RCI's Explorer of the Seas 2014 Holiday Season

Vacationers to have Most Choices of Innovative Cruise Ships and Bahamas and Caribbean Itineraries from Port Canaveral

MIAMI, May 21, 2013 – Royal Caribbean International today announced new Caribbean cruises for Explorer of the Seas from November 2014 through early January 2015. After eight consecutive years dedicated to the New York metropolitan area with year-round sailings from Cape Liberty Cruise Port in Bayonne, N.J., Explorer of the Seas will redeploy to Port Canaveral, Fla., to offer a range of four- to nine-night Bahamas, and Western and Southern Caribbean vacations. Throughout the short season, Explorer of the Seas will join Freedom of the Seas and Enchantment of the Seas at Port Canaveral to offer the most ships and itinerary options to The Bahamas and the Caribbean from Central Florida’s Space Coast. Guests aboard each ship will enjoy a Caribbean-holiday vacation that only Royal Caribbean can deliver, with the cruise line’s award-winning family programming, industry-leading entertainment and world-renowned friendly and engaging GOLD Anchor Service. Explorer of the Seas’ 2014 holiday season cruises from Port Canaveral are now open for sale.
            Explorer of the Seas is among the Voyager class of ships, which first introduced innovative and iconic Royal Caribbean onboard amenities, such as Studio B – a real ice-skating rink, a rock-climbing wall, an in-line skating track, and the Royal Promenade, a four-deck high boulevard that runs nearly the length of the ship. The Royal Promenade is lined with boutiques, lounges and a café and comes to life with colorful parades during the day and themed dance parties at night. Guests also can delight in professional ice-skating productions in Studio B and Royal Caribbean’s award-winning Broadway-style musical revues in the Palace Theater; try their luck in the Casino Royale; and dance into the night in The Chamber nightclub.
            Young guests, ages three to 11, can join in Royal Caribbean’s award-winning Adventure Ocean kids program, while teens, ages 12-17, have their own exclusive space. College-accredited counselors lead ongoing entertaining and educational sessions from 9 a.m. to 2 a.m. in five age groups. Kids will enjoy the Adventure Beach splash pool and teens can hang out with their peers in the teens-only Optix lounge.
            From close encounters with the rich wildlife both on land and below the sea, to enriching tours of cultural and historic landmarks, to exciting adventures into the lush terrain, Royal Caribbean’s expansive array of shore excursions help guests make the most of their Caribbean port of call and create long-lasting memories for every member of the family. No matter which Royal Caribbean shore excursion they choose, guests can rest assured that their guides and tour operators are reputable, experienced and insured.
            On select itineraries, guests call at two destinations highly rated by guests, CocoCay, Royal Caribbean’s private island paradise in The Bahamas, or Labadee, the cruise line’s private beach destination on the north coast of Haiti. Guests can choose a wide range of watersports options on beautiful sandy beaches and enjoy a sumptuous seaside barbeque. Labadee also offers a range of activities for thrill seekers, who can soar 500 ft. down the mountainside on the Dragon’s Breath Flight Line, the longest zip line over water; twist and turn down the same mountainside on the Dragon’s Tail Alpine Coast; or beat the heat on the new 300 ft. long Dragon’s Splash Waterslide.
            Explorer of the Seas will sail four Western Caribbean cruises roundtrip from Port Canaveral through Jan. 4, 2015. On these five-night itineraries, guests call at Cozumel, Mexico, and Nassau, The Bahamas, or CocoCay and Cozumel. Vacationers also can choose two Southern Caribbean sailings on a nine-night itinerary that call at each of the ABC Islands and Labadee.
            Additionally, a five-night Bahamas cruise, departing Dec. 13, 2014, will call at Nassau, Grand Bahamas Island and CocoCay. Guests on a special four-night sailing, departing Dec. 23, will call at Labadee on Christmas Day. The following eight-night Caribbean itinerary will herald in the New Year in St. Maarten, as well as call at San Juan, Puerto Rico, St. Croix and Labadee. Vacationers also can choose an extended 14-night Southern Caribbean itinerary, departing Nov. 1, 2014, which repositions Explorer of the Seas from Cape Liberty to Port Canaveral via the Southern Caribbean.
            From Port Canaveral, vacationers also have Royal Caribbean’s Freedom of the Seas and Enchantment of the Seas from which to choose. Freedom of the Seas, with its iconic FlowRider surf simulator, will continue to alternate seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries and Enchantment of the Seas will offer three- and four-night Bahamas getaways.
            Royal Caribbean International is an award-winning global cruise brand with a 40-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 10 consecutive years in the Travel Weekly Reader’s Choice Awards.