Royal Caribbean International announces 274-night world cruise

Posted on 27 October, 2021 by Spacejunkie2

Royal Caribbean International has revealed its inaugural Ultimate World Cruise for 2023.

The 274-night voyage will visit all seven continents, across more than 150 destinations in 65 countries.

Serenade of the Seas will depart from Miami on 10 December 2023, sailing through to 10 September 2024.

Bookings can be made by phone with an exclusive one-week window through to 26 October for Royal Caribbean’s Crown & Anchor Society Diamond status members and above.

Guests will sail to 57 destinations that are new to the cruise line, with highlights including Casablanca, Morocco, Greenland, and Simizu, Japan, to see Mount Fuji.

Royal Caribbean International president and CEO Michael Bayley said: “This is the world cruise of world cruises. Now more than ever, people have resolved to travel the world and make up for the lost time.

“Royal Caribbean is making that a reality with the ultimate holiday that welcomes those seeking adventure and exploration to taste, dance and dream with us around the world. To travellers asking themselves where they should go next, we say everywhere.”

Following its departure from Miami, Serenade of the Seas will visit a range of Caribbean destinations before heading to Antarctica and Cape Horn.

The ship will then travel to Central and South America, finishing the Americas and Antarctica expedition portion of the world tour.

From 11 February to 9 May 2024, Serenade of the Seas will continue its tour in Asia and the Pacific, visiting the Hawaiian Islands, French Polynesia, New Zealand, Bali, Vietnam, Malaysia, Japan, Tokyo and more.

The Middle East and the Mediterranean portion of the cruise will feature calls in Dubai, Egypt, Turkey, Rome, Greece, Split, Croatia and France, from 9 May to 10 July 2024.

The voyage will end with Serenade of the Seas visiting Barcelona, Morocco, Russia, Norway, Iceland and New York before the ship heads back to Miami.

Double vaccinated UK travellers will no longer have to show proof of a negative PCR test upon arrival in Turkey

Posted on 2 October, 2021 by Spacejunkie2

Travellers over the age of 12 must be fully inoculated to avoid the requirement and those under the age of 12 are exempt.

All arrivals must complete an online health form a maximum of 72 hours prior to travel. Tourists do not need to complete the form if they’re transiting through Turkey on the way to another country.

UK visitors will need to either show proof of vaccination, recent recovery from Covid-19 or a negative PCR test taken 72 hours before travelling if unvaccinated.

The destination, which reportedly welcomed two and a half million British tourists in 2019, was removed from the UK’s red list on 22 September.

The Turkish Tourism Board in the UK said the country is “ready and excited” to welcome back UK tourists “With no requirement for PCR tests, and following our removal from the UK government’s red list, travelling to Turkey couldn’t be easier,” it added.

“With warm temperatures, welcoming people, stunning coastlines and wonderful local cuisine all just a few hours flight away, Turkey is the perfect destination for UK families this half-term.”

Jet2.com and Jet2holidays chief executive Steve Heapy said the airline and operator have experienced “enormous demand” from customers for trips to Turkey since it was removed from the red list.

“Turkey is one of our most popular destinations for customers who want some late-summer sunshine, an October break or some winter sun, so this really is fantastic news for UK holidaymakers,” Heapy added.

“Additionally, it is another welcome step on the road to reopening international properly. We urge other overseas governments to follow the Turkish government in allowing UK holidaymakers to reap the benefits of the vaccine rollout.”

The UK will join the EU Covid vaccine passport scheme imminently

Posted on 27 September, 2021 by Spacejunkie2

Sources in Westminster and Brussels told the Daily Telegraph Britain was on the verge of integrating the UK database into the EU system.

The UK formally applied to join the scheme on 28 July and work has continued since to merge UK data. Once complete, it will digitally verify Covid credentials not just in the UK, but across the EU and beyond, as the EU scheme covers more than 40 countries including Morocco and Turkey.

The scheme will benefit double-jabbed Britons who will no longer have to test before departure to enter some countries once the EU Covid certificate is issued to them. It will also make entry to bars and restaurants easier.

The system enables border guards and restaurant and bar owners to use an app to read the QR code on an individual’s vaccine certificate.