Believe it or not, Royal Caribbean is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2019.
With the cruise giant set to debut its highly anticipated Perfect Day at CocoCay private island destination in the Bahamas this year, it's worth taking a look back at how the innovative brand has helped to transform the industry over the last five decades.
It began in November of 1970 when the Song of Norway debuted as the industry's first ship built for warm-weather cruising. Eighteen years later, Sovereign of the Seas became the world's first "megaship," featuring sweeping staircases, glass elevators and many more highlights that today's cruise passengers have come to expect.
Royal Caribbean's Voyager of the Seas debuted the first ice skating rink and rock climbing wall at sea in November 1999. Those attractions gave way to the first boxing ring and surf simulator (FlowRider) at sea aboard Freedom of the Seas in 2006.
Royal Caribbean has also achieved a plethora of milestones just in the last decade alone. In December 2009, Oasis of the Seas became the first ship to feature seven distinct neighborhoods, an AquaTheater and a zip line.
In 2016, Harmony of the Seas' Ultimate Abyss set the record for tallest slide at sea, taking riders on a whopping 10-story plunge 150 feet above sea level. Last year, Symphony of the Seas-the world's largest cruise ship to date-completed its maiden voyage and the first Sky Pad bungee trampoline ride featuring virtual reality debuted onboard the Independence of the Seas.
Finally, this past March, The Blaster aboard Navigator of the Seas became the longest water slide at sea.
As for Perfect Day at CocoCay, future guests visiting the private island destination can look forward to experiencing the tallest water slide in North America (Daredevil's Peak); the first overwater cabanas in the Bahamas at Coco Beach Club; the largest freshwater pool in the Caribbean (Oasis Lagoon); the largest wave pool in the Caribbean at Thrill Waterpark and the region's highest vantage point-the Up, Up and Away helium balloon rises 450 feet above land and sea.
Right now, travelers can get in on Royal Caribbean's anniversary celebration by taking advantage of 50 percent off on their second guest and free sailings for guests aged 12 and under on bookings made now through May 7 for voyages departing on or after May 1.
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