Liberty of the Seas will introduce new onboard programs

It seems like all the cruise lines are gabbing about their newest ships this week, and Royal Caribbean is next up. The cruise line has revealed some of the new onboard programs debuting with the Liberty of the Seas.

A new “Vitality” program will offer enhanced health and fitness options, such as tai chi, acupuncture, wellness seminars, and “a soothing signature scent.” The “Explorer Weddings” program is an addition to Royal Caribbean’s current wedding-and-vow-renewal package. Lovebirds can tie the knot or reaffirm their love while doing adventurous activities such as surfing on the FlowRider, scuba diving, or hiking on a glacier.

Kids and teens will also benefit from Royal Caribbean’s innovations. Camp Broadway, a New York-based children’s theater group, will involve young guests in dramatic arts programming. Teens can also learn to DJ onboard. Little kids can begin to develop cooking skills with Fisher Price’s “Chefs on Deck,” and families can build a ship together with activities hosted by Lowe’s. Clearly, Royal Caribbean is about entertaining kids with product placement.

The design of the Liberty of the Seas will feature an “illusion or reality” theme, enhanced by artwork by Miguel Chevalier, who specializes in interactive digital art. Like its sister ship, the Freedom of the Seas, the Liberty will be outfitted with a rock-climbing wall, FlowRider surf pool, ice skating rink, boxing ring, miniature golf course and golf simulator, cantilevered whirlpools, and a shopping promenade that’s longer than a football field. With all of these onboard wonders, I would think no one would bother to disembark on port days.

Although the Liberty of the Seas will debut in April, the ship won’t start sailing its regular seven-night eastern and western Caribbean itineraries until May 19. The books are already open, so you can sign up now to try out all of Royal Caribbean’s new onboard programs.