Caribbean Royal: December 2011

Independence of the Seas Photo

Independence of the Seas Photo
Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas guarantees an amazing time for you and your family whether you are on board or on shore excursion. Day or night, a number of events goes on everywhere on the ship. Day activities include scuba diving under their Sea Trek program, surf stimulator known as the Flow Rider and indoor rock climbing. The ship also offers game shows for families as well as trivia contests. Oasis has several restaurants in it such as famous fast food chains like Ben and Jerry's and Johnny Rockets.

Central Park
Oasis of the Seas boasts of a Central Park, Boardwalk, Royal Promenade and a Pool and Sports Zone. Central Park, located on deck 8, is surrounded by shrubs, trees, flowers and tropical foliage. Staterooms surround the area with some rooms containing balconies overlooking the charming garden and pathways. The neighbourhood includes several restaurants, various themed gardens and retail boutiques.

Boardwalk
Perhaps, the most interesting area for families would be the Boardwalk. Young and old alike would love the area's colourful carousel, several eateries, retail shops and other carnival games. Families will surely enjoy a thrilling zip line ride and the Aqua Theater, an outdoor venue containing a backdrop of the sea across the horizon. Some of the most interesting shops include Madame Zamara's Psychic and Tattoo Parlor, Candy Beach specialty candy store, Smile photo shop and Star Pier retail store for teens. The neighbourhood is also surrounded by several staterooms overlooking the area.

The Royal Promenade
The Royal Promenade can be found directly below the Central Park. Its Crystal Canopies lets guests enjoy the natural light cascading from Central Park and the sky beyond. If children will enjoy the Boardwalk, adults will surely enjoy Royal Promenade's moving bar called the Rising Tide. Guests can enjoy several glasses of cocktails while slowly descending from the Central Park and into Royal Promenade. The area highlights a giant copper globe incorporated in the Globe and Atlas Pub's facade. The globe cracks open revealing a bridge platform leading to an entertainment area. Unlike the other cruise lines, Oasis of the Seas welcomes guests via the Royal Promenade. The mezzanine level will give you a spectacular view of the whole area as well as it houses the exclusive Diamond Club, Schooner Bar and the Royal Caribbean International. Several restaurants, bar, retail outlets and souvenir shops surround the area.

Freedom of the Seas Picture

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Freedom of the Seas Picture
The two latest behemoths of the seas; the elegant and classically inspired Queen Mary 2 and the floating fantasy Freedom of the Seas both cater to two different cruise markets. While both ships are the current sensations in the ever changing cruise World (QM2 was the toast of 2004, while Freedom of the Seas is the current debutante), they are actually quite different. Apart from similar displacements (150,000 tonnes for QM2 and 160,000 tonnes for Freedom) and similar lengths (both over 1,100 feet long), these super ships are laid out very differently.

Queen Mary 2 was constructed for Transatlantic Passages during the summer months and Worldwide cruising during the winter months. She accommodates up to 2,600 guests in large comfortable staterooms and sumptuously appointed suites. Her lounges and public spaces hark back to the glory days of the Transatlantic liners such as her illustrious forbears the Queen Elizabeth 2, the original Queen Mary and Elizabeth and even the sensational Normandie. Because of the requirement to weather rough seas constantly pounding her hull when she is travelling at 28 knots, she is extremely well constructed by modern standards of passenger shipbuilding. Her hull is constructed of extra thick steel and her engines are extremely powerful to propel her up to 40 per cent faster than the average ship built for cruising today.

Freedom of the Seas is more of a luxury resort at sea, a fantastic Las Vegas style hotel accommodating up to 4,600 guests sailing the usually placid and sunny waters of the Caribbean. Her 7 day itineraries rarely vary and she caters to people looking for a week of sun, fun and dining. While still extremely well constructed, she does not require the ultra high strength built into the hull of QM2, nor does she need the extra powerful engines as her normal cruising speed is well under 20 knots. With such a large hull primarily designed for smooth seas, she offers mind boggling amenities such as the Flowrider, essentially a surfing device that allows the brave hearted to "surf" in one spot while powerful jets of water course under the surfer's board! She also features hundreds of glass balconied cabins, extra large windows and huge open spaces due to the tropical climes she is designed to sail in. Other notable features are a 3 level tiered dining room, a show lounge that would do justice on Broadway, a full ice skating rink with professional shows performed every day, an 4 deck high "mall" over 600 feet long featuring cafes, boutiques, pizzerias, barber shop and an incredible "Mardi Gras" Parade with clowns on 10 foot high stilts, acrobatic performances and colourfully decorated floats. This Mall called the Royal Promenade also features three decks of cabins with large windows looking into the promenade, lighting that constantly changes the Mall's ambience and is anchored by two 8 deck atriums. You can actually look down from deck 11 to deck 4 and catch all the never ending activities going on in the Royal Promenade! Glass enclosed elevators with full atrium views whisk you up and down these decks quickly and silently.

The picture that I am painting is that the Freedom of the Seas is designed as a one week escape pod from your land side worries. Be "wowed" by the ship's incredible architecture, savour the fact that you are in some unreal fantasyland sailing towards the sun away from your worries.

Queen Mary 2, on the other hand, is a more serious vacation endeavour. You are paying to relive the glory of the transatlantic liners. You will enjoy lavishly decorated public rooms to while away the days while sailing to your destination. You feel proud to be part of the famous Cunard tradition. Politicians, movie stars and other glitterati from the twenties and thirties danced their way across the Atlantic enroute to Europe. When onboard Queen Mary 2, you are reliving this rich image!

Either way, you cannot go wrong. Both ships will be written about in the history books. They are the largest of their kind ever constructed and you will be part of passenger ship history by sailing on either one. The question is: Do you prefer to vacation in Las Vegas in one of the most extravagant hotels or do you prefer to vacation in London at Claridge's? If you are like me, then you will want to experience both!

Freedom of the Seas Pool Photo

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Freedom of the Seas Pool Photo
Royal Caribbean has a long history of creating family-friendly cruise ships that are innovative and fun. When Freedom of the Seas was introduced in 2006, she was the world's largest, carrying 4,375 passengers. And she introduced many cool amenities and activities that have been widely imitated.

Freedom of the Seas is still a great choice for families and she provides positive, quality experiences for kids of all ages, and their parents.

She sails from Port Canaveral on Sundays, and visits CocoCay - Royal Caribbean's private island in the Bahamas - St. Thomas, and St. Maarten.

Freedom of the Seas activities.

Kids who enjoy going to the mall will feel right at home in the four-story Royal Promenade. There are plenty of places to shop and eat during the day, and nightly parades and street performers are fun and festive.

The Adventure Ocean program provides supervised activities for kids in four different age groups. Children who aren't yet potty trained can come with their parents for play dates, and private babysitting is available.

The H2O Zone is extremely popular with older kids. This onboard water park has a waterfall and separate pool, away from the adults. And a private club for teenagers keeps them occupied during the evening hours.

The array of activities on Freedom of the Seas is staggering. Whether you want to scale a rock wall, play nine holes of mini golf, ice skate, box, or surf, you'll be able to do lots of fun things you've never done before. There are three Jacuzzis, two cantilevered whirlpools that jut out from the side of the ship, two swimming pools, a day spa, and a fitness center.

Freedom of the Seas restaurants.

When it's time to eat, kids' favorites like Johnny Rockets and Ben & Jerry's charge a modest surcharge, but the pool-side grill has free burgers and hot dogs, and there's also a café for pizza and paninis.

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are available in the dining room and Windjammer Café. And My Time Dining lets families choose dinner times that are convenient for them.

Parents will enjoy a night out at one of the two alternative restaurants - Portofino Trattoria and Chops Grille. The first serves salads, pastas, and other Italian specialties. The latter has steak house favorites and yummy desserts.

Freedom of the Sea cabins.

Freedom of the Seas has several types of accommodations that work well for families. All the staterooms have WiFi Internet access, mini fridges, small safes for valuables, and flat-screen TVs where you can watch movies or get more information about shipboard activities.

Those on a budget should consider one of the 172 inside cabins that overlook the Promenade. These are a good value and are a little more inviting than the usual inside cabin.

At 300 square feet, the Family Cabins can sleep up to six. Large parties - up to eight people - can upgrade to a Family Royal Suite. With a living room, two bathrooms, two bedroom, and a big balcony, these are roomy and luxurious.

With tons of fun activities, plenty of dining options, top-quality kids programs, and fun, low-key port calls, Freedom of the Seas offers everything families need for a winning vacation.

Freedom of the Seas

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Freedom of the Seas
If you're looking for some cruising tips for Freedom of the Seas then you've come to the right place. But before we get into it, I would like to tell you an important fact before you go on a cruise.

I want to reach out to as many passengers especially the first-time cruisers because they don't have a clue what they're walking into. I'll tell you about it later but for now let's take a look at some tips on how you can enjoy your time inside the Freedom of the Seas.

Pools - Make sure to take an extra bathing suit. One thing that I'm really excited with Freedom of the Seas is their water activities. You're definitely going to enjoy the H2O Zone with features like water cannons, water slides and a lazy river. Don't forget to check out H2O Zone in the evenings once the lights are on.

Activities - You shouldn't ignore the other dry activities. There are so many things to do and it's going to be hard to experience them all in a single trip. Did you know that there's a boxing ring inside? Yes, there is and you can take boxing lessons for an additional fee. There's also rock climbing, ice skating, a mini golf course and a basketball court. If you like to sing then you're going to enjoy their karaoke which has a green screen technology.

Other Tips - Freedom of the Seas is one of the biggest ships in the world so you have to be prepared to do a lot of walking. Bring some comfortable shoes and wear it as you tour around the ship. Also don't forget to bring something nice to wear. An ideal formal wear for dinner would be tuxedos for men and cocktail dresses for women.

One last important tip is to check on your extra expenses because they can quickly add up. If you're not careful you might end up with a huge bill after your cruise because of the hidden charges.

Cruise lines are very good at persuading you to spend more money than you'll ever need. That's how they're profiting. Everything inside a cruise ship is designed to get you to spend more money. But it doesn't have to be that way.

RCCL Adventure of the Seas

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RCCL Adventure of the Seas
Glamorous, elegant, family-friendly and fun are what come to mind when talking about Royal Caribbean's newest ship: Freedom of the Seas. Determined to make Freedom the most innovative and adventurous ship of its fleet, Royal Caribbean built Freedom to be the largest passenger ship ever, then added one-of-a-kind features sure to impress.

Let the Adventure Begin

One of the most talked about activities is the Flowrider®. This exciting surfing ride gives the feeling of hanging ten on a Maui wave, all right from onboard Freedom. Grab a board and catch a wave. It's easy to learn and fun to master.

The H20 Zone is another water wonder found exclusively on Freedom. A dedicated crew mans this water park filled with giant and colorful sculptures, water cannons, fountains, jets, waterfalls, spiral-shaped current pool and more. For adults and kids alike, the H20 Zone is a blast during the day and a whole new adventure when lit up at night.

While kids usually get special gathering places designated just for them, Royal Caribbean decided to offer a solarium onboard Freedom - just for adults. Fun and relaxing, the solarium presents a rainforest theme with giant sculptures of tropical birds and palm trees, poolside hammocks, a panoramic view of the ocean and music piped underwater. While truly special during the day, the solarium is spectacular at night.

A separate sports pool accommodates the adventurous ones in your group. You'll find traditional favorites such as water volleyball and basketball and some exciting new options including golf and jousting.

For those looking to live life to its fullest, a rock climbing wall, ice skating rink and scuba lessons should provide plenty to do. If relaxation is your goal, work off your stress in the state-of-the-art fitness center under the watchful eye of your personal trainer. Then allow yourself to indulge in any of the massages or treatments available in Freedom's full-service spa.

Spacious Cabins and Family Suite

Accommodations are outstanding with four categories of staterooms to choose from. Each is of exceptional size and offers a full-sized, flat screen television and WiFi capabilities. Each cabin also offers premium bedding and a hairdryer for added comfort and convenience.

If you're traveling with a large party, Freedom offers a Presidential Family Suite that will comfortably sleep up to 14 guests. With five plasma TVs, a large wrap-around balcony, a family room, bar, work stations, four separate bedrooms, four baths and its own whirlpool, this is an exceptional suite for family vacations, reunions or wedding parties.

Children and Youth Activities

The kids haven't been left out. As with all Royal Caribbean ships, Freedom delivers a fun - and safe - place for kids and teens to relax and be themselves. Adventure Ocean® blends age-appropriate educational activities with fun for kids from 3 - 17. From the youngest travelers who receive personalized attention from a qualified and caring staff to teens who can enjoy parties, music and more - every child will find something he or she likes onboard Freedom.

Destinations

Departing from Miami, Florida, beginning in June 2006, Freedom will sale to exciting ports of call. Cozumel, Grand Cayman, Montego Bay and other popular destinations throughout the Western, Eastern and Southern Caribbean are scheduled.

Freedom truly is spectacular with several exclusive features not found elsewhere. Cruising enthusiasts who appreciate quality, value and fun will thoroughly enjoy their time aboard this ship.

RCCL Adventure of the Seas

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Independence of the Seas Photo

Freedom of the Seas Picture

Freedom of the Seas Pool Photo

Freedom of the Seas

RCCL Adventure of the Seas

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