Seatrade Cruise News is part of the Informa Markets Division of Informa PLC

This site is operated by a business or businesses owned by Informa PLC and all copyright resides with them. Informa PLC's registered office is 5 Howick Place, London SW1P 1WG. Registered in England and Wales. Number 8860726.

$90m makeover to amp up Mariner of the Seas

b86d160b4e5b228376e5ff9b1740ee42
Mariner of the Seas will add a FlowRider, SkyPad bungee trampoline, The Perfect Storm water slides and much more
Royal Caribbean International is investing heavily to enliven its short Bahamas cruises with the $90m makeover of Mariner of the Seas. A virtual reality bungee trampoline experience, The Perfect Storm water slides, glow-in-the-dark laser tag, surfing, Jamie's Italian and a retro-chic tiki bar are some of the new features.

Beginning in June, Mariner will offer three- and four-night Bahamas escapes from PortMiami to Nassau and CocoCay.

The ship is being repositioned from Singapore. Last week during Royal Caribbean's earnings call brand president and CEO Michael Bayley said the deployment adds 'quite a lot of product' in the short cruise market, but Mariner is booking very well, even early out.

The makeover will add Sky Pad, a virtual reality bungee trampoline experience where riders strap in and don their VR headset to transport them to another time and planet to bounce over moon craters or compete in intergalactic games. The experience is for all ages, and also can be enjoyed without virtual reality headsets for those who prefer to look out over the ocean as they bounce toward the sky.

Recent brand innovations will be added, too, including The Perfect Storm, a duo of racing waterslides called Cyclone and Typhoon and a glow-in-the-dark laser tag experience in Studio B, where friends and family can team up to play 'Battle for Planet Z.'

And Mariner will offer 'Puzzle Break: The Observatorium,' a new escape room experience where competitors work together to find hidden clues and solve a series of high-tech riddles to unravel a mystery in just 60 minutes.

Another Royal Caribbean favorite, the FlowRider surf simulator, will be installed in a 40-foot version.

When it comes to nightlife, The Bamboo Room, a Polynesian-themed watering hole found only on Mariner, will provide a retro lounge with tiki-chic décor. Patrons can choose handcrafted cocktails and make their friends jealous with Instagram-worthy moments throughout the kitschy-cool space. For sports fans, Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade is the place to be on game nights for drinks and snacks.

New culinary offerings include Jamie's Italian, featuring chef Jamie Oliver's rustic Italian dishes made with fresh, seasonal ingredients, including freshly made pasta. Caffeine junkies will be able to get their fix at Starbucks, and sushi fans can try Izumi Hibachi & Sushi for á la carte dishes.

Mariner of the Seas will continue to offer ice skating, a 40-foot rock-climbing wall, a nine-hole miniature golf course, three pools, a full-sized basketball court and 'Dive-In' outdoor movie nights poolside.

The Voyager-class ship was built in 2003.