In a vote of confidence in Asian
cruising, Royal Caribbean has
committed a second 3,000-
passenger ship to the region
next year.
INSTEAD of returning to the Mediterranean
in June 2013, the recently revamped Mariner
of the Seas will offer cruises from China and
Singapore to Southeast Asia, Japan and Korea
throughout the rest of the year.
Mariner joins fleetmate Voyager of the Seas,
which is set to undertake its second season in
China and then its inaugural season in
Australia.
Together, the Royal Caribbean superliners
represent the two largest capacity and “most
innovative” cruise ships operating in the
region.
Meanwhile, the much smaller and older
Legend of the Seas, which has operated out of
Singapore and Shanghai for the past three
years, will be sent back to Europe.
Richard Fain, Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., and
Adam Goldstein, President and Chief
Executive Officer of the Royal Caribbean
International brand, made the announcement
with Dr Zinan Liu, Group Managing Director
for China and Asia.
“We’ve made it clear we see Asia in general,
and China in particular, as a strategic
objective,” said Fain.
“We have been so pleased by the market’s
response to bringing Voyager of the Seas to
Asia that it made strategic sense to send a
second ship of equal size.”
Goldstein said the move was designed to
attract Chinese travellers as well as other
people who want to visit China and sail
around Asia.
“The opportunities to attract guests from
China to cruise are abundant,” said Goldstein.
“Mariner of the Seas recently received a
host of Royal Advantage enhancements and
I’m confident cruisers here will be amazed by
the Oasis-class innovations available for
everyone of all ages on this ship.”
Mariner will operate a wide variety of
itineraries, ranging from three nights to 12
nights.
Like Voyager of the Seas, the ship will be
customised with Chinese-style menus, more
retail and entertainment, language services
and additional Chinese crew.
Mariner will depart the Caribbean in April
and head to Singapore and onto China via
Dubai and the Suez Canal.
Special new features include enhanced
cabins, a promenade lined with shopping and
dining venues, an ice rink, outdoor movie
screen, rock-climbing wall, sports courts and
three swimming pools.
