Saturday, January 13, 2007

Royal Caribbean International

In business for 40 years, RCI offers a wide variety of voyages on some of the finest ships in the business.

Headquartered in Miami, Florida, but with origins in Norway, they have been sailing to the Caribbean for decades and know just how to please their guests. All of the famed sailing experience and hospitality of the Norwegians has been imported to America to offer the best vacations possible to points around the globe.

Twenty years ago, they went so far as to purchase coastal property in Haiti to provide travelers with a land stop in that exotic country. It provides a respite from sea travel and a chance to get solid earth under your feet after a delightful voyage. They have another private stopover in the Bahamas that is equally terrific.

But don't worry about the need to reach land. The RCI ships are smooth as silk on the sea. The company has some of the largest vessels afloat and the gas turbine engines keep vibrations to a minimum. Most of the time unless you look outside, you hardly know you are not on land.

As long as 10 years ago they already had a 130,000 tons ship - the size Carnival is just now deploying. Priding itself on offering the finest amenities aboard the largest ships, RCI continues the tradition with even larger ones scheduled to leave the Aker Finnyards docks of Finland over the next few years.

The future ships are being designed to hold 6,400 passengers and weigh in at 220,000 tons. These billion dollar babies offer the latest in cruising technology for both the crew and guests. Even the much smaller (158,000 tons/3,600 passengers) ships are about the size of the famed Queen Mary II from Cunard.

The choices go well beyond just size. Whether you want Vegas-style entertainment, or some Latin music, or just a great piano bar, RCI has something for you. There are voyages that have street performers and parades on board, too! The trips aren't limited to the Caribbean, either. RCI has cruises to Alaska, the Mexican Riviera and several European destinations. Soon the company will expand its offerings by sailing to and around Australia and New Zealand, as well.

If you're interested in a family style cruise, check out one of the shorter, up-to-7-day voyages. If you're looking to mingle with an older crowd, look into one of the longer trips. You will have lots to choose from among RCI's 50 different options.

RCI just keeps getting better and better.

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