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Royal Caribbean Ships

Royal Caribbean Information

Highlights

Royal Caribbean has been around since 1969 and currently operates 16 ships. In 1997, Royal Caribbean purchased Celebrity Cruises—a premium line to appeal to an upscale audience—for a total fleet of 25 ships and a capacity of more than 40,000 berths. Royal Caribbean is a moderately priced cruise line, and rates vary by itinerary.

Royal Caribbean International (RCI) has agreed to a merger with Princess Cruises, a fellow member of the "big three" fraternity, including Carnival Corporation, which is also attempting to merge with Princess. The process of the merger is ongoing. However, Royal Caribbean’s merger with P&O; Princess has received clearance from European and UK regulators. Carnival is waiting to hear from the European Commission about approval for its bid, but it’s widely known that the most important regulatory approval will come from America’s FTC, which hasn’t ruled in either case. That announcement is expected in mid-August. The merger includes, of course, Royal Caribbean's sister cruise line, Celebrity Cruises. The combined company will surpass Carnival Corporation as the industry's largest.

Royal Caribbean operates the largest ships in the world, the 142,000-ton Eagle class that includes Adventure of the Seas, Explorer of the Seas, Navigator of the Seas, and Voyager of the Seas. It offers a wake of innovation with rock climbing, ice skating, in-line skating, Johnny Rockets diners, promenade shopping malls, and much more.

Royal Caribbean is a good middle-America, middle-brow choice, particularly if you like active travel.

Radiance of the Seas is the first of a new series of vessels in an "in-between" size: Smaller than Voyager class, but bigger than Vision class. Radiance combines features found in previous RCI vessels: The sleek exterior of the Sovereign class, the extensive use of glass of the Vision class, and the wealth of entertainment and activities of the Voyager class. Radiance has the most balconies of any RCI ship. Of the vessel's 1,050 cabins, 813 have ocean views and more than 71 percent of those have balconies. Radiance is the first ship in the RCI fleet to have gas and steam turbines as the primary source of power to reduce emissions, noise, and vibration. Sister ship Brilliance of the Seas joined the fleet in summer 2002 with European sailings.

About

You'll find a little of everything on Royal Caribbean ships. Across the board, food is amazingly consistent and well-prepared, from the dining room to the buffet to the 24-hour room service; especially considering the capacity of the ships. Options are plentiful. Main dining rooms handle the traditional assigned-seating dinners (there's open seating for breakfast and lunch). The buffet is typical, offering the usual range of choices (while-you-wait omelets, burgers, salads, pasta, etc.). At dinner time, the buffet is a casual alternative to the dining room, and pretty much serves the same menu.

Specialty eateries onboard Eagle-class ships include Johnny Rockets, the ‘50s-style burger joint. Passengers eat for free but pay extra for beverages ranging from iced tea to chocolate malts. Alternative restaurants are available on Eagle-class, Radiance-class, and Vision-class ships. They require reservations and charge a $20 per-person cover. The menus do not change during the cruise; however, you need to make reservations as early as possible in your cruise or you may get locked out. There is a limited room service menu available around the clock; at dinner time, you can order from the menu.

All cabins come with twin beds that can be converted to queen-size beds, private bathrooms, telephones, closed-circuit televisions, minibars, and hair dryers. They're decorated in festive Caribbean colors, from mist green to buoyant oranges and yellows.

There are two kinds of entertainment: The traditional cruise productions, like singing and dancing shows; and goofy passenger-inspired acts, like take-offs of The Newlywed Game. Bar venues, of course, offer a variety of musical performances that are aimed to please just about anybody at any time, such as classical guitar, country and western, and jazz. One nice touch: Royal Caribbean does not layer on a lot of extra fees for equipment "rentals;" there is no charge for using everything from ice skates (you can choose between hockey and figure models) to roller blades.

All ships offer Internet cafés; the rate is 50¢ per minute. Some ships have cabins wired for Internet use, which is a nice convenience. The cost is a flat rate of $100 per voyage and includes all necessary hook-up equipment.

Royal Caribbean typically appeals to couples and singles in their 30s to 50s, as well as families of all ages. The median age on seven-night cruises is in the low 40s, and in the 30s on three- and four-night cruises. Passengers ages 50 and older tend to dominate 10-day and longer cruises. Royal Caribbean attracts passengers who are looking for affordable, active vacations.

Onboard Atmosphere

Children's program
Adventure Ocean is Royal Caribbean's children’s program. There are five categories: Ages 3–5, 6–8, 9–11, 12–14, and 15–17. There are daytime activities, both while at sea and in port, as well as evening events. Babysitting is also available. Group babysitting is offered for parents who want to indulge in late-night revelry; the cost is $5 per hour. In-cabin babysitting can be booked through Guest Relations, and fees start at $8 per hour. In all cases, except for in-cabin babysitting, children must be potty trained (no diapers, no Pull-Ups). In-cabin babysitting is limited to children at least 6 months old. The dining rooms offer "Captain Sealy's Kids Galley Menu."

Past guest program
This multi-tiered, past-passenger program offers a quarterly magazine called Crown and Anchor, a captain's cocktail party, onboard coupon books offering discounts on services at the spa, freebies (such as drink of the day), and cruise fare discounts. RCI offers four sailings annually that are geared toward members.

Accessible Seas program
Ships offer an extensive list of amenities, ranging from larger features like automatic doors, hydraulic pool lifts, and shore side beach wheelchairs to smaller extra touches such as pull-down closet rods. Other notable accessibility cabin features onboard Royal Caribbean's Voyager-class and Radiance-class ships include 32- to 34-inch doors; ramped bathrooms; roll-in showers; grab bars; raised toilet seats; lowered sinks and vanity areas; and a five-foot turning radius in sleeping areas, bathrooms, and sitting areas. Additional accessibility features onboard these ships include spacious corridors; pool lifts and ramps in terraced public areas; braille on menus, cabins doors, service directories, and elevators buttons; and portable kits for the hearing impaired, including TTY/TDD, Alertmaster, strobe alarms, closed-captioned televisions, amplified telephones in cabins and public areas, and infrared systems.

In 2003, RCI will be adding braille deck numbers to staircase handrails on all 16 ships.

Our cruise line reviews are provided by CruiseCritic.com, an award-winning cruise community, giving you objective, unbiased information to help you choose the right cruise.

Special Programs

The information below is from Royal Caribbean International and is subject to change by Royal Caribbean International at any time and without notice. The details shown are for informational purposes only. We are not responsible for any errors and/or omissions resulting in pricing, inventory, or content discrepancies.

DEPOSITS: A deposit must be made in order to reserve a cabin and receive a written confirmation. For 3,4 or 5-night cruise vacations, a deposit of US$100 per person is required; for 7-night cruise vacations the amount is US$250 per person and for 8-night and longer cruises, a deposit of US$450 per person is required to confirm your reservation.

BALANCE OF PAYMENT: Final payment of the balance must be received at Royal Caribbean's offices at least 45 days prior to the sailing date for 3, 4 and 5-night cruise vacations and 60 days prior to the sailing date for 7-night and longer cruise vacations. Holiday sailings require final payment 90 days prior to the sailing date. The payment schedule for groups is different from that of individuals. You will usually receive cruise and air documents no later than 28 days before the start of your cruise, contingent upon final payment. Please consult your travel agent for details.

GOVERNMENT FEES AND TAXES: The cruise fares quoted also do not include any applicable government taxes, fees or surcharges that may be assessed by any governmental or quasi-governmental agencies. Such assessment is subject to change without notice at any time whether or not you have a confirmed booking under deposit, or if you have made final payment.

Content provider

Royal Caribbean International cancellation charges (per person)

1 to 5-night cruises
Days Before Departure Charges per person

More than 60 days...............................................No penalty (full refund)
59-30 days..........................................................Deposit amount
29-8 days............................................................50% of total fare
Fewer than 7 days...............................................100% of total fare (no refund)

6 to 8-night cruise
Days Before Departure Charges per person

More than 70 days...............................................No penalty (full refund)
69-30 days..........................................................Deposit amount
8-29 days............................................................50% of total fare
Fewer than 7 days...............................................100% of total fare (no refund)

9-night & longer cruises
Days Before Departure Charges per person

More than 70 days...............................................No penalty (full refund)
69-30 days..........................................................Deposit amount
29-15 days..........................................................50% of total fare
Fewer than 14 days.............................................100% of total fare (no refund)

Holiday cruises
Days Before Departure Charges per person

More than 90 days...............................................No penalty (full refund)
89-30 days..........................................................Deposit amount
29-8 days..........................................................50% of total fare
Fewer than 7 days.............................................100% of total fare (no refund)

Canceling your cruise

HEALTH, PREGNANCY: All passengers must ensure that they are medically and physically fit for travel and that such traveling will not endanger themselves or others. Any condition requiring medical treatment or attention must be reported to Royal Caribbean in writing when the booking is requested or, if such condition arises after the booking is requested, prior to the boarding date for that passenger's cruise vacation.

Passengers dependent on oxygen or requiring oxygen therapy must meet certain requirements prior to boarding the ship. Contact a travel agent for details. Royal Caribbean will not accept passengers who will have entered their third trimester of pregnancy by the beginning of their vacation.

Professional medical services are available for a reasonable fee. At least one qualified physician and two registered nurses are normally in-attendance on all Royal Caribbean cruise vacations. See a travel agent for an accessibility brochure.

INOCULATIONS, PASSPORTS AND VISAS: Before leaving home, please take a few minutes to familiarize yourself with the required travel documents you will be asked to provide prior to boarding the ship. Caution: The requirements described below are subject to change by governmental bodies without notice.

It is the sole responsibility of the passenger to identify all travel inoculation and health requirements, and to obtain and have available when necessary the appropriate valid travel documents such as passports, visas and inoculation documents required for boarding and re-entry into the United States. For your protection, we recommend that your passport expiration date not occur within six (6) months of the voyage termination date.

Domestic sailing requirements (applies to travel that originates in a port in the United States or Puerto Rico to destinations in the United States, Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada, Caribbean and Mexico):

U.S. citizens: A passport (valid or expired), or a birth certificate (original or certified copy) plus a picture ID card issued by a federal; state, or local government agency are required. A voter registration card or Social Security card are not considered to be proof of citizenship. Children under 16 years of age do not require a picture ID card.

Non-U.S. citizens: Valid passports and Visas (when needed) are required except as follows: (1) if an individual is a Resident Alien living in the United-States, then the only document needed is the original copy of their Alien Registration Card (ARC or "green card") and (2), certain Canadian and Mexican citizens who travel with alternative documentation depending on their alien status in the United States.

Visas/Inoculations: Please check with a travel agent, government agencies, embassies, consulates, your physician, local health department or the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (www.cdc.gov) to determine travel and health documentary requirements.

Passengers who do not possess the proper documentation may be prevented from boarding the flight or ship, disembarking or entering a country, and may be subject to fines. If as a result of your lack of proper documentation, a fine or other cost is incurred by Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., you agree to indemnify Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. for such expenses. No refunds will be given to individuals who fail to bring proper documentation.

AIR ARRANGEMENTS: Our combination air/cruise rates do not include any applicable airport departure or facilities fees or other taxes/fees/surcharges assessed by domestic or foreign government or quasi-governmental agencies ("Air Taxes") for your flight(s) nor do those rates include any applicable fuel surcharges that may be assessed by the airline and/or the airport ("Fuel Surcharges"). Royal Caribbean will assess either the exact amount of any applicable Air Taxes and/or Fuel Surcharges or an estimated amount as described below. In either case, the amounts assessed will be added to your cruise fare and air travel rates to calculate the amount of the deposit(s) you owe or the amount of your final payment. The amounts assessed are subject to change at anytime whether you have a confirmed booking under deposit or have made final payment. In lieu of assessing the exact amount of the Air Taxes or Fuel Surcharges applicable to your flights, we reserve the right to charge an estimated amount as follows. Air Taxes and Fuel Surcharges may vary by gateway city and routing. We may estimate each one or either of them for each gateway and/or charge an averaged amount because the actual Air Taxes and Fuel Surcharges may vary by routing. Accordingly, your actual charge Air Taxes or Fuel Surcharges may be higher or lower; refunds will not be made if the actual Air Taxes or Fuel Surcharges are lower than estimated.

Our Standard Air program includes:

Reserving scheduled air service or chartered flights for same-day arrival to meet your cruise vacation.
Delivering documents to your travel agency or home.
Arranging transportation from your arrival airport to the pier.
Common flight arrangements for passengers staying in the same cabin, as long as all passengers are booked at the same time, for travel from the same gateway city (based on airline availability in our class of service).
Attempting to arrange no more than one connection from your gateway city.

Please note: Due to limited air space, the use of co-terminals may be required (e.g. flying into Seattle while sailing out of Vancouver). ** Passengers from some cities may be required to travel on "red-eye" flights or arrive the day before sailing. We reserve the right to choose the air carrier, routing and city airport from each gateway city and further reserve the right to substitute charter or commuter flights for scheduled air service without notice. Airline tickets we issue are highly restrictive and you may find that your ticket cannot be exchanged, reissued or revalidated for another carrier or routing. Once your ticket has been issued, any changes to the ticket you request us to make shall be at our discretion and a fee may apply for each such change. You may be able to make changes by contacting the airline directly and any changes or fees imposed shall be borne by you. If you cancel your cruise after air tickets have been issued, you may be subject to airline cancellation fees.

Custom Air provides air travel arrangements on the flights of your choice, at the times of your choice, and in the class of service of your choice (subject to availability). Custom Air can handle air arrangements for gateways "not offered" and can service passengers in different cabins that want to travel together. Custom Air also provides the value of airport transfers.

In addition:

Custom air provides immediate confirmation of your flights via email or fax
Custom Air provides immediate confirmation of your flights via email or fax.
Custom Air helps you obtain seat assignments at time of booking (subject to availability).
Custom Air can take your immediate credit card payment for air charges.
Custom Air allows you to plan your air schedule up to 11 months in advance of sailing.
Custom Air can mail air tickets and documents immediately upon final payment.
Custom Air can be booked up to 7 days prior to sailing for North American itineraries and 35 days prior to sailing for European and other international cruises.
Custom Air provides down line onboard credit in the event of missing embarkation due to air flight delay.
Additional Benefits for Frequent Cruisers coming soon.

Please Note Our Fees:

Custom Air Service Fees are US$50 for North American sailings and US$75 for International sailings for all requests confirmed after August 30, 2001.
Additional airfare costs, if any, will be applied.
Custom Air may not be available on some itineraries due to charter air service obligation
Any changes to a Custom Air request must be made through the Custom Air Department and may be subject to additional fees.
Air tickets may only be used in conjunction with a cruise package and are subject to Royal Caribbean's cruise cancellation penalties.

Before you sail

DISABILITY / WHEELCHAIR: Royal Caribbean welcomes passengers with special needs and works hard to assist them throughout their vacation.

Shipboard life

All arrangements made for the passengers with independent contractors are made solely for the convenience of the passenger and are at the passenger's risk. Royal Caribbean disclaims all liability for damages for emotional distress, mental suffering or psychological injury of any kind, under any circumstances, except to the extent such disclaimer is prohibited by 46U.S.C.§l83c.(b).

The transportation of passengers and baggage on Royal Caribbean ships is governed by the terms and conditions of the Cruise Ticket Contract included as part of the cruise ticket. The Cruise Ticket Contract limits your rights. The Cruise Ticket Contract sets forth limitations on the time frames in which claims may be made and suits may be filed against Royal Caribbean. It is important that you read all of the terms and conditions of the Cruise Ticket Contract. (Copies are available upon request.) Note: The Cruise Ticket Contract must be signed by all passengers prior to boarding.

Property lost or damaged should be reported to either the Purser's/Guest Relations Desk or to a designated Royal Caribbean employee prior to leaving the US Customs area. In any event, property lost or damaged must be reported within the time limitations and m accordance with the procedures set forth in the Cruise Ticket Contract. In the absence of negligence on its part, Royal Caribbean is not responsible for any loss, theft, pilferage and/or damage to a passenger's property, which includes items such as money, travel currency, jewelry of any kind, photographic/electronic equipment or other personal property. Royal Caribbean's liability for loss or damage to property shall be limited otherwise in accordance with the provisions in the Cruise Ticket Contract. Items may be deposited for safekeeping at the Purser's/Guest Relations Desk. Please refer to the Cruise Ticket Contract for further information. Royal Caribbean's CruiseCare® offers personal property protection. (See page 94 for details.)

Each passenger agrees to indemnify Royal Caribbean for all penalties, fines, charges, losses or expenses incurred or imposed upon Royal Caribbean by virtue of any act, omission or violation of law by the passenger. Each passenger, or if a minor, his or her parent or guardian, shall be liable to and shall reimburse Royal Caribbean for all damage to the ship and its furnishings and equipment, or any property of the ship, caused by any willful or negligent act or omission on the part of the passenger.

If a child is cruising under your supervision and exhibits dangerous and disruptive behavior (i.e. excessive drunkenness, fighting, verbal abuse of a staff member, unruly behavior, vandalism in any public areas, etc.) the parent/guardian will be held accountable. Please note that at any point in the process it is at the Master/Hotel Director/General Manager's discretion that any child and their parent/guardian be disembarked from the ship.

Passage may be refused to any passenger, and any passenger’s cruise vacation may be terminated at any time, at the risk and expense of the passenger debarked, where, in the opinion of the ship's Captain or physician, a passenger is unfit for travel or a risk or danger to himself or herself or a disturbance or danger to others. Such passenger may be left at any port or place at which the ship calls without any liability to Royal Caribbean. Royal Caribbean shall not be required to refund any amount paid by any passenger who m

Passengers release Royal Caribbean from any and all claims for loss or damage to baggage or property, or for personal injuries or death, or for loss from delay, shore excursion providers, restaurateurs, transportation providers, medical personnel or other providers of services or facilities. Under no circumstances does Royal Caribbean's responsibility extend beyond the ship.

Cruise line reviews are provided by CruiseCritic.com, an award-winning cruise community, giving you objective, unbiased information to help you choose the right cruise.

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