ROYAL CARIBBEAN INTERNATIONAL ANNOUNCES ALLURE OF THE SEAS’ INAUGURAL SEASON

SATURDAY AND SUNDAY DEPARTURES FOR OASIS – CLASS

Royal Caribbean International have announced the inaugural season of Allure of the Seas – 42 sailings to the Eastern and Western Caribbean on seven-night sailings every Sunday beginning on 12 December 2010.

Allure of the Seas and sister-ship Oasis of the Seas will be the world’s two largest and most revolutionary cruise ships when they launch in November 2010 and 2009, respectively. With the arrival of Allure of the Seas, guests will have a choice of a Saturday and Sunday departure for an Oasis-class cruise holiday.

Bookings for Allure of the Seas’ inaugural season will open on 2 April 2009 for Diamond and Diamond Plus level members of the Crown & Anchor Society and 8 April for all Crown & Anchor Society members. General bookings will open on and 13 April.

Allure of the Seas will depart from her homeport of Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale and alternate between a seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean itinerary. On the Eastern Caribbean itinerary, Allure of the Seas will call at St. Thomas (Charlotte Amalie), St. Maarten (Philipsburg) and Nassau (Bahamas). The ship will call at Falmouth (Jamaica), Cozumel (Mexico) and Labadee, Royal Caribbean International’s private beach paradise on the northern coast of Haiti, for the Western Caribbean itinerary.

Architectural marvels at sea, Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas will span 16 decks, encompass 220,000 gross registered tonnes (GRT), and host 5,400 guests at double occupancy with 2,700 staterooms.

Each ship will feature the cruise line’s new neighbourhood concept, seven themed areas throughout the ship that offer different experiences for guests to choose, based on their personal styles, preferences or moods.

Inspired by seaside entertainment esplanades, Boardwalk will engage the entire family – whether young or young at heart – with eateries, retail outlets, carnival games, and an original, handcrafted carousel – a first at sea. Nine decks above, the first zip-line at sea will whisk guests from end to end on a thrilling aerial adventure. Boardwalk will lead to the AquaTheater at the stern of the ship, where the amphitheatre – another first at sea – will offer a guest pool area by day and a performance venue at night, featuring dramatic acrobatics, synchronised swimming, water ballet, professional high-diving, and elaborate fountain shows synchronised to music and lights.

Enhancements to the cruise line’s signature Royal Promenade, the heart of the ship, will include a mezzanine level that overlooks the main promenade below. The Rising Tide bar, the first moving bar at sea, will offer guests the opportunity to enjoy a cocktail as it slowly ascends into Central Park, the neighbourhood above.             

Central Park, a revolutionary design in which the centre of the ship opens to the sky, will feature lush, tropical grounds spanning the length of a football field.

The Pool and Sports Zone will feature a sloped-entry beach pool (exclusive to the Oasis-class) and two larger FlowRider surf simulators. Building on Royal Caribbean International’s popular Vitality wellness programme, guests will be able to soothe mind, body and soul in the Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness Center, which also includes a dedicated spa area just for teens. 

Entertainment Place will include the cruise lines signature after-dark spaces in more intimate venues that offer a variety of entertainment options.

The Youth Zone will offer a wealth of kid- and teen-friendly adventures, featuring the cruise lines first nursery for infants and toddlers (six months or older).

The Oasis class of ships will debut 37 new categories of accommodation, many with views unique to the ship. Park View and Boardwalk View balcony staterooms offer inward facing accommodation overlooking the two open-air neighbourhoods. Another industry-first, Allure of the Seas and Oasis of the Seas will introduce 28 contemporary bi-level loft suites with double-height, floor-to-ceiling windows for views of the sea.

Royal Caribbean International is a global cruise brand with 20 ships currently in service and two under construction.  The line also offers unique cruisetour vacations in Alaska, Asia, Australia, Canada, Europe, South America and New Zealand.

For more information see www.royalcaribbean.co.uk.