Royal Caribbean prepares for delivery of Liberty of the Seas
Royal Caribbean International’s newest ship, Liberty of the Seas, will undergo final sea trials in mid-April.
With construction 97% complete at Aker Finnyards in Turku, Finland, the ship is scheduled to be delivered to Royal Caribbean on April 18, arriving in Southampton on April 22 for the inaugural celebrations.
Jo Rzymowska, sales and marketing director UK and Ireland, said: “Last year, the arrival of Freedom of the Seas stimulated an increase in bookings throughout the cruise industry and we are hugely excited about the potential of Liberty of the Seas.
“Agents joining us in Southampton this year will be the best ambassadors for selling our Freedom-class ships, including Freedom of the Seas, Liberty of the Seas, and Independence of the Seas.
“We are almost ready to welcome the 4,000 travel industry professionals who will be the first to see our newest addition. All 1,292 seats are now in place in the Theatre, the chandelier in the main three-tier restaurant is gleaming and final preparation of the soft furnishings is underway.”
The Freedom-class ships are the only ships in the world to feature an onboard surf park, the FlowRider, and also include innovations such as an ice skating rink and rock climbing wall.
By Bev Fearis
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports
Singapore to forbid entry to undesirable travelers with new no-boarding directive
Euromonitor International unveils world’s top 100 city destinations for 2025