December is the top of the 12 months and one of the common occasions of the 12 months to take a cruise trip.
This article is an effort to share what you could know about happening a Royal Caribbean cruise within the month of December, with essential information, suggestions, and useful data alongside the way in which.
Just like November, December is a narrative of two halves: the primary two weeks are normally much less in-demand as a result of most households both simply took a trip over Thanksgiving or will wait till Christmas. Then, the final two weeks are the preferred time to go on a cruise over Christmas and New Years holidays.
If you might be in search of a cut price, the primary half of December is a superb time to snag a last-minute cruise deal. Otherwise, penny-pinchers might want to wait till January.
Christmas week is an extremely common time to go on a cruise, as a result of households have off from college and their dad and mom largely have a break from work.
Coinciding with the Christmas vacation is Royal Caribbean’s subsequent push to get extra passengers onboard their ships.
If you are studying this text in December, it is doubtless too late to guide a Christmas or New Years Eve cruise, however you would possibly be capable of discover a number of cabins left when you act shortly and sail from ports resembling Tampa or Galveston.
Ships crusing in December 2022
All of Royal Caribbean’s cruise ships are again in service.
Here’s the place you could find every ship this month.
- Freedom of the Seas from Miami, Florida
- Anthem of the Seas from Cape Liberty, New Jersey
- Allure of the Seas from Galveston, Texas
- Symphony of the Seas from Miami, Florida
- Independence of the Seas from Port Canaveral, Florida
- Harmony of the Seas from Fort Lauderdale, Florida
- Mariner of the Seas from Port Canaveral, Florida
- Liberty of the Seas from Fort Lauderdale, Florida
- Adventure of the Seas from Galveston, Texas
- Explorer of the Seas from Miami, Florida
- Navigator of the Seas from Los Angeles, California
- Spectrum of the Seas from Singapore
- Grandeur of the Seas from Miami, Florida
- Enchantment of the Seas from Baltimore, Maryland
- Radiance of the Seas from New Orleans, Louisiana
- Serenade of the Seas from Tampa, Florida
- Voyager of the Seas from San Juan, Puerto Rico
- Quantum of the Seas from Brisbane, Australia
- Ovation of the Seas from Sydney, Australia
- Oasis of the Seas from Miami, Florida
- Brilliance of the Seas from Tampa, Florida
- Wonder of the Seas from Port Canaveral, Florida
- Odyssey of the Seas from from Fort Lauderdale, Florida
- Vision of the Seas from Fort Lauderdale, Florida
- Rhapsody of the Seas from Bridgetown, Barbados
- Jewel of the Seas from Port Canaveral, Florida
The notable occasion taking place in December 2022 would be the official christening of Wonder of the Seas.
Marie McCrea has been named the Godmother to Wonder of the Seas and can settle for the distinction of blessing Wonder throughout a celebratory naming ceremony at its first year-round homeport of Port Canaveral, Florida, on Dec. 9, 2022.
Health protocols for December 2022 cruises
Royal Caribbean’s well being protocols for December at the moment are the best they’ve ever been, with few necessities left.
If your cruise does not go to Colombia or sail from Australia, pre-cruise testing is now not required to sail.
At this time, solely the next sailings have pre-cruise testing necessities:
Cruises from the U.S. and Caribbean with stops in Colombia
Guests age 18 and up who should not totally vaccinated might want to current a unfavorable end result for a PCR take a look at taken inside 3 days or an antigen take a look at taken inside 2 days previous to crusing.
Guests underneath the age of 17 and totally vaccinated visitors wouldn’t have have any testing necessities.
Tests should be organized by yourself and are at your individual expense.
Cruises from Australia
All visitors aged 2 and above, no matter vaccination standing, should current a unfavorable take a look at end result for a COVID-19 PCR take a look at taken inside 2 days earlier than boarding day, or a self-administered Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) inside 1 day earlier than boarding, for sailings of any size.
December climate on a cruise
First and foremost, December marks the official finish of hurricane season. That’s excellent news in your sailings within the Caribbean, nonetheless winter storms can nonetheless be disruptive to journey across the United States. Don’t assume since hurricanes are unlikely that you may be cavalier about once you arrive to your cruise port.
As all the time, it’s a good suggestion to offer your self a buffer and arrive at the least someday earlier than your cruise in order that in case your journey plans are interrupted, you do not miss your cruise.
While it may be downright frigid the place you reside, the Caribbean stays largely temperate throughout December. The tropics typically don’t expertise giant temperature swings, though an occasional chilly entrance can typically penetrate far south.
As an instance, within the month of December, common highs and low temperatures in St. Kitts are 85 and 74 levels, respectively.
In The Bahamas, the typical excessive and low temperature is 80 and 66 levels, respectively.
Will it’s heat sufficient to swim? Probably, though it relies upon how delicate you might be to “colder” water. The ocean stays hotter longer as a result of it takes longer for it to chill down regardless of decrease temperatures. Pools, nonetheless, can quiet down shortly. In my expertise, it’s heat sufficient to swim, however you might have to “get used to” the cooler water temperature reasonably than in summer season when you’ll be able to barrel in instantly.
The better part a couple of December cruise is the comfy temperatures and decrease humidity, which makes it superb for out of doors excursions with out immediately sweating profusely.
Read extra: Packing for a Royal Caribbean cruise within the Winter
Christmas on a cruise
What is it wish to have fun Christmas on a cruise ship?
Royal Caribbean will get into the vacation spirit proper after Thanksgiving, with vacation decorations across the ship for the month of December.
If your cruise truly sails over the Christmas vacation, then you’ll be able to count on sure particular actions and choices.
The eating places will provide vacation menus with seasonal favorites: roast turkey or ham on Christmas (with eggnog to drink).
Passengers can take pleasure in particular actions, resembling caroling, tree- and menorah-lighting ceremonies and seasonal motion pictures proven on in-room TVs and onboard film screens.
On some sailings, there might even be a priest or minister onboard to guide providers with passengers on Christmas. Keep a watch on the Cruise Compass for a midnight mass.
Read extra: How Royal Caribbean celebrates Christmas and New Years holidays on its cruise ships
New Years Eve on a cruise
Traditionally, celebrating the New Year on a cruise ship is one massive get together.
It stays to be seen what particular protocols could also be in place this 12 months resulting from Covid-19, however prior to now, Royal Caribbean has gone all-out with New Year’s Eve events.
Around the ship, you will see that completely different events to cater to various kinds of celebrations. The Royal Promenade had that Times Square ball drop really feel, whereas numerous bars and lounges provide their very own tackle the brand new 12 months festivities.
In addition, Royal Caribbean normally reserves sure areas of the ship for buy to ensure a spot in the midst of the motion. These are normally chairs and tables you’ll be able to guide that present a reserved spot close to the primary get together.