Royal Caribbean is Back! Six Ships to Sail This Summer
Royal Caribbean International has officially announced its plans for resuming cruising this summer. The line will begin sailing from Florida and Texas beginning in July and August. The comeback will kick off on July 2 with Freedom of the Seas sailing a Fourth of July weekend cruise to the line’s private island Perfect Day at CocoCay. By the end of August, 12 ships in Royal Caribbean’s fleet will officially be cruising in the Bahamas, Caribbean, Alaska as well as Europe.
“This is it. Vacationers can finally plan to take their precious time off this summer and truly get away after what has been a challenging time for everyone. I would like to sincerely thank our guests and travel partners for their incredible patience and understanding during this very difficult period. Thanks in large part to the successful rollout of vaccines, the world of adventure is beginning to open up, and we are all excited to start delivering great vacations to our guests, who have increasingly told us they are getting vaccinated. As of today, 90% of all vacationers booking with Royal Caribbean are either vaccinated or planning to get vaccinated in time for their cruise,” said Michael Bayley, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean International.
Royal Caribbean’s full lineup for summer U.S. sailings includes:
- Freedom of the Seas: 3- and 4-night Bahamas and Perfect Day at CocoCay sailings from Miami, starting July 2
- Odyssey of the Seas: 6- and 8-night Southern and Western Caribbean cruises from Fort Lauderdale, starting July 3. The first sailing will mark the official debut of Odyssey of the Seas.
- Serenade of the Seas: 7-night Alaska sailings from Seattle, starting July 19
- Allure of the Seas: 7-night Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries from Port Canaveral, starting Aug. 8
- Ovation of the Seas: 7-night Alaska itineraries from Seattle, starting Aug. 13
- Symphony of the Seas: 7-night Eastern and Western Caribbean sailings from Miami, starting Aug. 14
- Independence of the Seas: 7-night Western Caribbean sailings from Galveston, Texas, starting Aug. 15
- Mariner of the Seas: 3- and 4-night Bahamas and Perfect Day at CocoCay sailings from Port Canaveral, starting Aug. 23
Royal Caribbean will also make its return to Europe as Harmony of the Seas returns August 7 for 7-night itineraries to the Western Mediterranean. As previously announced, Adventure of the Seas will also depart from Nassau, Bahamas on June 12, and Anthem of the Seas and Jewel of the Seas will also resume in Europe this July.
The cruise line is continuing to work closely with the CDC, port authorities in the U.S., as well as all destinations being visited regarding requirements for these upcoming sailings. Today’s official announcement did not stipulate all health and safety measurements that will be required on these sailings, and the line says it will share additional updates on measures very soon prior to departure dates.
“The current process requires each ship to complete a simulation cruise before receiving approval to resume sailing once again from U.S. ports. The applications for simulation cruises are under review and receiving approvals on a rolling basis. The progress made as a result of the ongoing collaboration with and support from the state, local, and federal level continues to set the stage for Royal Caribbean to return to sailing this summer as planned,” wrote the line in its official announcement.
Other previously scheduled cruises through August not mentioned in today’s announcement have been canceled.
This is a breaking news story. We will continue to share updates as well as provide details from the line regarding health and safety measures, as they become available.
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