Voyager class cruise ships
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PROFILE AND REVIEW
ROYAL CARIBBEAN'SVOYAGER CLASS |
Explorer of the Seas
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Royal Caribbean International's Voyager class includes Voyager of the Seas, Explorer of the Seas, Adventure of the Seas, Navigator of the Seas, and Mariner of the Seas. These are large resort-style ships capable of hosting approximately 4,000 passengers at full capacity.
The Voyager class ships offer passengers a wide array of choices with regard to activities, dining and entertainment. This has been an evolutionary process as the ships have been up-dated several times to include versions of features premiering on
Royal's latest ships.
In general, activities are action oriented. There is not much emphasis on cultural pursuits or enrichment. These are family-friendly ships with a significant number of features and programs for young cruisers.
The décor of the public areas is bold and upbeat. Each ship, however, has an extensive collection of contemporary art.
In general, the passenger cabins are good quality but not luxurious.
Voyager of the Seas was the largest cruise ship in the world when she entered service in 1999. Furthermore, she was an innovative ship. Running down her centerline was an indoor mall with bars, shops, and dining venues. This Royal Promenade also
served as an entertainment venue, hosting parades and street parties. Other innovations included an indoor ice skating rink
where ice shows are presented. Voyager also was the first ship to have a rock climbing wall, which is located aft of the funnel.
In October 2000, Voyager was surpassed in size by Explorer of the Seas. Explorer offered the same array of features as Voyager
but also took on the role of n oceanographic study ship, hosting a laboratory run by the University of Miami. This study role ended
shortly after the ship was deployed to New York as the first RCI ship to be based there year round. In preparation for being
deployed to China, Explorer received a $100 million refurbishment in 2015, one of the most extensive Royal had done up to that point. The planned deployment to China did not take place Instead, the ship served the Australian market before eventually returning to the United States.
Adventure of the Seas entered service shortly after the September 11, 2001 attacks. She was the first cruise ship to enter New York harbor after the attacks and was named by New York Mayor Rudolph Guiliani. Her godparents were members of the New York City Fire Department and Police Department.
A slightly enlarged version of the Voyager design premiered in 2002 with Navigator of the Seas. Whereas the balconies on the
first generation Voyagers are flush with the sides of the ships, the balconies on the second generation project out slightly.
The final Voyager class ship was Mariner of the Seas, which entered service in 2003. After serving in Asia for several years,
Mariner returned to the United States in 2018, pausing to have an extensive refit in Spain. This added new specialty restaurants and
replaced the outdoor in-line skating area with a surfing simulator.
All of the Voyager class ships were built in Turku, Finland. They range in size from 137,226 to 139,999 gross tons.
Six diesel electric engines provide electric power to motors housed in three propulsion pods located under the stern. One of these is fixed but the other two can turn 360 degrees thus giving the ships good maneuverability. There are also four bow thrusters. The ships are not speed queens but can cruise at a respectable 22 knots.
The Voyager class ships offer passengers a wide array of choices with regard to activities, dining and entertainment. This has been an evolutionary process as the ships have been up-dated several times to include versions of features premiering on
Royal's latest ships.
In general, activities are action oriented. There is not much emphasis on cultural pursuits or enrichment. These are family-friendly ships with a significant number of features and programs for young cruisers.
The décor of the public areas is bold and upbeat. Each ship, however, has an extensive collection of contemporary art.
In general, the passenger cabins are good quality but not luxurious.
Voyager of the Seas was the largest cruise ship in the world when she entered service in 1999. Furthermore, she was an innovative ship. Running down her centerline was an indoor mall with bars, shops, and dining venues. This Royal Promenade also
served as an entertainment venue, hosting parades and street parties. Other innovations included an indoor ice skating rink
where ice shows are presented. Voyager also was the first ship to have a rock climbing wall, which is located aft of the funnel.
In October 2000, Voyager was surpassed in size by Explorer of the Seas. Explorer offered the same array of features as Voyager
but also took on the role of n oceanographic study ship, hosting a laboratory run by the University of Miami. This study role ended
shortly after the ship was deployed to New York as the first RCI ship to be based there year round. In preparation for being
deployed to China, Explorer received a $100 million refurbishment in 2015, one of the most extensive Royal had done up to that point. The planned deployment to China did not take place Instead, the ship served the Australian market before eventually returning to the United States.
Adventure of the Seas entered service shortly after the September 11, 2001 attacks. She was the first cruise ship to enter New York harbor after the attacks and was named by New York Mayor Rudolph Guiliani. Her godparents were members of the New York City Fire Department and Police Department.
A slightly enlarged version of the Voyager design premiered in 2002 with Navigator of the Seas. Whereas the balconies on the
first generation Voyagers are flush with the sides of the ships, the balconies on the second generation project out slightly.
The final Voyager class ship was Mariner of the Seas, which entered service in 2003. After serving in Asia for several years,
Mariner returned to the United States in 2018, pausing to have an extensive refit in Spain. This added new specialty restaurants and
replaced the outdoor in-line skating area with a surfing simulator.
All of the Voyager class ships were built in Turku, Finland. They range in size from 137,226 to 139,999 gross tons.
Six diesel electric engines provide electric power to motors housed in three propulsion pods located under the stern. One of these is fixed but the other two can turn 360 degrees thus giving the ships good maneuverability. There are also four bow thrusters. The ships are not speed queens but can cruise at a respectable 22 knots.
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Cruise ship class profile and review - - Royal Caribbean - - Voyager class