Royal Caribbean International has budgeted $110 million to
make over the Explorer of the Seas, the latest project in its Royal Amplified
fleet-improvement initiative.
Additions to the 20-year-old ship will include The Perfect
Storm racer waterslides; Giovanni's Italian Kitchen; a redesigned, resort-style
pool area with a Lime & Coconut poolside bar; and transformed kids and
teens spaces.
Plans also call for adding 72 new staterooms to the
3,286-passenger ship, although the number could change in the shipyard, a
spokeswoman said.
Other improvements include a Playmakers Sports Bar &
Arcade, a poolside Johnny Rockets Express and a standalone Starbucks.
The upgrades are due to be completed for the Explorer's
summer Mediterranean season, beginning May 7. The Explorer will sail seven- and
nine-day cruises from Rome.
In the fall of 2020, the Explorer will cross the Atlantic
for a season of roundtrip Caribbean sailings from Miami.
The Explorer will be the fourth ship in Royal Caribbean's
Voyager class to be transformed in the Royal Amplified program, an investment
of more than $1 billion across 10 ships in four years.