Tag Archives: Independence of the Seas

Re-imagined Navigator of the Seas Will Introduce New Onboard Adventures

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Perfect Storm pool deck on Navigator of the Seas

PHOTO: Perfect Storm pool deck on Navigator of the Seas (photo courtesy Royal Caribbean)

A newly modernized Navigator of the Seas will debut February 24, 2019, and, onboard, passengers will find a number of new adventures available.

Royal Caribbean’s $115 million upgrade includes a new Caribbean poolscape, two waterslides, a new blow-dry bar, and Insta-worthy nightlife and dining opportunities.

“Each Royal Caribbean ship brings a new adventure uniquely designed to deliver on our guests’ preferences from A to Z,” said Michael Bayley, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean International. “After launching our Royal Amplified modernization program with Independence of the Seas and then redefining short getaways with Mariner of the Seas, we are challenging ourselves to take it to the next level. Every detail matters, and we’ve mapped out an unmatched combination of innovative features and experiences for this top-to-bottom transformation of Navigator of the Seas.”

Top Deck

A pair of new waterslides dominates the newly refurbished top deck of Navigator of the Seas. The Blaster is the cruise line’s first-ever aqua coaster and the longest waterslide at sea, and the Riptide is the industry’s only headfirst mat racer.

The entire poolscape has been modernized with a Caribbean theme and includes a Splash Pad for children, as well as signature Royal Caribbean features like the FlowRider surf simulator and a rock-climbing wall.

Guests can also enjoy Lime and Coconut, a two-level signature bar that offers sunset views, live music and cocktails. Grab-and-go dining also features Mexican street fare at El Loco Fresh and American fare at Johnny Rockets Express.

New Dining and Nightlife

Guests will be able to grab drinks and a bite to eat at several new establishments. The Polynesian-inspired Bamboo Room, which made its debut on Mariner of the Seas, will be serving up kitschy-cool cocktails onboard. Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade is the place to catch the game. There will be 50 big-screen TVs, tabletop games, tournaments, trivia, a new Owner’s Box VIP room, and a menu of classic bar fare with a twist alongside ice-cold brews.

For good eats, passengers can visit Jamie’s Italian for a taste of celebrity chef Jamie Oliver’s rustic Italian dishes. New England-inspired dishes like lobster, crab claws, local fish and just-shucked oysters can be found at Hooked Seafood.

Coffee-lovers will be happy to note that there will also be a Starbucks onboard for pick-me-ups.

Amped-up Family Adventure

Families will have a lot to look forward to when it comes to sailing onboard the Navigator of the Seas. Royal Caribbean hits such as glow-in-the-dark laser tag with Battle for Planet Z in Studio B, mini-golf and the Royal Escape Room: The Observatorium will keep kids busy.

A reimagined Adventure Ocean youth program includes an open, free play space with organized activities. Teen areas have a hidden entrance and include a living room-style hangout as well as outdoor areas.

When the Navigator arrives in Miami, she will sail five- and nine-night Caribbean itineraries before offering three-night and four-night sailings to the Bahamas, including Royal Caribbean’s private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay, starting in May.

Higher Ticket Prices and Onboard Spend Primary Drivers for Royal Caribbean’s Q2

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Symphony of the Seas

With capacity up 2.6 per cent, higher ticket prices and onboard revenue were the main drivers for Royal Caribbean Cruises reporting record results today in the second quarter.

Royal Caribbean reported net income of (GAAP) $466.3 million, or $2.19 per share, on revenues of $2.3 billion for its second quarter ended June 30, 2018, compared to net income of $369.5 million, or $1.71 per share, on revenues of $2.2 billion last year.

Ticket revenue per passenger day was $163.76 for the second quarter of this year, compared to $158.92 last year and the onboard spend was $65.12 compared to $61.70 per passenger last year.

Operating expenses rose moderately at $128.70 per passenger day with increases in all expense categories, from $126.30 last year.

With operating income of $456.9 million this year, up $37.2 million from $419.7 million, $9.4 million in interest and other income this year, compared to a $50.2 million in interest and other expenses last year, contributed further to boost net income to $466.3 million over $369.5 million.

The increase in per share income was also boosted by fewer outstanding shares, a result of Royal Caribbean’s share buyback program. Outstanding shares numbered 212.5 million, compared to 216.1 million for the same period last year.

Royal Caribbean reported 10,213,067 passenger cruise days this year, up from 9,950,570 passenger cruise days last year, and 1,461,055 passengers, compared to 1,433,339 in 2017.

Royal Caribbean unveils overhauled Independence of the Seas

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The Observatorium, an escape room game, is part of the Royal Amplified package that was added to Independence of the Seas. Photo Credit: Tom StieghorstABOARD THE INDEPENDENCE OF THE SEAS — In a two-day preview cruise for British, Irish and European travel agents, Royal Caribbean International unveiled changes from a 30-day, $110 million renovations of the Independence of the Seas that eliminated a half dozen venues and functions.

Among the venues that were axed, moved or drastically altered were the ship’s chapel, mini-golf course, photo gallery, a juice bar, the disco and the Sabor restaurant.

The Independence is the first ship to gain Royal Caribbean’s new Royal Amplified package of amenities, the most prominent of which is the bungee trampoline attraction Sky Pad.

The overhaul, which included $16 million in marine and technical work, is believed to be the most Royal Caribbean has ever spent in a single ship renovation.

The Sky Pad, a bungee trampoline apparatus used with virtual reality goggles, adds a new dimension to the profile of the Independence of the Seas. Photo Credit: Tom Stieghorst
The Sky Pad, a bungee trampoline apparatus used with virtual reality goggles, adds a new dimension to the profile of the Independence of the Seas. Photo Credit: Tom Stieghorst

A favourite in the U.K. market, the 10-year-old Independence will sail summers from Southampton and winters in the Caribbean.

The biggest change to the 152,000-gross-ton ship is the addition of a package of activities on the upper rear deck, including the Sky Pad, two tubular water slides and some lesser items, such as the Sky Climber apparatus and some hammocks and swings. The ship’s FlowRider is also in the area.

To make room, the mini-golf course was relocated to the upper deck on the bow, and a bar and some storage lockers for sports equipment were eliminated.

The multi-coloured perforated dome of the Sky Pad alters the profile of the Independence and gives guests a chance to bounce on one of four personal-sized trampolines while watching programs on virtual-reality goggles. It cost roughly $5 million to develop and install.

Royal Caribbean officials aboard were excited about the reception for the Playmakers Bar & Arcade, an expansive sports bar that attracted an overflow crowd for a soccer match. Playmakers were built out of the old photo gallery on Deck 4, which has been relocated and downsized as a digital outlet.

High atop the ship on Deck 15, in a hidden space where the chapel used to be, Royal Caribbean has created a puzzle room attraction called the Observatorium, in which game players have a limited time to figure out how to escape from the room.

A new casual restaurant, Fish & Ships, serving deep-fried seafood, was added where a juice bar used to be on the pool deck. Another new restaurant, the sushi and teppanyaki concept Izumi, has been added, replacing Sabor, a Mexican restaurant that wasn’t doing very well, said Royal Caribbean president Michael Bayley. Izumi was carved out of the top floor of a two-level disco, while the bottom floor was rebuilt as new accommodations.

The children’s water play area on the Independence, formerly the H20 Zone, has been enlarged and improved as the Splashaway Bay.

A former cigar lounge outside the Star Lounge has been repurposed as the library, which was formerly located near the Atrium Bar.

Another component of Royal Amplified will be the Sugar Beach candy store, launched on the Symphony of the Seas last month and now open on the Independence.

New swing chairs on the Independence of the Seas were part of a $110 million overhaul. Photo Credit: Tom Stieghorst
New swing chairs on the Independence of the Seas were part of a $110 million overhaul. Photo Credit: Tom Stieghorst

Bayley said a total of 107 new cabins have been added to the Independence, mostly by building a new cabin block at the front of the ship above the gym, but also from squeezing space in the refurbishment to add a cabin or two here and there.

Royal Caribbean’s next ship to receive the Royal Amplified treatment, the Mariner of the Seas, is already in drydock and will emerge to serve the short-cruise market from South Florida this summer. It will be followed by Navigator of the Seas.

Bayley said Royal Amplified will touch 10 Voyager-, Freedom- and Oasis-class ships over the next three years at a budgeted cost of $900 million.