Royal Caribbean International’s Voyager of the Seas, one of the region’s largest and most innovative cruise ships, arrived at Manila for the first time today, July 20. She is one of the largest ships to call at any Filipino ports. The ship is currently on a 4-night cruise from Shenzhen, carrying over 3,600 guests onboard to tour Manila.
To celebrate the maiden call at Manila, a traditional plaque exchange ceremony was held onboard between Voyager of the Seas’ Captain Sindre Borsheim and local officials namely Mr Francisquiel Mancile, Port Manager of Philippine Ports Authority and Mr Patrick Chan, Vice President for Operations of Asian Terminals Inc.
“Royal Caribbean strives to provide every traveller with the vacation experience they deserve,” said Ms Marilen Yaptangco, International Representative of Royal Caribbean International in the Philippines. “This quick stop on Philippine shores is an opportunity for us to showcase the world-class offerings ofVoyager of the Seas to Filipinos.”
The 15-deck, 4,269-guest Voyager of the Seas offers a plethora of innovative activities and entertainment exclusive to Royal Caribbean such as the Royal Promenade, a boulevard of duty free boutiques, ice-skating rink and a full-sized sports court with the FlowRider surf simulator and rock-climbing wall.
There are numerous dining options onboard including Café Promenade which is open for 24-hours, the Main Dining Room and Windjammer Cafe buffet restaurant which serve an array of international cuisine with a selection of Asian dishes. There are also specialty restaurants such as Chops Grille Steakhouse, Giovanni’s Table Italian restaurant, Izumi for Asian cuisine and Johnny Rockets. As for accommodation, the choice ranges from the luxurious suites to the new Panoramic Oceanview Staterooms with floor-to-ceiling windows and the Virtual Balcony interior staterooms that show real-time views of the ocean and destinations.
While Voyager of the Seas is in port at Manila, guests can discover and experience local attractions on Royal Caribbean’s shore excursions. Guests can enjoy the beauty and respite of nature during the ‘Enchanting Hidden Valley’ Tour. Hidden Valley is in a secluded and private resort featuring rare collections of orchids at the crater of an extinct forested volcano in Laguna, with a secluded waterfall. Thereafter, guests can treat themselves to a traditional Filipino buffet lunch and snacks.
On the ‘A Glimpse of History’ Tour, guests can marvel at the rich heritage of the Philippines by visiting Spanish colonial-era landmarks such as Fort Santiago; Casa Manila, the exact reproduction of a Spanish “Ilustrado” home; and the centuries-old “Walled City” of Intramuros that consists of fortified walls, church ruins and relics from Spain’s Conquistadores. The tour also features San Agustin Church which has a museum run by the Augustinian order featuring antique vestments and religious paintings and icons; National Museum where guests can discover the Spanish Galleons that used to transport goods between the Philippines and Mexico; and the iconic National Gallery which houses remarkable monuments and heroic governmental leaders.
Highlights of Voyager of the Seas’ upcoming cruises are the 5-night cruise from Shenzhen to Okinawa (Naha) on July 22; the 9-night cruise from Hong Kong to Kochi visiting Okinawa (Naha), Kyoto (Osaka) and Kobe on August 10; and the 8-night cruise from Hong Kong to Singapore with calls at Nha Trang, Ho Chi Minh City (Phu My) and Bangkok (Laem Chabang) on August 29.
The ship will then embark on her longest ever season in Southeast Asia with over 70 sailings out from Singapore until next June, which includes itineraries such as the 4-night cruise to Kuala Lumpur (Port Klang) and Phuket, 5-night cruise to Kuala Lumpur (Port Klang), Penang and Phuket, and 5-night cruise to Bangkok (Laem Chabang) with an overnight stay.
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