The cruise lines know they can get customers on their newest ships, but they also have ongoing plans to update their older vessels to keep people coming back.
Every five years, maritime law requires vessels go into dry dock for inspection. It’s during this time that normal upkeep takes place. But sometimes, ships go off the market for two or more weeks, and that’s when some serious gutting can take place.
“A lot of what the lines have been doing is a lot more than just changing the carpet and putting in new linens,” said Stewart Chiron, president and CEO of Miami-based industry website CruiseGuy.com. “They’ve put a lot of significant structural changes into these ships.”
That includes adding new restaurants, bars and even overhauled top-deck water parks. It also means revamping technology, like adding flat-screen TVs, digital signage and improved Wi-Fi, and updating the entertainment such as adding new Broadway shows to the lineup.
Royal Caribbean, Carnival and Norwegian all have major programs to bring the best features of their newest ships and roll them out to the older vessels, some of which are more than two decades old. Royal Caribbean calls it the Royal Advantage, Carnival calls it Fun Ship 2.0 and Norwegian calls it NEXT.
“It has made a lot of these ships more relevant for the next 15 years,” Chiron said.
Here’s a rundown of what ships have had recent changes sailing out of Florida and which ones are on tap:
Carnival Ecstasy – PortMiami: The line’s second oldest ship that began sailing in 1991 completed its dry dock in October 2014 with the addition of the poolside RedFrog Rum Bar and BlueIguana Tequila Bar.
Carnival Victory – PortMiami: The ship that debuted in 2000 emerged from dry dock on April 4 with the new Alchemy Bar, which replaced the Caspian Wine Bar, and the SkyBox Sports Bar, which replaced the Aegean Sports Bar.
Disney Magic – PortMiami, Port Canaveral: Disney Cruise Line’s oldest ship was built in 1998, but had a major overhaul adding the AquaDunk water slide, new restaurant Carioca’s, Marvel Avenger’s Academy and other enhancements in late 2013. While it’s not required to dry dock until 2018, the ship is changing up its entertainment this year with the addition of “Frozen” songs to an existing production and the introduction of “Tangled: The Musical” in the fall when it sails out of Miami before migrating to Port Canaveral in early 2016.
Norwegian Star – Port of Tampa: The ship that debuted in 2001 came back from a two-week dry dock on March 17 with the addition Norwegian’s first Five O’Clock Somewhere Bar in partnership with Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville. Also added were O’Sheehan’s Neighborhood Bar & Grill and Sugarcane Mojito Bar plus Ginza Asian restaurant was also transformed into a complimentary dining venue.
Royal Caribbean Freedom of the Seas – Port Canaveral: Once the world’s largest cruise ship when it debuted in 2006, it received several changes in January including more staterooms, the addition of Sabor’s Modern Mexican and makeover of its steakhouse and Italian specialty dining options and the replacement of the Champagne Bar with the 60s-era R Bar.
Royal Caribbean Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas – Port Everglades: Oasis emerged from dry dock in October 2014 and Allure is slated for May 1-19. This is the first time the Oasis-class ships have gone under the knife since they debuted in 2009 and 2010. New features include transforming the existing three-story dining room into three unique restaurants – American Icon Grill, Silk and The Grande – all of which debuted on the Quantum of the Seas. Also new are Sabor Taqueria & Tequila Bar, the reworked Izumi Hibachi & Sushi, Wonderland Imaginative Cuisine and Coastal Kitchen. Coastal Kitchen will be exclusive to suite guests who will also get their own lounge and sun deck. New shopping options will include Kate Spade New York, Michael Kors and the Britto Art Gallery. As far as entertainment goes, Oasis of the Seas now features Broadway’s “Cats” and Allure of the Seas will offer “Mamma Mia!” beginning in June. The line had originally announced Oasis-class ships would offer the line’s new Dynamic Dining program that’s featured on Quantum of the Seas, allowing individuals to eat among several venues with no set dining schedule. That roll out, though, has been put on hold until late 2015, said a Royal Caribbean spokesperson.
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