Royal Caribbean International says travelers can once again mark their calendars and set their sights on a summer full of long-awaited cruise vacations, by announcing that six of its award-winning ships will begin sailing from major U.S. cruise ports in Florida and Texas in July and August.
The cruise line’s comeback will kick off on July 2 in Miami, the claimed cruise capital of the world, with Freedom of the Seas embarking on a special Fourth of July weekend sailing to Perfect Day at CocoCay and by the end of August, 12 Royal Caribbean ships will be cruising once again across The Bahamas, Caribbean, Alaska and Europe.
On the heels of the first cruise in Royal Caribbean’s highly anticipated return to the U.S. will be the debut of the brand-new Odyssey of the Seas on July 3, with what RCI describes as the game-changing ship will set sail from Fort Lauderdale on new 6- and 8-night Caribbean cruises, to soon be followed
by Allure, Symphony, Independence* and Mariner of the Seas, with in the coming weeks, the cruise line will announce its plans to reintroduce its full fleet around the globe by year’s end. The 2021 summer cruises are available to book today.
Michael Bayley, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean International said, “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”, adding, “I would like to sincerely thank our guests and travel partners for their incredible patience and understanding during this very difficult period”, and “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”, adding, “As of today, 90% of all vacationers booking with Royal Caribbean are either vaccinated or planning to get vaccinated in time for their cruise,” and “We also thank Governor DeSantis of Florida, Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, Broward County Mayor Steve Geller and Chairman of the Canaveral Port Authority board Wayne Justice and board commissioners for their steadfast support of our industry and for providing access to vaccines to the thousands of crew on our ships off the eastern seaboard”, adding, “This act of understanding and humanity has been deeply appreciated, and we are grateful for their support, which is enabling the health and safety of our guests, crew members and the communities we visit.”
Royal Caribbean’s newly revealed cruise vacations offer a range of itineraries that vary in length and destination, ease and flexibility in booking, and convenient departure ports across the U.S, with whether departing Florida on two of the world’s largest cruise ships, cruising from Texas to discover the best of the western Caribbean or venturing out to cooler temps to explore the wilds of Alaska, RCI says there is something for everyone.
Royal Caribbean’s full northern summer lineup:
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
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
The expanded summer lineup will go beyond the U.S. to include international ports across the Atlantic, like Barcelona and Rome, when Harmony of the Seas returns to Europe, with starting August 15, the Oasis Class ship will set sail on 7-night itineraries to the Western Mediterranean and visit iconic destinations like Palma de Mallorca, Spain and Provence, France.
The new U.S and Europe cruises extend Royal Caribbean’s previously announced plans to return to sailing, which include Adventure of the Seas departing from the Bahamas on June 12 as well as Anthem of the Seas sailing out of the U.K. and Jewel of the Seas from Cyprus in July. The complete list of Royal Caribbean’s 2021 cruises is available.
Unfortunately, due to the Federal Government’s international travel ban, Aussies cannot join any of these cruises and also due to the Federal Government’s biosecurity ban on cruising determination, RCI is currently unable to commence Australian operations, with an announcement regarding the ban to made on June 17.
A report by John Alwyn-Jones, Cruise Editor.
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