Royal Caribbean to invest $61M on Adventure of the Seas

Royal Caribbean International will debut a new array of amenities on the 3,114-passenger Adventure of the Seas, after a $61 million refurbishment this November.  

Originally introduced in 2001, the ship will be fitted with new dual racer waterslides, the Cyclone and Typhoon; a FlowRider surf simulator; and Splashaway Bay, a children’s aqua park.

The ship will debut a FlowRider surf simulator this fall.

New culinary and entertainment venues include an Izumi Japanese Cuisine; Royal's signature steakhouse, Chops Grille; and Boleros Latin Lounge. 

The ship will also receive an additional 100 cabins and a new Suites Lounge.

The Adventure is Royal Caribbean’s fifth ship to undergo revitalization, and will be the brand’s largest ship revitalization investment yet, Royal said. 

The Adventure offers southern Caribbean itineraries from San Juan.

Sun Princess cancels first sailing following £30m revamp

By Hollie-Rae Merrick 

The first sailing following Sun Princess's stint in drydock has been cancelled following a switchboard malfunction.

Sun Princess was due to embark on a 14-night Asia cruise ending in Fremantle, Australia, but Princess Cruises has cancelled the sailing following a malfunction in the ship's switchboard. About 2,000 passengers were due to sail on the ship.

The cruise line said the issue resulted in limited onboard power, which hindered its ability to run hotel operations.

A statement from the line said: "Regretfully, we've made the decision to cancel the cruise scheduled to depart today in order to make the necessary repairs.

"The ship will resume service on September 3.

"We're providing all passengers a full refund and a 100% future cruise credit. Additionally, we're covering the costs for all return flights home and incidentals. A special team has been sent to Singapore to assist passengers."

Sun Princess has been in drydock for two weeks, were it gained a new atrium with an International Cafe, a new sushi and seafood venue, an updated Horizon Court buffet and a refreshed Lotus Spa.

The next Sun Princess sailing is scheduled to depart Fremantle on September 3 for a 12-day Asia cruise ending in Singapore on September 15. 

Grandeur of the Seas Returns

Royal Caribbean’s Grandeur returns to BaltimoreBy: Marilyn Green

Cruise

Grandeur of the Seas was welcomed her homeport of Baltimore flying an historic flag. // (c) 2013 Royal Caribbean International

On July 12, Royal Caribbean International’s Grandeur of the Seas was welcomed back to her homeport of Baltimore, after six weeks’ recovery from a May 27 fire in the Bahamas, which is still under investigation.

Grandeur previously had a five-week, $48 million revitalization last year, adding balconies and Oasis-class features including flat-screen televisions, an outdoor movie screen and a redesigned atrium equipped for aerial shows, which received heavy applause as guests captured the Four Seasons spectacular. There are also new digital signs by the elevators that take guests through the daily schedule, give directions and display restaurant menus, all in several languages.

But only a few weeks after the ship started service out of Baltimore, the fire broke out. It was extinguished without injuries, although the passengers were called to their muster stations as a precaution. The ship never lost its power, propulsion or communications.

As Grandeur sailed back into Baltimore in July, the ship flew the historic Star-Spangled Banner flag as it passed Fort McHenry, as well as the U.S. Navy’s “Don’t Give up the Ship” flag flown by Commodore Perry during the War of 1812. Clearly, agents took up the message: Royal executives hosted 1,600 travel partners on a July 12 sailing prior to the resumption of revenue service, and attendees were warm in their praise.

The city was even more enthusiastic in its welcome for Grandeur in the wake of the announcement that Carnival Pride would be leaving the homeport in 2014. Grandeur of the Seas is committed to year-round cruises from Baltimore until at least April 2015.

Royal Caribbean set to upgrade Independence of the Seas

Independence of the Seas

Royal Caribbean set to upgrade Independence of the Seas

24Jan2013

As part of Royal Caribbean's Revitalization program to upgrade all of its cruise ships to include amenities first introduced on the Oasis of the Seas, Independence o the Seas has recently been scheduled to have its upgrade take place in April 2013.

Independence of the Seas will receive

• Outdoor movie screen
• Cupcake Cupboard
• Digital Signage
• Pervasive Wi-Fi
• Nursery 
• Giovanni’s Table specialty restaurant

The $7 million refurbishment will take two weeks, at which point Royal Caribbean will deploy Independence of the Seas to Southampton, England where on May 2, 2013 she will begin her summer season.  Some of the itineraries offered include some new shorter sailings such as a two-night cruise to Le Havre for Paris and three-night cruises to Le Havre for Paris and Zeebrugge for Bruges. 

UPDATE; Independence has just left Southampton, and is on her way to Hamburg to start her refit.