|
 Royal Caribbean
International announced the Nordic Empress will
undergo extensive renovations before arriving this
spring in the New York City metro area to begin unique
six- and eight-night Bermuda cruise vacations from the
newly named Cape Liberty Cruise Port. To reflect the
magnitude of the revitalization, the line will
officially rename the ship Empress of the Seas,
bringing her in line with the remainder of Royal
Caribbean's fleet, which all feature "of the Seas"
names. Renovations on the 1,602-passenger Nordic
Empress will extend to every area of the ship, and are
designed to further enhance the onboard experience. A
main focus is providing guests with additional dining,
entertainment and fitness areas. All work will be
completed by May 2004
"Nordic Empress has always been a favorite of many
of our guests, and we are pleased to add features that
are debuting on our newest ships to make her an even
more exciting vacation option," said Adam
Goldstein, executive vice president, Brand Operations,
for Royal Caribbean International. "In addition,
her new itineraries in both Bermuda this spring and
summer and the Southern Caribbean next winter offer
our guests unique ways to explore these exotic
destinations."
Dining options;
the ship will feature a new specialty restaurant,
Portofino, serving Italian cuisine, in addition to an
upgraded Windjammer Cafi and refurbished main dining
room. Between meals, guests can enjoy specialty coffee
drinks from Seattle`s Best Coffee or indulge their
sweet tooth with 16 different flavors from Ben &
Jerry`s at a new, combined Latte`tudes coffee bar and
ice cream scoop shop.
ShipShape Fitness Center and Day Spa will
feature more than a great workout or spa treatment.
The expanded spa and gym complex will be on two
levels, including a fitness center overlooking the
Viking Crown Lounge, perched at the top of the ship,
offering spectacular, panoramic sea views. In
addition, the ship features the line`s signature
rock-climbing wall, installed in late 2003.
High-quality entertainment
will find plenty to choose from. The former
High Society Lounge on Deck 6 now will be Royal
Caribbean`s Latin-themed bar, Boleros, offering
specialty tequilas and cocktail favorites like mojitos,
as well as outstanding live entertainment. Empress of
the Seas also will feature the line`s popular Schooner
Bar, a nautical-themed lounge with sing-along piano
entertainment, which replaces the mid-ship Carousel
Bar on Deck 5.
The Casino will be
moved to Deck 6, and a new card room will be created
off the Centrum. In addition, the main theater, the
Strike Up the Band Showroom, will be updated with new
carpet and upholstery.
Guest staterooms
will receive new and upgraded bathrooms throughout all
categories. In addition, some staterooms, including
the Royal Suite and Superior Ocean View staterooms,
will feature new decor, while others accommodating
third and fourth guests will be fitted with modified
wardrobes offering increased storage. Empress of the
Seas` Owner`s Suites will be completely redesigned,
with new furniture and finishing's. Other
refurbishments include general facelifts to the
lobbies, elevators, landings, corridors and restrooms,
and enhancements to the shopping areas and Pool Deck.
Unique Itineraries to Bermuda
and the Southern Caribbean
Empress of the Seas will offer alternating six- and
eight-night Bermuda itineraries from May through
October from the New York City metro area. She will be
the first Royal Caribbean ship to sail from Cape
Liberty Cruise Port, in Bayonne, New Jersey. Located
across the New York Harbor from lower Manhattan, just
15 minutes from the Newark airport and right off the
New Jersey Turnpike, the new port is a convenient
departure point for both drive- market guests and
those arriving by air.
Six-night Bermuda itineraries depart on Sundays
and include stops in King`s Wharf and Hamilton,
Bermuda. The eight-night cruises depart Saturdays and
visit King`s Wharf, Hamilton and St. George`s,
Bermuda.
In late October,
Empress of the Seas will reposition to San Juan, where
she will offer guests a choice of four Southern
Caribbean adventures. The highlight is the 11-night
Exotic Caribbean itinerary that takes guests to
St.Maarten, St. Barts, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, Barbados,
Grenada, Margarita Island, Aruba and Curacao.
Empress of the Seas
also will sail three-night St. Thomas/St.
Maarten and St. Kitts/St. Maarten sailings, as well as
four special, four-night Dominican Republic
cruises, with stops in Santo Domingo and Catalina
Island, on Oct. 25, Nov. 1, 8 and 15. |
