'OUR BEST SHIP IS EVERY SHIP'

FT. LAUDERDALE -- As you might expect, Royal Caribbean was out in full force for over 1,200 travel agents at the just-concluded cruise3sixty trade show here.


The two largest cruise ships afloat call this port home -- Royal's Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas. While you can't expect a big new ship announcement on that scale every year, they are taking the best of the Oasis-class ships and applying that to the rest of their 22-ship fleet.


Using the theme, "Now our best ship is every ship," Royal Caribbean is spending hundreds of millions to upgrade older vessels with Oasis features, including new restaurants, DreamWorks entertainment and refurbished staterooms.

The R Bar
(Credit: Royal Caribbean)

Passengers can also enjoy aerialists performing in the multi-story Centrum atrium, or a relaxing retro cocktail in the R Bar, featuring 60s-style sophistication and signature drinks. "Two martinis please -- shaken, stirred, doesn't matter!"


Ships that have already been upgraded include Radiance of the Seas, Freedom of the Seas, Liberty of the Seas, Splendour of the Seas and Rhapsody of the Seas. Four more ships are due to be completed this year: Mariner, Grandeur, Serenade and Enchantment of the Seas. Work on all ships will conclude in 2016.


One area of focus for the cruise line is those guests 3 and under, which totaled 55,000 in 2011. The "Royal Babies and Tots" program is custom-designed for their comfort and enjoyment, in partnership with Fisher-Price.


Kids and adults both can catch the debut of Madagascar 3-D aboard select ships this summer.


-- Gerry, for Cruising Squared