Royal Caribbean
Royal Caribbean Cruises
Independent Expert Reviews by Professional Travel Journalists
Biggest is best characterises Royal Caribbean International's outlook on cruising with a range of ships bursting with entertainment and activities.
The American cruise line has been expanding rapidly in Europe with increasing the number of summer sailings from the UK to the Mediterranean, Canary Islands, Baltic Sea and Norwegian coast.
However, with Royal Caribbean the ship is very much the destination as the company operates the biggest ships afloat, filled with exciting elements such as rock climbing walls, ice rinks and spas.
The largest and newest 3,600-passenger megaship Independence of the Seas will be sailing from Southampton from May 2008, with new features such as a surfing simulator, water park and boxing ring.
And to whet your appetite for the future, the company is to build two of what will become the world's largest cruise ships. Due to enter service in autumn 2009 and summer 2010, the so-called Genesis-type ships will carry 5,400 passengers and are being hailed as “trailblazers” in cruise ship and cruise holiday innovation
Amongst the existing 20-strong fleet are elegant Radiance-class vessels and more intimate Vision and Sovereign ships.
Royal Caribbean provides friendly, action-packed cruises to more than 130 destinations worldwide.
Fly-cruise options include five to 13-night Caribbean itineraries, nine-night discovery trips to Alaska, transatlantic crossings, 11 to 15-night Panama Canal trips, 11-night Hawaii and three to nine-night Mexican cruises.
Summer cruises from the UK include 14-night voyages from Southampton and 11 and 13-night itineraries from Harwich.
With a passenger-to-staff ratio of 3:1, Royal Caribbean passengers receive first class service throughout their cruise holiday.
With multiple dining options, swimming pools, gym and spa areas, impressive facilities for children of all ages and a high proportion of cabins with balconies, Royal Caribbean's Voyager and Freedom-class ships provide the ideal cruise option, particularly for families.
This summer (2008) the company will have a record of seven ships offering European itineraries covering more than 60 ports of call, including Independence of the Seas from Southampton and Jewel of the Seas from Harwich.
Navigator of the Seas, Voyager of the Seas and Brilliance of the Seas are to operate fly-cruises from Barcelona, Legend of the Seas is sailing from the port of Rome covering the eastern Mediterranean, Greece, Italy and Croatia, while Splendour of the Seas is running departures from Venice to the Greek islands and Turkey.
