RCL’s Allure of the Seas to Inaugurate First Full Oasis-Class Europe Season in 2015; Allure of Seas to Homeport in Barcelona

For nearly five years, Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas, sister ships that share the title of the world’s largest and most innovative cruise ships, have captured vacationers’ imagination and taken more than two million guests to unforgettable Caribbean destinations. Royal Caribbean International have announced that, for the first time since the ship was delivered in Turku, Finland, in late 2010, Allure of the Seas will return to Europe in summer 2015 and homeport at Barcelona, Spain, and take vacationers to new, fascinating Mediterranean destinations for the first, full Oasis-class Europe season. Royal Caribbean’s Crown & Anchor Society loyalty program members have the exclusive privilege to book Allure of the Seas’ Europe season one week earlier on Feb. 12, 2014.

Additionally, Rhapsody of the Seas will offer three 10- and 11-night Black Sea itineraries from Istanbul, Turkey, and then sail a variety of seven- to 11-night Greek and Turkey itineraries from Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy. For its part, Splendour of the Seas will offer seven-night Greek Isle and Turkey itineraries from Venice, Italy. Allure of the Seas, Rhapsody of the Seas and Splendour of the Seas’ summer 2015 season will be open to the general public on February 18, 2014.

“Royal Caribbean will be taking vacationers to spectacular Europe destinations and delivering the WOW aboard the world’s most innovative ships in 2015,” said Carol Schuster, senior vice president of Marketing for Royal Caribbean International. “Each Royal Caribbean ship sailing in Europe has already undergone extensive enhancements as part of our fleetwide revitalization program to deliver some of the most popular concepts that debuted on the unmatched Allure of the Seas.  No matter which Royal Caribbean ship you choose, every member of our friendly and engaging staff and crew will deliver our signature Gold Anchor Service on an unforgettable Europe vacation.”

Starting May 24, 2015, Allure of the Seas will sail every Sunday from Barcelona and sail a seven-night itinerary, calling at Palma De Mallorca, Spain; Provence (Marseilles), France; and Florence/Pisa (La Spezia), Rome (Civitavecchia), and Naples/Capri in Italy. Vacationers can also choose to embark Allure of the Seas for a seven-night sailing, roundtrip from Rome (Civitavecchia).

On board, Allure of the Seas’ guests will enjoy the most innovative and extensive array of onboard amenities contained in seven themed neighborhoods, such as an 82 foot-long zip line, a handcrafted carousel, the Rising Tide elevating bar, a fully-licensed Broadway musical, the high-diving Aquatheater, and Central Park with more than 12,000 live trees and plants, and many more. Allure of the Seas also offers amenities that can only be found on Royal Caribbean, such as twin FlowRider surf simulators, cantilevered whirlpools, an ice-skating rink, the H20 Zone kids aquapark, and the Royal Promenade, an interior boulevard that stretches nearly the length of the ship and flanked by restaurants, lounges and boutiques, among many others.

Guests also will enjoy the DreamWorks Experience, an exclusive integrated entertainment program developed with the world-class animated film studio powerhouse DreamWorks Animation. The DreamWorks Experience was first launched aboard Allure of the Seas in November 2010, with beloved character Princess Fiona of the “Shrek” franchise inaugurating the ship as godmother (http://youtu.be/_aKDTH1qEiw), and continues to impress guests and receive accolades. Guest can join in parades, themed activities and themed events based on DreamWorks Animation’s popular feature-film characters, including Po of “Kung Fu Panda;” Shrek, Fiona and Puss In Boots of “Shrek;” and Alex the Lion, Gloria, and the Penguins from “Madagascar.” Allure of the Seas also is equipped with a 3-D movie theater playing the latest DreamWorks Animation films, as well as a dedicated RCTV channel, featuring a variety of the film studio’s popular movies.

Royal Caribbean’s award-winning family programming also will help ensure that guests of every generation can share in an unforgettable Europe family vacation aboard Allure of the Seas. The cruise line’s complimentary Adventure Ocean kids program offers ongoing educational and entertaining sessions for three age groups from three- to 11-year-olds, led by college-accredited counselors from 9:00 to 2:00 a.m.  Two curricula for teens age 12 to 17 years offer more organic programming to offer them the flexibility to help shape their day with peers, as well as teen-only sessions on the FlowRider, Rock Wall and Sports Court. Furthermore, Allure of the Seas’ Royal Babies & Tots Nursery will cater to Royal Caribbean’s youngest guests, age six to 36 months old.

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.

For additional information or to make reservations, vacationers should call their travel agent; visit RoyalCaribbean.com; or call (800) ROYAL-CARIBBEAN. Follow us on Facebook at Facebook.com/RoyalCaribbean or on Twitter @RoyalCaribbean.

For more travel features, visit:

www.examiner.com/eclectic-travel-in-national/karen-rubin

www.examiner.com/international-travel-in-national/karen-rubin

travelwritersmagazine.com/TravelFeaturesSyndicate

‘Like’ us on facebook.com/NewsPhotoFeatures

Twitter: @TravelFeatures

Royal Caribbean’s March Europe Extravaganza Offers up to $400 Onboard Credit Aboard 9 Ships

Take advantage of Royal Caribbean’s March sale to book a cruise that immerses you in the splendor of Venice © 2013 Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com

From the Venetian canals to the Norwegian fjords, Royal Caribbean International is inviting vacationers to re-discover Europe this summer, offering up to $400 onboard spending credit in March with its Europe Extravaganza.

Through March 31, 2013, vacationers who make a new booking, six nights or longer, on one of nine ships plying European waters in 2013, also can enjoy an onboard credit to make their Europe cruise even more appealing. There’s no easier way to see the sites of the Old World, delve into its history, culture and cuisine than on a Royal Caribbean cruise vacation. Guests can share their favorite destinations with the whole family or explore a new region together, all while enjoying innovations such as Broadway entertainment, FlowRider surf simulators and rock climbing walls for an experience found only on Royal Caribbean. (For more information about the Europe Extravaganza visit, http://www.RoyalCaribbean.com/EuropeExtravaganza).

During the month-long sale, new individual bookings made with deposit will receive $50 onboard credit per inside stateroom; $100 per outside stateroom; $200 per balcony stateroom; and $400 per suite. Guests can apply their onboard credit toward an exciting shore excursion or rejuvenating spa session, or celebrate a special occasion during their cruise with a specialty dining experience. Guests taking advantage of this offer must mention appropriate offer code when booking. Offer codes may be found by visiting http://www.RoyalCaribbean.com/EuropeExtravaganza.

The onboard credit is applicable to all 2013 Royal Caribbean International Europe cruises six-nights or longer, including cruisetours. Offer is available only in the U.S. and Canada and applies to all categories available. All bookings must be made and the required deposit must be paid by March 31, 2013, by 11:59 p.m. local time to qualify for the promotion. Onboard credit is in U.S. dollars, has no cash value, is not redeemable for cash, is not transferable and will expire if not used by 10:00 pm on the last evening of the cruise. Royal Caribbean International is a global cruise brand with 22 innovative ships, calling on more than 270 destinations in 72 countries across six continents. The line also offers unique cruise tour land packages in Alaska, Canada, Dubai, Europe, and Australia and New Zealand. Royal Caribbean provides a world-class vacation experience with a wide range of signature onboard amenities, entertainment, and award-winning family programming.

The cruise line has a 40-year history of delivery to guests the Royal Advantage – the most innovative cruise ships, exciting itineraries to popular destinations, and world-renowned friendly and engaging Gold Anchor Service. Royal Caribbean has been voted “Best Cruise Line Overall” for 10 consecutive years in the Travel Weekly Readers’ Choice Awards. For additional information or to make reservations, call your travel agent, visit www.RoyalCaribbean.com or call (800) ROYAL-CARIBBEAN. Follow Royal Caribbean on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/RoyalCaribbean or on Twitter, @RoyalCaribbean. Travel professionals should visit www.CruisingPower.com or call (800) 327-2056.

For more travel features, visit:

www.examiner.com/eclectic-travel-in-national/karen-rubin

http://www.examiner.com/international-travel-in-national/karen-rubin

travelwritersmagazine.com/TravelFeaturesSyndicate

‘Like’ us on facebook.com/NewsPhotoFeatures

Twitter: @TravelFeatures