Sail the high skis with Royal Caribbean’s first ski resort at sea

Royal Caribbean International has announced plans to push the boundaries of extraordinary even further with its fifth Oasis Class ship, Piste of the Seas – the world’s first ski resort at sea.  The ship, set to launch in 2021, will offer a truly unique way for holidaymakers to hit the slopes and is ideal for anyone torn between a ski or cruise break.

A first of its kind, the ship will accommodate a full-size ski resort complete with five real snow runs, a lift and après-ski restaurants, bars and spa.  The announcement comes hot off the heels of the fourth Oasis Class ship, Symphony of the Seas, announced last week.

Onboard, guests access the slopes with the help of a state of the art sea lift that glides seamlessly to the top of Mount Mast, where they can admire the beautiful ocean view before tackling the piste. Whether a seasoned skier or taking to the slopes for the first time, a range of ski runs from green to black will accommodate all experience levels.  What’s more, the onboard sports team will be taking an intense training course at Courchevel ahead of the maiden voyage to qualify as Level 2 ski instructors.

And the snow facilities are just the peak of experience.  Wood panelled, family sized chalet-styled rooms will be adorned with faux fur throws to snuggle up after a day on the slopes, each one coming with a dedicated Chalet Host to ensure all needs are catered for.  There will be an option to upgrade to a hot tub chalet for those looking to unwind after a long day on the piste.

For those looking for some off-piste enjoyment, the ship will not be short of après-ski entertainment.  Guests will be able to enjoy a drink in the main bar, Après Sail, or a visit to the log cabin Alpine Spa, which will offer a range of Nordic therapies straight from the Swiss Alps.  Whether it’s a sauna session after hitting the slopes or a deep-tissue massage following a hard day’s sunbathing, the Alpine Spa will cater for all climates.

Ben Bouldin, Royal Caribbean Managing Director UK & Ireland commented “At Royal Caribbean we always lead the way when it comes to offering our guests the most extraordinary experiences and our next ship launch is no exception.  Our ships push the boundaries of innovation and Piste of the Seas provides a best of both worlds solution for customers who love their annual ski break but dream of a cruise to sunnier climes.”

It hasn’t, however, all been plain sailing. The logistics of calculating the snow levels for the piste has been paramount according Bouldin.  “We worked closely with a leading Environmental Landscaper, to ensure the calculations were accurate. We weren’t worried about this so much when sailing around the UK, but in particular our sunny Med destinations the calculations were crucial. A total of 25 snow cannons will be required to keep the temperature of the piste below 2 Degrees Celsius and the snow level deep enough to ski on.”

Billy Morgan, Team GB snowboarder and 2016 X Games medallist, has already expressed enthusiasm to tackle the slopes, “As soon as I heard about the extraordinary Piste of the Seas I knew I have to give it a go!  I have been lucky enough to experience some of the best slopes in the world, but this will be a seriously cool first for me.”