Large Balconies Added To Rccl Ships: Post-Dry Dock Upgrades

Royal Caribbean International's Explorer of the Seas underwent a dry dock in 2018, during which it received new waterslides, an escape room, a laser tag arena, and a bungee jump park. The ship also benefited from upgraded staterooms and new water slides, including the Tidal Wave slide, which offers riders free falls and big thrills. The drydock work scope also included hotel upkeep, as well as minor upgrades and class work.

The Explorer of the Seas received new waterslides during its 2023 drydock in Spain

The Explorer of the Seas is a Voyager-class vessel from Royal Caribbean International. In 2023, the cruise ship underwent a 21-day drydock in Cadiz, Spain, for routine technical maintenance and hotel upkeep.

During its time at the shipyard, the Explorer of the Seas received a new pair of waterslides called "The Perfect Storm". These replaced the sun loungers on the ship's 13th deck and are designed as racer slides, allowing two people to slide down and compete at the same time.

The Explorer of the Seas also received a fresh coat of paint and other minor upgrades before resuming its cruise schedule in March 2023. The ship offers six- to eight-night cruises to the Southern and Western Caribbean, sailing from Miami to destinations like Jamaica, Grand Cayman, and Perfect Day at CocoCay, the cruise line's private island in the Bahamas.

The Explorer of the Seas was the second ship in Royal Caribbean International’s Voyager Class and originally entered service in 2000. Over the years, it has undergone various refurbishments, including a major one in 2015 that added features such as the FlowRider surf simulator and a 3-D movie theater.

The Independence of the Seas underwent an extensive dry dock in 2018, which brought new features and amenities

Escape Room: The Observatorium

The ship added an escape room, a laser tag arena, and new waterslides, including the Tidal Wave slide, which offers riders free falls and big thrills.

SkyPad

The SkyPad is a bungee trampoline VR experience.

Staterooms

The Independence of the Seas has a total of 1,929 staterooms, including 289 ocean-view rooms. The 2018 renovations brought upgrades to the staterooms, but they still have a somewhat outdated aesthetic, with lots of light wood and a beach-hotel vibe. The staterooms offer standard amenities such as 24-hour room service, phone and voicemail service, nightly turn-down service, and stateroom attendants.

Suites

The ship has 126 suites, including ocean-view panoramic suites and presidential family suites. The suites offer more elegant touches than the staterooms. Junior suites provide walk-in closets, while grand suites offer two bedrooms and bathtubs. The owner's suites feature dining areas, large living spaces, and ample balcony space. Family suites cater to families with amenities like bunk beds and bathtubs. The ship also offers a single Royal suite with luxury touches like a marble tub and a baby grand piano.

Specialty Restaurants

The Independence of the Seas offers a variety of specialty dining options, including Izumi Sushi & Hibachi, Sugar Beach, Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade, Ben & Jerry's, Fish & Ships, Giovanni's Table, Chops Grille, and Johnny Rockets.

Bars and Lounges

The ship has a wide range of bars and lounges, including Playmaker's Sports Bar, Schooner Bar, Boleros, Star Lounge, Ale & Anchor Pub, Vintages, Champagne Bar, Plaza Bar, Olive or Twist, and The Viking Crown Lounge.

Activities and Entertainment

The Independence of the Seas offers a variety of entertainment options, including the Casino Royale, the Vitality at Sea Spa, the Royal Promenade, the Alhambra Theater, an ice skating rink, a mini-golf course, a rock-climbing wall, a jogging track, and Adventure Ocean programming for children.

The Navigator of the Seas underwent a $115 million dry dock in 2019, adding waterslides, new restaurants, new cabins and a new pool deck

The Navigator of the Seas underwent a $115 million dry dock in 2019, adding several new features to the cruise ship. The refurbishment included the addition of waterslides, new restaurants, cabins, and a new pool deck.

The Navigator of the Seas is a member of the Voyager class of ships in the Royal Caribbean fleet. Built in Finland and launched in 2002, it was the first second-generation Voyager-class ship, with a capacity of around 4,000 passengers.

The 2019 refurbishment was part of the Royal Amplified initiative, which aimed to amplify the cruise experience with bolder ways to fill time between shores. The Navigator of the Seas was "amped up" with new waterslides, including The Blaster, an aqua coaster that was the longest in the world at the time, and Riptide, the only headfirst mat racer water slide at sea. The pool deck was doubled in size, offering more space for lounging and playing.

In addition to the water attractions, the refurbishment also included new dining options, such as Hooked Seafood, a seafood restaurant, and Playmakers Sports Bar & Grill, a sports bar with pub-style food. The ship also received a blow-dry bar called To Dry For and a new escape room experience, Mission Control: Apollo 18.

The Navigator of the Seas has sailed to various destinations, including the Caribbean, Mexico, the Mediterranean, and Northern Europe. It offers a range of cabin options, from virtual balcony staterooms to junior and grand suites, as well as specialty dining experiences like Izumi for Japanese cuisine and Jamie's Italian by Jamie Oliver. Overall, the 2019 dry dock successfully enhanced the Navigator of the Seas, adding new attractions and amenities for passengers to enjoy.

The Mariner of the Seas was AMPED in 2018 as part of the Royal Amplified fleetwide renovation program

The Mariner of the Seas now boasts the Sky Pad bungee trampoline experience, a virtual reality experience housed in a bright yellow globe at the top of the ship. The ship also features two new restaurants, two new bars, FlowRider surf simulators, the Perfect Storm water park, and an escape room.

The Royal Amplified program introduced innovative attractions, pools, bars, and dining to each ship, with new staterooms introduced on most vessels. The Mariner of the Seas' AMPED updates included:

• The Perfect Storm waterslides
• Laser Tag: Battle for Planet Z
• Escape Room: The Observatorium
• Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade
• Jamie’s Italian specialty restaurant
• Izumi Hibachi and Sushi specialty restaurant

The Mariner of the Seas AMPED updates are part of Royal Caribbean's commitment to offering bold, new experiences to its guests, ensuring that each cruise is filled with unforgettable adventures and memories.

The Oasis of the Seas was AMPED in 2019 as part of the Royal Amplified fleetwide renovation program

The Oasis of the Seas underwent a $165 million modernisation in 2019 as part of the Royal Caribbean International's 'Royal Amplified' fleetwide renovation program. The Oasis of the Seas was the first of the cruise line's renowned Oasis Class ships to be modernised as part of the program. The renovation program spanned 10 ships over four years and touched every facet of the guest experience.

The modernisation of the Oasis of the Seas included a range of new features and experiences, such as:

• The Perfect Storm Trio of Waterslides: two racer waterslides and a "Champagne Slide", which first debuted on the Harmony of the Seas in 2016 and then on the Symphony in 2018.
• A dry slide that takes riders from the mouth of an angler fish on Deck 16 down to Deck 6 and the heart of the Boardwalk.
• A double bridge offering exclusive views for guests. The area includes two Ultimate Panoramic Suites and 13 Panoramic Oceanview Staterooms.
• A redesigned Boardwalk, which is a favourite spot for families and the home of iconic aqua shows. The Boardwalk now includes Playmakers Sports Bar and Arcade, Sugar Beach, and a redesigned Starbucks at Sea.
• A redesigned Promenade, which is the most iconic Royal Caribbean feature. The Promenade now includes the Bionic Bar, which features two robotic bartenders, and Spotlight Karaoke, a dedicated karaoke venue.
• A redesigned pool deck, which includes a Splashaway Bay kids aquapark and The Lime & Coconut signature bar.
• New dining venues, including Portside BBQ, the cruise line's first barbecue concept, and El Loco Fresh, which serves Mexican grab-and-go fare.
• Music Hall, a live music venue first introduced on the Quantum of the Seas, which features live cover bands, a dance floor, pool tables, and intimate loungers across two levels.
• A glow-in-the-dark laser tag game, Clash for the Crystal City, which pits two clans, the Yetis and Snowshifters, against each other.
• A Royal Escape Room, Mission Control: Apollo 18, where guests must solve puzzles to launch Apollo 18 to the moon.

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