Citing changes in maritime regulations, Royal Caribbean International is swapping the upcoming deployment between two ships.
“The International Maritime Organization recently shared new speed regulations we must adhere to and as a result, we’ve repositioned some of our ships for the upcoming 2023/2024 season,” the company said in a letter sent to booked guests.
With the changes, the Brilliance of the Seas is taking over the itineraries previously announced for the Enchantment of the Seas.
Originally slated for programs in Europe and Florida in 2023 and 2023-2024, the Radiance-Class vessel will now sail in Alaska starting in April. The new schedule includes a series of cruises departing from Vancouver, Canada.
In October, the vessel debuts in the South Pacific, kicking off a winter program in Australia, with cruises departing from Sydney.
The Enchantment of the Seas, meanwhile, is assuming Brilliance’s place and offering similar itineraries in Europe in 2034 and Florida in 2023-2024.
According to the letter, the Vision-Class ship will sail in the Mediterranean between May and November before returning to the United States for the winter.
Sailing from Tampa, the 1997-built vessel is set to offer five- to seven-night cruises to the Bahamas and the Caribbean.
Affected passengers are being automatically moved between ships, receiving cruises departing on the same dates as their original bookings.
The guests are also being assigned to like-for-like accommodations and keeping the originally booked amenities.
Still, according to the statement, passengers are being offered other options as well, including the possibility to rebook on other Royal Caribbean International sailings or a full refund of the cruise fare.
In a separate statement, Royal Caribbean also informed booked guests of the redeployment of the other two ships.
Offering short cruises to the Caribbean, the Voyager of the Seas will now be based in Galveston, instead of Port Everglades.
The Adventure of the Seas, meanwhile, will take over its original schedule offering Caribbean and Bahamas cruises departing from Fort Lauderdale.
Norwegian Prima Year Built: 2022 Capacity: 3,215 guests Status: Under construction Location: Marghera, Italy
Nearing the completion of its construction, the Norwegian Prima recently returned from the first set of sea trials. With its first cruise now scheduled in September, the vessel is being built at the Fincantieri shipyard in Marghera, Italy.
Norwegian Encore Year Built: 2019 Capacity: 4,200 guests Status: In service Location: Alaska
The Norwegian Encore is currently sailing a summer program in Alaska. Based in Seattle, the vessel is offering weekly departures to Victoria, Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway and Glacier Bay.
Norwegian Bliss Year Built: 2018 Capacity: 4,200 guests Status: In service Location: Alaska
In Alaska for the summer, the Norwegian Bliss is offering week-long cruises departing from Seattle. The ship’s regular itinerary includes Victoria, Ketchikan, the Tracy Arm Fjord, Juneau, Icy Strait Point and Sitka.
Norwegian Joy Year Built: 2017 Capacity: 4,200 guests Status: In service Location: Bermuda
Based in New York City, the Norwegian Joy is offering a series of cruises to Bermuda. The seven-night itineraries include a visit to Norfolk and a three-day stop in King’s Wharf.
Norwegian Escape Year Built: 2015 Capacity: 4,200 guests Status: In service Location: Eastern Mediterranean
The Norwegian Escape is currently sailing varied itineraries in the Eastern Mediterranean. Departing from Italy, the seven- to 11-night cruises feature visits to ports in Greece, Croatia, Malta, Montenegro and more.
Norwegian Getaway Year Built: 2014 Capacity: 4,000 guests Status: In service Location: Eastern Caribbean
Returning to North America after a short season in the Baltic, the Norwegian Getaway recently kicked off a summer program in the Caribbean. Sailing from Port Canaveral, the vessel is offering seven-night cruises to the Bahamas, Puerto Rico, St. Thomas and the Dominican Republic.
Norwegian Breakaway Year Built: 2013 Capacity: 4,000 guests Status: In service Location: Western Caribbean
Based in Miami, the Norwegian Breakaway is sailing a rotating schedule of seven-night Western and Eastern Caribbean cruises.
Norwegian Epic Year Built: 2010 Capacity: 4,200 guests Status: In service Location: Western Mediterranean
Capacity: 2,400 guests Status: In service Location: Eastern Mediterranean
Another Norwegian ship in Europe, the Norwegian Gem is currently positioned in the Eastern Mediterranean, offering cruises to ports such as Trieste, Dubrovnik, Corfu and Santorini.
Norwegian Jade Year Built: 2006 Capacity: 2,400 guests Status: In service Location: Eastern Mediterranean
The Norwegian Jade is currently based in Piraeus for a series of cruises to the Greek Islands and Turkey that includes visits to Istanbul, Mykonos, Rhodes, Santorini and more.
Norwegian Pearl Year Built: 2006 Capacity: 2,400 guests Status: In service Location: East Coast
Based in Boston, the Norwegian Pearl is offering week-long cruises to Bermuda and Maine.
Norwegian Jewel Year Built: 2005 Capacity: 2,400 guests Status: In service Location: Alaska
Pride of America Year Built: 2005 Capacity: 2,000 guests Status: In service Location: Hawaii
As the industry’s only large U.S.-flagged cruise ship, the Pride of America continues to offer its year-round schedule of Hawaii cruises. Sailing from Honolulu, the vessel’s regular itinerary includes visits to Kahului, Hilo, Kailua Kona and Nawiliwili.
Norwegian Dawn Year Built: 2002 Capacity: 2,200 guests Status: In service Location: Northern Europe
The Norwegian Dawn is presently in Northern Europe for a series of Baltic cruises. Leaving from Stockholm and Copenhagen, the itineraries feature visits to Finland, Estonia, Denmark, Sweden and more.
Norwegian Star Year Built: 2001 Capacity: 2,200 guests Status: In service Location: Northern Europe
Based in Reykjavik, the Norwegian Star is presently offering a series of cruises to Iceland and Greenland.
Norwegian Sun Year Built: 2001 Capacity: 2,002 guests Status: In service Location: Alaska
After hitting a growler in late June, the Norwegian Sun recently resumed its program of five- to nine-night cruises in Alaska.
Norwegian Spirit Year Built: 1999 Capacity: 2,000 guests Status: In service Location: Alaska
As the last ship to resume service for Norwegian Cruise Line, the Norwegian Spirit welcomed guests back in May. Before arriving in Alaska – where it’s currently sailing – the 1999-built vessel offered itineraries to the South Pacific and Hawaii.
Norwegian Sky Year Built: 1999 Capacity: 2,000 guests Status: In service Location: Miami, Florida
The Norwegian Sky is in Miami today for yet another short cruise to the Bahamas. The three-night sailing includes visits to Nassau and Great Stirrup Cay – Norwegian’s private island destination in the region.
Bookings were up by 13% compared to the line’s previous strongest booking day in 2019. The line saw strong demand for its 2023 roundtrip Southampton cruises on Sky Princess alongside an increase in demand for fly-Mediterranean voyages and long-haul destinations such as Alaska, the Caribbean and Australia.
Eithne Williamson, vice president of Princess Cruises UK and Europe, thanked the company’s agent partners for helping the line achieve its record-breaking day.
“It is thanks to their unwavering commitment and hard work that we were able to surpass our previous best booking day and we’re extremely grateful for their continued support,” she added.
“The demand for cruise holidays is evidently back and better than ever and we are sure agents will agree that it is fantastic to see holidaymakers once again being able to plan ahead for future holidays in destinations both close to home and further afield.”
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