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Royal Caribbean ‘could base Oasis-class ship in Mediterranean’

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Royal Caribbean ‘could base Oasis-class ship in Mediterranean’

By Jane Archer

Royal Caribbean International has refused to rule out basing one of its mega Oasis-class ships in the Mediterranean when a third vessel launches in 2016.

The line’s president and chief executive officer Adam Goldstein refused to discuss plans for the new vessel, dubbed Oasis 3, but said the cruise line was ‘pleasantly surprised’ by the reaction to Oasis of the Seas’ micro-season in the Mediterranean next autumn.

Oasis, which holds 6,400 passengers when full, will be operating two five-night cruises from Barcelona and a seven-night voyage from the Spanish port to Rotterdam in September 2014. It will be the first time an Oasis-class ship has sailed in Europe.

Oasis returns to Port Everglades in Florida on a 13-night cruise from Rotterdam on October 14, also embarking passengers at Southampton on October 15.

Speaking today at a steel-cutting ceremony for Oasis 3 at the STX Europe shipyard in St Nazaire, France, Goldstein said bringing Oasis to Europe had been an ‘experiment’ but demand had been ‘quite promising’.

He added: “We always felt demand would be high but we needed to do it in real life to be sure. We are offering attractive itineraries so we already feel we have the ports we need for Oasis to operate in Europe.”

Because of its size, Oasis will fit into a limited number of ports. The five-night Mediterranean cruises will call at Civitavecchia (for Rome) and Naples, while the seven-night voyage to Rotterdam stops at Malaga and Vigo in Spain. Goldstein confirmed 2015-16 itineraries would be revealed in early 2014.

The keel for Oasis 3 will be laid at the end of April 2014, with delivery set for spring 2016. The 227,700-ton ship will hold 6,360 passengers when full.

Royal Caribbean Cruises chairman and chief executive officer Richard Fain refused to comment on planned features but said the new ship will be ‘fundamentally’ the same as Oasis and Allure of the Seas.

It will be the biggest cruise ship built at STX’s St Nazaire shipyard, where Queen Mary 2 was built a decade ago.

Royal Caribbean brands transatlantic sailings as Ocean Voyages

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Royal Caribbean brands transatlantic sailings as Ocean Voyages

By Tom Stieghorst
Royal Caribbean International has created a package called Ocean Voyages for its seasonal repositioning cruises across the Atlantic.

The cruise line calls Ocean Voyages “a collection of special sailings that offer unique onboard programming, new shore excursion packages and unbeatable value.”

Ocean Voyages will be offered on 11 ships, including late 2014 crossings of Oasis of the Seas and Quantum of the Seas.

Cruises will include a guest expert, who will lead a line-up of entertainment programming and activities, spotlighting topics such as culture, dance, film, visual arts, photography, wines and cuisine. Each Ocean Voyage will include a Black & White Masquerade Party.

Ocean Voyages offer what Royal calls a “prix-fixe” menu of three popular shore excursions at each port of call, customized to the itinerary. Examples include a tour of the side-by-side calderas in the Azores, or Teide National Park in the Canary Islands. Prices will start at $99.

To promote the new product, Royal Caribbean is offering a free premium beverage package on 13 select sailings for individual balcony and suite bookings between Sept. 11 and Oct. 15. Vacationers must ask for option code SPV3 to receive the offer.

Quantum Class Moves Forward

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Quantum Class Moves Forward

Royal Caribbean International’s Quantum and Anthem both see milestonesBy: Marilyn Green

Cruise
Royal Caribbean International commemorates two strategic developments at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany.  // © 2013 Royal Caribbean...

Royal Caribbean International commemorates two strategic developments at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany.  // © 2013 Royal Caribbean International

Royal Caribbean International marked two important milestones in the development of its Quantum-class ships at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany, this month.

Quantum of the Seas received its first block, as the keel was officially lowered and put into place, and Anthem of the Seas, Quantum’s sister-ship, had its first piece of steel cut, signaling the first step in the ship’s construction.

“Today is a very special day in the development of our new Quantum class, as we are now two steps closer to delighting guests around the world with Quantum cruising,” said Adam Goldstein, president and CEO. “It’s incredibly rewarding to see Quantum of the Seas and Anthem of the Seas coming together so well, and today we not only honor these two very important milestones, but also recognize the years of hard work and dedication from the team developing these ships.”

The keel laying marks the beginning of the ship’s physical construction. During the ceremony, a 430-ton block measuring 59 by 75 feet was lifted into the building dock with an 800-ton crane. Newly minted coins placed under the keel stay in place until the end of construction, when they are presented to the ship’s captain and crew to be placed onboard the ship. According to maritime tradition, the coins are said to bring luck to the ship.

Quantum-class ships will span 16 deck and carry 4,180 guests. The ships will debut new features, including as RipCord by iFLY, the first skydiving experience at sea; the North Star, which transports guests more than 300 feet above the ocean; and The Sea-Plex, the largest indoor sports and entertainment complex at sea with bumper cars and a roller skating ring; and more.

The Quantum class will debut in autumn 2014 with Quantum of the Seas, followed by sister-ship Anthem of the Seas in spring 2015.