BRITISH BEHEMOTH
have been some considerable upgrades
structed in Turku. An architectural marvel
Naturally, a host of journalists has flocked
on-board. For starters, the retail offer-
at sea, she will span 16 decks, encompass
to the ship in order to experience the In-
ings have been greatly revamped, with a
220,000 gross registered tons (GRT), car-
dependence for themselves. For instance,
new store management company bring-
ry 5,400 guests at double occupancy, and
USA TODAY sent cruise editor Gene Sloan
ing in younger and hipper items as well
feature 2,700 staterooms.
on the maiden voyage, with Sloan blog-
as more high-end offerings – one of the
Named Oasis of the Seas, the brand
ging updates along the way.
ship’s many boutiques now carries Chanel,
new “world’s biggest” is supposed to em-
for instance.
bark on her maiden voyage already on De-
Even cruise veteran Sloan was impressed by the rousing departure, with
In addition, both the décor and the
seemingly every last one of the 3,500 or so
food have been catered to a more inter-
passengers on board lining the top decks
national crowd.
cember 12, 2009.
But while the actual launch is still
more than a year a way, the buzz is al-
Many visitors have also noticed that
ready here. Bookings for Oasis will open
the pools on Independence are heated
on September 3 and Ellen Stebekk reveals
In his blog, Sloan commented that
which is a first for Royal Caribbean. Since
that RCCL is experiencing a tremendous
the Independence is basically a “cookie-
the ship is based in England, this may not
interest for Oasis of the Seas on a glob-
cutter copy” of the earlier ships, the two-
be such a bad idea, either.
al basis.
of the ship, waving at onlookers, as the
vessel took to the waves.
“I honestly don’t think I am exagger-
year-old Freedom of the Seas and the oneyear-old Liberty of the Seas. After all, the
WITNESSING GENESIS
ating if I say that the interest will contin-
trio has all the same features, from a Roy-
But Independence will not get to keep her
ue to grow as we reveal bit by bit all the
al Promenade to a FlowRider surfing pool,
title of being the biggest in the business
assets she will offer our guests. I truly be-
in exactly the same place.
for much longer. The first ship of the fa-
lieve that the sales will go after our plans,
bled Genesis class is already being con-
and I will be surprised if the most expen-
Sloan admitted, however, that there
sive staterooms are not booked first,” Stebekk says.
ROYAL TREATMENT
According to the Marketing Manager, the
introduction of 28 contemporary two-level
loft suites will redefine cruise ship accommodations with vibrant, ocean-inspired
colours in a sophisticated and spacious setting. Never before seen at sea, the lofts
will feature spectacular views of the ocean
with floor-to-ceiling, double-height windows to ensure the view will be enjoyed
from each and every vantage point.
The signature lofts will round up
a new portfolio of 37 categories of accommodation options, many with views
unique to the ship.
“We are experiencing an underlying
and solid net growth, and opening sales
for Oasis in September, I believe, will be a
milestone in our history in many aspects,”
Stebekk declares confidently.
The patrons of the Independence of the Seas are in for some royal treatment.
■
SAMI J. ANTEROINEN
seatec 2/2008
9