Royal Caribbean International has announced its 2019-2020 deployment plans, including and the first-ever Quantum Class ship to visit Alaska, four new ports of call in Europe, and unrivalled Caribbean voyages. Combined with newly transformed ships, Royal Caribbean is offering more adventures than ever for guests of all ages.
The Views of Alaska Just Got Wilder
Making her U.S. debut for the 2019 Alaska season, Ovation of the Seas will homeport in Seattle, Washington during the Northern Hemisphere summer. Only on Ovation will guests glimpse the Northern Lights and other Alaskan wonders from the North Star, the ship’s signature glass observation capsule with panoramic views from 90 metres above sea level – the best views possible without taking flight. Ovation guests also will have the chance to skydive, surf and swim alongside glaciers from the comfort of the ship’s thrilling indoor SeaPlex sports complex, Solarium and indoor or outdoor pools.
Ovation will sail 7-night itineraries to destinations from Juneau to Victoria, British Columbia, showcasing Alaska’s natural treasures and luring adventure seekers with stately spruce forests, island-studded waters, native wildlife and awe-inspiring glaciers. Ovation will join Radiance of the Seas in the Alaska market, which sails 7-night open-jaw itineraries between Seward, Alaska and Vancouver, British Columbia. Alaska itineraries will be available to book the week of 11 December 2017.
More Ways to See the Caribbean
Royal Caribbean is changing the game when it comes to short Caribbean cruise vacation offerings. Newly modernised and redesigned with families in mind, two of the cruise line’s Voyager Class ships – Mariner of the Seas and Navigator of the Seas – will sail 3-and 4-night itineraries to The Bahamas. Boasting new features and “Only on Royal” favourites, both ships will represent the best product in the industry, offering short, weekend vacations to the Caribbean.
Mariner will sail from Port Canaveral, Florida, while Navigator will be based in Miami – where guests will be welcomed through Royal Caribbean’s new, state-of-the-art Terminal A in PortMiami. Voyager Class changed the industry by introducing unexpected activities and adventures, including the rock-climbing wall, ice-skating rink and Royal Promenade. Together with some exciting new features, the sailings are perfect for first-time guests and families who want to experience the best of the Caribbean in a weekend.
Travellers seeking short Caribbean getaways can board 4-and 5-night sailings on Enchantment of the Seas from Galveston, Texas to various destinations in Mexico, year-round. Short Caribbean itineraries will be available to book the week of 20 November 2017. All itineraries will be available to book by Crown & Anchor Society loyalty members one day prior to the general opening date.
All four of the world’s largest cruise ships – Oasis of the Seas, Allure of the Seas, Harmony of the Seas and Symphony of the Seas – will set sail from Florida in 2019 through April 2020. Oasis of the Seas, the first ship in its class, will undergo a bow-to-stern transformation before homeporting at Royal Caribbean’s custom-built Terminal A at PortMiami during the Northern Hemisphere winter, alongside her newest record-setting sister ship, Symphony of the Seas, which will be a year-round Miami resident.
After spending the previous year in Miami, Allure of the Seas will return to Fort Lauderdale’s Port Everglades, while Harmony of the Seas will make Port Canaveral her new home. All four Oasis Class ships will sail 7-night Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries, Liberty of the Seas will sail 7-night Western Caribbean from Galveston, Texas and Freedom of the Seas will sail 7-night Southern Caribbean itineraries from San Juan, Puerto Rico. The 7-night Caribbean itineraries are available to book the week of 13 November, 2017.
Royal Caribbean will continue to have a strong footprint in Northeastern U.S with Anthem of the Seas sailing from Cape Liberty Cruise Port in Bayonne, New Jersey. The megaship will sail 5- to 9-night summer itineraries to Bermuda, The Bahamas and the Caribbean. Anthem of the Seas will also offer 9-night itineraries to Canada and New England.
For the second consecutive year, Royal Caribbean is doubling up on fan favourite sailings from New York. Anthem will be joined by the recently upgraded Adventure of the Seas, offering 6- to 8-night itineraries to The Bahamas and Caribbean. Adventure also will offer select 6-night itineraries to Canada and New England during the US summer, and longer 10- to 11-night US fall foliage cruises beginning in September. Northeast, Canada and Bermuda itineraries will be available to book the week of 4 December 2017.
New Northern Europe and Mediterranean Adventures
In 2019/2020 Royal Caribbean will introduce four new European ports of call for the line. Travellers can now visit the world’s best preserved medieval city and UNESCO World Heritage site, Visby, Sweden; explore national parks, waterfalls and Roman-era history in Zadar, Croatia; discover the glamorous, picture-perfect fishing village of Portofino on the Italian Rivera; and marvel at the breath-taking scenery steeped in history in Porto, Portugal.
For the first time since 2014, Oasis of the Seas will spend the northern hemisphere summer season in Europe, sailing from the iconic port city of Barcelona, Spain. As the largest ship sailing in the Mediterranean, Oasis will bring together old-world destinations and modern experiences only found on board Royal Caribbean’s Oasis Class ships – the distinct seven-neighbourhood concept, imaginative and sophisticated dining, Broadway entertainment and the iconic waterfront AquaTheater. Oasis will sail 7-night itineraries, visiting Palma de Mallorca, Spain; Marseille, France; and Florence, Rome and Naples, Italy. Europe itineraries will be available to book the week of 11 December 2017.
For additional information, itinerary details and a peek into the Royal Caribbean adventures coming in May 2019 through April 2020, visit royalcaribbean.com/cruise-itineraries-2019.
SOURCE: Royal Caribbean International