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Navigator of the Seas to get virtual balconies

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Navigator of the Seas to get virtual balconies

By Tom Stieghorst
Quantum's Virtual BalconyNot content to wait for them to appear on Quantum of the Seas, Royal Caribbean will install its first virtual balconies on Navigator of the Seas when it undergoes revitalization early next year.

Royal Caribbean International CEO Adam Goldstein said the virtual balconies — an 80-inch LED projection screen that shows exterior images — will change how interior cabins are viewed.

“It’s going to bring a completely different feel to the experience,” Goldstein said at Royal Caribbean’s media conference on Tuesday toreveal some of the features of Quantum.

Disney Cruise Line introduced outside views from inside cabins in 2011, with the launch of Magical Portholes on the Disney Dream.

The 4,100-passenger Quantum is under construction and is expected to enter service in November 2014.

The 3,100-passenger Navigator, which entered service in 2002, will go into drydock next January to get the Royal Advantage upgrade package. It is scheduled to sail from Galveston when the upgrades are complete.

Virtual balconies were one of the new features rolled out for Quantum, along with bumper cars, a sky diving attraction and a large observation pod on a mechanical arm.

Goldstein said there will not be a specific surcharge for interior cabins with virtual balconies, but added that he hopes they will bring higher yields.

“The whole experience will be more valuable to our guests and we expect that to be reflected in the ticket price,” he said.

Costa accident hurts Royal Caribbean’s booking levels

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Costa accident hurts Royal Caribbean’s booking levels

By Donna Tunney
The Costa Concordia accident on Jan. 13 has had a “significant impact on bookings in the near term,” said Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. in its 2011 financial report on Thursday.

RCCL’s U.S. brands are Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity and Azamara.

“Overall booking volumes from North America have fallen by low to mid-teen percentages versus same time last year for the last few weeks. In Europe, where media coverage hasbeen more extensive, the decline has been higher, though results vary significantly by country. In aggregate, the company’s other markets, including Asia-Pacific and Latin America, are down slightly,” the company stated.

The impact on bookings has been greatest in the first three quarters and “wanes as the year progresses,” the company said.

RCCL, the world’s second-largest cruise operator after Carnival Corp., said there has been “no material change” in cancellation activity, but that new bookings have been affected.

Carnival Corp., in a filing to the Securities and Exchange Commission on Jan. 30, reported that booking levels across its brands, not including Costa, had dropped by a “mid-teen” percentage.

RCCL’s net income for 2011 was $607.4 million, up from $515.7 million in 2010.

Revenue rose to $7.5 billion, up from $6.8 billion.

For the fourth quarter, net income was $36.6 million, up from $31.9 million in 2010. Revenue increased to $1.8 billion, up from $1.6 billion. Net yields increased 3.5%.

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Medical emergency delays Royal Caribbean cruise

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Medical emergency delays Royal Caribbean cruise

By Donna Tunney
Royal Caribbean International’s Explorer of the Seas will arrive a day late to Cape Liberty, its homeport in Bayonne, N.J., on Jan. 28 due to a medical emergency onboard the 1,185-passenger ship.

According to the cruise line, an ill passenger required urgent medical treatment in a hospital, so the ship altered course to its closest port of call, San Juan.

The U.S. Coast Guard evacuated the sick passenger Jan. 25, and the ship is now headed back to New Jersey.

The delayed arrival will impact the itinerary of the cruise departing Jan. 28. The ship will spend Jan. 29 and 30 at sea, and a planned call at Labadee, Royal Caribbean’s private destination on Haiti, has been canceled.