Royal Caribbean opened bookings for 35 itineraries offering more than 750 voyages ranging from three to 15 nights and calling at more than 55 ports in some of the most spectacular destinations in the Western Hemisphere. Vacationers can choose from Alaska, year-round Caribbean and Mexican Riviera itineraries, and seasonal Hawaii sailings.
“With the 2008-09 line-up, Royal Caribbean will offer year-round service on both the East and West Coasts, giving travelers more convenient options to enjoy some of the most innovative shipboard amenities in the cruising industry,” said Lisa Bauer, senior vice president, Sales, Royal Caribbean International. “New York-area travelers can already cruise year-round from Cape Liberty Cruise Port in New Jersey on Explorer of the Seas and now Californians also will have cruising options all year long with both Vision of the Seas and Monarch of the Seas sailing from Los Angeles. We continue our popular sailings from the West Coast taking travelers to the scenic destinations of Hawaii or Alaska. And to complete our diverse offerings, short cruises will allow first-time cruisers to sample cruising and get away for a quick mini-vacation.”
Liberty of the Seas and Freedom of the Seas, the cruise line’s two newest ships and the world’s largest, will offer guests an unparalleled cruise experience with signature amenities such as the FlowRider surf simulator, boxing ring, H2O Zone water park and 11-route rock-climbing wall. Both ships will alternate between seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean voyages roundtrip from Miami. Liberty will sail on Saturdays, and Freedom on Sundays, to give guests more opportunities to cruise aboard the world’s two most innovative ships. Travelers also can choose among alternating Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries aboard Mariner of the Seas sailing every Sunday from Port Canaveral. Prices for seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean voyages begin at $599 per person, double occupancy.
For voyages to lesser-trodden jewels of the Southern Caribbean, Adventure of the Seas offers vacationers seven-night cruises sailing roundtrip from San Juan, Puerto Rico. Through April 2009, travelers can choose from two itineraries going as far south as Barbados. Prices for Southern Caribbean cruises begin at $649 per person, double occupancy.
Short cruises for quick three-, four-, and five-night Caribbean getaways allow first-time cruisers to explore the cruising experience and also are an ideal setting for corporate meetings and incentive travel. From Fort Lauderdale, guests can sail roundtrip on four- and five-night Western Caribbean itineraries aboard Enchantment of the Seas, or on the Voyager-class Navigator of the Seas — the only ship deployed on short cruises in the Caribbean that offers such a breadth of onboard amenities. More time-strapped travelers also can choose among three- or four-night Bahamas itineraries aboard the recently revitalized Majesty of the Seas, sailing roundtrip from Miami, or aboard Sovereign of the Seas, sailing roundtrip from Port Canaveral. Prices for three-, four- and five-night Caribbean cruises start at $279 per person, double occupancy.
In the Pacific, travelers can enjoy year-round exhilarating cruise adventures with Royal Caribbean roundtrip cruises from Los Angeles aboard Vision of the Seas and Monarch of the Seas. Vision will sail every Sunday taking guests to popular ports-of-call on seven-night Mexican Riviera voyages. West Coast travelers also can try cruising for the first time or escape to the Baja California peninsula on a three- or four-night cruise aboard Monarch. Prices for Mexican Riviera cruises start at $239 per person, double occupancy.
In early and later summer 2008, Royal Caribbean will offer five cruise itineraries to the lush paradise and warm hospitality of Hawaii. Radiance of the Seas will take guests on one eastbound and one westbound Hawaii 10-night cruise between Ensenada, Mexico and Honolulu. In addition, Serenade of the Seas and Radiance together will offer three 15-night Hawaii Circle itineraries roundtrip from San Diego, giving guests the convenience of starting and ending their vacation from the same port. Hawaii cruises start at $1,399 per person, double occupancy.
Also in the summer of 2008, guests can explore the untamed wilderness and awe-inspiring glaciers of Alaska on one of more than 55 Royal Caribbean voyages to the “great land.” Radiance will take guests on seven-night North- and Southbound itineraries between Vancouver and Seward, Alaska. Rhapsody of the Seas returns to Seattle cruising on seven-night roundtrip Alaska Fjords & Glacier voyages and Serenade of the Seas will sail a seven-night roundtrip itinerary from Vancouver visiting the famous Alaska Hubbard Glacier, the largest and most active in the world. Both Radiance and Serenade will each offer a 14-night Ultimate Alaska voyage for an extensive adventure in Alaska. Alaska cruises start at $749 per person, double occupancy.
Guests wanting a more immersive Alaskan experience can book a Royal Caribbean cruisetour choosing from 20 pre- or post-cruise packages. The tours take them into Alaska’s magnificent interior allowing them to fully explore the sights, history and culture of the last American frontier. Tours visit destinations throughout the state, including the historic gold rush town of Fairbanks, the coastal town of Seward and Denali National Park, home of Mt. McKinley. Many of the Alaska cruisetour packages also include segments on Royal Caribbean’s Wilderness Express; a luxurious, glass-domed railcar that offers unobstructed views of the wildlife and untamed terrain. Cruisetour packages to the Canadian Rockies and Whistler in Canada also are available.
With a record seven ships in Europe for the 2008 summer season, travelers also will have 12 transatlantic itineraries from which to choose. These 12- to 15-night cruises aboard Brilliance of the Seas, Jewel of the Seas, Legend of the Seas, Navigator of the Seas, Splendour of the Seas, and Voyager of the Seas are in the Spring and Fall of 2008. In addition, Grandeur of the Seas will offer two repositioning voyages, one from Baltimore to San Juan on April 19 and another from San Juan to Tampa on October 30, 2008.
