Voyager of the Seas

Royal Caribbean International, with 18 ships in service and more on the immediate horizon, has emerged as an industry leader with a long, sparkling history of innovation. Founded by three Norwegian shipping companies in 1969, Royal Caribbean’s initial ship, Song of Norway, entered service in 1970 as the first passenger vessel purpose-built for warm weather cruising instead of point-to-point transport. Song of Norway also was the first with a cocktail lounge cantilevered from its smokestack, launching the Viking Crown Lounge as a hallmark of every Royal Caribbean vessel. In 1988, Royal Caribbean Cruise Line merged with Admiral Cruises, spawning growth marked by unveiling of the 2,350-passenger Sovereign of the Seas’ dazzling five-deck atrium. Going public in 1993, while bringing more glittering atrium-style ships into service, the line in 1997 changed its name to Royal Caribbean International, reflecting global scope and itineraries. In 1999, RCI hit what even competitors admitted was a “home run” with introduction of Voyager of the Seas, boasting the first rock climbing wall at sea. In 2004, RCI continues its “get out there” campaign touting “way more than a cruise” with new options in the Gulf of Mexico, expanded adventures in Alaska, and more itineraries in Europe. True to its name, RCI also has 15 Royal Caribbean ships sailing the Caribbean, with itineraries often including either of two private islands CocoCay in the Bahamas or Labadee in Haiti. In 2004, 10 of those ships will sail the Caribbean throughout the year, departing from seven ports: Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Port Canaveral, Tampa, New Orleans, Galveston and San Juan.

Quick View

Apart from the rock-climbing wall, Voyager-class vessels, starting with Voyager of the Seas boast an extensive line-up of industry firsts including skating rinks, triple-tier dining rooms, huge casinos, nine-hole miniature golf courses, and regulation-sized basketball courts. Voyager of the Seas also has a Skylight Wedding Chapel, three swimming pools, and an eye-popping bar with an aquarium, plus a show-stopping Royal Promenade.

About Gratuities
Recommended gratuities are at $7.50 per guest, per day, and a 15 percent tip is automatically added to bar checks. Tips can be offered in person or charged to the shipboard account.

Disabled Access
Royal Caribbean’s progressive accessibility program – Accessible Seas – strives to make travel more convenient, enjoyable and hassle-free for all guests, and Mariner of the Seas leads the industry in providing accessibility to guests with disabilities. Braille menus and stairwell banister deck numbers, automatic doors, hydraulic pool/Jacuzzi lifts, extra-wide corridors, public bathroom facilities and special devices for the hearing and visually impaired are on board. Mariner also has 26 staterooms with a variety of accessibility features such as roll-in showers and pull-down closet rods.

Ship Features

As with all Voyager-class vessels (including Adventure, Explorer, Mariner and Navigator of the Seas), Voyager of the Seas’ guests can enjoy ice-skating, rock-climbing, miniature golf, and basketball along with enhanced staterooms, expanded dining options, and great entertainment. Despite megaship status, Voyager design lends itself to easy navigation for 3,000 or so passengers moving between cabins and public spaces.

Staterooms
Voyager of the Seas cabins range from interior staterooms to ocean view staterooms, larger ocean view staterooms, family ocean view staterooms (for up to six), atrium staterooms (with window views of the Royal Promenade), superior ocean view staterooms (with private balcony and refrigerator), superior ocean view suites (with private balcony, refrigerator and bathtub), and royal family suites (with two bedrooms, two baths for up to eight).

Stateroom amenities
All staterooms have closed-circuit TV, radio, phone, private bath, vanity and mini-bar.

Kid & Teen Stuff
A professional staff is onboard to provide a stellar experience for young cruisers, and the Adventure Ocean program entertains ages 3 to 17. Kids can enjoy Karaoke, sports, painting, talent shows, a computer lab, video arcades, special menus at meal times, and more. Children can stay at Adventure Ocean while adults head out on shore excursions, and baby sitting, including group sitting and in-cabin sitting, is available. Teen centers remain open well past midnight.

Cruises Specials

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Life Aboard

Dining
Apart from an elegant, triple-tiered main dining room serving five-course meals, alternative venues include Chop’s Grille, Portofino Restaurant, and Johnny Rocket’s, a ‘50s diner with red Naugahyde booths, Formica counters and a juke box. Wine and dine packages provide a bottle of wine for each evening, and soda packages provide unlimited fountain sodas. ShipShape menus highlight health-oriented options, Kosher selections are available upon request, and there is 24-hour room service.

Sports / Health / Fitness
A signature 200-foot rock-climbing wall is designed to challenge experts as well as beginners. With one of the largest fitness and spa complexes at sea, Spa packages for men and women combine facials, cleansing massages, aroma stone therapy and more. A small-scale nine-hole golf course is near the basketball court for adults and children. The Golf Ahoy! program has scheduled golfing in the Caribbean along with the Bahamas, Bermuda, Hawaii and Mexico.

Entertainment
The Royal Promenade, lined with shops and bars, soars four-stories and serves as the heart of the ship. Studio B, a 900-seat ice skating and entertainment venue, hosts ice shows, fashion advisories game shows and occasional live broadcasts. The1,350-seat, quintuple-deck Savoy Theater presents dazzling production shows. For days at sea, guests can sign up for the Academy at Sea, which offers one-hour informal classes on a variety of topics.

Casino
Among the largest gaming areas at sea, Voyager’s casino are slots, roulette, dice, blackjack and poker.

Bars
Apart from RCI’s signature Viking Crown Lounge cantilevered from its smokestack, Voyager of the Seas has a multitude of bars including the Aquarium Bar with more than 50 tons of saltwater for its eye-catching tropical fish and the Scoreboard sports bar with events worldwide via satellite.