Royal Caribbean
Royal Caribbean International has a reputation for innovation that has led to it pioneering new cruise destinations like Alaska and, more recently, Croatia
and bringing new on-ship experiences to its passengers, evidenced in their rock climbing walls and surfing simulators. This, along with more than 170 destinations globally, and a commitment to bringing novel shore excursions to customer attention (cave-tubing and abseiling have been recent offers) means that the cruise line is always at the cutting edge of what can be expected of an ocean holiday.
Perhaps the most interesting thing about Royal Caribbean is the way that it balances the drive towards fresh experiences for guests, with the need to commit to environmental improvement. It has its own environmental best practice programme and runs the Ocean Fund, which supports marine conservation organizations working to preserve marine eco-systems.
Royal Caribbean Ships
Adventure of the Seas
Of the same family as Explorer, Mariner, Navigator and Voyager, this RCL cruise ship has two internal lobbies, called atria, roughly based on London’s Burlington Arcade and of course, featuring a ‘traditional’ London Pub.
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Brilliance of the Seas
A highly streamlined cruise liner, this one, with a very modern feel, lots of contemporary artworks and glass walled lifts in the lobby give this the feeling of futuristic design, which is echoed in the Starquest dance club which is also an observation deck during the day and the Ocean Arcade video games centre.
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Explorer of the Seas
A really large floating beach hotel is how many people describe this class of Royal Caribbean ships, but unlike some of her sisters, Explorer doesn’t try to divide the vessel into smaller ‘zones’ – rather the whole ship has the same look and feel, and while there’s no risk of getting lost, and the décor isn’t horribly samey, there isn’t the same sense of personal space you get on some other liners in the fleet.
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Freedom of the Seas
When you sail on Freedom of the Seas you are experiencing Royal Caribbean innovation in action, especially in the onboard surf park which features cantilevered whirlpools extending out into space twelve feet beyond the sides of the ship and the water park with its sculpture fountains, ground geysers and waterfall.
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Grandeur of the Seas
One of the smaller ships in the RCL fleet, this cruise liner offers her passengers some notable features – the glass covered underfloor casino exhibits, for example, along with the favourite features of this line: the rock-climbing wall and the Viking Crown Lounge.
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Independence of the Seas
The just launched Independence of the Seas can accommodate 3,634 guests, which isn't exactly small and stunning features on this brand new and very exciting vessel include the FlowRider, a surfing simulator in which guests use a boogie board and surf in water travelling at up to thirty miles an hour! There are also cantilevered whirlpools suspended high above the ocean.
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Jewel of the Seas
Is a Jewel as her name suggests! This cruise liner is a bright ship, with lots of artwork that picks up the jewel theme and a Casino Royale that is scintillating even by Royal Caribbean’s standards.
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Legend of the Seas
A sister to Splendour of the Seas, she’s designed to cope with the Panama Canal without the consequent deck narrowing that is a feature on many ships that take the Panama route.
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Majesty of the Seas
Since her makeover in 2007, this ship had benefited from more neatly organised cabins and a new range of flexible dining, which suits its general cruise profile – she was designed for short cruises in the Caribbean – and works well for cruise travellers who like to spend a lot of time ashore or on deck.
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Mariner of the Seas
Of the same family as Adventurer, Explorer, Navigator and Voyager, this RCL cruise ship has two internal lobbies, called atria, roughly based on London’s Burlington Arcade and of course, featuring a ‘traditional’ London Pub.
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Monarch of the Seas
This cruise liner differs from her sisters in having a special area for young children on board – a ‘toddler base’ - which is good to know if you’re travelling with under fives.
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Navigator of the Seas
Of the same family as Adventurer, Explorer, Mariner, and Voyager, this RCL cruise ship has two internal lobbies, called atria, roughly based on London’s Burlington Arcade and of course, featuring a ‘traditional’ London Pub – this time called the Two Poets.
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Radiance of the Seas
Radiance is one of the RCL ships with a helipad, which doubles as a viewing deck for passenger use and this sets the tone for this light, airy and highly contemporary ship.
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Rhapsody of the Seas
Notable for her electrostatic art, in the form of a changing globe, this ship also has a six deck sculpture on an astrological theme and a star themed multi deck nightclub.
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Splendour of the Seas
Splendour offers the chance to play golf at night on a floodlit 18 hole course! Another notable entertainment feature is the huge theatre/showlounge which has a movable orchestra pit, but there is no dedicated cinema.
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Vision of the Seas
Vision is notable for her very good selection of artwork which makes the public spaces of the ship a delight to wander around, including the art used in the spa and solarium area.
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Voyager of the Seas
If you’re lucky, you get to stand on the observation platform of Voyager during your cruise – it’s a weather dependant opportunity and a fantastic chance to have your own ‘Titanic’ moment! The traditional pub in the lobby here is the Pig’n’Whistle and there’s a Ben and Jerry’s station too, so both sides of the Atlantic are catered to.
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