Royal Caribbean International’s cruise ship Legend of the Seas is sailing for one last time today from Singapore as she completes her long-running Asian deployment since December 2008. A farewell ceremony to commemorate the event will be held onboard today to be hosted by Captain Kjell Nordmo, in the presence of a group of government officials, business partners and travel agents.
The 70,000-gross registered ton, 2,074-guest Legend of the Seas has spent four years in Asia, called at over 40 ports – for instance Penang, Phuket, Bali, Hue/Danang, Hualien, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Fukuoka and Busan spanning 13 different countries – and been served by five Captains. Recently, the ship received a US$50 million bow-to-stern revitalization which introduced greater culinary options, new visually stunning entertainment and activities onboard, as well as a refresh of all furniture and staterooms.
Jennifer Yap, Royal Caribbean’s Managing Director, Singapore said, “Our Legend of the Seas has given our guests so many wonderful memories with the Royal Caribbean’s international style of cruising, innovative signature amenities and activities such as the rock-climbing wall and mini-golf, and most of all, her warm and friendly crew. Her presence in Asia over the years has played a significant role in creating greater market awareness for our brand and the attractions of cruising, in changing consumers’ mindset to see cruise ships as true destinations on their own and a top family-friendly vacation option with something onboard for everyone! We will definitely miss our ship here.”
Legend of the Seas will depart on a 14-night repositioning cruise to Dubai, calling at Port Klang, Phuket, Colombo, Cochin, New Mangalore, Goa, Mumbai and Muscat along the way. She will then reposition to Europe for the summer season dividing between the Italian homeports of Rome (Civitavecchia) and Venice. Thereafter the ship will head to the Caribbean in November to offer Southern Caribbean and Panama Canal sailings.
In the meantime, Mariner of the Seas will arrive in Singapore this June to kick-start her maiden Asian season. She will join her sister ship Voyager of the Seas in China for the summer for the North Asian season, before heading back in Singapore for more Southeast Asian cruises in the year-end.
