News from and about Royal Caribbean Cruise Line

[pakarang]

I remember that ship from my first cruise back in 2002. It was my brother and I together with my uncle, aunt, and the two noisy cousins. It was a "cheap-ish" trip as we traveled "unspecified" and it was two different ships. We ended up on the "Sunbird", former Rccl "Song of America", now Thomson Destiny. The other ship was the "Carousel", former "Nordic Prince". The itinerary was: Palma (Spain, Majorca), at sea, Naples (Italy), Messina (Italy, Sicily), Valletta (Malta), Tunis (Tunisia), Mahon (Minorca), Palma. This was the "southern route", the Carousel was doing the northern route, which is don't remember.

Anyways, out of curiosity, I came across this picture of the Adventure of the Seas and the Thomson Destiny together:



Now, if anything this highlights the difference of what was considered the spiritual forefather of the modern "superships" like the Sovereign-class, and a modern equivalent like the Voyager-class ships. I can imagine that the Song of America was a proud vessel back in 1984 when she was new, and a bit of a "floating Soria Moria castle" to use a Norwegian expression. Though, it has to be said that fades a little bit when it's moored next to the 2001 Adventure of the Seas.

Kind of strange seeing those two together: once in a family, now an orphant.

[pilotdane]

I can remember standing on the Song of Norway while docked in Miami and looking down on the Skyward. Those standing on Song of America probably looked down on the little Song of Norway. Funny how things change.

[pakarang]

I can remember standing on the Song of Norway while docked in Miami and looking down on the Skyward. Those standing on Song of America probably looked down on the little Song of Norway. Funny how things change.

Ahhhh.... those beautiful ships... I remember a bow shot taken of one of the Royal Caribbean ships in the early teenage years, it was posted in a Norwegian photo magazine, and it was a beautiful shot!

[Skipskatta]

Was aboard the Vision Of The Seas this spring, from Copenhagen to Oslo (via Germany). Had a bad experience at a public restroom abord the ship. While preparing (unbuttoning) I actually got stung in the hand by a rather large, unknown to me, insect! It didn't look like any insect you see in Scandinavia. Could this be an insect brought by the ship from the Caribbea?

[pakarang]

Splendor of the Seas is currently in dry dock, for major conversion.

She's getting a brand new duck tail, and a lot more balcony staterooms:

[Eirik]

Splendor of the Seas is currently in dry dock, for major conversion.

She's getting a brand new duck tail, and a lot more balcony staterooms:

I guess she's got to keep up with the times... After all she, together with the Legend of the Seas, is the oldest of the Vision Class. Though this update might be a sign she is not handed over to Pullmantur just yet. The Vision class is probably starting to look a little bit long in the tooth now, next to it's competition...

[pilotdane]

Do you think the duck tail is being added for hydrodynamic reasons like increase her speed or reduce fuel consumption or are they just adding buoyancy to the stern?

[pakarang]

Apparently, the duck tail is added because they need more buoyancy (stability) after putting more "stuff" on top of the ship (as in higher than the point of gravity).

[ehp]

Apparently, the duck tail is added because they need more buoyancy (stability) after putting more "stuff" on top of the ship (as in higher than the point of gravity).

Is "stuff" sort of like "thingy"??????

I love learning all about these things like "ducktails"......

[pilotdane]

It's all very technical nautical stuff; duck tail, stuff & thingy.

[Eirik]

All said and done, I think the Splendour- and Legend of the Seas are the prettiest of the Vison Class. As for the others (Vison-, Grandeur-, Rhapsody- and Enchantment of the Seas), their elongated look, and how the Viking Crown lounge and the funnel are separated look somewhat ungainly.

[pakarang]

Norwegian artist Bjarne Brøndbo from DDE, on a cruise with Adventure of the Seas:

http://www.adressa.no/kultur/tv/article1723725.ece

[pakarang]

A new TV series started on Norwegian TV Channel TV Norge last night, called "Cruiseliv" (literally "cruising life").

The show takes place on board various Royal Caribbean ships and is nothing more than a giant PR stunt for them I suppose.

The fun part is that Captain Frank Martinsen on board Adventure of the Seas, was my class mate more than 20 years ago on the Officers School in Tromsø.

http://www.kjendis.no/2011/11/09/kje...eliv/18956761/

[Eirik]

I watched it, and I have to say it's far more watchable than their other holiday-reality-thing "Hotel Syden", or TV3's "Charterfeber". Most of the reason is the familiarity, as I know the Adventure of the Seas pretty much in and out...

I also have to admit that I logged onto the RCCL website to check some prices. Best part is, my girlfriend is 100% behind it. Bad news is that RCCL seems to have jacked the prices up about 10-20 % after the first episode of this series. Basically this is lots of free prime time marketing for 30 minutes ever Wednesday...

[pakarang]

Just got the cruise leaflet from Royal Caribbean International about their cruises with VISION OF THE SEAS from Oslo and Stockholm next summer.

Quite a few nice alternatives, and with from-prices which is not that bad.... it's just the ship. Had it been the more newer ships, such as the Radiance class, I would go for it...

Anyone has any experiences/ pictures from the Vision of the Seas to share?

I love the cruises from Oslo to Saint Petersburg and back... 7 nights with stops also in Tallinn and Copenhagen.... prices starting at 4612 NOK!

[Eirik]

Quite a few nice alternatives, and with from-prices which is not that bad.... it's just the ship. Had it been the more newer ships, such as the Radiance class, I would go for it...

Anyone has any experiences/ pictures from the Vision of the Seas to share?

Yes, I don't get much excitement from the Vision-class ships, to be honest. I would be much more interested if they ran a Radiance-class ship there. Though I would be interested in going on a Sovereign-class ship, if only just to experience the genesis of the super ships. But both those (Monarch- and Majesty of the Seas) seems to be stuck going on short cruises from Fort Lauderdale to the Bahamas.

[pilotdane]

It was really nice when we took the one cruise out of Norfolk, Vigrinia and was able to drive to the port. So much less hassle than flying commercial and all the security stuff.

[ostafjells]

We took the seven night cruise from Oslo to Stockholm with the Vision last year, and we had our best vacation ever! I totally fell in love with the Vision class and now we are booked on Grandeur from Palma, Mallorc next summer. I havent been onboard any Radiance class vessels, but from what I hear, they have the same elegance and intimity as the Vision ships. Im not too keen on going on any Voyager, Freedom or even Oasis ships, but after all, the cruise experience is all about the crew and atmosphere.

[pakarang]

A former Royal Caribbean ship:

[pilotdane]

Now that is a proper ship. Nice fine bow and a canoe stern though I think she would look better with a white hull.