Royal Olympic Cruises' sophisticated new Olympia Explorer uses speed and size to offer adventure and enlightenment. Second ship in series of fastest cruise vessels in the world offers unique combination of high speed and elegant amenities (May 21, 2002)

Royal Olympic Cruises' sophisticated new Olympia Explorer uses speed and size to offer adventure and enlightenment. Second ship in series of fastest cruise vessels in the world offers unique combination of high speed and elegant amenities
Royal Olympic Cruise Lines has unveiled the 836-passenger Olympia Explorer, the company's second new ship in a series of the fastest cruise vessels of their size in the world. Olympia Explorer sets sail on May 3, 2002, to begin a summer series of exotic, seven-day "Grand Mediterranean" sailings to nine ports of call in Greece (Athens, Corfu, Katakolon/Olympia, Mykonos, Santorini), Croatia (Dubrovnik), Italy (Venice) and Turkey (Istanbul, Ephesos).

Engineered with an innovative Fast Monohull to achieve a cruising speed of up to 30 knots (the equivalent of almost 35 miles per hour), Olympia Explorer is among the fastest, most time-efficient cruise ships afloat -- offering unprecedented itineraries to exotic destinations, with longer periods of time in each culturally rich port.

"Royal Olympic has identified contemporary consumer demand for a cruise product that is human-scale, and a cruise experience that is humanistic," stated Chief Executive Officer Yiannos Pantazis.
"The delivery of Olympia Explorer reflects Royal Olympic's commitment to strengthening our stature in the marketplace with ships of unique technological capabilities that can deliver more destination-intensive cruises."

In contrast to current ship-building trends, Olympia Explorer is crafted on a classic, mid-sized scale to carry 836 passengers. At 25,000 tons and with a length of 590 feet, the state-of-the-art vessel underscores Royal Olympic's dedication to providing passengers with a gracious setting of warm, human dimensions while affording access to unusual ports that larger ships cannot reach.
The ship's capacity for speed enables it to spend less time in transit, thus reaching a variety of destinations within one week that conventionally requires a 10- or 11-day itinerary.

Designed for Exploration
While similar in feel to its sister ship, Olympia Voyager (launched June 2000), Olympia Explorer introduces several new design elements, including more cabins with balconies.
The ship introduces a "Precious Earth" theme throughout its public spaces - named for precious stones with color schemes to match. Its main restaurant, Aqua Marina, presents a stylish yet relaxed atmosphere with gold and aquamarine colors featured within the 2,000 ocean-colored crystals of the room's three chandeliers.
The restaurant artistically highlights two triptychs designed specially for the restaurant by renowned Greek artist Michalis Katzourakis. For alternative dining options, passengers may choose casual, buffet style breakfast, lunch and late-night snacks in the Topaz Garden Lounge dominated by a brilliant blue topaz design, compatible with the surrounding oceans.

The Golden Room Casino offers recreational gaming, while an adjacent Cigar Lounge offers a relaxing venue for reading or enjoying a beverage. Along Coral Walk, passengers may shop in boutiques, browse in the library, or enjoy a game of cards in the game room. The Piano Bar, where soft music is enjoyed before of after dinner, is also located along Coral Walk.
A variety of entertainment is offered in the Amber Lounge, decorated with large paintings custom-designed by internationally recognized artist Eiretta Vordoni. In the Panoramic Lounge, floor-to-ceiling windows surround a silver leaf-covered dome. The Lounge offers spectacular panoramic views by day, and converts to a disco at night.

For sunbathing and swimming, passengers enjoy the outdoor pool designed with colorful mosaics by Mocada. The pool area is complemented by an awning that is illuminated at night, making passengers feel as if they are strolling in the moonlight under an exotic tent.

The Sky Suites onboard Olympia Explorer provide butler service designed to offer guests the convenience of a personal concierge to arrange everything from spa appointments to small cocktail parties. Sky Suite guests also enjoy optional breakfast and lunch served in-suite by the butler.

Additional design features unique to Olympia Explorer include a two-deck-high atrium in the main reception area, highlighted by a decorative wall of blue cascading lights with gold and silver lead, and combined with different types of marble.
Like her sister ship, Olympia Voyager, the new Olympia Explorer has stairwells adorned by glass panels engraved with the poem, "Ithaca", inspiring its guests to enjoy a voyage "full of adventure, full of knowledge." Both ships also feature decks named for the Greek gods Helios, Apollon, Selene, Venus, Dionysus and Neptune.

Exploration of the Senses
The elegant Jade Spa, named after the stone that signifies health and well being, takes its inspiration from an Indian theme and the ancient Ayurvedic Therapy, often used as a preventative treatment and to promote personal growth and healing. Derived from the Sanskrit language meaning "the science of life" and using physical and spiritual components to promote wellness, Ayurveda and Ayurvedic Therapies are offered in the Jade Spa onboard Olympia Explorer, along with a comprehensive selection of facials, massages, mud baths and thalassotherapy treatments.

Royal Olympic also introduces its new "Seafaring Gourmet" program onboard Olympia Explorer, with prominent chefs and wine educators cruising and cooking at sea on select sailings. The program is designed to enhance the passenger cruise experience and to enhance the exotic destinations visited by Olympia Explorer, and features culinary demonstrations, signature dishes and menu selections, and wine and spirits tastings.

Voyage of Self-Discovery: "From One Explorer to Another"
Along with its destination-focused itineraries, Olympia Explorer offers its guests extensive cultural enrichment programs, ranging from seminars by expert guest lecturers with prominent university and government affiliations, to classical music concerts by artists of international acclaim. To commemorate Olympia Explorer's inaugural summer 2002 Grand Mediterranean Cruises, a lecture series entitled "From One Explorer to Another" will be presented by such prominent guest lecturers as Dr. James Billington, Librarian of Congress; Dr. Frederick Winter, archaeologist and Senior Program Specialist for the National Endowment for the Humanities; and Dr. James Trefil, author, physicist and recipient of the American Association for the Advancement of Science's Westinghouse Science Journalism Award.

Olympia Explorer's shore excursion program is equally designed for discerning travelers who prefer an active vacation with a cultural focus - one that piques intellectual curiosity with physical exploration.

Portfolio of Cruises
For summer 2002, with Piraeus (Athens) departures scheduled on Fridays, and Venice departures offered on Sundays weekly through October 18, 2002, passengers may extend their vacations with attractive pre- and post-cruise packages available in either city. Low-priced air add-ons are also available.

In winter 2002/2003, Olympia Explorer repositions to offer exotic cruises to Africa, South America, Central America, the Panama Canal, and Hawaii.

(Source: Royal Olympic Cruises)