Royal Caribbean announces 2011-12 Caribbean deployment
Royal Caribbean International has unveiled its 2011-12 Caribbean deployment featuring Liberty of the Seas as the first Freedom-class ship to offer short itineraries from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and Jewel of the Seas debuting in November 2011 at its new seasonal homeport of Tampa.
Allure of the Seas, Oasis of the Seas and Freedom of the Seas will continue seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean voyages while Monarch of the Seas and Majesty of the Seas will sail year-round short Bahamas getaways. In total, the seven ships will offer 439 sailings that call at 18 Caribbean ports on 55 itineraries. Bookings for these 2011-2012 Caribbean cruises are now open.
“Royal Caribbean International offers the most innovative cruise ships in the Caribbean for a memorable and affordable family holiday or couples’ getaway,” said Betsy O’Rourke, senior vice president of Marketing, Royal Caribbean International. “Whether for a quick getaway or a longer trip, guests will enjoy the widest array of exclusive onboard amenities while sailing to some of the most beautiful islands in the world. Throughout, Royal Caribbean International’s friendly and engaging staff and crew will deliver the Royal treatment to every guest, every day.”
The Caribbean offers travellers an endless variety of adventurous and relaxing shore excursion options, whatever their desire, ranging from canopy or hiking explorations to snorkeling, parasailing, boating, and beach basking. At an additional cost, guests can experience the crystal clear waters and marine life up close on tours such as the “Turtle Cove Sail and Snorkel” in St. Thomas; soar from tree to tree on the “Chukka Canopy Experience” at Falmouth, Jamaica; explore the world famous wall-city ruins of Tulum at Cozumel on “Tulum Mayan Ruins Express”; or seek the ultimate relaxing beach day on “Carambola Beach Break” in St. Croix.
On many itineraries, guests will call at Royal Caribbean International’s exclusive beach of Labadee, Haiti, or the private island of CocoCay in the Bahamas. Both destinations offer a wide variety of optional water-sports excursions, while Labadee features additional amenities such as the “Dragon’s Tail Coaster” and tours about the history and heritage of the Haitian people.
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After its summer 2011 debut in the Mediterranean, Liberty of the Seas will return to South Florida in November and offer two five-night and a four-night short Western Caribbean itinerary from Port Everglades. Sister-ship Freedom of the Seas will alternate seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean roundtrip itineraries year-round from Port Canaveral, Florida, and feature a five-night pre-holiday getaway to the Western Caribbean on 18 December 2011 and a nine-night New Year’s celebration cruise on 30 December 2011.
Liberty of the Seas and Freedom of the Seas boast an array of facilities that helped revolutionise the cruise industry, including the FlowRider surf simulator, the H20 Zone water park, a boxing ring, cantilevered whirlpools, and the four-bedroom, four-bathroom Presidential Family Suite that sleeps up to 14.
Allure of the Seas and Oasis of the Seas will continue to alternate seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries from Port Everglades. Allure of the Seas will, however, feature a special nine-night Eastern Caribbean holiday itinerary departing 25 December 2011, which features an additional call at Labadee and an extra day at sea to herald in the New Year and take in all the amenities on an Oasis-class ship. The following sailing on 3 January 2012, then offers a unique opportunity to sample an Oasis-class holiday on a five-night Western Caribbean itinerary, calling at Falmouth and Labadee. Or travellers can combine the two sailings into a 14-night grand holiday voyage aboard the world’s largest and most innovative cruise ship.
Holiday-makers also will have a wide selection of short cruise options. Jewel of the Seas will offer two five-night and a four-night Western Caribbean itinerary from Tampa, Florida. Year-round, Majesty of the Seas and Monarch of the Seas will offer three- and four-night short Bahamas itineraries from Miami and Port Canaveral, Florida respectively.
Onboard, guests enjoy Royal Caribbean International’s award-winning entertainment, complimentary Adventure Ocean kids and teen activities, world-class gaming in the Casino Royale, and the widest range of innovative and exclusive onboard amenities from rock climbing to relaxing spas.