Barcelona, January 21, 2019 – Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises, the modern luxury brand, are bringing a host of new features for 2019 so that passengers looking to embark on a cruise can find the option that best suits their needs and preferences.
Aerial views off Miami.
Royal Caribbean
This summer, the Oasis of the Seas, the first ship in Royal Caribbean 's Oasis-class fleet , will return to Spain to offer Mediterranean sailings for the first time since 2014. The ship will sail 7-night itineraries from Barcelona with stops in Palma de Mallorca (Spain); Marseille (France); and Florence, Rome, and Naples (Italy). The Oasis of the Seas boasts the incredible features of the Oasis-class ships: seven neighborhoods, including the iconic Central Park, the Royal Promenade, and the Boardwalk; innovative dining concepts; top-notch entertainment with Broadway shows and original productions; and the renowned AquaTheater, where guests can enjoy spectacular aquatic musical performances.
New this year, the Brilliance of the Seas, one of the four Radiance class ships, will offer 7-night cruises departing from Barcelona in September and October, visiting cities such as Nice (France), Portofino, Florence, Rome and Naples (Italy).
2019 is also a year of new additions to the fleet. Royal Caribbean International will inaugurate its 26th ship, the Spectrum of the Seas, which will be the first ship in its new Quantum Ultra class. With a capacity for 4,246 passengers and 1,551 crew members, it will become the most technologically advanced ship in Asia. Homeported in Shanghai, the Spectrum of the Seas will make its debut in Spain next April with the Global Odyssey voyage, a 51-night journey departing from Barcelona, visiting 13 countries in five legs.
Among the new developments announced last year is the ambitious Global Private Island Collection, a series of private islands around the world that will be exclusively accessible to Royal Caribbean passengers. The first in this collection, Perfect Day at CocoCay, represents the transformation of the company's private island in the Bahamas, which, starting in May, will become the area's premier family destination. The island's complete transformation will feature attractive attractions such as Thrill Waterpark, the largest water park in the Caribbean, which will include one of the world's tallest water slides; Oasis Lagoon, the largest freshwater pool in the area; a 487-meter zip line, which will be the highest point in the Caribbean; and an Up, Up and Away helium balloon ride. It will also feature Chill Islands, two beaches with crystal-clear waters and sandy beaches with sunbeds for relaxation; and the exclusive Coco Beach Club, which will boast the Bahamas' first overwater cabanas.
Another new feature this year is the company's return to the United Arab Emirates during the 2019-2020 winter season aboard the Jewel of the Seas. Passengers wishing to discover the wonders of the Arabian Gulf can set sail from Dubai to the ports of Khasab (Oman), Muscat (Oman), Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates), or choose an itinerary that will take them to other dream destinations such as Bahrain (Bahrain) or Doha (Qatar).
On the other hand, through the Royal Amplified, Royal Caribbean is refurbishing part of its fleet to offer travelers new and innovative onboard experiences in every aspect of their stay. The Mariner and Independence of the Seas underwent this transformation last year, and the Navigator of the Seas. This project was designed based on a comprehensive study of passenger preferences and crew experience, with the aim of reinventing and expanding ship decks (with new and adventurous offerings such as original family pools, new entertainment options like the virtual reality Sky Pad, and lively activities), diversifying the dining options, and introducing new nightlife concepts, among other things.
Celebrity Cruises
For Celebrity Cruises, Europe will continue to be a key destination this summer season, with five impressive ships based there, including the recently launched Celebrity Edge. The Celebrity Edge is the first and only ship created using 3D printing technology, which allows every detail to be perfectly adjusted and harmoniously balanced thanks to the work of renowned international interior designers and architects with extensive experience, such as the acclaimed Spanish architect and designer Patricia Urquiola and the prestigious architect Tom Wright. The company's most innovative ship will be based in Spain and will offer departures from Barcelona and Rome, starting in May, to visit the most magical locations in the Mediterranean.
On the other hand, the cruise line will add a new ship to its fleet this year: the CelebrityFlora. This vessel is designed exclusively to sail the Galapagos Islands, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for the diversity of their landscapes and the species that inhabit them. The Celebrity Flora is a ship where sustainability and innovation are present in every detail, incorporating the best technology to protect this paradisiacal destination. The ship, with a capacity for 100 people, features an advanced propulsion system that reduces fuel consumption by 15% and decreases atmospheric emissions. Furthermore, the Celebrity Flora's dynamic positioning system allows the ship to remain in position without anchoring, preventing damage to the seabed, thanks to zero-speed stabilizers that ensure smooth navigation at all times. Its cutting-edge design offers 360º views of the islands, suites with personalized service, new restaurants, an open-air platform for stargazing, and even sustainability seminars led by experts.
The cruise line will also invest $400 million between now and 2023 in modernizing its entire fleet. This project, called “Celebrity Revolution,” is the largest the company has undertaken to date. Its nine ships will receive some of the features already found on the Celebrity Edge. The first ships to be modernized this year are the Celebrity Millennium, the Celebrity Summit , and the Celebrity Equinox.
