Miami, August 7, 2007 - Royal Caribbean International will expand its South America cruise offerings to four ships when Splendour of the Seas sails out of Brazil for the Winter 2008-09 season. Taking guests on spectacular cruise adventures to some of the most sizzling South American ports of call, Splendour will join three other ships to be deployed in Latin America for the season and add to the extensive range of itineraries offered by Enchantment of the Seas, Radiance of the Seas and Vision of the Seas.
"Our commitment of four ships in Central and South America reflects a growing worldwide demand for our signature style of cruising," said Adam Goldstein, president of Royal Caribbean International. "With the addition of these new itineraries in 2008, Royal Caribbean will visit more than 250 destinations in more than 75 countries on six continents, further solidifying our position as the world's largest global cruise brand."
From December 2008 through March 2009, Splendour of the Seas will offer travelers 19 roundtrip sailings from Sao Paulo (Santos), Brazil, ranging from three to eight nights. On the eight-night voyages, guests will enjoy a two-day port of call to explore Copacabana Beach or Salvador De Bahia, Brazil, or Buenos Aires, Argentina. Other ports of call include Rio De Janeiro, Porto Belo, Buzios, Ilhabela, Cabo Frio, and Parati, in Brazil, and Punta Del Este, Uruguay. Guests also can choose a 14-night transatlantic voyage aboard Splendour to Lisbon, Portugal, sailing on March 30, 2009. Ports of call include Rio De Janeiro, Salvador De Bahia and Recife, Brazil; Casablanca and Agadir, Morocco; and Seville, Spain. Splendour's cruises from Brazil begin at $799 per person, double occupancy, and are currently open for booking.
"The new itineraries on Splendour of the Seas will bring our total guest capacity in the region to more than 113,000 for the season, bolstering Royal Caribbean's leadership position in Latin America," said Maria Sastre, vice president of International Sales and Marketing, Latin America and the Caribbean, Royal Caribbean International. "The incredible breadth of itineraries offered by all four of our ships will provide our guests with a greater variety of options to explore new destinations and cultures."
More Royal Caribbean Vacation Choices in South America
For even more South America cruise choices, Radiance of the Seas offers travelers 12 sailings from November 2008 through April 2009. Ranging from 13 to 16 nights, guests will call at some of the continent's most exciting ports of call including Buenos Aires, Argentina; Montevideo, Uruguay; Rio De Janeiro, Brazil; and Valparaiso, Chile, among many others. Radiance will cruise to the Chilean Fjordlands; journey through the Panama Canal; make its way 'round the horn' and call at Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world.
Travelers also can enjoy cruises along South America's northern coast and the Southern Caribbean aboard Enchantment of the Seas and Vision of the Seas. The recently announced itinerary for Enchantment offers vacationers seven-night roundtrip voyages from Colon, Panama, to Colombia, Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao. Vision will take guests on seven-night cruises from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, on alternating itineraries to the Windward or Leeward Islands of the Southern Caribbean.
South America Cruisetours
Vacationers can enhance their cruise with a pre- or post-cruise Royal Caribbean Cruisetour. Cruisetours offer guests the best of both worlds by combining a cruise vacation with a four- or five-night hotel stay and land tours, for a complete land and sea adventure.
Guests of Splendour of the Seas can venture deep into Buenos Aires and Iguazu Falls on a four-night escorted pre-cruise land tour. The tour includes city sightseeing of Buenos Aires, the Paris of South America, a gaucho ranch tour, dinner and tango show, and exploration tours at Iguazu Falls. Depending on the itinerary, guests onboard Radiance of the Seas have the option of the Buenos Aires and Iguazu Falls cruisetour or a five-night Easter Island and Chile cruisetour, which includes hotel stays and sightseeing tours in Santiago, Chile, and the ecological preserve of Easter Island.
Cruising with Royal Caribbean
Royal Caribbean guests will enjoy non-stop entertainment and some of the industry's most innovative onboard amenities geared for families and active travelers as they discover the many must-see attractions and destinations of South America. Royal Caribbean's staff and crew provide the line's friendly and engaging Gold Anchor Service, which help make each guest's vacation a unique and unforgettable experience.
Guests can enjoy a rejuvenating treatment in the Day Spa followed by a relaxing dip in one of the many heated whirlpools aboard each ship. Multiple pools offer activities to suit every taste and energy level. Kids always have their own splash pool, and the Solarium is the adults-only pool area for a more subdued environment.
In the evenings, guest can take in non-stop entertainment, from top-rated Broadway-style productions in the theater, to gaming in Casino Royale and dancing in Latin-themed lounges. Guests also can enjoy a variety of restaurants, ranging from casual to fine dining.
Guests under the age of 18, will enjoy the line's award-winning Adventure Ocean youth program. Specially-designed curricula cater to five different age groups, and offer entertaining and enlightening programs that appeal to younger cruisers at any stage in their lives. Royal Caribbean is the only major cruise line with dedicated teen spaces aboard every ship in its fleet, offering perfect settings for teens to meet and relax with peers.