When Royal Caribbean announced the new innovation of virtual balconies coming to Quantum of the Seas, the next cruise ship that is being developed, company officials mentioned the virtual balconies will first be seen on Navigator of the Seas.
Navigator of the Seas was already scheduled for a refurbishment early next year as part of Royal Caribbean's fleet wide revitalization program. The virtual balconies will now be added to the list of new features Navigator of the Seas will receive. It appears Navigator of the Seas will be the "testing ground" for this brand new innovation.
The virtual balconies will be 80-inch LED projection screen that will show images of the ocean that is taken from elsewhere on the ship.
Royal Caribbean CEO Adam Goldstein thinks the virtual balconies will be a great addition, "It's going to bring a completely different feel to the experience."
Navigator of the Seas will go into drydock next January to get the Royal Advantage upgrade package. It is scheduled to sail from Galveston when the upgrades are complete.
Goldstein said there will not be a specific surcharge for interior cabins with virtual balconies, but added that he hopes they will bring higher yields.
"The whole experience will be more valuable to our guests and we expect that to be reflected in the ticket price," he said.
Quantum of the Seas is expected to enter service in Fall 2014.
