Inside a 15-deck luxury cruise ship: suites, thrilling activities, and more

Filipinos love to travel, but cruising has yet to catch our senses. It is with good reason: cruise trips can be very pricey, and coupled with the notion of being trapped in the middle of sea for days on end, we are likelier to shy from it even more.

It's not exactly wrong, but when Royal Caribbean's Voyager of the Seas docked in Manila for the first time — a quick-stop in the middle of its four-night cruise vacation from Shenzhen, China — and gave a press tour as the 3,600 passengers went trotting around in Intramuros and nearby Laguna, we learn the notion is not exactly right either.

Royal Caribbean International is a global cruise line renowned for its majestic fleet, innovative offerings, and a slew of routes around the world. And the Voyager of the Seas is just one of its many classes of ship that boasts of thrilling activities onboard.  

The 1,020-feet long and 157.7-feet wide cruise ship can hold 3,286 guests and 1,176 crew. There are 1,643 staterooms that range from the entry-level luxurious suites — they don't have regular rooms here — staterooms with floor-to-ceiling windows and the Virtual Balcony interior staterooms that show real-time views of the oceans and destinations.

It is tempting to stay inside, but people choose the Voyager for the thrilling activities it offers. There are a whopping 15 decks that promise fun: an ice skating rink, a FlowRider surfing simulation, a rock climbing wall, a mini golf course, shopping boutiques, a casino, an arcade, a fitness center with jacuzzi, and swimming pools.

Dining options are also aplenty, as its three-level main dining area can host hundreds of diners. The Cafe Promenade can satisfy the hunger of guests regardless of the time in the day, and the Windjammer Cafe serves an array of international cuisine with a selection of Asian dishes. 

Marilen Yaptangco, International Representative of Royal Caribbean International in the Philippines said that this short visit to the country is an opportunity to show off what international cruising is all about. “This quick stop on Philippine shores is an opportunity for us to showcase the world-class offerings of Voyager of the Seas to Filipinos,” she added. — LA, GMA News

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