voyager of the seas refit

Voyager of the Seas 2019 refurbishment review

Voyager of the Seas US$97m refurbishment has seen a lot of changes on this now 20 year old ship. Most are great but some things could be a disappointment if your expectations are too high. Here is our take on Voyager of the Seas 2019 renovation. We have also written a detailed Voyager of the Seas ship review if you would like to know more about what the entire ship is like post-renovation.

Redesigned Voyager of the Seas kids clubs

The new Voyager of the Seas kids clubs are a big winner as they incorporate loads of space with new and improved gaming, lots of fun toys and chillout zones both inside and out. The teen’s area is particularly cool with multiple spaces and a ‘hidden’ entry via the FlowRider area.

Voyager of the Seas Vitality Spa & Fitness Centre

Voyager of the Seas spa is brand new with contemporary therapy rooms and an all-new gym with state-of-the-art equipment. An added extra is the fitness studio which is totally separate in a glassed off section of the gym. The bad news for some cruisers is the spa no longer has a thermal area.

Upgraded furnishings and carpets

There are upgraded carpets and furnishings in all the lounges, bars, and restaurants. This significant upgrade has made the whole ship appear fresher and more modern. We especially loved the new look Viking Crown Lounge and the refurbished Main Dining Room. 

But the artwork … oh dear

Unfortunately the ship’s original artwork is still in place and often brings down the new look. The wall hangings in the stairwells in particular are dated and in poor repair. And the less said about the cabinets of ‘theatrical maniquins’ at the theatre and ‘curios’ in the stateroom corridors, the better. 

The Perfect Storm duo of racer waterslides.

These are loads of fun for young and old plus you get a workout walking up the stairs. If you don’t want to go too fast, wear a rashy as this will slow you down. For an added thrill, one slide has a clear section which goes over the side of the ship so you can look down at the ocean. Both slides are closed in and ‘flash’ as you go down due to the mix of coloured panels and clear stripes so you might want to skip them if you have epilepsy or are prone to seizures.  Both slides are the same speed but only one has the cool clear panel with a sea view.

Existing staterooms look the same

Much was made prior to the renovation about the ‘refurbished cabins’ but the existing cabins on Voyager of the Seas have only been refreshed with new carpet and curtains. They look exactly the same so if you’re expecting a ‘new look’ you could be disappointed. The bathrooms haven’t changed either and are showing signs of wear and tear in a few spots.

Voyager of the Seas new staterooms

There are 72 new inside and balcony staterooms in the forward section of the ship on deck 11 and 12 (inside cabins only). Book early to snag one of these sparkling new cabins.

More passengers, no new spaces

While the new cabins look great, the downside is these add another 120+ passengers to the ship which can put a strain on drinking, dining and entertainment venues, especially at peak periods.

No burger bar or hotdogs

Johnny Rockets and the Doghouse have been removed. For a ship with such a big focus on families and fun in the sun, a casual poolside dining option was greatly missed on our sailing.

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Battle for planet z is fantastic.

The new Battle for Planet Z laser tag experience on Voyager of the Seas is fantastic fun. Unlike some other lines, you don’t have to pay for it either. 

Grand Promenade isn’t that grand

The Grand Promenade’s peachy colour scheme, brass fittings and boulevard tiling is looking very dated. It would no doubt be a big and expensive job to change these things but it’s showing its age.

Voyager of the Seas Suite Lounge

The new Suite Lounge area is a terrific addition for those staying in a suite, with ocean views and modern furnishings plus a dedicated concierge. Add the complimentary cocktail hour, breakfast, and all day snacks and you might just be tempted to upgrade on your next sailing.  

Voyager of the Seas Diamond Club

The Diamond Club on Voyager of the Seas is lovely but also very, very small. There were 500+ Diamond members on my cruise and the Star Lounge was used as an overflow area. Even on quieter sailings, this new space will almost certainly struggle to cater to the number of Diamond members onboard.

Disclosure: The writer sailed as a guest of Royal Caribbean.

Want more great cruise advice? Check out our tips for choosing the perfect cruise , cruising with grandchildren , cruising with tweens and cruising with kids of all ages , solo cruising , the best activities on Ovation of the Seas , doing a Transatlantic cruise with kids , cruising in Australia or Papua New Guinea , Iceland cruise tips , cruising on a megaship , scoring a bargain cruise fare , cruising the Mediterranean , making the most of a cruise ship kids club , luxury cruising with kids , and the Byron Beach Club onboard P&O Cruises . We have also reviewed Disney Wonder , Pacific Adventure , Celebrity Edge , Quantum of the Seas and Ovation of the Seas , Pacific Encounter , Carnival Splendor , Voyager of the Seas , Nieuw Statendam , Viking Helgrim , Pride of America , Coral Expeditions in Tasmania and the Great Barrier Reef , Celebrity Solstice , and Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth .

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Trevor Templeman

Trevor Templeman is a photographer and writer who travels the world capturing the essence of locations through their landscape, architecture and people. His words and photographs are published in magazines, newspapers and online around the world.

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Royal Caribbean’s Voyager of the Seas emerges from dry dock following ‘amplification’

Voyager of the Seas has finished a 41-day refit and refurbishment project that saw her ‘amplified’ with new dining options and on-board attractions at a cost of US $97-million.

The ship will now commence a series of roundtrip cruises from Singapore , becoming the first of Royal Caribbean’s Royal Amplified vessels to debut in Asia.

The Royal Amplified project is a US $1-billion program across several ships in the fleet to bring older tonnage up to spec with newer ships such as the Quantum-Ultra class and the newer Oasis-class ships.

Voyager of the Seas

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During the dry-dock Voyager of the Seas had The Perfect Storm duo of three-story racer waterslides and glow-in-the-dark laser tag with Battle for Planet Z installed, along with a redeveloped Vitality Spa and Fitness Center, redesigned kids and teens spaces and 72 new inside and balcony staterooms.

The ship also now features the new Royal Caribbean International mobile app, through which guests can check in for their cruise vacation from their phone, and once on board, use an array of capabilities.

These include planning activities for each day of the itinerary, viewing onboard expenses, and booking and managing dining, shore excursion and show reservations.

“Our newly transformed Voyager of the Seas will wow our guests more than ever, with a larger array of unique next-generation experiences and signature Royal Caribbean offerings,” said Angie Stephen, Managing Director, Asia-Pacific, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.

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“This is a tremendous boost for our efforts to grow our presence in Singapore and across the region, as we look forward to welcoming more guests to enjoy our amplified cruise products,” she added.

Voyager of the Seas will sail a series of cruises from Singapore to Penang, Melaka and Kuala Lumpur (Port Klang), Malaysia; and Phuket, Thailand, before repositioning to Australia at the end of November.

Voyager of the Seas will offer 9- to 12-night South Pacific cruises roundtrip from Sydney until the 2020 summer season, when she will return to Singapore and cruise from the city between May and June.

At 137,000 gross tons with a guest capacity of 3,200 at double occupancy, the 1999-built cruise ship is one of the largest to homeport in Singapore and following her refit, is also now one of the most high-spec in terms of on-board experience.

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Categories: News

Tagged as: refit and refurbishment , royal amplified , Royal Caribbean , Voyager of the Seas

Published by Shaun Ebelthite

Founder and editor of Cruise Arabia & Africa. I try to create the best news and information specifically for cruise passengers taking cruises to and from Dubai (where I live) and South Africa (where I was born). You can contact me at shaun(at)cruisearabiaonline.com. View all posts by Shaun Ebelthite

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Royal Caribbean’s Explorer of the Seas Resumes Service Following Drydock

• March 12, 2023

Royal Caribbean International’s Explorer of the Seas is re-entering service today following a 21-day drydock in Spain.

Sailing from Miami, the Voyager-class vessel is resuming a program of six- to eight-night cruises to Southern and Western Caribbean.

For its first voyage after the refit, the 2000-built cruise ship is offering a six-night itinerary to Jamaica and Grand Cayman that includes George Town and Falmouth as ports of call.

Before returning to PortMiami, the Explorer is also set to visit Perfect Day at CocoCay, Royal Caribbean’s private island destination in the Bahamas.

In addition to routine maintenance and technical overhaul, the Explorer of the Seas received new waterslides during its recent stay at the Navantia shipyard.

Named “The Perfect Storm,” the pair of slides were added to the ship’s 13th deck on an area previously occupied by sun loungers.

The drydock work scope also included hotel upkeep, as well as minor upgrades and class work.

As the second ship in Royal Caribbean International’s Voyager Class, the Explorer of the Seas originally entered service in 2000.

With capacity for 3,100 guests, the Explorer was also one of the first ships to offer the Royal Promenade, Royal Caribbean’s trademark indoor boulevard surrounded by shops, bars, and restaurants.

In 2015, the ship underwent a major refurbishment that added new features, such as the FlowRider surf simulator and a 3-D movie theater.

While new cabins and suites were added to different parts of the ship, the existing staterooms were also equipped with “virtual balconies” during the refit. According to Royal Caribbean, the large screens added were designed to bring live ocean and destination views into the interior of the cabins.

Completing its winter season in the Caribbean, the Explorer of Seas is set to kick off a summer program in the Mediterranean on May 8.

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Voyager Of The Seas

Cruise line Royal Caribbean

• Port Canaveral (Orlando, Florida)
• Galveston (Texas)
• Piraeus-Athens (Greece)
• Civitavecchia-Rome (Italy)
• Barcelona (Spain)

Voyager Of The Seas current position

Voyager Of The Seas current location is at Gulf of Mexico (coordinates 21.12113 N / -86.60849 W) cruising at speed of 18 kn (33 km/h | 21 mph) en route to COSTA MAYA. The AIS position was reported 10 minutes ago.

Current itinerary of Voyager Of The Seas

Voyager Of The Seas current cruise is 6 days, round-trip Western Caribbean Cruise . Prices start from USD 627 (double occupancy rates). The itinerary starts on 25 Apr, 2024 and ends on 01 May, 2024 .

Specifications of Voyager Of The Seas

•   Itineraries
•   Review
•   Wiki

Voyager Of The Seas Itineraries

Voyager of the seas review, review of voyager of the seas.

The 1999-built Voyager of the Seas cruise ship is the first Voyager-class Royal Caribbean liner, followed by the sisterships Adventure OTS , Explorer OTS , Navigator OTS , Mariner OTS . At the time it entered service, Royal Caribbean's Voyager of the Seas was the largest cruise liner in the world, heralded as the most revolutionary ship ever built.

The vessel (IMO number 9161716) is currently Bahamas- flagged (MMSI 311317000) and registered in Nassau .

History - construction and ownership

Royal Caribbean International (RCI) is a US passenger shipping company, trademarked travel brand and subsidiary owned by Royal Caribbean Group (RCG/shipowner). RCI was established in 1968 and currently has over 1/5 of the worldwide cruise market. RCI also has RCG's largest fleet by both vessel number and GT tonnage (ship sizes and capacities).

All RCI liners have names ending with "of the Seas".

The 3400-passenger ship Voyager OTS has been bypassed in size by the Freedom-class and the world's largest Oasis-class liners. However, it's still between the largest ships in the world, with a range of the most un-cruise-like places at sea.

The most revolutionary ship ever built changed forever the cruising industry with such never-before-seen facilities as an ice skating rink/TV studio/concert arena, rock-climbing wall, in-line skating track, horizontal atrium (now known as the Royal Promenade), and inside staterooms with a view. The rock-climbing walls are now on every RCI vessel, and the Ice Skating Rink and other facilities might also be enjoyed fleetwide.

Decks and Cabins

Voyager Of The Seas staterooms (1708 total, in 34 grades) include 121 Suites, 669 Balcony, 228 OceanView, 157 Promenade View, 533 Inside (including Virtual Balcony). Most cabins are sized 150-160 ft2 (14-15 m2). Most cabin balconies are sized 50 ft2 (5 m2). The largest is Royal Suite (1090 ft2 / 101 m2 plus 215 ft2 / 20 m2 terrace with Jacuzzi). Wheelchair-accessible cabins are 27.

The boat has 15 decks , of which 14 are passenger-accessible and 9 with cabins.

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

From the meals in the Sapphire Restaurant, ship's main dining rooms, to the buffet choices in Windjammer Cafe and options available at 24-hour Cafe Promenade, food aboard Voyager of the Seas is well prepared with plentiful choices, especially considering ship's capacity.

The Windjammer buffet restaurant offers an egg station at breakfast and a carving station at lunch. Vegetarians will do better in the MDR at lunch. The buffet features the items offered on the main dining room menu. The Italian-themed Giovanni’s Table charges a US$20 per-person cover charge (specialty beverages, wine, beer and soda are paid separately), and offers a multi-course meal.

Follows the complete list of Voyager of the Seas restaurants and food bars.

• Main Dining Room (839-seat complementary venue fka Sapphire Restaurant/aft-positioned)
• Windjammer Cafe Lido buffet restaurant (310-seat, offers Early Breakfast at 6:30 am, Breakfast between 7-11:30 am, Lunch 11.30-3:30 pm, and Dinner 6.30-9 pm)
• Giovanni’s Table (Italian specialty restaurant, reservations recommended)
• Chops Grille (80-seat steakhouse/seafood)
• Izumi (Japanese cuisine)

Johnny Rockets (capacity 80 seats/1950s-style burger bar) was another specialty restaurant selling fast food favorites like hot dogs, burgers, chilli fries, onion rings. However, this signature for RCI eatery was removed during the drydock refurb in 2019.

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

During the day, cruisers will find plenty of activities aboard Voyager of the Seas, such as bingo, art auctions, dance lessons, seminars, rock-climbing wall competitions and even sexy man contests. Poolside, a live band plays a blend of American and Caribbean songs.

Nighttime features the gorgeous La Scala Theater inspired by the legendary La Scala in Milan, Italy. Decor elements include a stage velvet curtain with jewel-like embellishments and Murano glass chandelier. The theater sets the scene for exciting Broadway-style production shows. The ice skating show is another must-see.

Onboard Voyager of the Seas clothing is casual during the day. Evenings dress is either casual, smart casual or formal. On casual nights, suggested clothing is sports shirts and slacks for men and sundresses or pants for women. On smart casual nights, men have to wear a jacket and a tie, while women wear dresses or pantsuits. On the formal evenings (one or two per cruise), men might choose between tuxedos or suits and ties, while women wear cocktail dresses.

Additional amenities include Complimentary 24-hour Room-Service, supervised Youth program, Internet/WiFi Access, Laundry.

Follows the complete list of Voyager of the Seas lounges, clubs and other entertainment venues for kids, teens and adults.

• La Scala Theatre (1347-seat, features two grand productions per night with dance, acrobatics, comedy and game shows)
• Screening Room (54-seat cinema)
• Studio B Lounge (700-seat indoor ice-skating rink; also serves as a spot for ice shows, cooking demos, game parties)
• Focus Photo Gallery and Shop; Art Gallery (art auctions are organized in the Cleopatra’s Needle Lounge)
• The Centrum (social hub); Star Lounge; The Golden Room (Casino Royale invitation-only VIP guests lounge); Next Cruise Lounge; Concierge Club (26-seat; suite and past guests only); Viking Crown Lounge and Bar; Crown Lounge (fka Diamond Club Lounge & Bar for past guests only/27-seat); High Notes Lounge and Bar (60-seat jazz club) with Crows Nest (70-seat observation room)
• Schooner Bar (150-seat piano bar); 130-seat lobby bar; Ben and Jerry’s ice cream bar; R Bar; Pig and Whistle English Pub (40-seat); Duck and Dog English pub (75-seat); Pool Bar; Sky Bar
• Casino Royale (500-seat)
• Cafe Promenade (108-seat, 24-hour; serves snacks and drinks, as well as Starbucks specialty coffee)
• Royal Promenade Boutiques (perfumes, jewelry, duty-free alcohol, general store, logo/souvenirs); Sea Trek Dive Shop
• Royal Caribbean Online Center (Internet computers room; 24-hour)
• Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness Center; 7 jacuzzis; 4 pools
• Solarium lounge (includes Park Cafe, pool bar and adults-only pool area)
• Outdoor movie screen
• Video Games Arcade; Optix Teen Disco club; Living Room teen lounge area; Royal Babies and Tots Nursery
• Adventure Ocean kids lounge area
• Sports Court (golf simulator, table tennis, basketball court); Jogging Track; Rock-climbing Wall; Voyager Dunes Golf Course
• Skylight Wedding Chapel (40-seat, provides religious services).

During drydock 2019 refurbishment (September-October), on Voyager OTS was installed The Perfect Storm (dual-racing waterslide complex) aft on Deck 13 (opposite the Mini-Golf Course and between the FlowRider and the Sports Court).

The Perfect Storm is complimentary and includes 2 racer slides (“Cyclone” and “Typhoon”). Both spiraling slides are positioned portside and accessed via a 3-floor-high, glass-enclosed swirling staircase. There are no age restrictions, but there are passenger height and weight requirements - min 48 inches (122 cm) and max 300 lbs (136 kg).

Itineraries

Voyager of the Seas itinerary program is based on Australia and New Zealand cruises out of Sydney . In the summer, Voyager sails in Asia with departures out of Hong Kong and Tianjin . On relocation voyages between Australia and Asia (RepositionCruises.com), Voyager OTS visits ports in Thailand and Vietnam as well as Singapore .

Season 2018-2019 (April through June) had Royal Caribbean's longest-ever Southeast Asian program. The ship had scheduled total 90 departures (3- to 9-nights roundtrips from homeport Singapore ) including:

• 3-day weekend cruises to Malaysia (Penang-Klang)
• 4-day to Malaysia and Thailand (Penang-Phuket)
• 5-day to Klang-Penang-Phuket
• 5-day to Laem Chabang (Bangkok overnight)
• 7-day to Klang-Penang-Langkawi-Phuket (overnight)
• plus B2Bs (back-to-back cruises)

Voyager OTS had scheduled an Asian 2021 program with homeporting in Tianjin-Beijing (China to Japan, starting August 1st) and in Singapore (starting November 4th), but in July 2021 the deployment was canceled (through April 2022).

Due to the Coronavirus crisis, Voya ger OTS was paused for 2 years (March 2020 thru April 2022), restarting on April 15th (9-day repositioning from Barcelona to Copenhagen). The European program was based on Baltic roundtrips from homeports Copenhagen Denmark and Stockholm Sweden . Followed Canada-New England itineraries (out of Boston MA ) and in the Southern Caribbean (out of San Juan Puerto Rico ) .

In 2021, RCI also planned to homeport Voyager OTS in Los Angeles California (June through December) for 3-4-night roundtrips to Mexico, but the deployment was canceled.

Note: On Sept 18, 2022, Voyager OTS returned to the USA (docked at Boston's Flynn Cruiseport) for the first time in 10 years. For the last time, the boat visited the US in 2012 (April 12th, Port NOLA New Orleans) during a relocation voyage from the Caribbean to Asia via Europe and Suez Canal . In Asia, Voyager OTS was homeported in China (Hong Kong, Shanghai, Tianjin), Japan (Yokohama), Singapore.

Voyager Of The Seas - user reviews and comments

Photos of voyager of the seas.

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Other Royal Caribbean cruise ships

• Adventure Of The Seas
• Allure Of The Seas
• Anthem of the Seas
• Brilliance Of The Seas
• Enchantment Of The Seas
• Explorer Of The Seas
• Freedom Of The Seas
• Grandeur Of The Seas
• Harmony Of The Seas
• Icon Of The Seas
• Independence Of The Seas
• Jewel Of The Seas
• Liberty Of The Seas
• Mariner Of The Seas
• Navigator Of The Seas
• Oasis Of The Seas
• Odyssey Of The Seas
• Ovation Of The Seas
• Quantum Of The Seas
• Radiance Of The Seas
• Rhapsody Of The Seas
• Serenade Of The Seas
• Spectrum Of The Seas
• Star Of The Seas
• Symphony Of The Seas
• Utopia Of The Seas
• Vision Of The Seas
• Wonder Of The Seas

Voyager Of The Seas Wiki

Voyager is Royal Caribbean's first Voyager-class liner, with sisterships Adventure , Explorer , Mariner , Navigator . Voyager OTS was built in 1999 by Kvaerner Masa ( Turku Finland ) - shipbuilder of all vessels in this series. The company is now part of STX Europe (a division of STX Holding, South Korea). In 1999, Voyager OTS was the world's biggest passenger ship . They used to call it "floating sea'" because of its innovative design. All Voyager-class liners were world's biggest - until the arrival of the Cunard liner RMS Queen Mary 2 in 2004.

Voyager OTS was christened on November 20, 1999. The inaugural cruise (maiden voyage) started on Nov 21. Vessel's godmother was Katarina Witt (notorious figure skater / Playboy model). Fun fact is, that Voyager is the first ever cruise vessel to have an ice-skating rink, rock-climbing wall and Royal Promenade (marble-paved street / approx 3/4 of ship's LOA length).

Since 2018, liner's Captain is Wu Huimin - RCI fleet's first Asian (Chinese) shipmaster.

Itineraries 2016-2017 Asia charters

In 2017-2018, the ship was also operated under charter for roundtrips out of Singapore . The charterer was the travel agency TIRUN Travel Marketing - RCCL's exclusive representative for India. The scheduled cruise ship charter itineraries ranged from 3- to 8-night in length and targeted specifically Indian passengers. Among the visited ports were Malaysia ( Kuala Lumpur ), Thailand ( Phuket , Bangkok ), Vietnam ( Da Nang , Nha Trang , Penang ).

Voyager OTS refurbishment 2019 review

The ship was " Royal Amplified " in 2019 as RCI fleet's 4th vessel redesigned and upgraded by RCI's newest drydock refurbishment program . Voyager OTS also received some fleet-first (and industry-first) features during the scheduled 2019 drydock (41-day project, September 10 through October 14) in Singapore  (at Sembawang Shipyard).

Deckplan changes after drydock 2019 included:

• added "The Perfect Storm" - aquapark with two waterslides (Typhoon and Cyclone).
• added "Battle for Planet Z" (laser tag course) in "Studio B" (ice-skating rink)
• redesigned "Adventure Ocean" (kids facilities), upgraded kids programming (children 3-12 yo)
• added Royal Babies and Tots Nursery (for babies and toddlers). Until 2019, Voyager OTS was the fleet's only liner without a nursery.
• Teens-exclusive hangout was updated and was added an adjacent outdoor laid-back/sun deck.
• Ship's wellness complex (Vitality Spa and Fitness Center) on Deck 12 was enhanced and enlarged. The complex was relocated from forward to aft.
• A total of 72 new staterooms (interior and balcony) were added. New "family cabin" categories were introduced - CB (Connecting Balcony), CO (Connecting Oceanview), CP (Connecting Promenade Interior) and CI (Connecting Interior).
• An exclusive Suite Lounge (with an outdoor seating area) was added for passengers booked in Grand Suite and above.
• Diamond Lounge was created for "Crown and Anchor Society" members (by RCI's loyalty program).
• Johnny Rockets (80-seat burger bar) was removed.

Voyager OTS' "Royal Amplified" 2019 drydock project cost USD 97 million.

Voyager OTS refurbishment 2018 review

The ship’s drydock refurbishment 2018 resulted in the following deckplan changes:

On Sports Deck 13, the RCI’s signature waterslides “Cyclone” and “Typhoon” were installed (next to the FlowRider simulator).

On Spa Deck 12 (aft), the new “Slashaway Bay” kids aqua park was added. This is an interactive water play area (with cannons and geysers) replacing the old Outdoor Youth Area (aka “back deck”).

The new water park and the duo of waterslides were first introduced on the ships Liberty of the Seas and Harmony of the Seas (Oasis-class).

Voyager OTS refurbishment 2014 review

The list of deckplan changes after ship's May 2014 drydock included:

• (On deck 2) 4 new oceanview cabins were added in the place of the Board Room (starboard). Also, the Theatre was renamed from “Coral” to “La Scala”.
• (On deck 3) 19 new interior cabins (category Q) were added in the area of “The Vault” (Disco Nightclub, 297 seats). Also here, the “Photo & Art Gallery” (starboard) was renamed to “Focus”. It was also reduced in size, making space for 15 new Oceanview cabins (category I). Another 5 cabins were added portside. Main Dining Room was renamed from “Carmen” to “Sapphire” (level 1).
• (On deck 4) “The Vault” was replaced by “Giovanni’s Table” (Italian restaurant). The “Aquarium Bar” (portside section) was replaced with “The Tavern”, and its starboard section – with “Art Gallery”. Also here, the Main Dining Room was renamed from “La Boheme” to “Sapphire” (level 2).
• (On deck 5) the show lounge was renamed from “Cleopatra’s Needle” to “Star Lounge”. The “Connoisseur Club” was renamed to “The Golden Room”. The “Ben and Jerry’s” was renamed to “Ice Cream Parlor “. The “Champagne Bar” was replaced with the “R-Bar”. The Main Dining Room was renamed from “Magic Flute” to “Sapphire” (level 3).
• (On deck 6) an interior room (number 6137, forward) was added and the “Business Services” desk was renamed to “Next Cruise”.
• (On deck 7) an interior room (number 7139, forward) was added.
• (On deck 8) an interior room (number 8237, forward) was added and the “Royal Caribbean Online” was renamed to “RC Online”.
• (On deck 9) an interior room (number 9237, forward) was added and some Inside cabins were converted to Virtual Balcony (category VB) staterooms.
• (On deck 10) an interior room (number 1233) was added. Stateroom categories were changed – from category L to K, and some were converted to VB-Virtual Balcony.
• (On Lido Deck 11) in the main pool area, a huge movie screen (outdoor theatre) was installed. Also here, the “Bridge Overlook” was renamed to “Peek-A-Boo Bridge”. The “Day Spa & Fitness Center” was renamed to “Vitality at Sea”. The Portofino restaurant was replaced with “Chops Grille” (steakhouse). During the refurbishment, the “Island Grill” bar and the “Florist” shop were both removed.
• (On Spa Deck 12) spa cabins were added around the ship’s bow area. The “Optix Teen Disco” was renamed to “Teen Disco” and the “Video Arcade” was added. The “Adventure Beach” kids play area was renamed to “Outdoor Youth Area”.
• (On deck 13) the In-line Skating Track was replaced with the FlowRider simulator.
• (On deck 14) the portside-location rooms “Cloud Nine” and “Seven Hearts were replaced with the “Izumi” (Asian restaurant). The starboard-location “19th Hole” lounge was replaced with the “Diamond Club” – a signature venue for “Crown & Anchor” (RCI loyalty program) members only.
• Cabin amenities were upgraded with new flat TVs in all cruise staterooms.
• Digital signage (way finders) on several decks were installed. These touch-screen boards allow you to know your way around the ship.
• Wi-Fi coverage was upgraded to shipwide.

Onboard entertainment options were upgraded with the “DreamWorks Experience” (themed characters entertainment).

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Well, hello, Voyager 1! The venerable spacecraft is once again making sense

Nell Greenfieldboyce

Members of the Voyager team celebrate at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory after receiving data about the health and status of Voyager 1 for the first time in months. NASA/JPL-Caltech hide caption

Members of the Voyager team celebrate at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory after receiving data about the health and status of Voyager 1 for the first time in months.

NASA says it is once again able to get meaningful information back from the Voyager 1 probe, after months of troubleshooting a glitch that had this venerable spacecraft sending home messages that made no sense.

The Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 probes launched in 1977 on a mission to study Jupiter and Saturn but continued onward through the outer reaches of the solar system. In 2012, Voyager 1 became the first spacecraft to enter interstellar space, the previously unexplored region between the stars. (Its twin, traveling in a different direction, followed suit six years later.)

Voyager 1 had been faithfully sending back readings about this mysterious new environment for years — until November, when its messages suddenly became incoherent .

NASA's Voyager 1 spacecraft is talking nonsense. Its friends on Earth are worried

It was a serious problem that had longtime Voyager scientists worried that this historic space mission wouldn't be able to recover. They'd hoped to be able to get precious readings from the spacecraft for at least a few more years, until its power ran out and its very last science instrument quit working.

For the last five months, a small team at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California has been working to fix it. The team finally pinpointed the problem to a memory chip and figured out how to restore some essential software code.

"When the mission flight team heard back from the spacecraft on April 20, they saw that the modification worked: For the first time in five months, they have been able to check the health and status of the spacecraft," NASA stated in an update.

The usable data being returned so far concerns the workings of the spacecraft's engineering systems. In the coming weeks, the team will do more of this software repair work so that Voyager 1 will also be able to send science data, letting researchers once again see what the probe encounters as it journeys through interstellar space.

After a 12.3 billion-mile 'shout,' NASA regains full contact with Voyager 2

• interstellar mission

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This Is Amped Up Adventure

Voyager of the seas.

The amped up Voyager of the Seas® is packed with more ways to play.

Take on three stories of twisting, turning adventure on two high-speed waterslides in The Perfect Storm℠ or go head to head in a glow-in-the-dark laser tag clash in Battle for Planet Z℠. Hang ten on the FlowRider℠* surf simulator or recharge and reinvigorate at the spa and adults-only solarium. Plus enjoy Voyager Dunes, ice-skating, rock-climbing wall and totally reimagined spaces for every kid and teen. 

Next-Level Adventure

Voyages that go all out.

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GET READY TO TRAVEL ON A WHOLE NEW LEVEL

This isn’t your same-old, never bold holiday. This is a boredom busting adventure for the whole crew. 

NEW THRILLS

Race to the finish line on two high-speed waterslides on The Perfect Storm℠. Or go head-to-head in a glow-in-the-dark laser tag clash in Laser Tag: Battle for Planet Z℠.

EXPLORE ONBOARD ACTIVITIES

PALATE-PLEASERS

Take a flavour-filled journey to the exotic Far East at Izumi. Find your element with rustic Italian dishes served with a contemporary flair at Giovanni’s Table. Indulge in the cut above the rest hand-cut steaks at Chops Grille. Or embark on a globe-trotting gourmet adventure at Windjammer Café.

EXPLORE ONBOARD DINING

ICE SKATING SHOWS

Come for the g-force spins. Stay for the spectacular ice dancing. The Studio B ice rink presents dramatic ice shows starring a cast of professional skaters from around the world. Enjoy dazzling costumes and choreography filled with amazing spins, leaps and lifts.

EXPLORE SHOWS & ENTERTAINMENT

explore caribbean, med and beyond

Set out on a thrilling adventure on Voyager of the Seas®. Scope out Western Caribbean gems like Cozumel , or head to a legendary Euro summer holiday through the Mediterranean or Greece . No matter which destination you choose, you’ll embark on daily discoveries across breathtaking bucket-list coastlines.

MED SIGHTS & GREEK DELIGHTS

Kickstart your week-long bucket-list adventure from Barcelona , Rome or Athens  onboard Voyager of the Seas®. Soak up the sun in Valencia . Savour authentic Neapolitan pizza in a cosy trattoria in Naples . Or wander through iconic blue-domed churches in Santorini .

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GETAWAYS FROM GALVESTON

Galveston is your gateway to a thrill-topping, island-hopping holiday in the Western Caribbean. Wander through ancient Maya ruins in the Yucatán Peninsula. Snorkel in the turquoise waters of Cozumel . Or go zip-lining in the jungles of Roatán . The tropics are calling.

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OUR BOLD ROYAL AMPLIFIED SHIPS

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