Royal Caribbean International
1050 Caribbean Way
Miami, FL 33132 Phone: (305) 539-6000 or (800) 722-5868 Website:www.rccl.com
OVERVIEW: FTN's users rate Royal Caribbean International as the number one family cruise line. RCI wins praise for its well-thought-out children and teen programs and friendly youth staff. The main drawback of many RCI ships for families is the smaller-sized staterooms. The upcoming "Eagle"-class ships--the largest cruise ships on order to date --will accommodate 3,100 passengers.
DESTINATIONS: Eastern Caribbean, Western Caribbean, Southern Caribbean, Bahamas, Bermuda, Alaska, Hawaii, Panama Canal, Mexico, Europe, Asia, and New England/Canada.
SHIPS: Adventure of the Seas (Nov. 2001), Enchantment of the Seas, Explorer of the Seas, Grandeur of the Seas, Majesty of the Seas, Monarch of the Seas, Nordic Empress, Radiance of the Seas, Rhapsody of the Seas, Sovereign of the Seas, Splendor of the Seas, Viking Serenade, Vision of the Seas, Voyager of the Seas
KIDS/FAMILY PROGRAMS OFFERED: Youth and teen programs are offered on all ships year-round. Most of the time kids are divided into four age groups: 3 to 5; 6 to 8; 9 to 12; and 13 to 17. All ships have dedicated children's rooms and most have separate teen discos. The "Vision" class ships have larger dedicated children's and teen rooms (3,600 square feet) than the "Sovereign" class ships (2,000 square feet).The new "Eagle" class ships will have four separate youth rooms for each age group as well as "Adventure Beach" splash pools with a children's water slide. The "Adventure Ocean" Youth Program is divided into four groups: ages three to five (Aquanauts), six to eight (Explorers), nine to 12 (Voyagers), and 13 to 17 (Navigators). An exclusive feature is "Adventure Science," a hands-on science activities program.
TEENS: Teen program hours are sensible, reflecting the hours teens are likely to be awake and looking for companions--noon to 4 p.m. and 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. on sea days and 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. on port days. Teen centers are available on board the Enchantment of the Seas, Legend of the Seas, the Majesty of the Seas, Monarch of the Seas, Viking Serenade, Splendour of the Seas, Rhapsody of the Seas and the Grandeur of the Seas.
A teen center is part of the youth area complex on the upcoming "Eagle"-class ships. The Optix Teen Center, a combination activities center and disco for 13 to 17 year olds will have television and visdeo monitors.
NUMBER OF YOUTH COUNSELORS ONBOARD: Three to six per cruise.
HOURS OF OPERATION ONBOARD: For 3-11 year olds: 9:30 a.m.-Noon; 2-5 p.m.; 7-10 p.m. For 12-14 year olds: Times vary for day activities; evening hours 10 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. For 15-17 year olds: Times vary for day activities; evening hours 10 p.m. to 3 a.m.
For more information about Royal Caribbean cruises, give them a call at:(800) 722-5868 or visit them online at: www.rccl.com.
