Royal Caribbean’s Mariner of the Seas Offers 29 New Southeast Asia Sailings for 2014-2015

Royal Caribbean International has unveiled 29 new Southeast Asia sailings aboard Mariner of the Seas. Starting in November 2014, Mariner of the Seas will homeport at Singapore and sail three- to five-night itineraries, calling at ports such as Phuket, Thailand, and Penang, Langkawi and Kuala Lumpur (Port Klang) in Malaysia.

A special seven-night itinerary, departing February 11, 2015, will overnight at Bangkok (Laemchabang), Thailand, and call at Ho Chi Minh City (Phu My), Vietnam. Mariner of the Seas’ winter season will conclude with an eight-night itinerary from Singapore to Shanghai (Baoshan), China, departing on March 7, and featuring an overnight at Hong Kong with calls at Ho Chi Minh City (Phu My) and Xiamen, China.

Mariner of the Seas is among six Royal Caribbean ships that exclusively feature the DreamWorks Experience at sea.  Guests can partake in parades, themed activities and other onboard events based on DreamWorks Animation’s popular feature-film characters, including Po of “Kung Fu Panda;” Shrek and Fiona of “Shrek;” and Alex the Lion, Gloria the Hippo, and the Penguins from “Madagascar.” The ship also is equipped with a 3-D movie theater playing the latest DreamWorks Animation films.

Royal Caribbean’s younger guests can enjoy an exhilarating line-up of activities, games and adventures rooted in the popular DreamWorks Animation films in the complimentary and award-winning Adventure Ocean children’s program.

Guests of all ages can meet their favorite characters over the DreamWorks Character breakfast in the main dining room and take advantage of plenty of photo opportunities throughout the day. Additionally, guests can tune-in to DreamWorks Animation programming on a dedicated RCTV channel in every stateroom.

Guests also enjoy the industry’s largest and most premium selection of duty-free shopping, including the first standalone IWC Schaffhausen boutique and the largest luxury and fashion watch store at sea.

The ship’s Casino Royale offers more than 30 table games and nearly 300 slot machines throughout the 9,600 sq. ft. space. Additionally, high-rollers have exclusive access to parlors for high-stakes gaming in comfort, style and privacy.

Mariner of the Seas is one of Royal Caribbean’s Voyager class of ships, which first introduced the active cruise vacation concept. The ships feature iconic Royal Caribbean International amenities such as the rock-climbing wall, ice-skating rink, a nine-hole mini-golf course, full-size basketball and sports court, and the Royal Promenade, a boulevard that stretches nearly the length of the ship and is flanked by restaurants, lounges and boutiques.

As a truly global cruise brand, Royal Caribbean International caters to an international clientele and deploys its cruise ships throughout the world. On Mariner of the Seas’ Asia cruises, Royal Caribbean offers a culturally enriching cruise experience, in which vacationers will find that the majority of fellow guests are from the Asia-Pacific region and speak languages from the region. While guests will enjoy a more authentic regional experience, including additional onboard choices that reflect the region’s tastes and flavors, English is always spoken by the ship’s staff and crew.

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

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Royal Caribbean Includes Beverage Amenity Aboard Select Trans-Atlantic Cruises Booked by Feb 15

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 cruise tour land packages in Alaska, Canada, Dubai, Europe, and Australia and New Zealand © 2013 Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com

Embrace the romance and serenity of a classic ocean crossing with Royal Caribbean International, the cruise line known for the world’s most innovative cruise ships. For a limited time, vacationers enjoy a complimentary Premium Beverage Package for two when they book a balcony- or higher-category stateroom aboard the following four trans-Atlantic cruises, sailing throughout April 2013:

• Navigator of the Seas’ 15-night sailing from New Orleans to Rome (Civitavecchia), Rome on Apr. 6
• Independence of the Seas’ 13-night sailing from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. to Southampton, U.K. on Apr. 7
• Brilliance of the Seas’ 11-night sailing from San Juan, Puerto Rico to Lisbon, Portugal on Apr. 13
• Adventure of the Seas’ 14-night sailing from San Juan to Southampton on Apr 21

The Complimentary Premium Beverage Package offer is applicable only for new U.S. and Canadian individual bookings made on January 24 through February 15, 2013, in balcony and higher category staterooms. Complimentary Premium Beverage Package is only available for first two guests in a booking. The Premium Beverage Package includes house wines, beers under $6.25 each, fountain sodas, and well, call and premium brands of liquors and frozen drinks at restaurants, bars and lounges when open. Offer not applicable for group bookings.

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 giving 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 http://www.RoyalCaribbean.com or call (800) ROYAL-CARIBBEAN.

Follow Royal Caribbean on Facebook at http://www.Facebook.com/RoyalCaribbean or on Twitter, @RoyalCaribbean.

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5 Reasons to Choose a Royal Caribbean Cruise that Visits the Private Island of Labadee

The thrilling Dragons Breath Zipline on Royal Caribbean’s private island of Labadee © 2012 Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com

Private Islands are the most popular port of call, according to CLIA, the Cruise Line Industry Association. Crown Cruise Vacations travel experts give five reasons to choose a Royal Caribbean cruise that features a visit to its private island of Labadee,  so you can live like a millionaire for the day.

Here are five things to look forward to on your cruise private island visit.

1. Beaches and beach clubs — there are seven, each with a distinct style:

• Buccaneers’ Bay – enjoy a barbecue lunch buffet
• Dragon’s Plaza – the start of the longest beach on Labadee
• Labadee Town Square – boasts popular artisan market and festive atmosphere
• Adrenaline Beach – roller coaster, soccer, basketball and beach volley
• Columbus Cove – family friendly with trees and sandy beach
• Nellie’s Beach – home to the Kayak Adventure
• Barefoot Beach Club – exclusively for suite guests

2. Water sports at the beaches — kayaking, snorkeling and parasailing are just some to choose from.

• Paddle along the gorgeous coastline of Labadee on a relaxing kayaking tour. Your guide will lead you through beautiful coral reefs, where you’ll witness an abundance of exotic marine life. You’ll also pass various fishing villages that have been unchanged for decades.
• Become a pirate for a day at Labadee Luc’s Splash Bash. Get drenched by ground geysers and water archways, battle other buccaneers with water cannons aboard the pirate ship, or explore the treasure map trail.
• Soak up the sun while you float on the waves on a beach mat.
• Enjoy the fun-filled floating Aqua Park as you bounce on trampolines and climb and slide on inflatables.
• Grab a bird’s-eye view as you soar 400 feet above the beautiful peninsula of Labadee on a thrilling parasailing ride.
• Take an exhilarating ride aboard a waverunner down the scenic coast of Labadee. See your ship from a perspective rarely enjoyed by other guests.

3. Shopping — go shopping for beautiful handmade local artwork, woodwork and crafts and mementos of your day in private paradise (bring cash)

4. Experience the local flavors – and relax at the same time. A “Labaduzee” is a signature frozen drink that is out of this world. Order yours from a shady hammock to capture the true spirit of Labadee.

5. Shore and Land Excursions

• Adrenaline Coastal Tour – Adventure-seekers will love this exciting ride and narrated sightseeing tour aboard a RIB, a small but powerful vessel that zips out from Labadee to cruise along the scenic shoreline of the island of Hispaniola.
• Arawak Aqua Park — Come climb the only icebergs in the Caribbean at the Arawak Aqua Park. Enjoy bouncing on the giant floating trampolines, water slides, rolling logs and many other water toys that will keep you cool while having fun. Space is limited, so sign up early. Fun for adults and children.
• Discover Haiti Coastal Cruise — Take a journey back in time and discover the jewel of the Caribbean, Haiti, the land of mountains and one of a kind coves and picturesque views. Your guide will take you on a journey of discovery onboard the “Discovery,” a specially designed motorized catamaran. Throughout your voyage you will view by sea breathtaking landscapes, beautiful reefs, a shipwreck, Amiga Island, coastal villages, handmade wooden fishing boats and the landmarks of the Arawak Indians and the early discoverers such as Christopher Columbus in the 15th century. Also, during your tour you will be able to see the Citadel, a fort nestled on a 3,000 ft. mountain which is considered to be one of the wonders of the world. Your discovery of the beautiful scenery, the rich culture and the history will be a memorable experience never to be forgotten.

Here are a just a few of the many cruises with private island visits to choose from:

Royal Caribbean Independence of the Seas 8-Night Eastern Caribbean cruise, departs Feb. 16, 2013, round trip from Fort Lauderdale and includes ports of private island Labadee (Haiti); St. Maarten; St. Kitts; San Juan, Puerto Rico; and three days cruising at sea. Prices start at $799 per person, double occupancy.

Royal Caribbean Allure of the Seas 7-Night Western Caribbean cruise, departs Feb. 24, 2013, round trip from Fort Lauderdale and includes ports of private island Labadee (Haiti); Falmouth, Jamaica; Cozumel, Mexico; and three days cruising at sea. Prices start at $849 per person, double occupancy.

Royal Caribbean Oasis of the Seas 7-Night Western Caribbean cruise, departs March 2, 2013, round trip from Fort Lauderdale and includes ports of private island Labadee (Haiti); Falmouth, Jamaica; Cozumel, Mexico; and three days cruising at sea. Prices start at $799 per person, double occupancy.

Crown Cruise Vacations is the preferred provider of PTV at Sea cruises, which enrich, inspire and entertain with informative programming presented by some of public broadcasting’s most acclaimed personalities. Crown Cruise Vacations was recently named North America’s Leading Cruise Travel Agent 2011 by the prestigious World Travel Awards, which acknowledges excellence across all sectors of the global travel and tourism industry.

To work with a Crown Cruise Vacations cruise specialist for your next cruise vacation, call toll-free (USA/Canada) 877-283-1114, direct-dial 1+609-945-9801, or visit Crown Cruise Vacations at http://www.crowncruisevacations.com.

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