By Gene Sloan, USA TODAY
Royal Caribbean today announced plans to overhaul two more of its ships in dry dock in 2011, bringing the total number of its ships scheduled for enhancements during the year to five.
The line says the 2,112-passenger Radiance of the Seas will enter dry dock in the middle of the year to receive several new specialty eateries, including a Samba Grill Brazilian Steakhouse and Mexican-themed Rita’s Cantina (both concepts that are debuting next month on the line’s new Allure of the Seas).
Other enhancements planned for the nine-year-old Radiance of the Seas include the addition of a new Diamond Lounge for Crown & Anchor Society loyalty program members, a Royal Babies and Tots Nursery, interactive flat-panel televisions in all cabins, and wireless Internet throughout the ship.
Also getting a revamp in 2011 will be the 1,804-passenger Splendour of the Seas, which will receive two new specialty restaurants, the Royal Babies and Tots Nursery, a new Diamond and Concierge Lounge, flat-panel televisions in every cabin, and wireless Internet throughout the ship. Additionally, Royal Caribbean says it plans to add new balcony cabins to Splendour of the Seas and also enhance select cabins and public areas, including the Windjammer Marketplace.
Unveiled in 1996, the Splendour of the Seas is one of the oldest of Royal Caribbean’s 22 ships.
Radiance of the Seas and Splendour of the Seas are joining Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas, Liberty of the Seas and Freedom of the Seas in getting an overhaul in 2011.
Royal Caribbean today announced the enhancements to Oasis of the Seas will include the addition of a Starbucks coffee shop. The new Starbucks will take the place of the Mondo Cafe currently found on Oasis’ Royal Promenade.
The announcement comes less than two weeks after Royal Caribbean disclosed the first ever Starbucks at sea would be aboard the Allure of the Seas when it enters service on Dec. 1, 2010.
Additions to Freedom of the Seas and Liberty of the Seas will include new dining, entertainment and children’s programming that first debuted on Oasis class ships, including a Royal Babies and Tots Nursery, a Cupcake Cupboard cupcake store and an over-sized outdoor video screen in each ship’s main pool area.
In addition, the DreamWorks Experience, 3-D movies and complimentary passenger service kiosks, which will be introduced on Allure of the Seas, also will be implemented on board Freedom of the Seas and Liberty of the Seas (as well as on sister ship Oasis of the Seas).
via Two more Royal Caribbean ships to get an overhaul in 2011 – USATODAY.com.
