History of Royal Caribbean International

In the late 1960's a group of Norwegian ship ownersDuring this time, Royal Caribbean retired its original four
decided to venture into the rapidly growing Americanships and put these new mega-ships in place for
cruise market. They founded Royal Caribbean Cruiseworldwide cruising.
Lines, now known as Royal Caribbean International.Now content with its worldwide services, Royal
Today this cruise line is the world's second-largest andCaribbean returned to attending its main market: the
is well-known for its permanent innovations andCaribbean. It set out to build a ship that would change
remarkable creativity.the cruise industry as it was known then and with a
Since "Song of Norway", the company's first ship (noproject code-named "Project Eagle" began to work on
longer in the fleet) set out on its first cruise in 1970,the largest mega-ship for the new century. In 1999, this
Royal Caribbean International has strived to make themind-blowing ship called "Voyager of the Seas" took
onboard experience fun, interesting and simplythe seas by storm. It was the most innovative ship in
unforgettable. By 1972, the company had two moreyears and passengers felt they were actually at a
ships: "Nordic Prince" and "Sun Viking", which they laterresort instead of on a ship. Voyager of the Seas
"stretched". In 1982, they built "Song of America", aincludes an ice-skating rink, rock wall climbing, and a
much larger ship that became the model for furtherfabulous indoor promenade. Of course, Royal
cruise ships since.Caribbean would follow up with four sister ships that
Royal Caribbean's first major splash was in the yearmarked the way cruise ships would be from then on:
1988, when they presented the world with the first"Navigator of the Seas", "Mariner of the Seas",
mega-ship in modern times. Rightly named "Sovereign"Explorer of the Seas" and "Adventure of the Seas".
of the Seas", the 70,000-ton cruise ship wasAt the same time, Royal Caribbean built the
monumental. It left the rest way behind, not only due toRadiance-class ships, which debuted in the early
its size but also due to its interior features. Sovereign2000's. These are a bit larger than the Voyager family
of the Seas was the first cruise ship to introduce aand offer more balconies, more dining choices and all in
shipboard foyer or reception area that included glassall, even more luxury. These ships are: "Radiance of
elevators and even a grand piano. So, cruisers gotthe Seas", "Brilliance of the Seas", "Jewel of the Seas"
five-star hotel treatment with a spectacular oceanand "Serenade of the Seas".
view. This mega-ship was closely followed by twoWith all of these new ships sailing all around the world,
even larger sisters: "Monarch of the Seas" andthe time came to refurbish the older members of their
"Majesty of the Seas".fleet. The company spent millions of dollars to
The beginning of the 1990's saw this venture oncerenovate Monarch of the Seas, Empress of the Seas,
more into something almost unheard of: designing shipsSovereign of the Seas, Enchantment of the Seas and
for cruises to other places outside the Caribbean.Majesty of the Seas. But, even after this restoration,
Although the company had already sent some of theirEmpress of the Seas and Sovereign of the Seas
smaller and dated ships to cover destinations in Alaskawere just not doing so well. So Royal Caribbean
and Europe - they had yet to build a ship specificallytransferred these two ships to Pullmantur, a Spanish
for cruising other parts of the world. With the additionsubsidiary, in 2008.
of "Legend of the Seas" in 1995, this changed. ARoyal Caribbean's newest ships are even bigger than
marvelous new ship that took Royal Caribbean into atheir predecessors. These are the Freedom-class
whole new level, it was the most luxurious ship in theships that hit the waters in 2006, beginning with
world at the time. Although it was a bit smaller than the"Freedom of the Seas". This new family is larger than
Sovereign family of ships, its cabins were bigger and itthe Voyager series and includes new activities
offers a variety of onboard activity areas. Legend ofonboard such as a water park and onboard surfing.
the Seas was the first ship to have a mini-golf courseThe other ships in this family include the "Liberty of the
and it also introduced Royal Caribbean's now-standardSeas" and "Independence of the Seas".
pool area.And this is not the end for Royal Caribbean. Looming
Again, the company followed the introduction ofon the horizon is the first Oasis-class ship, set to sail in
Legend of the Seas with five sister ships: "Splendor ofDecember 2009. Over 40 percent bigger than the
the Seas", "Grandeur of the Seas", "Enchantment ofFreedom family, the Oasis of the Seas will once again
the Seas", "Rhapsody of the Seas" and "Vision of theput Royal Caribbean in the limelight as the largest ship
Seas". These ships blew the competition away andin the world. Add to that, the 16-deck mega-ship will
left the passengers agape with their solarium's,certainly surpass everyone's expectations in luxury.
swimming pools, casinos and themed dining rooms.