WOW moments delivered on Voyager of the Seas

Along with a select group of invitee’s – and winners of Royal’s first Facebook Party at Sea competition – Vacation Goddess was lucky enough to participate in a one night sail and, we couldn’t wait to experience all the ship had to offer.

Fresh from undergoing a multimillion-dollar total makeover Voyager of the Sea’s arrived in Sydney to start her summer cruise season. At over 310 metres long and featuring 15 expansive passenger decks, she is almost double the size of most ships currently based in Australian waters.

First things first, getting on board… Embarkation was a breeze at Sydney’s Circular Quay where the most common thread of conversations overheard was around who was going to try out the newly installed FlowRider. After checking documentation and a quick photo for our SeaPass card we boarded.  The whole process took less than 12 minutes from shore to ship.

Once onboard we went straight to our balcony cabin (8220) helped by the newly installed digital signage that makes getting around just so easy.

So where to begin? There was so much to do, see and taste.  From sampling the ‘Drink of the Day’ (A FlowRider featureing Bacardi and Blue Curacao mixed over ice with a tangy sour mix) to an 11pm Dreamworks ‘Move It, Move It’ parade we were spoilt for choice

This is one of the best things about cruising.  There is so much on offer and you can choose to do as much or as little as you want.

Some of the Highlights

The heart of the ship: The Royal Promenade is a ‘street lined with places to eat, drink and shop.  This four-storey area stretches the length of a football field through the middle of the ship and is a hub of activity onboard.

Accommodation: The ship offers extensive room options, from inside cabins with views overlooking the Royal Promenade to panoramic staterooms with wrap-around floor to ceiling windows and large, sumptuous suites.

Whilst we had a balcony cabin everyone was keen to see the new virtual balcony cabins.  These interior cabins are spectacular and will appeal to most. Real-time sights and sounds of the sea are displayed on an 80-inch, high definition screen framed to look like a real balcony. Personally we think they are equal to or better than an ocean view cabin.

All 1,642 staterooms come complete with a flat-screen TV, telephone, private bathroom, 24-hour room service and a cabin attendant.

FlowRider: There is no shortage of activities onboard with a deck dedicated to sports but the newly installed FlowRider stole the show.  There is no need to wait for good wind conditions to catch the perfect wave. Whether you surf, boogie board or wake board, you can test your skills on the 12-metre long surf simulator or watch others take on the challenge from the nearby seating. There are also private lessons for those that want to really hone their skills. Friends of ours who had sailed down from Singapore on the ships inaugural sailing really enjoyed honing their skills.

Ice-Skating: We were treated to the Ice Oddysey Show which features some of the world’s best skaters and various shows are performed on each cruise. Royal Caribbean also offers skating lessons for beginners and advanced skaters in their 700-seat rink.

Rock-climbing wall: Rise to the occasion and take on Royal Caribbean’s rock wall. From beginners to speed climbers, everyone can enjoy an unparalleled view from 12 metres (40 feet) above deck. Again, this is included in your fare, and no reservation is required.

Dining Choices: You will not lack choice with the number of eating options on board. The main dining room – the Sapphire Dining Room – spans 3 decks and offers an elegant dining experience. Seating 1,920 people it is the largest restaurant in Australasia.

For an additional modest fee, you can enjoy meals at one of 3 specialty restaurants.  We dined in the Tuscan styled trattoria, Giovanni’s Table – think classic Italian dishes.  Other choices included Chops Grille serving international meat and seafood grilled dishes or Izumi’s with Japanese fusion dishes.

Other casual dining venues include the Windjammer Café that offers breakfast, lunch and dinner buffets, Cafe Promenade with a selection of sandwiches, pizza and pastries to choose from or the all-American 50s inspired Johnny Rockets.  Here you can enjoy classic milk-shakes, burgers and fries – and the occasional performance from singing and dancing waiters.

Other Activities and Facilities: Voyager of the Seas’ other state-of-the-art at sea facilities include a full-sized sports court for basketball and volleyball games; a nine-hole mini-golf course; a jogging track; a 9-metre rock climbing wall soaring 61 metres above sea level; three swimming pools and six whirlpools.

The ship boasts an adults-only solarium area with its own swimming pool plus a 1,400-square metre Spa & Fitness centre with beauty salon offering.

Bars, Lounges and Entertainment: Whether you choose to relax or let your hair down, you will find a place to suit your mood at the 14 lounges, bars and clubs on Voyager of the Seas.  There are several themed lounges throughout the ship including the Star Lounge, High Notes and Crow's Nest. There is even an English pub, the Pig & Whistle which serves up a variety of imported ales and beers. 

WiFI: The ship now also provides Wi-Fi connection throughout the whole ship.

Family and Children’s Facilities: Kids and teens are bound to love their time on board with an exclusive at-sea DreamWorks Experience. ‘Celebrity’ characters from films such as Shrek, Kung Fu Panda and Madagascar engage guests of all ages.  The ‘Move It, Move It’ parade on the Royal Promenade is a unique experience and provides plenty of photo opportunities.

As well plenty of sporting options, kids and teens have a dedicated area of the ship on Deck 12 with an Adventure Ocean Club, a video arcade that features a variety of games and the Optix disco for teens to hang out with others their own age.

The ship also provides ‘Youth Staff’ who host dinners on selected nights allowing parents some time to themselves. 

Movies: Voyager of the Seas provides the glasses and the action in the onboard 3D movie theatre. The ship also features a 220-square foot outdoor movie screen by the pool which screens movies and can be used for giant video game challenges.

For more information vist the website or to book at a great price click here

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