Explore More On Shore: Royal Caribbean Unveils Private Journeys

Custom Shore Excursions Offer New Ways to Experience Top Destinations

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Mar 08, 2016, 09:52 ET

MIAMI, March 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Adding to Royal Caribbean International's close to 3,000 shore excursions worldwide, guests will be able to craft personalized shore excursions to immerse themselves in local culture, cuisine and adventure across 288 ports of call in 77 countries. No matter the ship or the sailing, guests can book special Private Journeys, tailored to their budget, interests, experience and travel style.

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This concierge-style planning service will connect guests with one of nine Destination Insiders to plan every detail of their shore experience before they set sail. Using their intimate local knowledge, nearly 100 years of combined experience and connections around the world, Destination Insiders will design personalized activities, programs and adventures for individual guests, couples, families and small groups. From cooking alongside Michelin-starred chefs, to wandering through the Italian and French Riviera on a private yacht, Destination Insiders will work hand-in-hand guests to design unique, memory-generating destination experiences that will serve as distinct bragging rights upon returning home.

"Private Journeys is a natural evolution of Royal Caribbean's renowned shore excursion program that allows us to offer guests the bespoke travel destination experience of their dreams, even if they don't know exactly what that is yet," said Roberta Jacoby, Managing Director, Global Tour Operations, Royal Caribbean International. "As travelers continue to seek out more personalized and immersive destination experiences that can be intimately shared with only their family and friends, Private Journeys empowers guests to make that a reality and a seamless element of their Royal Caribbean vacation."

Private Journeys bookings will require a $100 deposit applicable to the final cost of the destination experience. In celebration of the new launch, Royal Caribbean is waiving the required deposit for all Private Journeys booked before March 31, 2016. Guests with confirmed cruise reservations can begin planning their Private Journey with a dedicated Designation Insider by calling (844) 571-7851 or (801) 666-3031.

Some Private Journeys Examples Include:

Misty Fjords & Crab Feast
Ketchikan, Alaska

Explore Misty Fjords National Monument from a de Havilland Beaver float plane, followed by a sumptuous Alaskan fireside meal. After a narrated journey soaring above the Alaskan wilderness, guests will land either on an alpine lake or remote fjord. Then, sit by the fireplace, sip Alaskan Amber beer, wine, or champagne paired with smoked salmon, followed by steaming Dungeness crab.

Lunch at Belgium's Michelin-Starred Restaurant Jardin
Bruges, Belgium

Go behind the scenes at one of the world's acclaimed restaurants. The owner will show guests the kitchen, where Belgian recipes and the bounty of the North Sea come together. After the tour, savor a gourmet lunch served in Jardin's exquisite dining room.

Yachting in the Dubrovnik Riviera
Dubrovnik, Croatia

Journey by private yacht into the untamed and unspoiled reaches of Croatia's Dubrovnik Riviera. Cruise down the rugged coastline and go ashore to explore the Old Town of Dubrovnik itself. Then, climb back aboard and set off exploring this archipelago of 14 pristine islands and islets. Go ashore to explore the 15^th century ruins on the island of Kolocep. Swim in secluded lagoons and soak up the sunshine in five-star style.

Rostock by Vintage Auto
Berlin, Germany

Guests can settle into the seat of a vintage beauty and have a personal driver show them the German countryside. Rumble to the resort town of Heiligendamm for a snack of Canapés and champagne overlooking the Baltic Sea. Guests can even take the wheel on the scenic stretch to Rostock, and enjoy a guided walk through narrow streets lined with 15th-century gabled homes. Finally, board a sightseeing vessel and unwind on a lovely cruise back to port.

Whether it's exploring ruins in Europe, wine tasting in New Zealand or ziplining in the Caribbean, Royal Caribbean guests can experience a world of opportunities during a port call. To make a custom experience as part of an upcoming cruise, guests must complete and submit a Private Journeys request form online, at least 30 days before their sailing date. For full details about all of Royal Caribbean's shore excursions programs, visit www.royalcaribbean.com/shoreexcursions.

Royal Caribbean International is an award-winning global cruise brand with a 46-year legacy of innovation and introducing industry "firsts" never before seen at sea. The cruise line features an expansive and unmatched array of features and amenities only found on Royal Caribbean including, jaw-dropping, Broadway-style entertainment and industry-acclaimed programming that appeals to families and adventurous vacationers alike. Onboard, guests are catered to with the cruise line's world-renowned friendly and engaging Gold Anchor Service by every staff and crew member. Royal Caribbean has been voted "Best Cruise Line Overall" for 13 consecutive years in the Travel Weekly Readers Choice Awards.

The cruise line sails 23 of the world's most innovative cruise ships to the most popular destinations in Bermuda and the Caribbean, Europe, Canada and New England, Alaska, South America, Asia, and Australia and New Zealand. Media can stay up-to-date by following @RoyalCaribPR on Twitter, and visiting RoyalCaribbeanPressCenter.com. For additional information or to make reservations, vacationers should call their travel agent; visit RoyalCaribbean.com; or call (800) ROYAL-CARIBBEAN.

SOURCE Royal Caribbean International