‘Legend of the Seas’ calls at Colombo with 1,800 tourists

By Shabiya Ali Ahlam

The Royal Caribbean International’s ‘Legend of the Seas’ arrived yesterday in Sri Lanka with 1,800 passengers before it set course to India.

Currently engaged in a 14-night cruise, the ship will be repositioned in Europe to offer Mediterranean cruises by mid this year after having undergone a US$ 50 million refurbishment at its home port in Singapore.

With Hemas Travels being Royal Caribbean International’s General Sales Agent (GSA), a group of journalists were taken on board to witness the luxurious facilities available at the ‘Legend of the Seas’. Officials of the Royal Caribbean International pointed that the ship is the most recent vessel to receive the brand’s renowned Oasis-class amenities and extensive upgrades whereas it is noted to have a passenger capacity of 2,076 and a crew size of 720.

Having achieved acclaimed industry standards, the ship boasts complementary and specialty dining options. In addition to this, keeping the guests occupied will be the large casino and the ship’s very own home-produced Broadway show, which are just some of the activities the ‘Legend of the Seas’ offers.  

The ship also features the new ‘Royal Babies & Tots’ nursery where parents are able to leave children aged from six to 36 months under expert care while they occupy themselves with the plethora of services and recreational activities made available.

An official of the ‘Legend of the Seas’ conveyed that the ship focuses on delivering a family holiday experience. He said that its activities were designed for a multi-generation group so that the enjoyment and pleasant experience of all members of family was ensured on board.

The ship will divide her 2013 Europe summer between the Italian homeports of Rome (Civitavecchia), and Venice. The ship will then return to the Caribbean in November to offer Southern Caribbean and Panama Canal sailings.

Replacing the ‘Legend of the Seas’ in Asia will be the larger ‘Mariner of the Seas,’ which will arrive in Singapore this June for her maiden voyage.

Itinerary options for the ‘Legend of the Seas’ cruise trip include the three-night cruise to Penang and Kuala Lumpur (Port Klang), the four-night cruise to Kuala Lumpur (Port Klang) and Phuket, the five-night cruise to Bangkok (Laem Chabang) and Koh Samui, and the new seven-night cruise to Puerto Princesa, Kota Kinabalu and Bandar Seri Begawan.