Independence Repositioning Cruise

Independence of the Seas is the third ship of the Freedom Class of ships and the largest ever ship to be home-port in Europe.

She will embark on a European transatlantic cruise on November 2008 as her repositioning cruise from Europe, ready to spend 5 months in the Caribbean. The cruise will see her depart Southampton and spend 13 nights at sea calling at three destinations before docking in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The destinations will be Vigo, Spain; Funchal, Portugal and Philipsburg, St Maarten.

Many shore excursions will be offered on this cruise including island tours, snorkelling, SCUBA diving, beach breaks, shopping trips and sightseeing.

Once she has arrived in Fort Lauderdale she will spend around 5 months on a variety of 6 and 8 night western and eastern Caribbean itineraries before returning to Europe in April 2009.

Royal Caribbean Sell Island Cruises

Royal Caribbean has announced plans to sell its 50% stake in Island Cruises. They are to sell their share of the company to British tour operator; TUI Travel Plc.

The sale of Royal Caribbean’s stake would mean that TUI would become the full owner of Island Cruises.

With Island Star being owned by Royal Caribbean, travellers may become affected; as the ship is to depart the fleet when TUI takes over. Island Star is to join Pullmantur Cruises; a cruise line based in Spain which is also owned by Royal Caribbean. The cruise ship is expected to leave the Island Cruises fleet in April 2009.

Once the sale of Royal Caribbean’s share in Island Cruises is sold, Island Cruises will cease to exist as it will become integrated with Thomson Cruises; also owned by TUI.

Lets hope this is not the end for Cheap Cruises from the UK!

Voyager Class

The Voyager Class of ships in the Royal Caribbean fleet consists of; Adventure of the Seas, Explorer of the Seas, Mariner of the Seas, Navigator of the Seas and Voyager of the Seas.

This class of ships plays host to The Royal Promenade atrium which stands four decks high and offers endless shopping opportunities and plenty of dining options and entertainment.

With the Voyager Class of ships you will be sure to have the cruise of your life time with endless sporting activities, theatre shows, musicals, shopping opportunities and cinema. Children are well catered for with their very own Adventure Ocean Youth Programme that offers supervised kids activities.

Twenty One Different Ships

Did you know that Royal Caribbean have a fleet of twenty one ships?

Well they do; they have twenty one ships that are split into five different classes. The five different classes of ship are Freedom, Voyager, Radiance, Vision and Sovereign.

The Freedom Class of ship is the newest class of ship in the Royal Caribbean fleet with the three newest ships forming this class. The ships in this class are Freedom of the Seas, Liberty of the Seas and Independence of the Seas.

Each of the classes offer a different choice of cruising options giving you the opportunity to find the perfect cruise to suit you.

Vision Class

Royal Caribbean’s Vision Class of ship consists of six stylish ships with white marble staircases and themed dining rooms and lounges.

Within this class you will find Grandeur of the Seas, Legend of the Seas, Rhapsody of the Seas, Splendour of the Seas, Vision of the Seas and Enchantment of the Seas.

The Vision Class ships hold 11 passenger decks with fitness centre, health and beauty spa, rock-climbing wall and internet café. They play host to a 7 deck Centrum with glass lifts and plenty of shops and lounges with some of the most incredible sea views.

Enchantment of the Seas offers some added extras with bungee trampolines, suspension bridges and an expanded pool deck area.

Sovereign Class

Majesty of the Seas, Sovereign of the Seas and Monarch of the Seas all fall into the Sovereign Class of ships.

These three ships play host to an open air basketball court, whirlpools, a spa and fitness centre. Other facilities onboard include a casino, swimming pools, rock-climbing wall, many dining options and plenty of evening entertainment.

Onboard you will find a seven storey atrium with its very own marble staircase surrounded by shops, lounges and boutiques; a perfect time to treat yourself.

All of these fantastic facilities are found throughout 12 passenger decks onboard each of the three ships.

Radiance Class

There are four ships in the Royal Caribbean fleet that fit into the Radiance Class of ships. These ships are; Brilliance of the Seas, Jewel of the Seas, Radiance of the Seas and Serenade of the Seas.

The Radiance Class ships consist of 13 passenger decks filled with daytime activities, evening entertainment and a variety of accommodation options.

There is a huge choice of dining available in the many restaurants onboard with food varying from Italian to a good old piece of steak.

Entertainment is offered in the casinos, bars, theatre and lounges. With separate daytime activities and entertainment to keep the kids entertained.

Oasis Class

Royal Caribbean is to introduce a new class of ship for 2009. The new class will be the Oasis Class of ships.

The first ship in this fleet will be Oasis of the Seas and will overtake the Freedom Class of ships as the world’s largest cruise ship and passenger vessel when she is launched in autumn 2009. She will be able to accommodate a staggering 5,400 passengers.

Oasis of the Seas will be joined by her sister ship Allure of the Seas in August 2010.

Freedom Class

Royal Caribbean’s Freedom Class of ship consists of three ships; Freedom of the Seas, Liberty of the Seas and Independence of the Seas.

The Freedom Class offers fifteen decks filled with fantastic entertainment, a variety of accommodation and endless daytime activities.

With its very own H20 Zone the entire family with be sure of plenty of fun and enjoyment, with water cannons, water fountains, swimming pools and hot tubs there’s lots to keep the entertainment flowing.

Onboard you’ll find something for everyone with a rock-climbing wall, ice-skating rink and miniature golf course as well as plenty of shops to stock up on gifts and souvenirs.