of the region while enjoying the elements of our
style of cruising that have made our brand globally recognized as an
award-winning vacation experience."
Guests aboard Royal Caribbean's Europe cruises will enjoy the cruise
line's signature amenities. Independence of the Seas will feature the
revolutionary FlowRider surf simulator and regulation-size boxing
ring. Navigator and Voyager belong to the first class of ships in the
world to offer guests an ice-skating rink and the Royal Promenade -
the ship's entertainment hub. Jewel and Brilliance boast self-leveling
pool tables and golf simulators and allow guests to relax in
expansive, themed solariums while kids play in the ships' Adventure
Beach water park. Legend and Splendour feature a 12-hole mini-golf
course for families and a retractable glass roof. All ships offer an
extensive range of spa services, fitness and wellness classes,
engaging Adventure Ocean kids and teen programs, top-rated
Broadway-style theater productions, and multiple restaurants and
lounges from which to choose.
The highly anticipated Independence of the Seas will embark on her
maiden voyage in mid-May 2008, offering 14-night Western Mediterranean
sailings from Southampton, England to the Spanish, French and Italian
Riviera. Independence also offers travelers four voyages to the Canary
Islands on ten- and 11-night itineraries.
From Harwich, England, guests aboard Jewel of the Seas embark on 11-
to 13-night voyages to the majestic Norwegian coast and grand Baltic
cities. Jewel also will sail on a series of three- and four-night
North Sea short cruises departing from such ports as Amsterdam,
Holland; Oslo, Norway and Hamburg, Germany, offering a call at one
popular Northern Europe city per sailing, including Copenhagen,
Denmark and Brussels, Belgium.
Navigator of the Seas, Voyager of the Seas and Brilliance of the Seas
will sail from Barcelona, Spain on four- to 12-night itineraries
throughout the Mediterranean. Perfect for first-time or time-strapped
cruisers, Navigator's four- and five-night sailings - beginning in
April - give travelers a great opportunity to sample the Western
Mediterranean and enjoy the innovative amenities of a Voyager-class
ship. In addition, Navigator also offers a series of ten to 12-night
sailings from Barcelona to the Eastern Mediterranean, Greece and
Turkey. On certain sailings, guests will make an overnight call at
Istanbul, Turkey to explore this gateway to the East. In July,
Navigator will embark on seven-night voyages from Rome (Civitavecchia)
to the Eastern Mediterranean.
Voyager follows the French Riviera to Sicily, Italy on weekly
seven-night sailings from Barcelona through November. Voyager will
call at some of the most popular cities in Europe, including Nice
(Villefranche), France; and Florence/Pisa (Livorno) and Naples/Capri
in Italy.
Being deployed year-round at Barcelona, Brilliance of the Seas offers
travelers ten- and 12-night sailings that combine popular Italian port
cities with the Greek Isles, or with the Dalmatian Coast. On the
voyages through the Adriatic, guests also will enjoy a two-day call at
Venice.
From Venice, Splendour of the Seas alternates roundtrip Turkey and
Greece, and Greek Isles voyages ranging from six to eight nights. On
the eight-night voyage, Crete is an additional port of call.
Legend of the Seas alternates between 12-night Greece and Eastern
Mediterranean and 13-night Italy and Croatia itineraries, both
roundtrip from Rome (Civitavecchia). Guests on the 13-night voyage
will enjoy an in-depth Italian peninsula experience with two full days
in Florence/Pisa (Livorno) and Venice.
For travelers in search of more in-depth experiences, Royal Caribbean
International's cruisetour program offers pre-cruise packages as an
extension of their European cruise vacation, allowing guests to
immerse themselves in the customs and cultures of the locations they
are visiting. The cruise line's signature cruisetours makes travel
planning simpler by taking care of all arrangements including air
travel, hotel, land transfers and land-tours. Each cruisetour is led
by experienced tour directors, who provide expert historical and
cultural insights giving guests a deeper understanding of the
attractions visited. Personal concierge services also provide anything
from dinner reservations to the purchase of VIP museum, show or
attractions tickets, allowing guest to avoid long lines.
Royal Caribbean International is a global cruise brand with 20 ships
currently in service and three under construction. Liberty of the
Seas, the cruise line's newest ship which debuts in April 2007, will
share the title of largest cruise ship at sea with sister-ship Freedom
of the Seas. At 160,000 GRT with a capacity of 3,634 guests
double-occupancy, Liberty of the Seas will sail alternating Eastern
and Western Caribbean itineraries from Miami. The line also offers
unique land-tour vacations in Alaska, Canada, Europe, Australia and
New Zealand through its cruisetour division. For additional
information or to make reservations, contact your travel
professional. |