At dawn on Friday 3rd October, Rhapsody of the Seas sails into Sydney Heads to officially kick off the Royal Caribbean summer cruise season. After seven sensational seasons wowing Australians, sadly this will be the 2,000-guest superliner's last Australian season. Rhapsody of the Seas, with her imaginative features, world-class dining and award-winning service, began the journey for Royal Caribbean in Australia as the first Australian-based ship for the cruise line, which is now Sydney's largest cruise operator.

Sister ships Radiance of the Seas and freshly revitalised Voyager of the Seas join Rhapsody of the Seas sailing out of Sydney this season, between October 2014 and April 2015, offering Australians an international style of cruising found only on Royal Caribbean ships.

“Rhapsody of the Seas changed Australian cruising forever when she was first home-ported here in 2007. Not only was she the largest ship based here, she offered onboard features never seen before on local waters, like Australia's first rock-climbing wall at sea. Her innovation helped kick-start and shape the booming cruise industry we see here today,” said Sean Treacy, commercial director, Royal Caribbean International.

“We never rest on our laurels at Royal Caribbean and know that we need to keep revolutionising the cruise industry. For instance, we have invested heavily Australia's stellar local fleet, with multimillion refurbishments made to all three ships in the last four years. And this year, we look forward to giving more than 140,000 guests fun and original cruise holidays with an international flavour that they will talk about for years to come.”

This season Royal Caribbean raises the bar with three recently revitalised mega-liners offering “only on Royal” features including a FlowRider surf simulator, real time virtual balcony staterooms, an ice skating rink, the exclusive DreamWorks experience where Shrek, Kung Fu Panda and Madagascar characters surprise guests at every corner, exceptional world-class dining experiences, Broadway shows, aerial acrobatics shows and more.    

The 2014/15 season will see Voyager of the Seas, Rhapsody of the Seas and Radiance of the seas sail 55 cruises ranging from two- to 18-nights in Australia, New Zealand, the South Pacific and Asia.

For more information about Royal Caribbean International, or to make a booking, visit royalcaribbean.com.au, call 1800 754 500 or visit your local travel agent.  

ABOUT THE SHIPS

Rhapsody of the Seas

The 78,000-ton Rhapsody of the Seas was Royal Caribbean's first ever ship to be based in Australia and since 2007 she has established herself as one of the region's favourite cruise ships.  In 2012, she had a multimillion dollar bow-to-stern revitalisation and now features an innovative high-flying entertainment experience, where aerial performers glide vertically through the seven-storey atrium as guests enjoy a cocktail in the new 1960's-themed R Bar below.  Four speciality dining venues were also added: Chops Grille Steakhouse, Giovanni's Trattoria, Izumi and exclusive private fine dining experience Chef's Table.  Another of her new venues includes the chic Viking Crown Lounge, offering a cutting-edge, modern dance club atmosphere.  She also features an oversized LED video screen overlooking the main pool showing movies and sports, the Royal Babies & Tots Nursery, bow-to-stern Wi-Fi  internet, completely refreshed staterooms with new flat-screen TVs, and a Concierge Lounge and Diamond Club (for Suite and Crown & Anchor Society member guests).  Guests on Rhapsody of the Seas can also enjoy the convenience of iPads in every room.  She also features over 8,000 square metres of glass canopies, skylights and floor-to-ceiling windows – providing one of the lightest atmospheres afloat and offering perfect viewing opportunities while sailing around the world.  

Voyager of the Seas

Fresh from a month long revitalisation in October 2014, Voyager of the Seas arrives back in Australia packed to the brim with new and exciting features that epitomise a Royal Caribbean cruise. Australia's first surf experience at sea, the FlowRider, will be added along with a 3D cinema, three new signature Royal Caribbean speciality dining restaurants - Chops Grille steakhouse, Giovanni's Table and Izumi Japanese – an outdoor cinema and Australia's first indoor staterooms virtual balcony: a door-sized screen which projects real time views of the ship's actual surroundings, as you would see from a balcony. Voyager of the Seas will also see a host of new technologies added including new digital signage to help guests find their way around the ship and see what's happening onboard plus the ship's Champagne Bar will be re-conceptualised into Royal Caribbean's retro-chic R Bar. Australia's largest superliner will also still have her signature features Aussies love such as the ice-skating rink, the rock-climbing wall, full size basketball court, the Royal Promenade – an indoor street with shops, bars and restaurants – as well as indoor staterooms with a view of the Royal Promenade, and of course, the signature DreamWorks experience where well-known characters surprise guests of all ages around the ship.

Radiance of the Seas

Radiance of the Seas made her debut Down Under in late 2011 and became Australia's first 21st century superliner. Before arriving she received a major multimillion dollar revitalisation and offers guests a variety of entertainment and dining options previously only available onboard the cruise line's Oasis class ships. Commonly referred to as the “culinary ship”, she offers guests ten unique and global dining experiences including Giovanni's Table (Italian), Izumi (Asian), Rita's Cantina (Mexican) and Samba Grill (Brazilian) - in addition to the Chops Grille Steakhouse, Windjammer Café, Boardwalk Doghouse, the main dining room and Chef's Table, an exclusive private dining room for 14 guests. Other enhancements to the ship include a new English pub The Quill & Compass, a new Concierge Lounge (for Suite guests), Diamond Lounge (for Crown & Anchor Society loyalty program members), a Royal Babies & Tots Nursery (for children aged 6-36 months), ship-wide Wi-Fi internet, and interactive flat-screen televisions in all staterooms.  She also features signature Royal Caribbean amenities including a 30-foot rock-climbing wall, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, as well as pampering spa and gym facilities.

About Royal Caribbean International
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.

RCL Cruises Ltd Australiacommenced operation in December 2008 as the Australian arm of global cruise holiday company Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. The company offers three cruise brands in Australia and New Zealand: Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Club Cruises. In the 2014/2015 cruise season, Royal Caribbean International will be the largest cruise operator in Sydney, with three ships sailing in the region: Voyager of the Seas, Radiance of the Seas and Rhapsody of the Seas. In the 2015/2016 local cruise season Royal Caribbean International will increase the local fleet to four ships: Legend of the Seas home porting in Brisbane; along with Explorer of the Seas, Voyager of the Seas and Radiance of the Seas home porting in Sydney.  Celebrity Solstice will also sail her fourth local season in 2015/16.

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Royal Caribbean Contacts for media:
Harriet Gilmore                       
The D'Arcy Partnership          
T: 02 9281 2230            
E: harriet@darcypr.com