Royal Caribbean cruise ship Mariner of the Seas to get a major overhaul

Gene Sloan | USA TODAY

Royal Caribbean is upping the ante in the market for short cruises out of Miami with plans for a major makeover of Mariner of the Seas.

The line on Thursday said the soon-to-be-Miami-based, 3,114-passenger vessel would undergo a $90 million overhaul this spring that would include the addition of new deck-top water slides, a FlowRider surfing pool, a virtual reality bungee trampoline experience and other fun-focused attractions.

Also in the works is a new Italian restaurant by celebrity chef Jamie Oliver and a retro-chic tiki bar.

Currently based in Asia, Mariner is re-positioning to Miami in June to operate three- and four-night voyages to the Bahamas. The trips will feature stops in Nassau and CocoCay, Royal Caribbean’s private island destination.

The makeover of the ship will occur just before it arrives in Miami. The work will take place at a shipyard in Cadiz, Spain over a month-long period.

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The new virtual reality attraction planned for Mariner will be called Sky Pad. Passengers will wear virtual reality headsets while on a bungee trampoline to experience what it's like to bounce over moon craters. They'll also be able to compete in "intergalactic games."

Two new water slides are planned for Mariner, to be called Cyclone and Typhoon. They'll spiral around the back of the ship near the new FlowRider surfing pool and Mariner's existing rock-climbing wall.

Also new will be a glow-in-the-dark laser tag experience that will take place in Studio B, Mariner's ice skating rink. Mariner also will get a new escape room experience called Puzzle Break: The Observatorium.

The new Jamie Oliver restaurant, Jamie's Italian, is a concept that already exists on several other Royal Caribbean ships. Other food and beverage options to be added to Mariner include Japanese eatery Izumi Hibachi & Sushi, which also appears on a number of other Royal Caribbean vessels. Mariner also will be getting a Starbucks.

The new tiki bar, dubbed The Bamboo Room, is a new concept for Royal Caribbean that only will be found on Mariner for now. It'll boast a Polynesia theme and serve hand-crafted cocktails. Mariner also will be receiving a new sports bar and arcade.

Mariner's first voyage after the overhaul will begin on June 25.

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