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Royal Caribbean in 2023

Now on sale - a holiday worth waiting for.

In 2022 Royal Caribbean will have 7 ships in the Med and Northern Europe:

– Anthem of the Seas will be sailing from Southampton

– Brilliance of the Seas will be replacing the Rhapsody of the Seas and sail from Ravenna for 7-night cruises to the Greek Islands and Adriatic

– Jewel of the Seas will be sailing from Amsterdam for 12-night cruises to the Arctic Circle, Iceland and British Isles. In September and October, she will be sailing 8, 9 & 10-night cruises from Athens and Tarragona

– Odyssey of the Seas will be based in Rome like it was in 2021 and will be sailing 6, 7, 8 & 9-night cruises to the Greek Islands

– Vision of the Seas will be based in Barcelona and will be sailing 5 & 8-night cruises in the Med and 12-night cruises to the Greek Islands

– Voyager of the Seas is returning to Europe and will be based in Copenhagen and Stockholm sailing 7, 10 & 11-night cruises around Scandinavia and the Baltic capitals

– Wonder of the Seas is in the Med and sailing from Barcelona (7-night itineraries)

• In Alaska, Royal Caribbean will have the Serenade of the Seas sailing from Vancouver and the Quantum & Ovation of the Seas will be sailing from Seattle
• In the Caribbean for Summer 2022, the Harmony & Mariner of the Seas will be sailing from Port Canaveral and the Symphony and Explorer of the Seas will be sailing from Miami

2022 is going to be a great year for Royal Caribbean and Cruise Nation!

Featured 2022 Deals

Why choose royal caribbean.

If you ever thought a sea day would be boring, then prepare to think again. The Royal Caribbean fleet boasts a jaw-dropping range of activities including a plethora of cruise industry firsts. For sports enthusiasts there are gyms, rock climbing walls and ice skating whilst for those who appreciate a little rest and relaxation there’s a spa, solarium, swimming pools and library. Kids will love the arcade, bumper cars and SeaPlex and adults might enjoy a little retail therapy in the designer boutiques on board. Or perhaps you want to spend some time working on you? The running track and fitness classes will help you achieve your health goals whilst the dance classes will help you master your salsa and the golf course will enable you to perfect your putting skills.

Entertainment

Can you imagine a holiday resort that offers Broadway style shows like Hairspray, We Will Rock You and Cats? A holiday resort that has pop-up pianists that appear when you least expect them? How about an Aqua Theatre where acrobats dive from dizzying heights and the cast of Madagascar deliver a show stopping performance that will delight all ages? Doesn’t sound like your every day holiday resort does it? That’s because this is the Royal Caribbean experience, and as unbelievable as it sounds, you can experience all this and more on one of their ships.

Accommodation

Put your feet up in style in one of the seriously well-designed Royal Caribbean staterooms. With the impressive choice of staterooms including Inside, Ocean View, Promenade, Balcony, Lofts, Suites and Studios; there’s a stateroom to suit every guest. As well as offering amenities such as televisions, telephones, mini bars, hair dryers and vanity areas, you’ll also have a Stateroom Attendant on call 24/7 to make sure your stay is extraordinary.

Royal Caribbean has delivered several innovations in their on board accommodation including virtual balconies in the Inside staterooms that show a live feed of the view from the deck of the ship on a giant LED screen. This tech means that all of Royal Caribbean guests can now appreciate the incredible views of the ocean and port from inside their stateroom.

For a really remarkable stay, consider the luxury Loft suites which are split over two decks and offer seriously spacious living. With floor to ceiling windows, your ocean view will certainly impress. Plus, if you do happen to book a Loft Suite, you’ll also benefit from added extras like priority check in and complimentary valet service. Opt for the Royal Suite Class and you’ll live the life of luxury as you’ll gain VIP access to Royal Genie and Concierge services amongst a variety of other perks including complimentary in room movies and all inclusive speciality restaurant access and drinks packages.

And because Royal Caribbean always considers the needs of the families who cruise with them, you can book connected staterooms that sleep between 8-10 guests. These connected cabins also have their own private balcony for you to enjoy the sea views together. Who would have thought you’d have this much choice for sleeping at sea?!

Destinations

Cruising to 260 destinations world-wide, Royal Caribbean has the means to make your travel wish list come true. Alaska and Canada, the Caribbean, Dubai , Hawaii , Asia and the Mediterranean are all some of the destinations you can find itineraries for. From discovering beaches with pink sand in Bermuda to climbing the world’s tallest building in Dubai, the world is your oyster!

Look out for itineraries featuring Royal Caribbean’s very own destinations; the private island Coco Cay in the Bahamas and Labadee Beach in Haiti. At these destinations you can swim, snorkel and sunbathe in your own exotic paradise!

You’re in for a treat when you choose a Royal Caribbean cruise because the menus and restaurants are an experience in themselves! Firstly there’s the Wonderland restaurant which is loosely themed on ‘Alice in Wonderland’, here you can expect to find a delightfully whimsical yet elegant decor and dishes like ‘Veggies in the Garden’ and Baked Alaska. Then there’s Royal Caribbean’s collaboration with culinary superstar Jamie Oliver which has produced Jamie’s Italian that can be found on some of the newest ships to the fleet such as Anthem of the Seas. Royal Caribbean chefs have prepared a feast for your taste buds serving up everything from traditional American hot dogs and burgers at American Icon Grill, Far East favourites at Silk, contemporary cuisine at Chic and fresh Mediterranean influences at the Coastal Kitchen. With so many dining options on board, perhaps the hardest part of your holiday will be deciding where to eat next!

Designed for the whole family to enjoy, Royal Caribbean provides perhaps the most all- encompassing experience for a broad spectrum of ages. Guests as young as 6 months are welcomed on board with facilities and programmes designed just for them.

The kid’s programmes include: Royal Babies (6-18 months), Royal Tots (18-36 months), Aquanauts (3-5 years), Explorers (6-8 years), Voyagers (9-11 years) and two teen clubs for those aged 12-14 and 15-17.

And for parents wanting a little time to let their hair down in the evening they can find peace of mind that their teens are in the Teen Only Hang Outs and their littlest ones are having a whale of a time with the Sitters at Sea.

Book a holiday on one of the newer class ships in the Royal Caribbean fleet such as Anthem of the Seas, Harmony of the Seas and Ovation of the Seas and you’ll get to explore seven distinctive neighbourhoods. There’s Central Park with its boutique restaurants and lush flora and fauna, the Royal Promenade where you’ll find a variety of bars and shopping opportunities, the Boardwalk where you can reminisce in sweet nostalgia by playing arcade games and having a ride on the handcrafted carousel, the Pool and Sports Zone where you can take a dip or work off last nights dessert, the Vitality Spa where you can relax and get pampered, Entertainment Place where you’ll find the casino, theatre and comedy clubs and last but by no means least, the Youth Zone where the certified staff conduct sessions for play, crafts, video gaming and casual hang out areas and discos for teens.

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Cheap Caribbean Cruises - Cruises to Caribbean

Featured caribbean cruise deals, cruising guide, why cruise to the caribbean.

Thousands of islands make up the Caribbean, a tropical region stretching across the Atlantic Ocean. Home to some of the most popular cruise ports in the world, the Caribbean offers variations on a theme: sun, white-sand beaches and fun with a local twist, depending on the port. From Dutch and French isles to U.S. territories, the destinations of the Caribbean have cultural experiences to spare that extend well beyond the tip of the umbrella in your fruity cocktail.

A cruise offers the chance to visit multiple islands within the span of a few days, providing visitors with a sampler of new places plus balmy sea breezes along the way. Caribbean cruises offer endless variety giving vacationers the chance to get away for a long weekend or two weeks. With so many departure ports, your ship to the Caribbean might be a short flight or even a drive away.

What are Popular Activities in the Caribbean?

The Caribbean offers as much -- or as little – as you want to do during your time ashore, making it an ideal cruise vacation for families or for couples.

Water sports are abundant in the Caribbean and anyone who likes spending time in the sea will enjoy snorkeling, diving, paddleboarding and swimming through clear, turquoise waters like the remote beaches of Bonaire. Or fly high through the sky on a number of active zipline courses, including the steepest zipline in the world in St. Maarten. Lazily lounging on the beach is almost always a fantastic option. Pair a beach day with a hike on a day trip from St. Thomas to Virgin Island National Park in St. John.

If you need a break from the sun, air-conditioned island tours, duty-free shopping trips and even scenic rail trips -- such as the one around St. Kitts -- provide wonderful ways to spend a day off the ship.

All-inclusive lovers will be able to pamper themselves with excursions to resorts, while those looking for a more local flavor will be able to learn from chefs, artisans and other experts for an authentic taste of each island's culture

When is a Good Time to Cruise to the Caribbean?

Winter and spring are great seasons to travel to the Caribbean due to a slight reduction in crowds and moderate temperatures, though the warm weather holds year-round here.

Atlantic hurricane season, from June through October, means a higher chance of rain and possible storms, though summer is still one of the most popular times to visit the Caribbean. If you book a summer sailing in a Caribbean region within the hurricane zone, there's a chance nothing will happen -- but buying insurance and keeping a flexible schedule helps manage expectations.

What are Popular Ports in the Caribbean?

Cozumel, St. Thomas, Grand Cayman and St. Martin/Maarten are some of the most common ports of call in the Caribbean. You could also experience Jamaica, Cuba, Aruba, Grand Turk or the Dominican Republic. Many Caribbean cruises also include stops at private islands, such as Royal Caribbean's CocoCay or Disney's Castaway Cay, located in The Bahamas.

Where do Caribbean cruises depart from?

Caribbean cruises depart from ports around the U.S., including San Juan, Puerto Rico. Many of the top Caribbean cruise departure ports are located in Florida: Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Tampa and Orlando.

Elsewhere on the East Coast and Gulf Coast, Caribbean sailings depart from Baltimore, Manhattan, Galveston, New Orleans, Mobile and more. Caribbean islands and itinerary lengths will vary, depending on where you sail from and where you're sailing to.

What are Popular Regions of the Caribbean?

Choose from Eastern, Western or Southern Caribbean itineraries. You’ll primarily find the U.S. Virgin Islands -- St. Thomas, St. Croix and St. John -- on Eastern Caribbean sailings, as well as St. Maarten/Martin and the Dominican Republic. The ABC Islands (Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao) are featured on Southern Caribbean cruises. Western Caribbean cruises often include ports in Mexico and Jamaica, along with Belize and Grand Turk.

Lengths also vary -- Western Caribbean itineraries can be limited to just a few days for those who want a quick getaway or don't have time for longer sailings. Southern Caribbean sailings tend to last at least 10 nights, and these often depart from San Juan. Eastern Caribbean sailings are typically a week long.

What are Tips to Find Cruise deals to the Caribbean?

Here are our best tips for finding a cheap cruise or cruise deal to the Caribbean. If you book a “guaranteed cabin” (they select for you), a cabin on a lower deck or sail on an older ship from a brand you like, then you can get the best price for a specific cruise to the Caribbean. Last minute cruises deals to the Caribbean appear as you get closer to the sail date, usually 1-2 weeks in advance. Taking a cruise to the Caribbean in the shoulder season (before or after the peak season) can also be a great way to find a cruise deal.

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Explore Caribbean

The Nation's 2024 ~ 7-Day Caribbean Cruise

Dear Friend of The Nation ,

Join The Nation on our 7-day Western Caribbean Cruise — December 8 to 15, 2024 — to come together with friends and family in these tumultuous times.

We're sailing to the Caribbean aboard Holland America Line's ms Nieuw Amsterdam to visit four extraordinary islands over a week. Embark on a convenient roundtrip Ft. Lauderdale adventure. Meet stingrays in Half Moon Cay, see how jerk chicken is made in Jamaica, taste rum cake in the Cayman Islands, and explore Cozumel beaches.

In our exclusive panel discussions at sea, we'll talk about Election 2024, the future of progressive politics and the fragile state of democracy, war and peace, hopeful signs of a resurgent labor movement, the fight to save reproductive rights in the US, the on-going fight for racial justice, a rapidly escalating climate crisis, what COVID-19 has shown us about averting the next pandemic, and much more.

I hope you will join The Nation on board in December — this is a crucial moment in our national politics, and the cruise provides essential funds to support the magazine as we continue to instigate progress in these trying times.

With appreciation,

Editorial Director and Publisher, The Nation

Popular cruise line cancels more stops to this popular Caribbean destination

• Published: Apr. 25, 2024, 11:32 a.m.

Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines vessel Serenade of the Seas. © Dan Lamont

• EmilyAnn Jackman | [email protected]

Royal Caribbean Cruise Line has canceled more stops to the line’s private beach in Haiti, citing safety concerns.

According to RoyalCaribbeanblog.com , the website that tracks the cruise line, guests who are booked on cruises in the summer and early fall are getting notifications from Royal Caribbean that their visits to Labadee have been canceled.

This comes after the cancellations implemented in March were set to last through the end of May 2024 due to the ongoing turmoil in Haiti. Now the line has been forced to cancel more cruises through September 2024.

The Labadee drop from itineraries was replaced with visits to other destinations.

“Due to the continuing situation in Haiti, we’ll now visit Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos, instead of Labadee, Haiti,” the statement said in an email to booked passengers of [the ship] Adventure of the Seas, for example.

“We’re sorry for the change - your safety is our top priority.”

In addition to Adventure of the Seas, the cancellations affect multiple other Royal Caribbean ships as well, including Independence of the Seas, Liberty of the Seas, Freedom of the Seas, and Symphony of the Seas.

Guests who were scheduled to visit the dropped destination have expressed their disappointment on the RoyalCaribbeanBlog message boards.

“For the folks looking forward to Labadee, for the folks in Labadee, and for Royal, I am sorry this has been so tough,” one user named Wayno wrote.

“Understandable but sad as I was pumped to visit both private destinations in a single sailing,” another user named tntornadox wrote on another message board.

As previously reported , Royal Caribbean first announced back in March that its cruise liners won’t be stopping at its private beach for the time being “out of an abundance of caution” as the country struggles with rampant gang violence and political turmoil.

“Due to the evolving situation in Haiti, and in an abundance of caution, we’re temporarily suspending our visits to Labadee for our entire fleet,” Assistant Vice President Aurora Yera-Rodriguez said in a statement . “We continue to monitor and assess the situation with our Global Security & Intelligence Team.”

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Royal caribbean vs. carnival: quick comparison chart.

Decide which line is best based on costs, food, onboard entertainment and other key factors.

Royal Caribbean vs. Carnival

Courtesy of Royal Caribbean International

Royal Caribbean International and Carnival Cruise Line have quite a bit in common.

Trying to choose between Royal Caribbean and Carnival for your next cruise? Check out the comparison chart below, then read on for more details.

Winner: Royal Caribbean

When it comes to fleet size as well as the features available on cruise ships, Royal Caribbean has an edge over Carnival Cruise Line. That's because Royal Caribbean already has 28 ships in operation, including its incredible Oasis Class, Quantum Class and Quantum Ultra Class ships. Oasis Class vessels like Allure of the Seas , Symphony of the Seas , Wonder of the Seas and Utopia of the Seas are some of the largest in the world – and Royal Caribbean Group is constantly rolling out new, even bigger cruise ships with better amenities and new features. For example, the new Icon of the Seas (scheduled to debut in 2024) plans to have the largest water park at sea, the largest swimming pool at sea, and a range of over-the-top cabins and suites for families of all sizes.

Meanwhile, Carnival currently operates 25 different vessels with a few more on the way. Newer ships like Carnival Celebration and Carnival Venezia aren't as large and grand as Royal Caribbean ships, nor are the brand-new vessels the company is planning for late 2023 and 2024. For example, the new Carnival Jubilee that is set to begin sailing later in 2023 will have 15 passenger decks and capacity for up to 6,631 guests, compared to 18 guest decks and 7,600 passengers on Icon of the Seas.

Read: The Largest Cruise Ships in the World

SBW-Photo | Courtesy of Royal Caribbean International

Comparing cabins across cruise lines as a whole isn't an easy feat, mostly because companies tend to offer larger suites and cabins with a better layout on their newer ships . You'll therefore likely have a nicer cabin on one of Carnival's newest vessels compared to an older ship from Royal Caribbean, and of course the opposite is also true. Cabin sizes and layouts also vary widely across the vessels of both brands, and that's true even for basic interior, ocean view and balcony cabins.

That said, Royal Caribbean still comes out ahead in this category, since the line boasts more square footage in some of the most basic cabins as well as more over-the-top luxury accommodations, especially for families.

As an example, most inside cabins on Allure of the Seas feature 172 square feet of space, whereas Carnival Celebration's inside cabins are slightly smaller at 158 square feet. Meanwhile, the largest suites on Celebration are the Carnival Excel Presidential Suite, with 1,120 square feet of space including the balcony, and the Carnival Excel Aft Suite, which has 861 square feet of interior and balcony space. Compare those options to the Sky Loft Suites on Allure of the Seas, which feature 1,132 square feet across the room and balcony, and the spacious two-bedroom AquaTheater Suites with 1,595 square feet including the balcony.

Book a cruise on  GoToSea , a service of U.S. News.

Winner: Tie

Food options vary widely across vessels within any cruise brand, and this is especially true with Royal Caribbean and Carnival. For example, older ships from both cruise lines offer fewer specialty dining options overall along with the main dining rooms and buffet options cruisers come to expect, whereas newer ships from both lines feature a lot more unique and innovative options.

When you view the cruise dining options from both lines, you'll quickly find that both Carnival and Royal Caribbean pull out all the stops when it comes to food. For example, Carnival ships include a range of eateries from large and expansive buffets to main dining rooms to unique offerings like Big Chicken, Guy's Burger Joint and BlueIguana Cantina. Meanwhile, specialty dining on Carnival vessels features options like teppanyaki, Emeril's Bistros at Sea and Guy's Pig & Anchor Smokehouse.

Royal Caribbean ships feature convenient buffets and main dining room experiences, as well as included options like pizza kitchens, noodle bars and casual fast food. Specialty dining on Royal Caribbean ranges from the brand's Chef's Table experience to Johnny Rockets' burgers and shakes to innovative fine dining at Wonderland.

Drink packages

Both Carnival and Royal Caribbean offer drink packages that cruisers can purchase as part of their vacation to get a more all-inclusive feel . Then again, the value of these packages depends on how much you drink over the course of your trip. Also note that the cost of drink packages across all cruise lines can vary depending on the ship, itinerary, travel dates, length of trip and more.

Royal Caribbean comes out slightly ahead in this category because the line offers three tiers of drink packages for guests with different needs. Choose from the Classic Soda Package; the Refreshment Package, which includes soda along with coffees, juices and even milkshakes at Johnny Rockets; and the Deluxe Beverage Package, which adds in beer, cocktails and wine by the glass. Meanwhile, Carnival offers just two different drink packages: the Bottomless Bubbles package, which covers soft drinks and juice, and the Cheers! drink package, which adds in spirits and cocktails, beer, wine by the glass, specialty coffee, energy drinks and more.

Read: Cruise Drink Packages: Your Options by Cruise Line

Onboard activities

Analyzing onboard activities across cruise lines isn't always easy – you really have to break down this category by ship for a true comparison. When you do that with Carnival and Royal Caribbean, you'll find that both lines offer fun activities for all ages, from onboard water parks to hosted games, casinos and more.

That said, Royal Caribbean does take things up a notch in this category, especially on the line's newer ships. Some Royal Caribbean vessels offer escape rooms, surf simulators, zip lines, game shows and over-the-top water parks with incredible slides for thrill-seekers. For example, Freedom of the Seas boasts huge onboard waterslides, glow-in-the-dark laser tag, mini-golf and more. Don't forget about Icon of the Seas with its massive water park and pool offerings in the works. Meanwhile, standout activities on Carnival ships include Family Feud Live, onboard water parks and the thrilling SkyRide.

Compare Royal Caribbean cruises on GoToSea .

Live entertainment

The quality of cruise ship entertainment varies widely based on the quality of the talent booked for individual ships. Both Carnival and Royal Caribbean offer their share of live music and entertainment, including performances by bands and singers, karaoke, and piano bars. Meanwhile, both lines also boast their own theaters on every vessel, which often feature Broadway-style shows, singing and dancing, comedy acts, and more.

Royal Caribbean comes out ahead in this category since its vessels feature award-winning musicals like "Hairspray," "Mamma Mia!" and "Cats." The open-air AquaTheater on Oasis Class ships also wows guests with incredible diving feats, stunts and aerial acrobatics. Some Royal Caribbean ships even have onboard ice skating performances and ice games.

Explore cruise deals on  GoToSea .

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Kids programming

Courtesy of Carnival Cruise Line

Winner: Carnival

Both cruise lines have kids clubs that cater to younger guests of all ages, with each one offering supervised care so parents can drop the kids off for some alone time or a quiet dinner on the ship. However, Carnival stands out slightly in this category due to the six different clubs offered across the fleet for children and teens between 6 months and 17 years old. Carnival also offers supervised Night Owls services for kids 11 and younger, which lets parents get out and have some late-night fun for an extra charge.

Royal Caribbean offers four kids clubs for children ages six months to 12, along with a separate club for tweens and teens . Supervised child care is available for free during the day, and you can opt for paid care after hours as well.

Read: The Top Cruises for Babies and Toddlers

Adults-only offerings

Both cruise lines offer their share of adults-only spaces and things to do, from onboard casinos to luxurious spas to bars that offer cocktails and live entertainment at all hours of the day and night. Carnival and Royal Caribbean also offer adults-only areas on some of their ships.

On Carnival, for example, cruisers will find the Serenity Adults-Only Retreat for sailors 21 and older with extra space and comfortable chairs for relaxation, along with its own bar nearby. On many Royal Caribbean vessels, on the other hand, the onboard Solarium for ages 16-plus has its own pool and extra space to find peace and quiet.

Carnival's Serenity relaxation area is included for guests. While Royal Caribbean's Solarium is typically also included, on certain sailings there is restricted access by fare class.

Read: The Top Adults-Only Cruises

Shore excursions

Getty Images

Shore excursions offered by cruise lines are largely operated by third-party companies and are often the same across brands. Both Carnival and Royal Caribbean boast a broad selection of excursions in destinations around the world, from snorkeling and scuba tours in the Caribbean to city tours, horseback riding, cooking classes and more.

Both cruise lines offer private and custom tours you can book through your ship as well.

Compare cruises on GoToSea .

Private island experiences

Royal Caribbean and Carnival each have their own private island in the Bahamas , which is included in most itineraries to this part of the world. These private islands provide a fun beach escape for families to enjoy, whether you want to relax in the sun or take part in some of the available activities.

Royal Caribbean's private island, called Perfect Day at CocoCay, is the more impressive option due to everything it includes: a heart-thumping water park, its own wave pool, a zip line, a hot air balloon experience and overwater bungalows you can book for the day, among other offerings. Meanwhile, Carnival's Half Moon Cay has a unique beached pirate ship to explore – but fewer amenities overall.

Note that both private islands have plenty of beach space for guests to spread out and relax, as well as restaurants and bars. You can also book excursions on both private islands, which include activities like snorkeling and water sports.

Read: The Top Cruise Line Private Islands

Comparing costs across cruise lines can be tricky since fares and available sales vary throughout the year, as well as based on the vessel booked, the cruise itinerary, the number and age of travelers, and more. To get an idea of who wins on price, we looked for two similar cruises on comparable ships from Carnival and Royal Caribbean, then priced out an option for a family of four with two children ages 8 and 10. For the purpose of this comparison, we used seven-night eastern Caribbean cruises on Carnival Celebration and Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas, both of which began sailing in 2022.

The Carnival Celebration itinerary from Miami stops in Amber Cove, Dominican Republic; San Juan, Puerto Rico ; and St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands . By comparison, the Wonder of the Seas sailing leaves from Port Canaveral, Florida, with stops in Philipsburg, St. Maarten ; San Juan; and Perfect Day at CocoCay in the Bahamas.

The chart below shows the total cost (including taxes and fees) for a family of four in January 2024 in both an ocean view and a typical balcony cabin across both cruise lines. Note that, for the purpose of this comparison, we selected the least expensive room option in each category.

Read: How Much Does a Cruise Cost?

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Holly Johnson is a professional travel writer who has covered cruises and other family travel for more than a decade. She has cruised more than 30 times across most of the major cruise lines and has ventured on itineraries around the world. Johnson used her personal experience and research expertise to curate this cruise line comparison.

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• The Best Cruise Insurance Plans
• The Top Cruise Lines for Solo Travelers
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In rare German boardroom fight, broker CEO exits with jab at founder

A rare public boardroom dispute in Germany escalated on Friday, with the outgoing CEO of a major online broker criticising a company founder who had publicly campaigned against him.

Mexico's FEMSA, which controls one of the largest Coca-Cola bottlers and a string of convenience store chains, posted an 11% increase in revenue in the first quarter, boosted by growth across nearly all its business sectors.

Caribbean cruise line reroutes ships, cancels stop at island port due to violence, turmoil

• Published: Apr. 25, 2024, 12:11 p.m.

Royal Caribbean International has canceled stops at its private beach in Haiti through September as a result of the violence plaguing the island nation, a private fan blog, citing messages to travelers, reports. AP

• Robert Higgs, cleveland.com

MIAMI – Royal Caribbean has cancelled stops at its private port of Labadee through the summer because of simmering violence in Haiti.

In March, the cruise line canceled stops at the private beach area through May, but this week Royal Caribbean reworked cruise schedules through the summer and into September, a post on the Royal Caribbean Blog said.

“Guests booked on cruises in the summer and early fall are getting notifications from Royal Caribbean that their visits to Labadee have been canceled,” the blog said. “On Tuesday (April 23), cruisers began to share updates they received from Royal Caribbean that their itineraries have been updated to drop Labadee and replace it with another port or a sea day.”

Labadee is a beach area on a peninsula in northern Haiti near Cap-Haitien used exclusively by Royal Caribbean. The cruise line has its own security force at the site, which is walled off from the rest of the country.

The 260-acre site has been leased by Royal Caribbean since the 1980s. It is about a six-hour drive from Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince, and thus far has not seen any incidents of violence, the blog said.

More than 2,500 people were killed or injured in gang violence from January to March across Haiti, a more than 50% increase from the same period last year, according to a report Friday by the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti. The vast majority of violence is in Port-au-Prince .

Cap-Haitien, Haiti’s former capital, has been spared much of the violence and is going through a bit of a resurgence, The Associated Press said . Business owners, anxious parents and even historic state ceremonies have been relocating there, and that began even before gangs started attacking key government infrastructure in Port-au-Prince in late February.

Royal Caribbean International had no formal announcements of the changes posted to its website. Royal Caribbean Blog is an unofficial site for fans of the cruise line and is not affiliated with Royal Caribbean International.

But it cited chatter and messages from cruise ticket holders about changes to their itinerary that showed stops at Labadee were being canceled and replaced with either an extra day of cruising at sea or stops in alternate ports.

A notice from the cruise line, reposted on the blog, informed guests about the change in travel plans, without explicitly mentioning the violence.

“Due to the continuing situation in Haiti, we’ll now visit Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos, instead of Labadee, Haiti,” the notice reads. “We’re sorry for the change – your safety is our top priority. Nevertheless, we’re excited to visit a new port with you!”

Grand Turk is the capital island in the Turks and Caicos archipelago north of Haiti.

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Royal Caribbean resuming international itineraries from Wusongkou

Spectrum of the Seas docks at Wusongkou International Cruise Port.

The world's largest cruise line, Royal Caribbean International, returned to Shanghai on Friday with Spectrum of the Seas, one of Asia's largest cruise ships, resuming international itineraries from Wusongkou International Cruise Port in Baoshan District.

With an investment of US$1.25 billion, Spectrum, a Quantum Ultra Class flagship, is a 170,000-ton super-international mega-cruise ship customized by Royal Caribbean for the Chinese market in 2019 and, after four and a half years, it will resume international itineraries to neighboring countries from Shanghai from Saturday.

With a maximum capacity of 5,622 passengers, the liner has an array of restaurants with regionally inspired menus and entertainment shows, as well as a lineup of adventures including skydiving and being hoisted 300 feet above the ocean in an all-glass observation capsule.

A rock-climbing wall on board the vessel.

The ship will operate 48 voyages between four and seven nights from Baoshan this year and sail for destinations such as Tokyo, Osaka, Kumamoto, and Okinawa. On Saturday, it will take more than 3,700 passengers to Fukuoka on a five-day trip.

"China is one of Royal Caribbean's most important strategic markets, and Royal Caribbean has consistently stayed committed to the Chinese market," said Michael Bayley, the company's president and CEO of Royal Caribbean International.

"Since we opened for sales from last June, we received very positive response from our partners and consumers," said Liu Zinan, chairman of Royal Caribbean Asia. "We have witnessed a robust cruise tourism market in China as the bookings from individual travelers have surged 200 percent so far compared with the same period in 2019.

"From the record-breaking booking performance, we have noticed a rising trend among the younger generation, stronger booking demand for balcony suites, and a preference for longer cruises," he added.

A night view of Spectrum of the Seas.

Passengers will be able to demonstrate their surfing skills on the liner.

The cruise liner docks at Wusongkou.

Bumper cars just one of the activities onboard.

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Carnival cruise ship rescues nearly 30 people from adrift vessel

A Carnival Cruise Line ship rescued nearly 30 people who were stuck at sea on Sunday.

The crew on Carnival Paradise saved 28 Cuban nationals who were signaling for help on a vessel that was adrift around 2:30 p.m. The cruise ship was headed from Tampa, Florida, to Roatan in Honduras at the time.

“The bridge team onboard spotted the vessel and turned the ship around to rescue them,” Carnival said in a news release . “All were taken aboard, given food and were seen by the medical team.” The cruise line also notified the U.S. Coast Guard Sector Key West and officials in Roatan.

The Coast Guard did not immediately respond to USA TODAY’s request for comment.

The ship was set to visit Roatan on Monday. Carnival Paradise is on a five-day Caribbean cruise that departed from Tampa on Saturday, according to CruiseMapper .

The news comes after Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Apex ship rescued seven people in a small vessel adrift between Cuba and Mexico earlier this month. Another Carnival ship, Carnival Jubilee, also rescued two people stuck in a kayak off the coast of Mexico’s Isla Mujeres in January.

Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at [email protected].

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With commitment from Royal Caribbean, Alaska Railroad advances $137M plan to revamp Seward dock

Children play by the Resurrection Bay coastline in Seward as as the Royal Caribbean cruise ship Radiance of the Seas departs on June 22, 2018. The ship traveled Southeast Alaska toward its destination, Vancouver. (Marc Lester / ADN)

The Alaska Railroad is making a new push to replace its aging cruise ship dock in Seward with a larger one that can handle much bigger ships.

The $137 million plan also calls for construction of a 60,000-square-foot terminal that is much larger than the current one, railroad officials said. The effort will require the Legislature to approve the railroad’s plans for issuing bonds. If the funding process is approved, the project should be completed before the 2026 cruise season, railroad officials said.

The plan is backed by an unusual 30-year commitment from Royal Caribbean Group, which will essentially act as an anchor tenant while other cruise lines will also use the dock, the railroad said in a statement this month.

The effort comes as Alaska prepares for another big summer of cruise ships.

A record 1.7 million cruise passengers visited Alaska last year, said Jillian Simpson, president of the Alaska Travel Industry Association.

About 190,000 cruise guests last year used Seward as their port of call, she said. The picturesque town of 3,000 sits at the head of Resurrection Bay.

This summer, the number of cruise passengers coming to Seward is expected to fall, the railroad said. Norwegian Cruise Line is transitioning its ships from Seward to Whittier, where a new cruise port is being completed.

[Previously: Tiny Whittier debates an Alaska Native corporation’s proposal for a second cruise ship dock ]

The railroad hopes the new dock will attract more cruise lines to Seward, president Bill O’Leary said in a statement from the railroad. He said maintenance is an increasing challenge for the current dock, which was built in the mid-1960s and is nearing the end of its useful life.

Seward Mayor Sue McClure said many people in town seem to support the railroad’s plans and the idea of more tourism in the future. “I don’t hear a lot of outcry that we’ll be overrun with tourists,” she said in an interview.

The Viking cruise ship Orion is docked in Seward on May 12, 2022. Seventy-six cruise ship dockings are planned for 2022. (Marc Lester / ADN)

Many cruise guests already hop on buses or the train to depart Seward for other destinations in Alaska, she said. But if larger ships and new cruise lines arrive, that would mean additional tourists sticking around Seward to visit attractions like the Alaska SeaLife Center and Kenai Fjords National Park.

That would help many businesses, she said.

Also, the larger terminal will better support community events that take place there in winter, she said. And the city hopes to provide electricity to the ships so they no longer run their engines while waiting in port. That will cut emissions and provide revenue to Seward through the local electric utility, she said.

“I can’t speak for the city council, but I feel this is all so far positive,” she said.

Changes to plans

The plans to replace the dock date back to at least 2019.

The railroad secured legislative bonding authority for $60 million in 2022 in an initial effort to pay for a new dock with minor improvements to the existing terminal, railroad officials said.

Sharply rising inflation and labor shortages led to higher construction costs and made project timelines uncertain, said Meghan Clemens, a spokeswoman for the railroad. That caused the railroad to rethink its plans, she said.

Other important changes also came about.

A new business, The Seward Company, provided an unsolicited proposal to the railroad in the fall, offering to build the project and fund construction, the railroad said. The company presented a new design for the large terminal and a new dock. It also secured the commitment from Royal Caribbean Group for the proposal.

Under the plan, the Alaska Railroad will buy the new dock from The Seward Company once it’s complete, issuing bonds to help pay for it. Also, $30 million from “internal funds generated through port improvement fees assessed to current Seward dock customers,” will help pay for it, the railroad statement said.

A computer rendering of the proposed dock. The Alaska Railroad is pursuing a $137 million plan to revamp its old cruise dock in Seward, after Royal Caribbean Group committed to a 30-year use of the new dock. (Rendering courtesy of The Seward Company)

The railroad is now seeking an additional $75 million in bonding authority from the Legislature for the project, atop the $60 million in authorization it already holds. The project faces extra costs now compared to two years ago because of higher prices and the additional expense of building a much larger, new terminal, Clemens said.

The debt will be “solely an obligation of the railroad and not that of the state,” the railroad said in its statement. Authorizing legislation in both chambers has moved to the Finance committees after clearing the Transportation committees, Clemens said.

Royal Caribbean Group has committed to providing revenue for 30 years based on passenger fees associated with the equivalent of 140,000 guests a year, said Mickey Richardson, chief executive of Port of Tomorrow, which owns The Seward Company.

Royal Caribbean last year brought about 70,000 guests to Seward.

The increase in guests will happen over time after the new dock is built, Richardson said.

Richardson formerly worked on other cruise dock projects in Alaska for Huna Totem Corp., a Southeast Alaska Native corporation, including the new cruise dock and terminal in Whittier that’s being completed.

“Tourism is a bright spot in the Alaska economy, so it makes sense to add infrastructure for tourism,” Richardson said.

Jason Davis, president of Turnagain Marine, an Anchorage-based firm that will build the Seward dock project, said plans calls for construction of a 750-foot floating dock.

It will be the largest floating dock in the state, he said. The old dock would be demolished late next year, with no disruption to service before the new dock is built, he said.

The dock will be able to support Royal Caribbean’s Quantum-class ships, which carry more than 4,000 guests, about double the number of guests many cruise ships bring to Seward.

A floating dock will be safer than a fixed dock for passengers getting on and off ships, Davis said. It will rise and fall in tandem with the ship, eliminating concerns like the need to use steep ramps.

An Alaska Railroad train car idles in Seward on Monday, July 4, 2022 with a Norwegian Cruise Line ship behind. (Emily Mesner / ADN)

‘The more the merrier’

Preston Carnahan, regional vice president for Royal Caribbean Group, said the 30-year commitment to the cruise port is unprecedented in Alaska.

Royal Caribbean Group “remains strongly committed” to the future of Seward and the state, Carnahan said in the statement from the railroad.

Business owners in Seward said more cruise visitors in the future would be a positive step for the economy, though the level of support for the plans was mixed.

Scott Reierson, who owns Seward Adventure Lodge and a surfing charter business in Seward, said more tourists will generally be good for businesses in town.

But he said there needs to be a responsible plan to ensure Seward receives adequate revenues for the extra strain more visitors will put on city services, such as roads, water and sewer.

“I don’t know if it’s an absolute win-win for the town, but it’s hard to find a win-win in anything,” he said.

Dorothy Urbach, with Urbach’s Clothiers, said the idea of more cruise guests is “wonderful.”

“The more the merrier,” she said.

More summer visitors in Seward can help extend the tourism season, since travelers sometimes decide to return to Seward in winter.

“It means more businesses will be open,” she said of the plan.

Alex DeMarban

Alex DeMarban is a longtime Alaska journalist who covers business, the oil and gas industries and general assignments. Reach him at 907-257-4317 or [email protected].