MIAMI -- The rock-climbing walls affixed to the smokestacks of
Royal Caribbean International's newest ships will be installed on
the rest of the Royal Caribbean fleet by the end of this year, the
company said.
The walls were an industry first when introduced on the line's
first Voyager-class vessel in 1999.
The retrofit will start with the Monarch of the Seas in late May
and is scheduled to be completed by November with the Legend of the
Seas.
Dan Hanrahan, Royal's senior vice president of marketing and
sales, said the rock-climbing walls, which are featured in the
line's ad campaign, have become a brand icon.
"Increasingly," he said, "the rock-climbing walls have become
the symbol of the active ... spirit we are known for."