Offering the most ships and sailings from Sydney seasonally, Royal Caribbean International today announced the cruise line’s winter 2014-15 Australia, New Zealand and South Pacific season with three ships.
From Sydney, families and adventurous vacationers can choose among Voyager of the Seas, Radiance of the Seas and Rhapsody of the Seas on two- to 17-night itineraries throughout Australia and the South Pacific for adventures Down Under that can only be found on Royal Caribbean.
Royal Caribbean guests will revel in the cruise line’s award-winning family programming, from the Royal Babies & Tots Nursery for six- to 36-month olds, to the complimentary Adventure Ocean kids’ and teen programs led by college-accredited counselors. Additionally, young and young-at-heart guests aboard Voyager of the Seas can join in the DreamWorks Experience – only on Royal Caribbean – exclusively featuring themed parades, activities, and plenty of photo opportunities with Po the Kung Fu Panda, Shrek and Fiona, and other lovable DreamWorks Animation characters. With a range of signature Royal Caribbean onboard amenities from which to choose, siblings can take friendly rivalry to new heights atop the rock-climbing wall; play a game of pool on Radiance of the Seas’ self-leveling tables; or go for a spin on a real ice-skating rink on Voyager of the Seas.
Guests will enjoy a range of new and modern amenities as part of Royal Caribbean’s fleetwide revitalization. Radiance of the Seas and Rhapsody of the Seas already has received their upgrades and Voyager of the Seas will receive yet-to-be-announced, ship-wide enhancements before its 2014-15 Australia season. On the dining front, foodies have a range of up to 10 signature Royal Caribbean restaurants aboard Radiance of the Seas and Rhapsody of the Seas, including the Chef’s Table, Izumi Asian Cuisine, Chops Grille Chicago-style steakhouse, Giovanni’s Table Italian trattoria, Park Café gourmet deli, and more.
At ports of call, Royal Caribbean offers a wide range of shore excursion options that help families create fond memories on an Australia shore excursion. Whether it’s ascending the arch of Sydney Harbour Bridge to catch an panoramic view from 440 feet in the air; swimming among the rich sea life in the Great Barrier Reef – named one of the world’s seven natural wonders; or zipping across the Noumea bays in a Zodiac boat for a relaxing New Caledonia beach day on Duck Island, guests have peace of mind that the guides and tour operators are reputable, experienced and insured.
Vacationers also can choose a grand Australia adventure and combine a sailing aboard Voyager of the Seas or Radiance of the Seas with a four- or five-night land tour to the continent’s must-see, in-land attractions on a Royal Caribbean Australia Cruisetour. On these fully escorted cruisetours, guests will see Australia’s indigenous wildlife, such as koalas, kangaroos and saltwater crocodiles, as well as have a more immersive experience while exploring the Outer Barrier Reef, Kuranda’s Rainforestation Nature Park, Ayers Rock, and capital-city Sydney. Throughout, guests can enjoy their adventure while Royal Caribbean plans and arranges all the transportation, hotels and select dining experiences.
Among its seven- to 17-night cruises, Radiance of the Seas will offer two pairs of circumnavigation cruises, comprising a 16-night northern coast sailing from Sydney to Fremantle, and a 17-night southerly return sailing to Sydney via New Zealand. One pair of circumnavigation cruises departs Oct. 20, 2014 and the other on Feb. 26, 2015.
Rhapsody of the Seas also will sail four Queensland cruises throughout the season. These 11-night itineraries focus on taking guests to the compelling destinations of Australia’s northeast coast, including an overnight at Cairns and a call at Airlie Beach for plenty of time to explore the Great Barrier Reef.
At the beginning and the conclusion of the Australia season, vacationers also have a variety of sailings that brings each ship to their homeport of Sydney. Voyager of the Seas will sail a 13-night itinerary from Singapore to Sydney on Nov. 25, 2014 via the Coral Sea. The ship departs Sydney on Mar. 16, 2015 to the Far East via a 16-night southerly route to Fremantle, before continuing onward to Singapore on Apr. 1.
For their parts, Radiance of the Seas and Rhapsody of the Seas also will each offer a pair of trans-Pacific cruises from Vancouver, Canada, to Sydney via Hawaii. Rhapsody of the Seas will depart for Hawaii and the South Pacific on Sept. 5, 2014 and Radiance of the Seas will sail one week later on Sept. 12. The two ships will return to Vancouver at the end of the season, with Rhapsody of the Seas departing Sydney on Apr. 17, 2015 and Radiance of the Seas on Apr. 19.
