Royal Caribbean’s $120 Million Cruise Ship Transformation

By the Caribbean Journal staff

Royal Caribbean has returned its Mariner of the Seas ship to PortMiami following a $120 million transformation project.

The ship, which will be sailing four-night weekday and three-night weekend cruises from Miami to The Bahamas, has added a host of new concepts, from the Bamboo Room tiki bar to the Sky Pad virtual-reality trampoline experience.

Royal Caribbean has also added a pair of three-story high racing waterslides; a laster tag center; a FlowRider simulator; and an escape-room offering called The Observatorium.

Other new dining options include Jamie’s Italian; Izumi Hibachi and Sushi and the Playmakers Sports Bar and Arcade.

“With the combination of more thrills than you can count and visits to tropical destinations, Mariner is changing the game and taking the short getaway experience to a whole new level,” said Michael Bayley, President and CEO, Royal Caribbean International.

Bayley said many of the changes were specifically targeting the millennial segment.

“Millennials want more frequent and shorter vacations that offer as much of that exhilarating adventure they seek,” Bayley said. “We’ve answered that call by investing $120 million in Mariner of the Seas and bringing her to Miami to sail 3- and 4-night cruises.”

Mariner of the Seas’ first voyage will be June 25 for a four-night Bahamas cruise including stops in Nassau and the CocoCay private island.

CocoCay is undergoing a significant renovation project of its own, being rebranded as Perfect Day at CocoCay, a $200 million project that will launch in May 2019.

The Mariner renovation is part of a wider $900 million fleet enhancement by Royal Caribbean called “Royal Amplified.”