Royal Caribbean International Certifies More Than 7,000 Guests in Diving Programs

Email

Print

share/save

rss

MIAMI, Nov. 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Royal Caribbean International, the cruise line known for active onboard amenities such as surfing simulators, rock-climbing walls, ice skating rinks and bungee trampolines, today announced more than 7,050 guests have received Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) Scuba Diver certification while on a Royal Caribbean cruise.

"Offering diving certification is another fantastic way Royal Caribbean appeals to people who want to try something new on their cruise vacation. Clearly, these results show there are a lot of guests who fall into this category," said Craig Milan, senior vice president of Land Operations. "To have certified more than 7,000 guests in 6 years is an incredible accomplishment."

PADI Scuba Diver certification is available through the SeaTrek dive shops on all Voyager-class ships (Adventure of the Seas, Explorer of the Seas, Mariner of the Seas, Navigator of the Seas and Voyager of the Seas) and will be offered on Freedom of the Seas, which will debut in May 2006. In just seven days, guests over the age of 12 can complete the program by attending a combination of classroom instruction and pool sessions along with two open water dives at select ports of call. Guests who receive this certification are limited to dive in certain depths of water only and must dive with a dive master or instructor.

A second type of certification, PADI Open Water Diver, allows guests to dive with a certified dive buddy -- instead of a professional only, with fewer depth restrictions than PADI Scuba Diver certification. PADI Open Water Diver certification is valid for life and available to guests over the age of 12 sailing on a Voyager-class ship.

For guests who are already certified scuba divers, the cruise line offers a variety of scuba diving excursions year round in more than 14 destinations. Excursions can be purchased onboard or in advance at http://www.royalcaribbean.com/ .

In addition to offering certification, all Voyager-class ships have a variety of accessories and equipment available for purchase at the SeaTrek dive shop. Items range from snorkels, masks and fins, to regulators, gauges and dive computers.

Royal Caribbean International is a global cruise brand with 19 ships in service and two under construction. The company also offers unique cruisetour vacations in Alaska, Canada and Europe. For additional information about the cruise line, please visit the company's Web site at http://www.royalcaribbean.com/ or call 800-327-6700.

Related Articles