One, with about 2,900 cabins, is the largest ship in the world. The fifth ship of the Oasis class and the last flagship of the Royal Caribbean fleet, she has been sailing in the Mediterranean since spring and will join the Caribbean in a few weeks. 24 lifts, 18 bridges, 9300 passengers and crew members, The miracle of the seasIt is the king of excellence where vacationers from all over the world travel with their families. The other is the third ship in the Edge series from Celebrity Cruises, Royal Caribbean’s luxury subsidiary. Also built at Saint-Nazaire Shipyards, Celebrity Beyond:highlights the talents of renowned American designer Nate Berkus and French design firm Jouin Manku, the innovation of British architect Tom Wright, and the culinary talents of star chef and restaurateur Daniel Boulud. A cruise designed primarily for aesthetes and enthusiasts. Le Figaro tested both.
The miracle of the seasthe world’s largest ocean liner
The latest in the Oasis class The miracle of the seas The new holder of the title of the world’s largest plane, with nearly 2,900 cabins and 7,000 passenger suites, is beyond the ordinary. Striving to push the boundaries even further, everything is impressive on this company-commissioned vessel Royal Caribbean At the Atlantic Shipyard in Saint-Nazaire. Given its unprecedented width, the size of a football field (64 meters), it was possible to create outdoor spaces, including a long tree-lined garden overlooking the pool bridges, half a dozen stories higher or even a huge amphitheater. strictly, to the sea.
The boat by the numbers
Length: 362 m
Passenger capacity: 6988
Number of staff members: 2300
Number of bridges: 18
Number of cabins: 2867
The style
Its extraordinary dimensions make this ship the largest floating holiday village ever built on the oceans. that to be surprised has eight neighborhoods (and no longer seven like other ships in this category), each with its own atmosphere and space, such as the Suite Neighborhood, an area reserved for Royal Suite passengers with an infinity pool, gourmet restaurant and private with a bridge. . At new Royal Caribbean, this is a growing trend among major cruise lines.
SUITES AND SUITES
Four large types of well-equipped (and well-finished) cabins and suites in blue tones and light wood, from an inside cabin with two 16m2 single beds to the Ultimate Family Suite, a 105m2 double duplex that can accommodate eight passengers. equipped with a slide, movie theater, karaoke, ping-pong table… Our favorite? Excellent spacious cabin (34 m2) with large balcony, perfectly located in the ship, on deck 11 and ideal for a family of four.
For whom.
Of course, families with children. And some action The miracle of the seas are unique! Between the FlowRider, a surf simulator, two really giant slides, a mini golf course, a basketball court, two climbing walls, a water park or even a zipline that crosses the boat… There is something for all ages and tastes. . If the capacity of the plane is impressive, its public areas are so numerous that after all, there is rarely the impression of a crowd.
LET’S SIT DOWN!
Miracle of the Seas has 11 bars and 20 restaurants. Primarily American customers oblige, it’s easy to find pizza (Sorrento’s), hot dogs (Dog House) or hamburgers, including the Johnny Rockets chain. But this ship is also an invitation to discover flavors from around the world (except for French cuisine) with themed restaurants, including the amazing Wonderland and its molecular cuisine or seafood, a good seafood table. My Family Time Dining option is recommended. children (3 to 11 years old), who are picked up by the animation team after dinner for evening entertainment. Something for two to enjoy quietly.
CARBON
Inevitably, this giant of 236,000 tons pollutes. It consumes an average of 270 tons of fuel oil in 24 hours. To reduce pollution as much as possible, the ship is equipped with smoke scrubbers that remove 98% of sulfur oxide (SOx) emissions, as well as catalytic converters to clean nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions. Waste is sorted and processed on board, as well as wastewater, for which the plant treats more than 2 million liters per day.
ROUTES
The Wonder spends the summer season in the Mediterranean, sailing to Florence, Naples or Capri, Malaga or Marseille on three different cruises until the end of October. In November, on a 15-day transatlantic crossing from Barcelona, the ship will return to the United States to its new port in Port Canaveral, Florida, from where it will sail through the winter in the Caribbean from Haiti. Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands to St. Martin through Perfect Day at CocoCay, the company’s private island in the Bahamas.
THE LACK
From €618 (interior cabin) full board per person for a 4D/3N Bahamas-US cruise (departing 04/12/2022) to €1,474 (interior cabin) full board for a 15D/ transatlantic cruise from Barcelona to Port Canaveral. 14 N (departure: 30/10/2022).
Bookings: royalcaribbean.fr and 0805 11 2000.
YBG
that Celebrity Beyond:the most glamorous
The latest (and most powerful) of Royal Caribbean’s luxury subsidiary Celebrity’s fourteen ships left the Saint-Nazaire shipyard in March. True to the spirit of a company that prides itself on being 32% female-owned and led by a woman, this ship is captained by a captain. Inseparable from his red soles and his sphinx cat, Bug, who follows him around the world’s seas, the ship’s captain, “Captain Keith” McCue, 300,000 followers Instagram is its first ambassador on the counter.
THE BOAT BY NUMBERS
Length: 326 m
Passenger capacity: 3937
Number of staff members: 1320
Number of decks: 21
Number of rooms: 1646
The style
American class! Huge, but not too cramped, in proportions (up to 3,260 passengers), this ship is the water equivalent of a luxury resort. “We don’t strive to build the biggest planes, have the most slides, but rather offer affordable luxury around three pillars: gastronomy, well-being and destination.” explained general manager Lisa Lutoff-Perlo on the inaugural cruise. In addition to traditional spas, pools, gyms and shows, the ship boasts an “arty” side; it has an art gallery and the walls are decorated with photographs.
SUITES AND SUITES
Decorated by London architect Kelly Hoppen, who was knighted by the late Elizabeth II (that’s right), the cabins are divided into four categories: standard, exterior, balcony and suite. Our ‘balcony’ cabin is sober and elegant with neutral colors accented with beautiful blood orange. Special mention for the bathroom worthy of a “real hotel”. The craziest of the exclusive suites is the “Balcony Suite” with its jacuzzi on the panoramic terrace and its own kitchen with private butler.
For whom.
Golden youth, party girl and Instagram fan. Some corners seem designed for selfies, like the Passageway to Eden, a sort of ultraphotogenic corridor plunged into darkness and punctuated by golden meteors. In the evening, the boat turns into a cabaret during “Decadence” or “Silent Disco” evenings. So that all these little people can take care of their appearance, the gym with a view is open 24 hours. Cross training, yoga and meditation classes every morning.
LET’S SIT DOWN!
The plane has 32 bars, restaurants and stands dedicated to the pleasures of the palate. Mediterranean, French, American or Italian cuisine. the four tables included in the cruise already make it possible not to get bored, not forgetting the stainless and pharaonic buffet. As for Specialty Dining (you understand, a premium must be paid), Le Voyage restaurant is the only floating table created by French chef Daniel Boulud, who was named the best restaurateur in the world in 2021 (three or six courses, 75 or €125 per person, evening only). Staff favorite? On Raw 5 serving endless trays california rolls: and sashimi dipped in a sauce more American than Japanese. Whatever it is, it’s good. There is also a steakhouse, a “healthy” restaurant, a Martini bar and countless counters where you can walk away with ice cream, pancakes… Once after the cruise, guests have the opportunity to dine on the “Magic Carpet”. a bar located on a platform that navigates from the bottom up between the decks and down to the water level.
CARBON
Lisa Lutoff-Perlo is well aware of the climate issue, assures that she is working to ensure that “Each ship consumes less energy than the last”. The company doesn’t have an LNG-powered ship yet, but Celebrity Beyond is still 20% more efficient than its predecessor. 90% of the ship’s water comes from desalinated seawater, plastic use is reduced by up to 90% and all waste is recycled. When she docks, in ports that allow it, such as Southampton, the ship docks to completely reduce sulfur emissions. The rest of the time it is also equipped with scrubbers. You did well. to reduce energy consumption, passengers can remotely control their cabin heating or air conditioning via the Celebrity app.
ROUTES
Beginning in November, Beyond will sail from the US port of Fort Lauderdale to Mexico before calling on the Virgin Islands, Netherlands Antilles, Dominican Republic, Cayman Islands and the Bahamas (cruising five to nine days). Starting in late April, still from Fort Lauderdale, the ship will cross the Mediterranean Sea, heading to Portugal, Spain, France, Italy, Greece and up to Istanbul (nine to ten day cruises). From January 2024, it will spawn in Colombian waters.
THE LACK
8-day/7-night Bahamas and Caribbean full-board cruise (excluding flights and transfers) from €885 inside cabin, €922 outside cabin, departing April 2, 2023. Mediterranean cruise from Euro. 1,705 in an inside cabin, €1,979 in an outside cabin on a twin basis for departure on May 7, 2023.
Reservations. celebritycruises.fr, support@celebrityfrance.fr and by phone: 04 23 11 04 38.
RC:
Source: Le Figaro
