cruiseblogjohnpond.com – Cruise, Travel & Lifestyle

1 YEAR COUNTDOWN BEGINS FOR SHIP THAT WILL REDEFINE AUSTRALIAN CRUISING.  3,840-passenger Voyager of the Seas to arrive on 22 November 2012

November 18, 2011 –Australian cruising will be changed forever in exactly 12 months, with the arrival of Voyager of the Seas on 22 November 2012. Described as a floating city, Voyager of the Seas brings to Australia and New Zealand innovative cruising features that you’d traditionally have to travel to America or Europe to experience. Some of these include an onboard ice-rink, an indoor ‘street’ the length of a football field lined with restaurants, bars and entertainment, and cabins within the ship that have a view.

Voyager of the Seas is twice the size of most cruise ships currently based in the region and she carries up to 3,840 guests – more than the population of Australian towns like Bellingen, NSW and Port Douglas, QLD.  She was built at a cost of US$500 million,with 1,556 staterooms, Voyager of the Seas is nearly two and a half times bigger than Australia’s largest hotel[1].

“Australian cruising has grown remarkably in the last three years but we are delivering the greatest quantum leap when Voyager of the Seas arrives here in 12 months.  Cruising on Voyager of the Seas really is a destination in itself,” says Adam Armstrong, commercial manager, RCL Cruises Australia.

Some of Voyager of the Seas’ unique features include:

“Royal Promenade” – an indoor ‘main street’ lined with places to eat, drink, shop and be entertained.  Guests can stroll up and down the 4-story street and enjoy regular street parades.

• “Studio B” Ice Rink – an ice skating rink for guests that also doubles as a sensational 900-seat venue for ice show productions from world-class figure skaters.
• Inside cabins with a view – traditionally Inside cabins have no view, but these unique cabins overlook the Royal Promenade.
• Unparalleled sports facilities including an Inline skating track, Royal Caribbean’s signature rock-climbing wall, a 9-hole minigolf course, a golf simulator, a full size sports court, 3 swimming pools and six whirlpools.

Voyager of the Seas will be based in Sydney for a five-month season from November 2012. Her Australia & New Zealand season will feature 12 New Zealand, South Pacific and Australia itineraries ranging from one to 18 nights, sailing from Sydney and Fremantle.  Prices start from $1,409 for a 9-night South Pacific cruise.   www.royalcaribbean.com.au.   I am certainly looking forward to sailing on this ship.     John Pond.