A dream journey on ‘the voyager of the seas'

Royal Caribbean International's Voyager of the Seas arrived at Port Rashid on May 15 for the first time on its way to Singapore. It is the second-largest cruise ship to come to the UAE. At 311 metres it is roughly as long as the Burj Al Arab is tall and can carry up to 3,114 guests and 1,185 crew members. Weighing 138,000 tonnes, the ship has 15 passenger decks, the world's first onboard ice-skating rink and rock-climbing wall, along with the Royal Promenade, flanked by restaurants, lounges and boutiques, running almost the length of the ship. It also holds a three-storey-high theatre, La Scala, a spa, four pools, including the Solarium, six whirlpools and a fitness centre (with classes including that of yoga and tai chi). Dining options including the Windjammer Café, Jade Sushi and Asian-fusion cuisine, Café Promenade, Portfolio Italian restaurant, Johnny Rockets and Ben & Jerry's Ice-Cream shop. After her stop at Dubai, the ship will continue on to other parts of Asia, operating summer departures out of Singapore and Shanghai to exotic South East Asian, Korean and Japanese destinations. In the Far East and South Pacific the ship will offer an exclusive DreamWorks Experience featuring characters such as Shrek and Fiona, and Po from Kung Fu Panda, among others.

If you wish to catch a cruise on the Royal Caribbean, the next one from Dubai is in January 2013. The Serenade of the Seas will sail from Dubai on January 28 for a seven-night Gulf Getaway, calling into the ports of Fujairah, Muscat and Abu Dhabi before returning to Dubai. Prices start at $649 (Dh2,384) per person. Or sail in to Dubai on the same ship from Barcelona. The Serenade departs from Barcelona on January 14 for a 14-night trip to Dubai, stopping at ports in Egypt and Oman. Prices start at $749 per person. Log on to www.royalcaribbean-arabia.com or call 04-3314299 for more cruises and bookings.