Royal Caribbean curtails Adventure of the Seas renovation

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Adventure of the Seas

Royal Caribbean International is scaling back renovations to the Adventure of the Seas, citing extensive hurricane damage at the Grand Bahamas Shipyard in Freeport, where the work was scheduled to take place.

Freeport suffered the greatest destruction anywhere in the Bahamas from Hurricane Matthew’s pass last month.

Royal Caribbean said the Adventure will still exit drydock on Nov. 14, but without many of the improvements that had been planned. Some will be added on the first few sailings after drydock.

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Grand Bahama Dockyard

In a letter to travel partners, Royal Caribbean said work will continue on the Dual Racer water slides, FlowRider and Splashaway Bay aqua park with a new opening date of Dec. 10.

Royal Caribbean said its premium steakhouse, Chops Grille, won’t open on the Adventure until early next year. In the meantime, Giovanni’s Table will offer select items on the Chops menu.

Plans to add Izumi, a Japanese restaurant, have been shelved.

Also, the introduction of new suites and staterooms “is no longer possible at this time,” the letter said. Royal Caribbean and travel partners will be contacting guests who had booked those rooms to discuss re-accommodation.

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Boleros Latin Lounge

Improvements that will open for the initial sailing after the drydock include Boleros Latin lounge and the two-story mini-golf course.

In addition to storm damage at the shipyard, Royal Caribbean cited the global rerouting of cargo ships carrying equipment and materials as a factor in the modified renovation plan.

Launched in 2001, the Adventure of the Seas is a Voyager-class ship. In 2014, it received “Royal Advantage” upgrades, including an outdoor movie screen, digital signage, ship-wide WiFi, new Concierge and Diamond lounges, and the changeover of the Portofino restaurant to Giovanni’s Table.

Royal Caribbean to charge for high-speed Internet on Majesty of the Seas

Royal Caribbean International said it plans to charge for Internet connection on the Majesty of the Seas when it returns from drydock.

Previously, Royal Caribbean had advertised the high-speed Voom internet as being free on the ship, which will do short cruises from Port Canaveral after the April refurbishment.

While in drydock, the Majesty will receive an expanded pool bar and poolside movie screen, family hot tubs, a kids-only pool area with the Splashaway Bay aqua park, and upgraded cabins. Royal Caribbean said the need for those investments precluded offering Voom for free.

For a limited time, however, free Voom will be available to acknowledge the previously advertised service. On cruises from May 15 to July 1, it will be included in the cruise fare. Passengers who booked before March 15 for sailings anytime after May 15 will also get free Internet.

Although they vary by ship, Voom packages typically cost about $15 a day.