Largest Royal Caribbean Ships To Employ Own Brand of New York

Central Park

Able to hold 5,400 passengers, Royal Caribbean’s Project Genesis ships will almost be large enough to fit the entire island of Manhattan. It will settle with its own take on Central Park.

Travel agents and media have finally got their first glimpse of one feature onboard Royal Caribbean’s much anticipated Genesis-class ships, which will debut in 2009 and 2010. Shrouded in secrecy up until now, the cruise line this month unveiled Central Park, a football-field-in-length area sure to gather a high volume of foot traffic. The park will include real foliage, trees, gardens, an assortment of stores, seven restaurants, cafes and bars, featuring alfresco dining, and the Rising Tide Bar, which actually will vacillate up and down. In addition, there will be 254 park-view staterooms—all of which will be open to the sky.

An area such as this is possible, said Richard Fain, chairman and CEO of Royal Caribbean Cruises, because of the ship’s vastness. “Innovation defines us and is reflected in what we do,” Fain said. “We wanted to build our ships with a focus on spaces and activities.”

The idea behind Project Genesis began some four years ago with a focus to develop a large menu of choices for guests. Royal Caribbean has long been a trailblazer in equipping its ships with features such as rock-climbing walls, ice-skating rinks, full-length basketball courts and FlowRider surf simulators.  “The technology of design has changed,” Fain said, “giving us the ability to add more choice and options.”

Royal Caribbean says its next “reveal,” which should divulge the rest of Genesis’ layout, will be June 18 in Manhattan’s Nokia Theatre in Times Square. Visit www.royalcaribbeangenesis.com.