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Royal Caribbean to introduce 3D theater to Allure of the Seas

In:
01 Mar 2011

Royal Caribbean announced it will partner with FUNA International to provide stereoscopic 3D digital cinema to Royal Caribbean's brand new Allure of the Seas.  Thanks to Royal Caribbean's partnership with Dreamworks Animation, the deal with FUNA will make it possible for guests on Allure of the Seas to enjoy all the current 3D DreamWorks titles as well as other 3D movies, in the ship's Amber Theater.

Christopher Vlassopulos, Entertainment Technology and Technical Direction for Royal Caribbean International had this to say about the new deal, "We called upon FUNA and their team to come up with creative technical design solutions in a number of areas including physical placement, additional cooling and power and integration with the existing audio system, and the result is a 3D movie experience as good as or better than any land-based theater.  On testing the finished product, people at the highest level at Barco [projection supplier], DreamWorks and Dolby [sound system supplier] were 'blown away' with the result. We wanted to do a good job but to impress them out of the gate was a real bonus and obviously something the guest will really enjoy. It looks and sounds great."

In addition to Allure of the Seas, other Royal Caribbean ships are set to receieve the 3D theater upgrade. Vlassopulos confirmed that Oasis of the Seas, Freedom of the Seas and Liberty of the Seas will reveive the 3D upgrade.

In addition to the new theater, FUNA has provided technical design, engineering, integration and consulting for entertainment, display and communications in most of the theaters, restaurants, clubs, and public spaces - as well as the crew recreation and support areas.

Royal Caribbean confirms its commitment to Livorno, Italy

In:
03 Feb 2011

Royal Caribbean's Independence of the Seas, the sister ship of the third and final Freedom class ship, is calling the port of Livorno, Italy home for the second time during the 2011 cruise season.  Independence will alternate eastern and western Mediterranean cruises, sailing from Southampton in the UK.

In the 2011 season, there are 12 ships calling at Livorno. After Independence of the Seas, will support in the Tuscan port the other ships of the fleet, the first stop will be to Liberty of the Seas April 27, will then be the turn of Brilliance of the Seas May 9, Voyager of the Seas 17 May, Adventure of the Seas May 18, Grandeur of the Seas July 27, and Navigator of the Seas November 7 and Navigator of the Seas November 7. 

"Always the port of Livorno, the company has for a role of primary importance - says Lina Mazzucco, general manager of Royal Caribbean Italy. "We were able to significantly increase the scale of the fleet which become 91 against 79 last year. Similarly, increases the flow of passengers, who went from 227,000 in 2010 to over 323,000 in 2011. "

Photos of Liberty of the Seas in dry dock

In:
28 Jan 2011

Royal Caribbean posted some new photos of Liberty of the Seas in dry dock in the Bahamas getting "Oasis-sized", meaning it's receiving upgrades to the ship from innovations that were originally from Oasis of the Seas.

Liberty of the Seas will receive...

  • Broadway show (Saturday Night Fever)
  • Royal Babies and Tots Nursery
  • Large 18.5-foot video screen overlooking family pool area
  • LCD wayfinder system
  • Cupcake Cupboard restaurant
  • Vintages lounge will be redone

Beatles tribute cruise planned for Liberty of the Seas

In:
21 Jan 2011

For fans of the Beatles, there's the perfect cruise for you.  The "Beatles Tribute Cruise" is sailing from Miami, Florida on Royal Caribbean's Liberty of the Seas. This Eastern Caribbean itinerary will feature 

  • Laurence Juber, a guitarist known for his work with Paul McCartney in the Wings band
  • Shannon - "The Worlds Greatest Beatles Artist"
  • Yesterday - A Beatles tribute band
  • Tony Perkins - TV and radio personality
  • Tony Bramwell - Super Beatles fan
  • Joe Johnson - host & creator of the nationally syndicated radio show "BeatleBrunch"

If you consider yourself a big Beatles fan and want to join this cruise, you can register for the cruise

"A Christmas Story" themed cruise ready to sail

In:
15 Dec 2010

We've had I Love Lucy themed cruises, heavy metal music cruises and now a cruise honoring a family favorite film, The Christmas Story.  You remember the film, right? It's the one that tells the story of Ralphie and his family's Christmas in Ohio where he tries desperately to get a Red Rider B.B. gun and double dog dares his friend to stick his tongue to a flag pole on a cold winter day.

If that movie really resonated with you, you can join the cast for a cruise during the holidays of 2011. Casting New Lives and Academy Travel present a 4 night western Caribbean cruise on board Royal Caribbean's Liberty of the Seas with the cast members of the The Christmas Story, December, 15 - 19, 2011.

The cast of the film scheduled to be on the ship include

  • Scott Schwartz-Flick
  • Zack Ward- Scut Farkus
  • Yano Anaya- Grover Dill
  • Tedde Moore- Miss Shields

Cruise events include

  • Best Essay contest “What I want for Christmas”--Judged by “ Miss Shields”
  • Decode a “Secret Message” with Little Orphan Annie Decoder Pin
  • Mommy’s Little Piggy eating contest
  • Kids help Decorate the Christmas Tree
  • Special movie screening with the stars
  • Autograph sessions
  • An opportunity to get all your questions answered from the stars themselves
  • Memorabilia Christmas Story Store
  • Scavenger hunt on board the ship
  • Even a visit from Santa! 

If you happen to be one of the first 10 families to sign up, you will be entered into a drawing to win an autographed Leg Lamp! You can sign up here

Saturday Night Fever: The Musical to debut on Liberty of the Seas

In:
07 Oct 2010

Royal Caribbean International is slipping-on its boogie shoes this spring and debuting Saturday Night Fever: The Musical, the third licensed main-stage musical production at sea for the cruise line. Created by Royal Caribbean Productions in association with Robert Stigwood Organisation Ltd., the acclaimed-West End show will debut aboard Liberty of the Seas in April 2011, as part of the ship’s revitalization and shipboard enhancements beginning in late January 2011 aboard the popular Freedom-class cruise ship. Based on the hugely popular, 1970s feature film, Saturday Night Fever, the theatrical experience features a repertoire of hit songs from The Bee Gees song album sure to inspire guests to dance the night away.

“The debut of Saturday Night Fever: The Musical, created by Royal Caribbean Productions’ in-house entertainment team, continues to raise the bar for cruise vacations aboard one of our most innovative ships,” said Lisa Bauer, senior vice president, Hotel Operations, Royal Caribbean International. “Our award-winning musical productions have been so incredibly well-received by guests, first with Hairspray aboard Oasis of the Seas and then with the announcement of Chicago: the Musical aboard Allure of the Seas. It’s only fitting we broaden the selection to include a West End hit as Liberty of the Seas embarks on its maiden season in Europe for summer 2011.”
 
Saturday Night Fever: The Musical premiered in the West End at the London Palladium in 1998 and has been seen by over 10 million people worldwide, thrilling theater and music buffs alike throughout the years. On Liberty of the Seas, the story of Tony, the ambitious Brooklyn youth who spends his Saturday nights disco dancing, will be brought to life on stage in the ship’s state-of-the-art, 1,320-seat Platinum Theatre. The storyline and music that created the worldwide disco phenomenon will take guests away to a different era with such cult-classics songs as “Stayin’ Alive,” “Tragedy,” “If I Can’t Have You” and “Boogie Shoes.”
 
“We are glad to work with Royal Caribbean International to take Saturday Night Fever to fans and vacationers at sea,” said Robert Stigwood. “Royal Caribbean Productions’ commitment to innovative and quality entertainment will have guests out of their seats and groovin’ in the aisles.”
 
Auditions for the Royal Caribbean’s production of Saturday Night Fever, will be held Oct. 20-22 in New York. More details and a full schedule can be found at www.RoyalCaribbeanProductions.com.
 
In addition to Saturday Night Fever, Liberty of the Seas, along with Freedom of the Seas, will introduce some top-rated onboard features that debuted aboard Oasis of the Seas when the ships are revitalized during scheduled drydocks in January and March 2011, respectively. Many of the onboard enhancements will deliver some of the most exciting entertainment options at sea, such as the DreamWorks Experience, 3D movie technology in the main theater; an oversized outdoor video screens on the main pool deck to entertain guests and offer movies under the stars. Guests also will enjoy new onboard amenities such as iPod docks in every stateroom; the Wayfinder system, with its interactive touch-screen to direct guests, offer venue and restaurant descriptions, and the day’s schedule of programs; guest services kiosks on the Royal Promenade where guests can instantly view, print or e-mail their SeaPass folio or their personal calendar, or check-in and print airline boarding passes; and the popular Royal Babies and Tots Nursery, which provides nursery care for babies and tots through 36 months. Guests also will delight in the enchanting Cupcake Cupboard and the trendy décor of Vintages with its Enomatic wine serving system. 

Royal Caribbean Introduces Innovative Chefmakers at Sea Aboard Freedom of the Seas and Liberty of the Seas

In:
15 Sep 2010

Vacationing foodies can now choose from a range of culinary experiences aboard a Royal Caribbean cruise. Royal Caribbean International is partnering with renowned Chefmakers Cooking Academy, a cooking school dedicated to aspiring home cooks of all ages, to bring unique cooking programs to guests, who can share in fond family vacation memories and learn practical skills that can be applied day-to-day. Available now aboard Liberty of the Seas and beginning in the fall aboard Freedom of the Seas, guests, at an additional cost, can choose from over a dozen Chefmakers at Sea classes that are taught in the actual galleys of the ship.

 
"Royal Caribbean continues to be at the forefront of onboard food and beverage offerings, tempting guests with a diverse and exciting lineup of enriching and delectable programs,” said Frank Weber, vice president of Food and Beverage Operations, Royal Caribbean International. “The Chefmakers at Sea cooking experience engages guests of all ages by teaching and honing their skills.”
 
Chefmakers at Sea’s hands-on classes range from $40 to $125 and are ideal for both kitchen newbies and the experienced home cook alike. With several essential programs like Knife Skills, Quick & Easy Fish, and All About Chicken, to highly social and interactive cooking parties like Asian Persuasion, New American Cuisine, and Surf & Turf, there is an appetizing class for every palate. Successfully piloted aboard Mariner of the Seas, the three-hour programs are open to guests 18 and over, who can try their hand at a series of exciting recipes and new skills under the careful guidance of the Chefmakers culinary team.
 
“At Chefmakers, we teach Royal Caribbean guests the tricks of the trade, in turn providing a feeling of mastery and confidence that will last long after their cruise,” said Richard H. Klein, founder and CEO of Chefmakers Cooking Academy, LLC.
 
Other classes include: Small Bites; Quick & Easy Pasta; Tamales; Lazy Day Brunch; California Cuisine; and Cooking Around the World. In addition, Chefmakers at Sea offers a series of festive holiday classes, such as: Pumpkin Carving; Gingerbread House Decorating; Ultimate Thanksgiving; and Entertaining for New Years. Participants will receive their very own Chefmakers apron and recipe cards for all menu items prepared, as well as complimentary wine based on class selection. Guests will also have the opportunity to purchase the high quality kitchenware and utensils that they learn to use in the classes.
 
Little ones, from four to 11 years of age, can kick-start their culinary careers with a one-hour “Kids with Kids Baking” class. The future chefs will have fun preparing homemade sweet treats, like mini-puff pastry turnovers, learning lessons in chemistry and kitchen hygiene along the way.
 
Guests may register and learn about the specific classes being offered online using the Chefmakers pre-board reservation system. Private Chefmakers at Sea programs also will soon be available for various corporate groups that offer a very unique team building experience as well as for families looking for another memorable way to enjoy their cruise vacation.

Europe's first cougar cruise to sail on Royal Caribbean

In:
07 Sep 2010

If you're looking for a cougar cruise, there's a new one that has been announced, but you will need to get to Spain to experience this one.  Royal Caribbean's Liberty of the Seas will depart from Barcelona and cruise April 16-21, 2011. 

This cruise comes after cougar cruises have been banned by the three largest cruise lines in Australia, and also by Carnival, the world's largest cruise line, in the USA.

"We are pleased that Royal Caribbean will be hosting our European Cougar Cruise," says Rich Gosse, Executive Producer of http://www.cougarevents.com. "While it is perfectly acceptable for middle-aged men to date women their daughter's age, women don't have the same privilege. After the tremendous success of the world's first International Cougar Cruise, December 2009, aboard Carnival, we were shocked that they refused to allow another. If there had been problems on the first Cougar Cruise we would understand being banned. But hundreds of our cougars and cubs onboard were well-behaved, and there were absolutely no problems. We expect the same will be true with the European Cougar Cruise."

Interested in going on the cougar cruise? You can book it by going to http://www.SinglesTravelCompany.com

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