Royal Caribbean Launches Military Appreciation Campaign With Arrival of Radiance of the Seas in San Diego

Royal Caribbean Intl’s Radiance of the Seas arrived yesterday in its new seasonal homeport of San Diego to offer West Coast vacationers more options for a memorable Mexican Riviera cruise.

Radiance of the Seas’ arrival also marks the launch of the cruise line’s military appreciation campaign. In recognition of the contributions made by members of the U.S. military and the amount of time they spend away from their families to serve their country, Royal Caribbean is making a donation of $10,000 to Wounded Warriors Families Support, an organization that provides support to the families of those who have been wounded, injured or killed during combat operations. In addition, the cruise line is offering special cruise pricing to active and retired U.S. and Canadian military personnel and their families to share a cruise vacation aboard Radiance of the Seas and Mariner of the Seas for sailings between Oct 1, 2009 and March 31, 2010.

“Royal Caribbean is appreciative of the contributions and sacrifices made by all members of our military services,” said Betsy O’Rourke, senior vice president of Marketing, Royal Caribbean International. “Our contribution to the Wounded Warriors Family Support organization is our way to help give back to those who have given up so much already. And we’d like to invite our heroes in the military to share a memorable vacation with their families by offering super-special fares on Mexican Riviera cruises aboard Mariner of the Seas and Radiance of the Seas.”

Radiance of the Seas will embark on a total of 29 Mexican Riviera cruises from San Diego, ranging from 4- to 12-night itineraries. In addition, vacationers also can choose a 13-night Ultimate Alaska itinerary sailing on May 8, 2010. Adding to Mariner of the Seas’ year-round sailings from Los Angeles, Radiance of the Seas offers vacationers a second choice of a Radiance-class ship from an alternative embarkation port, and a wider breadth of itinerary options sailing from the West Coast.

Radiance of the Seas begins the season with 12 short cruises from San Diego, 4- and 5-night itineraries with calls at Cabo San Lucas and, on the longer itinerary, Ensenada. Vacationers can choose among 15 longer sailings starting in Nov, ranging from 9- to 11-night round-trip itineraries that include ports of call such as Acapulco, Cabo San Lucas, Ensenada, Huatulco, Ixtapa (Zihuatanejo), Manzanillo, Mazatlan, and Puerto Vallarta. Vacationers also can avoid the stresses and messes this holiday season on Radiance of the Seas. A special 9-night Thanksgiving cruise, sailing on Nov 21, 2009, will feature a call at Manzanillo on Thanksgiving Day, the cruise line’s first return to the port since 1999. Holiday revelers also can choose a 12-night holiday cruise departing Dec 21, 2009, when guests will celebrate Christmas and herald in the New Year on board on the same cruise.

Deployed to Los Angeles in Feb 2009, Mariner of the Seas offers vacationers a 7-night Mexican Riviera itinerary year-round as the largest and most innovative cruise ship to be based in the Pacific Ocean. Ports of call include Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan and Puerto Vallarta. Mariner of the Seas is among Royal Caribbean’s Voyager class of ships, known for revolutionizing the cruise industry in the ‘90s by introducing an onboard rock-climbing wall, ice-skating rink, and the Royal Promenade – a boulevard running nearly the length of the ship that is lined with lounges, stores and restaurants, including a Ben & Jerry’s ice cream parlor.