2018 • 10 • 26

I was prejudiced. About cruising that is. I’ve always equated cruise ships with honeymoons and romantic getaways. For me, cruising is exclusively for lovers; that they are the only ones who can appreciate and enjoy being stuck in a ship for days. Boy, was I mistaken!

I was given an opportunity to check one of Royal Caribbean International’s grand fleet, the Voyager of the Seas, one of the largest ships to grace any Filipino ports. The maiden call in Manila happened last July 20, 2018, with the traditional plaque exchange ceremony.

Exploring the 15-deck beauty debunked my initial idea and image of what a cruise ship should be. Sure, you’ll be moving around a ship and it may look like you will be confined in a vessel crossing oceans and seas, but it doesn’t mean that you don’t have that much to explore and do to keep you entertained.

For those thinking of going on a cruise and not sure what to expect, here’s a sneak peek of Royal Caribbean International’s Voyager of the Seas, which is one of the cruise ships under the Voyager Class.

---

Fast Facts

• Maiden Voyage: November 21, 1999
• Registry: Bahamas
• Assembled and built at Kvaerner Masa-Yards, Turku, Finland
• Godmother: Katrina Witt

---

Specifications

• Width: 157.5ft
• Length: 1,020ft
• Draft/Draught: 29ft
• Cruising Speed: 22 knots
• Gross Registered Tonnage: 137,276
• Total Guest Capacity: 4,269 guests
• Crew Count: 1,176 international crew

---

Accommodations and Lodgings

• Total Staterooms: 1,643
• Balcony: 652
• Outside: 230
• Inside: 642
• With 3/4 Berth: 508
• Promenade: 138
• Virtual Balcony: 81
• Accessible (for PWDs): 27

---

Features and Highlights

1. Flowrider Surf Simulator
2. Ice Skating Rink
3. Rock Climbing Wall
4. Nine-Hole Miniature Golf Course
5. Peek-A-Boo Bridge

---

Restaurants

Complimentary

1. 3-Level Main Dining Room
2. Windjammer Cafe
3. Cafe Promenade

Specialty

1. Chops Grille
2. Giovanni’s Table
3. Izumi Japanese Cuisine
4. Johnny Rockets
5. Ice Cream Parlor

---

Bars and Lounges

1. Pig & Whistle Pub
2. The Tavern
3. Schooner Bar
4. Solarium Bar
5. Pool Bar
6. Sky Bar
7. Star Lounge
8. R Bar
9. Viking Crown Lounge

---

Facilities

• Total Decks: 15
• Guest Decks: 14
• Guest Elevators: 14
• Bow Thrusters: 4
• Sports Court
• Medical Center
• Outdoor Movie Screen
• Library & Card Room
• Video Arcade
• 3 Swimming Pools
• 6 Whirpools
• La Scala Theater
• Studio B
• Casino Royale

---

Other Amenities

1. Boutiques
2. Art & Photo Gallery
3. Concierge Club
4. Diamond Club
5. Conference Center
6. Skylight Wedding Chapel
7. Vitality Spa & Fitness Center

---

Youth-Friendly Entertainment

1. Optix Teen Disco
2. Adventure Ocean

---

Voyager of the Seas Upcoming Cruises

• August 10: 9-Night Cruise from Hong Kong to Kochi visiting Okinawa (Naha), Kyoto (Osaka), and Kobe
• August 29: 8-Night Cruise from Hong Kong to Singapore with calls at Nha Trang, Ho Chi Minh City (Phu My), and Bangkok (Laem Chabang)
• Schedule TBA: 4-Night Cruise to Kuala Lumpur (Port Klang) and Phuket; 5-Night Cruise to Kuala Lumpur (Port Klang), Penang, and Phuket; and 5-Night Cruise to Bangkok (Laem Chabang) with an overnight stay

---

Royal Caribbean International is an award-winning global cruise brand. Its many achievements include the “Best Cruise Line Overall” for 15 consecutive years (TTG Travel Awards) and the “Best Cruise Line” since 2015 (Travel Weekly Asia’s Reader’s Choice Awards. It boasts 25 of the world’s most innovative cruise ships to famous destinations such as Bermuda and the Caribbean, Europe, Canada, and New England, Alaska, South America, Asia, and Australia, and New Zealand.

---