Shanghai, China will be Homeport for Royal Caribbean’s Quantum of the Seas Beginning in 2015

Royal Caribbean International announced that its newest ship, Quantum of the Seas, will make its home port in Shanghai (Baoshan), China. “We’re bringing the company’s most innovative ship to the world’s fastest-growing cruise market,” Adam Goldsein, president and COO of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd, said.

The ship will reposition to China in May 2015, following her inaugural winter season sailing out of New York Harbor to the Caribbean. In China, Quantum of the Seas will join Mariner of the Seas and Voyager of the Seas in Asia, increasing the company’s capacity in the region by 66 percent.

“Consumers in China have grown to expect the best the world has to offer, and Quantum of the Seas meets that standard like no other ship,” said Goldstein. “We are ready to accelerate the growth of this vital market with a ship that will capture the imagination of travelers looking for a one-of-a-kind vacation experience.”

“Every trend we are seeing in China tells us we can achieve real long-term competitive advantage and appealing returns on our investments in this fast-growing market by accelerating our presence there,” Goldstein said. “We will have to be nimble, but the ability to move fast is one of our strengths.”

Goldstein said the company was able to make the move because its new-ship pipeline will keep the New York region supplied with top-rate ships as well.
“We are very mindful of the importance of New York, which is why we are bringing Liberty of the Seas and then Anthem of the Seas to this market.”

Quantum of the Seas will debut in November 2014, and will spend its inaugural season sailing from Cape Liberty in Bayonne, N.J., before repositioning to China in May 2015. Beginning late June 2015, the ship will sail three- to eight-night itineraries year-round from Shanghai to Japan and Korea.

Liberty of the Seas will then arrive to Cape Liberty to sail to Bermuda, the Caribbean, and Canada and New England for the 2015 summer and autumn seasons. The Freedom-class ship will be the company’s newest and largest ship to offer cruises to Bermuda from the New York-metropolitan area.

Finally, Quantum of the Seas’ sister ship, Anthem of the Seas, which launches in April 2015, will complete her inaugural Europe season from London (Southampton), U.K., before arriving to Cape Liberty in November 2015 to continue Quantum-class cruising to the Bahamas and Caribbean for the winter 2015-16 season.

“These incredible ships will meet the sophisticated expectations of consumers in Shanghai, New York and London. Our mantra for the new Quantum class of ships is ‘this changes everything’ – and upping our game in these key markets achieves just that,” said Dominic Paul, Vice President, International, Royal Caribbean International. “Our distinctive style of high quality innovative cruises has become known to travelers around the world and we will continue to deploy our most technologically advanced ships where the demand is, with the expectation of winning new converts to cruising.”

The groundbreaking Quantum-class ships, Quantum of the Seas and Anthem of the Seas, will debut a new set of first-at-sea onboard experiences, such as Ripcord by iFLY, a heart-pounding skydiving experience; North Star, a thrilling adventure that transports guests more than 300 feet in the air on a breathtaking journey; cutting-edge transformative venues including SeaPlex, the largest indoor sports and entertainment complex at sea with bumper cars, roller skating and more; and the cruise line’s largest and most advanced staterooms ever.

Guests also will enjoy the new Quantum-class “Dynamic Dining,” a completely new culinary experience that offers a landscape of 18 restaurant concepts as vast and varied as dining in the world’s most cosmopolitan cities, including specialty restaurants created with partner-chefs Jamie Oliver, Devin Alexander and Michael Schwartz.

The Quantum Class spans 18 decks, encompass 167,800 gross registered tons, carry 4,180 guests at double occupancy and feature 2,090 staterooms. More information on Quantum class is available at http://www.RoyalCaribbean.com/QuantumoftheSeas.

Royal Caribbean International is an award-winning global cruise brand with a 45-year legacy of innovation and introducing industry “firsts” never before seen at sea.  The cruise line features an expansive and unmatched array of features and amenities only found on Royal Caribbean including, jaw-dropping, Broadway-style entertainment and industry-acclaimed programming that appeals to families and adventurous vacationers alike.

Owned by Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (NYSE/OSE: RCL), the cruise line sails 21 of the world’s most innovative cruise ships to the most popular destinations in the Caribbean, Europe, Alaska, South America, the Far East, and Australia and New Zealand. World renowned for its friendly and engaging Gold Anchor Service, delivered by every staff and crew member, Royal Caribbean has been voted “Best Cruise Line Overall” for 11 consecutive years in the Travel Weekly Readers Choice Awards.

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Victoria Cruises Celebrates 20th Anniversary with 2-for-1 Pricing on Yangtze China Cruises

Victoria Cruises is kicking off its 2014 Yangtze River sailing season with special 2-for-1 pricing on all private balcony superior staterooms on its acclaimed Three Gorges Highlights program.

Victoria Cruises (www.VictoriaCruises.com) is kicking off its 2014 Yangtze River sailing season with special 2-for-1 pricing on all private balcony superior staterooms on its acclaimed Three Gorges Highlights program in celebration of the New York-based pioneer’s 20th anniversary carrying Western passengers along China’s most popular cruise experience.

“A lot has changed since our first ship edged out of port in 1994,” said Larry Greenman, manager of public relations and customer service for Victoria Cruises. “The completion of the Three Gorges Dam, for example, has allowed us to build larger, more luxurious ships and venture into new territory with exciting, new excursions added to our program,” Greenman observed.

“We’ve also upgraded our five-star fleet and implemented technological enhancements to streamline operations for passengers’ convenience. In the culinary arena, we’ve added a la carte dining and continue improve our menus through our longstanding relationship with Celebrity Chef and Emmy award-winning host of PBS’s A Taste of History, Walter Staib,” noted Greenman.

“But while much has changed, one thing still remains constant after 20 years exceeding the expectation of discerning travelers – our knowledge and understanding of the Western passenger and our ability to cater to their specific needs with personalized service that is second to none,” said Greenman. “We remain the only American-managed company upholding Western Standards on the Yangtze River.”

Starting at $880 for the first passenger (second passenger is free when booked in conjunction with the 2-for-1 offer), Victoria Cruises’ most popular Three Gorges Highlights program is available in three- and four-night options (based on river direction) and encompasses views of centuries-old temples, pagodas and stone carvings nestled along the mist-shrouded Yangtze.

A standard shore excursion package is available for $90 for the first passenger (second package free with 2-for-1 promotion) and includes tours of the “Ghost City” of Fengdu and Three Gorges Dam as well as a scenic journey on a traditional sampan through Goddess Stream, surrounded by beautiful peaks and teeming with local wildlife from monkeys to mountain goats. Once just a brook, Goddess Stream is a recent addition to the excursion package made possible by the Three Gorges Dam, which raised the stream’s water level and extended its reach to the southern bank of the Yangtze, opposite Goddess Peak (Goddess Stream excursion may be substituted based on river conditions).

From an additional $200 per person (only charged to first guest with 2-for-1 promotion), passengers can upgrade to Victoria Cruises’ Executive Amenities Program featuring enhanced ship placement and a host of VIP additions including “white glove” service, access to exclusive ship areas, complimentary Wi-Fi Internet access, enhanced dining privileges, shoe shine service and reserved seating for evening entertainment (must be reserved in advance).

For more information or to book, or for a list of tour operators which include the Yangtze River in their China programs, contact Victoria Cruises toll-free at 800-348-8084 or visit www.VictoriaCruises.com.

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