Icon of the Seas: Culmination of Innovation of Royal Caribbean Ships

Posted on 16 November, 2022 by Spacejunkie2

When the Icon of the Seas launches service for Royal Caribbean International in early 2024, she will not only be the biggest cruise ship at sea but will be the result of a 12-to-15-year creative process that is essentially the culmination of building the most innovative cruise ships on the planet, said Jay Schneider, senior vice president and chief product innovation officer for the brand.

“It’s our first white paper ship in about 10 years,” he said, speaking to a group of media aboard the Allure of the Seas on its debut in Galveston, Texas.

It is not just a bigger brother or sister to the Oasis class, he stressed.

“When we started working on Icon it was smaller, and as we researched what people needed and wanted, it grew over time and we ended up with the largest ship in the world.”

Space has been “over-indexed,” he said, meaning more space per guest.

The new ship, which will be floated out in December at Meyer Turku, is a continued evolution of the Royal Caribbean brand, said Schneider, adding that guests are looking “for experiences, not things.”

The new class of ship was designed around five fundamentals, he said, including unrivalled water experiences (including pools, slides and more), adrenaline-pumping thrills, the ultimate family vacation, entertainment and food and beverage.

The popular neighbourhood concept from Oasis-class ships will be back, with some returning and expanded areas and also new concepts.

Schneider also said there will be over 40 food and beverage experiences on Icon, of which 23 will be completely new to the Royal Caribbean brand, plus an added emphasis on what he called “eatertainment,” blending entertainment and dining together.

Royal Caribbean Opens New Cruise Terminal in Galveston

Posted on 11 November, 2022 by Spacejunkie2

Royal Caribbean Group’s new cruise terminal in the Port of Galveston is officially open, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony held at the new facility on Wednesday morning with the Allure of the Seas docked in the port.

Generating 100 per cent of its needed energy through on-site solar panels, the 161,334-square-foot facility is set to become the first in Texas to achieve LEED Gold certification.

Marking the arrival of the Oasis class to Texas, the vessel departed from its new homeport for the first time on Wednesday afternoon.

Launching a series of Western Caribbean cruises departing from Galveston, the Royal Caribbean International ship is sailing on a promotional short cruise before kicking off a schedule of week-long cruises to Mexico and Honduras next Sunday.

The program features a regular itinerary that includes visits to Cozumel, Costa Maya and Roatán.

One of the world’s largest cruise ships, the Allure of the Seas has a capacity for over 5,400 guests.

Following the Oasis of the Seas, the 220,000-ton vessel introduced a groundbreaking design that is highlighted by features such as Central Park, a park with real plants, surrounded by shops and restaurants.

The 2010-built vessel also has its public areas divided in seven different neighbourhoods, each one of them having a different appeal. The BoardWalk, for instance, was inspired by a seaside pier and features a carousel, and carnival games, in addition to retail outlets and eateries.

With its new terminal in Galveston, the Royal Caribbean Group will be able to accommodate up to 630,000 guests in the port per year.

The $125 million project saw construction started in 2021 and is a collaboration between Royal Caribbean International, Ceres Terminal Holdings, LLC and Galveston Wharves.

In addition to the Allure, a second Royal Caribbean International vessel, the Adventure of the Seas, is set to offer cruises from Galveston during the 2022-2023 season.

In November 2023, the Harmony of the Seas is set to take over Allure’s program, offering similar week-long itineraries in the region.

Royal Caribbean’s New Terminal to Feature Galveston-Inspired Sculpture

Posted on 30 October, 2022 by Spacejunkie2

Royal Caribbean Group’s soon-to-be-opened terminal at the Port of Galveston will display the Galveston Beach Trio sculpture, designed by Brad Oldham Sculpture, according to a press release.

The cruise line’s initiative to feature the sculpture in its new terminal is aimed at strengthening ties with the local community and celebrating local art and culture. Travellers will be able to enjoy the sculpture when the terminal opens on November 9, 2022, according to Royal Caribbean Group.

“Showcasing the history and culture of Galveston was our top priority in establishing this art installation in our new terminal, and we’re thrilled to partner with Brad Oldham Sculpture to bring this vision to life,” comments Joshua Carroll, vice president, of destination development, Royal Caribbean Group.

The sculpture, fashioned in stainless steel and lost-wax bronze, depicts a musical trio inspired by the port city’s musical heritage, which includes Barry White, Joyce Fields and guitarist Joe Pena.

The Royal Caribbean Group team enlisted the help of Piper Faust Public Art to compile a list of Texas artists to be considered for the project and ultimately selected Brad Oldham and Christy Coltrin of Brad Oldham Sculpture.

“Some of our best memories are from travelling together. We are honoured to create a permanent installation that cultivates the vacation vibe with an approachable music theme using native animals to make up the band,” said Brad Oldham.

This community-inspired feature is the most recent addition to Royal Caribbean Group’s Blue Green Promise. The RCG has committed to engaging the Galveston community through the development and operation of its new terminal, with the incorporation of local arts and culture serving as the first step in this effort.