RCCL’s Mariner of the Seas to Debut in November

Royal Caribbean International announced that its 3,114-passenger Mariner of the Seas now will debut in Port Canaveral on November 16, 2003, a week earlier than originally scheduled. The new maiden voyage will be a special, one-time-only Eastern Caribbean itinerary calling in Nassau, Bahamas; San Juan, Puerto Rico; and Philipsburg, St. Maarten. The new, 142,000-ton Mariner of the Seas will be the fifth ship in the company's Voyager class and will be the largest ship to sail from Port Canaveral. Mariner features the line's signature rock-climbing wall, an inline skating track, full-size basketball court, and Royal Promenade - a shopping, dining and entertainment street running through the center of the ship. Mariner of the Seas also features a 900-seat ice skating and entertainment venue known as Studio B, a 1,350-seat Broadway-style theater, a miniature golf course, and one of the largest fitness and spa complexes at sea. Mariner of the Seas will begin her regularly scheduled, year-round itineraries on Nov. 23, sailing alternating seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises. The Eastern Caribbean itinerary includes stops in Nassau; St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands; and Philipsburg. The Western Caribbean sailings include port calls in Labadee, Hispanola; Ocho Rios, Jamaica; George Town, Cayman Islands; and Cozumel, Mexico. Pricing starts at $699 per person, double occupancy. Royal Caribbean International is a global cruise brand currently with 16 ships in service and three more under construction, including Mariner of the Seas.