Royal Caribbean sends Mariner of the Seas to China

This item was written by Johanna Jainchill, who covers the travel industry for Travel Weekly. Jainchill is serving as Guest Editor of The Cruise Log while USA TODAY Cruise Editor Gene Sloan is away.

Royal Caribbean International increased its bet on the Chinese cruise market, announcing yesterday that a second, 3,114-passenger ship, the Mariner of the Seas, would offer year-round cruises from China and Singapore beginning in June 2013.

The Mariner is switching places with the 1,804-passenger Legend of the Seas, which will redeploy to Europe next summer.

Speaking at a press conference in Beijing, China, yesterday, executives from the cruise line said the ship would offer three- to 12-night sailings to Southeast Asia, Japan and Korea.

Royal Caribbean said in a statement that the addition of a second 3,114-guest ship to China, joining its sister vessel, the Voyager of the Seas, illustrates the company's commitment to the growing cruise industry in Asia, specifically the fast-growing Chinese cruise vacation population.

The Mariner will be given the same product customizations made for Voyager's entry into the Chinese market, such as Chinese-style menus, enhanced retail and entertainment offerings, and language services, the cruise line said.

The ships are also intended to attract cruisers from around the world to visit China and sail around Asia, Royal said, adding that the two ships would represent the two largest-capacity vessels operating in the region.

"The opportunities to attract guests from China to cruise are abundant," Royal Caribbean CEO Adam Goldstein said in a statement about the move.

Royal Caribbean's chairman Richard Fain added that the company has "made it clear we see Asia in general, and China in particular, as a strategic objective. We have been so pleased by the market's response to bringing Voyager of the Seas to Asia that it made strategic sense to send a second ship of equal size."

The Mariner will depart the Caribbean next April, and head to Singapore and onto China via Dubai and the Suez Canal.

The ship was recently updated as part of Royal's $ 70 million Royal Advantage program that is bringing enhancements from the 5,400-passenger Oasis-class ships to five of Royal Caribbean's other vessels this year. The ship was given enhanced cabins as well as a greater variety of onboard dining and entertainment options.

« Prev：SpaceX docks with International Space Station: Up next, public travel? Read More @ Source

Sexy Beijing: Looking for Double Happiness

From www.sexybeijing.tv Sexy Beijing is a show about love, lust, youth culture and street life in China's capital. This episode is about one girl's search for a boyfriend on the mean streets of Beijing, featuring interviews with old timers hanging out in hutongs and young people in the trendy shopping district of Wangfujing. Presented by Su Fei, this episode was shot by Luke Mines, edited by Anna Sophie Loewenberg, with music by Fernando Fidanza.

Video Rating: 4 / 5