Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. just announced that it has executed a contract with STX France to construct a third Oasis-class vessel for delivery in mid-2016. This order is consistent with the plan announced by the company in October to build a sister-ship to the very successful Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas.
"The Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas have fundamentally transformed the cruise experience for our guests," said Richard D. Fain , chairman and chief executive officer of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. "These ships have consistently generated outstanding guest satisfaction ratings and continue to produce superior financial results. We are thrilled to be adding a sister to this extraordinary class of vessels at a compelling price. Being back building in France just adds to the pleasure."
Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas are the largest and most revolutionary cruise ships in the world. Architectural marvels at sea, they span 16 decks, encompass 225,282 gross registered tons, carrying 5,400 guests at double occupancy, and feature 2,700 staterooms. The ships sail weekly from their home port of Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas debuted in November 2009 and November 2010 respectively, introducing a range of unique industry "firsts" and engineering marvels including a neighborhood concept – seven themed areas providing guests with the opportunity to seek out relevant experiences based on their personal style, preference or mood. Within these seven neighborhoods – Central Park, Boardwalk, the Royal Promenade, Pool and Sports Zone, Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness Center, Entertainment Place and Youth Zone – are extraordinary elements such as the first park at sea, a thrilling zip line that races diagonally nine-decks above an open-air atrium, an original handcrafted carousel, 28 multilevel urban-style loft suites boasting floor-to-ceiling windows, an aquatic amphitheater – called the AquaTheater that serves as a pool by day and a dazzling ocean front theater by night; and an array of epicurean innovations that allow for new culinary experiences each day of a guest's cruise vacation.
"As the cruise line that revolutionized the industry with the FlowRider surf simulator, ice-skating rinks, cantilevered whirlpools and rock climbing walls, we are eager to add this third award winning Oasis-class ship to our brand portfolio. This addition will allow us to showcase our legacy of innovation and imagination to even more guests around the world," said Adam Goldstein , president and chief executive officer of Royal Caribbean International.
Despite the fact the Oasis and Allure keep to their own itinerary, they still are able to draw a significant repeat business.
"These are the first two ships designed not to be experienced in a seven-night cruise - there is so much to do, like having 26 dining options, - they are designed intentionally to offer all the options so you can have a very different experience this week than if came back," a spokesman said.
With the success of the Oasis-class ships, Royal Caribbean International is currently undergoing a fleetwide revitalization program to bring the latest innovations and the highest guest-rated programs from Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas to the cruise line's ships across the fleet.
Royal Caribbean's Azamara Club
The Oasis-class ships may be the largest on the seas designed to be floating resorts, but Royal Caribbean Cruises' Azamara Club has two of the industry's smaller ships, designed to go into ports that the bigger ships cannot visit, and offering itineraries that emphasize the experience the destinations - Asia, the Mediterranean, Europe - afford.
For example, the itineraries are designed so you spend a lot more time in port - overnight so you can enjoy the nightlife. Itineraries can be strung together so it is possible to string cruises together so you can spend 89 days voyaging without duplicating a port, said Larry Pimental, Azamara Club president.
Azamara Journey, the second of Azamara Club Cruises’ twin boutique ships to undergo refurbishment, has just emerged from an eight-day drydock in Singapore’s Sembawang Shipyard. Azamara Journey, now complete with a refresh of all public spaces and staterooms and an elegant new “Azamara Blue” exterior hull, continues its Asia season with a 13-night Indonesia voyage round-trip from Singapore.
With its newly refreshed ships, the cruise line that sails to exciting destinations around the world that larger ships are unable to reach is poised to break away from its category. Azamara features longer stays and more overnights in port to present up-market travelers the opportunity for night touring. Paired with the new complimentary AzAmazing Evening event on every voyage, starting with each ship’s Europe 2013 season, Azamara is delivering to guests the most authentic, intimate and bespoke travel experiences that showcases the nightlife of some of the world’s most intriguing destinations.
Shipwide renovations included new carpets, upholstery, and a new color palette in public spaces reflecting the cruise line’s inviting atmosphere; new mattresses and upgraded veranda furniture for suites and staterooms; and a resurfaced pool, and new sun loungers and pool towels on the outer decks. The Casino Bar also was expanded and enhanced with new furniture, while the Spa and fitness center was refreshed with a new steam room, showers, and state-of-the-art Life Fitness cardio equipment. Furthermore, a range of enhancements were made behind the scenes in the staff and crew areas to add to the comfort of the cruise line’s most valuable asset.
On the culinary front, guests can now enjoy a new caviar and champagne bar within Aqualina, one of the ships’ two specialty dining venues, as well as a new Chef’s Table concept featuring three wine degustation menus – Italian, French and Californian. At Mosaic Café, the ships’ central gathering spot, guests can purchase a freshly brewed cup of bespoke coffee or tea.
Guests aboard Azamara Journey enjoy more inclusive amenities, such as included gratuities for housekeeping, dining and bar staff; complimentary bottled water, sodas, specialty coffee, and teas, as well as complimentary red and white boutique wines to accompany lunch and dinner; complimentary self-service laundry; English Butler service for suite guests; and shuttle transportation to city centers in ports, where available.
Azamara Club Cruises is a destination-immersive cruise line for up-market travelers who not only want to see the places and cultures they visit, but to live them. Azamara’s two intimate, 694-guest ships, Azamara Journey and Azamara Quest, with a combination of 347 suites and staterooms, offer a European-boutique hotel ambience with extraordinary service, fine cuisine and wines from around the world, and wellness and vitality programs, all while sailing to a host of destinations larger ships cannot reach. Azamara Club Cruises sails European destinations, including the Baltic and Scandinavia, British Isles, Western Europe, French and Italian Rivieras, Greek Isles, Croatia, Holy Land and Black Sea, as well as Asia, South America and lesser-traveled islands of the West Indies, with more overnight and late-night stays in every region.
Travelers also can choose even more immersive experiences with Azamara cruisetours in eight of the world’s most exciting destinations, including Rome, Athens, Buenos Aires, Cairo, Istanbul, Jordan and Israel, India, and China.
For more information, call your travel professional, dial 1-877-999-9553, or visit the Azamara Club Cruises at www.AzamaraClubCruises.com. Follow Azamara Club Cruises on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AzamaraClubCruises or on Twitter, @AzamaraVoyages.
Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. is a global cruise vacation company that owns Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, Pullmantur, Azamara Club Cruises and CDF Croisieres de France, as well as TUI Cruises through a 50 percent joint venture. Together, these six brands operate a combined total of 41 ships with four under construction. They operate diverse itineraries around the world that call on approximately 460 destinations on all seven continents.
Additional information can be found on www.royalcaribbean.com, www.celebritycruises.com, www.pullmantur.es, www.azamaraclubcruises.com, www.cdfcroisieresdefrance.com or www.rclinvestor.com.
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