Subscribe to Cruising From New YorkNews FeedSubscribe to Cruising From New YorkComments

Royal Caribbean


explorer-of-the-seas1050 Caribbean Way
Miami, FL 33132
(305) 539-6000
www.royalcaribbean.com

In the highly competitive world of cruise companies, Royal Caribbean International consistently earns top honors in the quality of its ships. Founded in 1969, the company has expanded rapidly both in the number of mega-liners and cruising regions. Royal Caribbean owns Celebrity Cruises. When sailing from New York, both cruise lines sail in and out of Cape Liberty, New Jersey.

In New York: Royal Caribbean’s Voyager of the Seas sails year-round from Cape Liberty, NJ, located in Bayonne. Cruising regions are Canada/New England, Bermuda and the Caribbean.

The Royal Caribbean Experience
A Royal Caribbean executive once used the phrase “mass with class” in describing his company’s vessels, a fairly apt description. When it comes to designing ships everyone loves, Royal Caribbean leads the pack. Explorer of the Seas boasts ice-skating, rock climbing and roller blading on deck. I personally think the showstopper is the ship’s indoor promenade. Lined with stores, a pub, pizzeria and bookstore, it’s a fantastic place to people watch or just hang out. Each night a carnival-like parade with costumed entertainers winds its way through the promenade cheered on by passengers. Staterooms are smaller than those found on other mass-market ships but are well equipped with TV, individual climate control, private bathroom, hair dryers. Royal Caribbean even has family staterooms (two cabins that connect) so families can have privacy while staying together.

Dining: Royal Caribbean’s weakest area is cuisine so if your priority is gourmet dining, I recommend taking another cruise line. The cruise line now offers passengers the option of assigned, single seating or dining when and with whom you please. Kids have their own dining program, an accelerated meal so that they may join their friends

Fellow Passengers
Honeymooners, families and couples from their 20’s to retired in the Caribbean and Bermuda cruises, especially during school vacation periods. You’ll find couples in the 55+ age group aboard longer Canada/New England voyages and on 10+ day sailings.

Taking The Kids
Royal Caribbean’s “Adventure Ocean” youth program has age-specific facilities and programs supervised by youth counselors for Aqaunauts (age 3-5, must be toilet trained), Explorers (age 6-8), Voyagers (age 9-11), Navigators (age 12-14) and Teens (age 15-17). A new program for infants and toddlers 6 months to 3 years, in partnership with toy maker Fisher-Price offers 45-minute playgroups for children accompanied by an adult, involving storytelling, creative arts, music and a variety of Fisher-Price learning toys and games.

Aqua Babies are six months to 18 months old while Aqua Tots are 18 months to three years old. Adventure Ocean runs year-round in the Caribbean, Bermuda, Bahamas, Mexico, Hawaii and Alaska. Parents can leave their children at Adventure Ocean while they take shore excursions. For this purpose, the facilities open 30 minutes ahead of morning shore excursion departures. Otherwise, organized activities are offered from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., with group babysitting from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. for a fee. Teen centers are now open past 2 a.m.
Private babysitting is offered from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m., provided sitters are available, for children from six months old. The rate is $8.00 per child per hour with a minimum of three hours and a $2.00 per hour charge for each additional child. Cash payment is made directly to the sitter. Royal Caribbean is the only cruise line offering terrific facilities for teens. They’ll find a private club-house to hang out in plus private discos just for them.

Past Passenger Program
Crown & Anchor Society members receive discounts at onboard shops and special discounts on select sailings; 4 program levels with added amenities; admission to Crown & Anchor clubs in select ports; onboard recognition; quarterly newsletter. For more information call 800/526-9723.

Tipping
Royal Caribbean suggests a per person per day gratuity of: $3.50 for the stateroom attendant ($5.75 if sailing in a suite); $3.50 for the waiter; $2.50 for the Assistant Waiter; .75 Head Waiter. These gratuities may be paid in cash or charged to your onboard account. For children sailing as third or fourth passenger in the stateroom, tipping is at the parents’ discretion. A 15 percent gratuity is automatically added to all beverage tabs. Gratuities for room service, spa, casino and other staff are at your discretion.

ROYAL CARIBBEAN 2009/10 ITINERARIES

BERMUDA & CARIBBEAN ITINERARIES – Round-trip from Cape Liberty

5-night Bermuda Cruises. Ports of Call: Kings Wharf, Bermuda. 2009 Departure Dates: May 9, 23; June 6, 20; July 4, 18; Aug. 1, 15, 29; Sept. 12, 26; Oct. 10, 24; Nov. 7;

9-night Eastern Caribbean Cruise. Ports of Call: San Juan, St. Thomas, Dominican Republic, Labadee (RCI’s private island) 2009 Departure Dates: April 17; Nov. 12; Dec. 11

9-night Bermuda & Caribbean Cruise. Round-trip from Cape Liberty (Bayonne). Ports of call: Bermuda, St. Maarten, St. Thomas, San Juan.

12-night Southern Caribbean Cruise. Ports of Call: St. Maarten, Dominica, Barbados, Antigua, Tortola, Labadee (RCI’s Private island) 2009 Departure Date: Nov. 29. 2010 Departure Date: Jan. 24; Feb. 14; March 7

13-night Southern Caribbean Cruise. Ports of Call: St. Maarten, Dominica, Barbados, Antigua, Tortola, Labadee, (RCI’s Private island), St. Kitts Departure Date: Apr 26, 2009

CANADA/NEW ENGLAND

9-night Canada/New England Cruise. Ports of Call: Sydney, Nova Scotia; Prince Edward Island, Quebec City, Halifax 2009 Departure Dates: Sept. 3, 17; Oct 1, 15

Copyright Anne Campbell, 2009