MIAMI, Feb. 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Once again shattering the antiquated notions of cruising being a passive vacation option, Royal Caribbean International announces the action-filled and cutting-edge amenities that will be found onboard Freedom of the Seas when she makes her debut in May 2006.
Along with features such as the FlowRider(R) surfing simulator and cantilevered whirlpools that have never before been seen on a cruise ship, Freedom will be outfitted with a full-size Everlast boxing ring, a group Pilates reformer studio and many other elements that are rarely seen in shoreside gyms, let alone on a cruise ship fitness center.
"We have a legacy of offering the unexpected to our guests and we knew with Freedom of the Seas we had to come out with something fabulous at every turn -- our fitness center, the largest one found on any cruise ship, is no exception," said Adam Goldstein, president. "Through partnerships with such 'heavyweights' as Steiner Leisure Limited, Everlast, Life Fitness and New Balance, we are confident we are providing our guests with the best and most innovative options in the marketplace."
Royal Caribbean's 15-year partnership with Steiner, operator of all spas and fitness centers fleet-wide, has played an integral part in helping to create the innovative and unexpected experience for which the cruise line has become so well-known. For the line's Day Spas, Steiner recently developed and launched Generation Y Spa -- spa services for teens -- acupuncture and even Gentle Touch Tooth Whitening. Below is a description of the equipment, activities and classes that have been created for the Freedom ShipShape Fitness Center in conjunction with Steiner.
Fight Klub
For the first time ever, experienced boxers looking to hone their skills or novices wanting to try something new can get their fill while onboard a cruise ship. With Freedom's "Fight Klub," guests can test their chops with a variety of boxing-related activities, including one-on-one training sessions with an experienced instructor inside a full-size 20' by 20' Everlast boxing ring. Multiple Everlast speed bags, jump ropes, heavy bags and padded punching mitts are available. Additionally, groups of three people can partake in sparring sessions with freestanding body master bags, all supervised by an on- site boxing coach. Die-hard Rocky wannabes can train in three one-hour sessions with a boxing coach -- the workout includes a warm up, bag work, mirror boxing, footwork and pad work.
ShipShape Class Program
Guests looking for a more serene workout will find plenty of options onboard the most innovative ship at sea. For starters, the six reformer machines in the Life Fitness Peak PilateSystem studio give Freedom of the Seas the first-ever dedicated Pilates reformer group exercise program found on a cruise ship. One-on-one training with a Pilates professional also is available and includes a complimentary postural analysis. Also offered throughout the seven-day sailing are introductory "pathway to Yoga" classes, including Friday's class on the beach of Labadee, Hispaniola, Royal Caribbean's private island.
Other classes in the program include:
* Step Up, an easy-to-follow step class;
* Firm Up, a total body conditioning class designed to tone the body;
* Balance In Motion, a stretch class to relieve tension with gentle
stretches and exercises;
* BOSU(R) training, an innovative core workout done with an inflated
rubber domed BOSU(R) balance trainer;
* Boot Camp X-Treme circuit training for seasoned exercisers looking for
an extra challenge;
* Salsamania classes, a Latin-inspired exercise class incorporating dance
moves and energetic music for a lively and fun workout;
* The "Night Klub" indoor cycling program, held in a high-tech studio
outfitted with enhanced lighting features to create a night club-style
light show throughout the class and
* Trekking, another group class, allows guests to run on one of six
treadmills in a half-circle formation for an invigorating workout
incorporating various intensity levels and inclines.
Cutting-Edge Training Equipment
Royal Caribbean has once again teamed up with Life Fitness, the largest health club exercise equipment supplier in the world, to provide nearly all of the fitness machines onboard Freedom of the Seas. New to cruise line gyms is Life Fitness' Cable Motion Series, which provides strength training and gives exercisers the freedom to move limbs independently of one another or to use different weights for each limb. It has user-defined paths of motion that allow for a variety of exercises.
Additional strength-training options include another industry "first": Power-Plate North America's Next Generation Power-Plate, a device utilizing advanced reflex technology. The central component of the machine, which resembles a large scale, vibrates subtly between 30 to 50 times per second, triggering a reflexive response that stimulates an increase in blood flow to muscles and joints and exponentially increasing the efficiency of the workout. The Power-Plate is just beginning to make its way to mainstream shoreside gyms from the fitness facilities of professional sports teams.
For the first time on a Royal Caribbean ship, all cardio equipment has personal LCD screens to keep guests entertained while they are working out.
... and For The Runners & Walkers
There are as many ways to enjoy the ports of call along Freedom of the Seas' Western Caribbean route as there are guests on the ship. Thanks to Royal Caribbean's partnership with New Balance, a leading manufacturer of high- performance athletic footwear and apparel, avid runners can follow mapped out routes at select ports of call and enjoy a safe run at each destination without having to worry about getting lost on their way back to the ship or measuring the distance on their own. Other components of the New Balance partnership include:
* Walking and running activities utilizing the onboard running track;
* Self-service kiosk to service cruisers with running (5K, 10K or
Marathon) and walking training programs;
* Stretch and fitness tips at intervals along the onboard running track
and
* Cruise and Sports staff will be outfitted with New Balance footwear and
apparel.
ShipShape Seminar Series
Small lifestyle changes can often greatly enhance well-being, which is why Royal Caribbean offers its ShipShape Seminar Series, created in consultation with Elemis spa-therapy innovators, a subsidiary of Steiner. These scripted seminars and multi-media presentations cover topics such as healthy eating and nutrition, body detoxification and tips for reaching the "burn fat fast" zone. In addition, a session is offered to introduce the Polar BodyAge fitness assessment system, which tests cardiovascular health, body fat, strength, flexibility and more to compare the body's "fitness age" with its chronological age. Factors such as diet, exercise and stress can either slow down or speed up the aging process. The Polar BodyAge system helps guests determine how their lifestyle has affected their bodies.
To help familiarize guests with all of the fitness activities available in Freedom's ShipShape Fitness Center, two 65-inch interactive plasma televisions located in the entryway will allow guests to find out more about the classes and equipment available and to check class schedules.
Of course, there are more places than the fitness center for guests looking to get their heart rates up. The FlowRider(R), ice-skating rink and expanded rock-climbing wall each offer guests a chance to get the heart pumping. For an interactive sneak peak at the new and expanded rock-climbing wall that will be found on Freedom of the Seas, visit http://www.freedomoftheseas.com/ .
Steiner Leisure Limited is a worldwide provider of spa services. The Company's operations include spas and salons on 120 cruise ships and in 56 resort spas and two luxury day spas. Our cruise line and land-based resort customers include Carnival Cruise Line, Caesars Entertainment, Celebrity Cruises, Crystal Cruises, Cunard/Seabourn Cruise Lines, Hilton Hotels, Holland America Line, Kerzner International, Marriott Hotels, Norwegian Cruise Lines, Princess Cruises and Royal Caribbean Cruises.
Our Elemis Limited subsidiary manufactures its Elemis(R) brand products for use in our cruise ship and land-based spas. This top quality European line of beauty products is also distributed worldwide to exclusive hotels, salons, health clubs and destination spas. Elemis(R), as well as other Steiner products, including La Therapie(R), Ionithermie, and Steiner Hair Care, are available at http://www.timetospa.com/ .
At 160,000 GRT and holding 3,634 guests double-occupancy, Freedom of the Seas will be the largest cruise ship in the world when she debuts in May 2006. The first in Royal Caribbean's new Freedom class, she will be the most forward-looking and innovative ship the company has built to date. Freedom of the Seas will sail seven-night Western Caribbean itineraries from Miami calling in Cozumel, Mexico; George Town, Grand Cayman; Montego Bay, Jamaica; and Royal Caribbean's private destination, Labadee, Hispaniola.
Life Fitness and Life Fitness Peak PilateSystem are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Brunswick Corporation.
First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:
