Due to the battle within the Red Sea, Royal Caribbean is opting to vary the third section of the Ultimate World Cruise, and so they’re letting company have a say within the new itinerary.
Royal Caribbean Blog reader Pat Bell shared photographs exhibiting the choices that company have. The first is an “Immersive Africa” itinerary that may go to quite a few ports in Africa and fully nix Egypt from the schedule, whereas the second choice, “Africa & Greece,” is comprised of extra sea days to catch as much as the initially scheduled ports in Egypt and Greece.
According to TikTok consumer drjennytravels, Royal Caribbean is asking the “Immersive Africa” itinerary the “scenic route,” whereas “Africa & Greece” has been dubbed the “freeway.”
(Photo by Pat Bell)
Even although the latter half of the part choice is taken into account port-intensive, the primary half would primarily be spent at sea, with 5 days spent in port between May 9 and June 7.
Voting is open to these crusing on the complete 9-month world cruise, in addition to these booked for the section of the world cruise crusing.
Those onboard the Ultimate World Cruise have till February twentieth to submit questions. A webinar with the company workplace can be held on February twenty first. After the webinar, passengers have six days to make their selections and vote on their most well-liked itinerary earlier than the winner is introduced on February twenty seventh.
(Photo by Pat Bell)
If Immersive Africa is chosen, company will obtain 25% off the pro-rated section 3 cruise fare within the type of a refundable onboard credit score. The quantity will increase to 50% if Africa & Greece is the winner.
Royal Caribbean confirmed the itinerary change and the voting choice. In an announcement supplied by the cruise line, a Royal Caribbean spokesperson mentioned, “As we’ve continued to watch what’s happening in and across the Red Sea for the security of our company and crew, we have now made the choice to regulate plans for Serenade of the Seas’ transit by the Suez Canal this May.”
“In conserving with the adventurous spirit of our company, we’re participating them for his or her ideas and choice between two various itineraries that may take them on an epic journey to Africa. They will obtain compensation for the adjustment, and company preferring to not sail on the up to date itinerary will obtain a full refund and help for his or her journey preparations.”
Immersive Africa
- May 9: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
- May 10-13: Cruising
- May 14: Mahé (Victoria), Seychelles
- May 15: La Digue Island, Seychelles
- May 16: Cruising
- May 17: Antsiranana (Diego Suarez), Madagascar
- May 18: Cruising
- May 19: Port Louis, Mauritius
- May 20: Pointe Des Galets, Reunion Island
- May 21-23: Cruising
- May 24: Port Elizabeth, South Africa
- May 25: Mossel Bay, South Africa
- May 26-27: Cape Town, South Africa
- May 28: Cruising
- May 29: Luderitz, Namibia
- May 30: Walvis Bay, Namibia
- May 31-June 1: Cruising
- June 2: Luanda, Angola
- June 3-4: Cruising
- June 5: Takoradi, Ghana
- June 6: Abidjan, Ivory Coast
- June 7-8: Cruising
- June 9: Dakar, Senegal
- June 10-11: Cruising
- June 12: Tenerife, Canary Islands
- June 13: Cruising
- June 14: Gibraltar, United Kingdom
- June 14-16: Cruising
- June 17: Corfu, Greece
- June 18: Bari, Italy
- June 19-20: Ravenna, Italy
Africa & Greece
- May 9: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
- May 10-13: Cruising
- May 14: Mahé (Victoria), Seychelles
- May 15-20: Cruising
- May 21-22: Cape Town, South Africa
- May 23-31: Cruising
- June 1: Tenerife, Canary Islands
- June 2-6: Cruising
- June 7: Istanbul, Turkey
- June 8: Cruising
- June 9-10: Alexandria, Egypt
- June 11: Cruising
- June 12: Athens, Greece
- June 13: Mykonos, Greece
- June 14: Santorini, Greece
- June 15: Chania (Souda), Crete, Greece
- June 16: Olympia (Katakolon), Greece
- June 17: Corfu, Greece
- June 18: Bari, Italy
- June 19-20: Ravenna, Italy
The unique itinerary was set to go to Petra, Jordan
Those onboard the Ultimate World Cruise will go to one much less World Wonder than they anticipated. Since it is not possible to sail by the Red Sea, ports like Safaga, Egypt and Petra, Jordan can be faraway from the itinerary.
Instead, Serenade of the Seas will sail from Dubai down previous the tip of South Africa and thru the Western Mediterranean.
It seems as if the ports of name after Ravenna (Venice), Italy are unchanged, with passengers nonetheless with the ability to go to the Colosseum in Rome in early July.
What’s occurring within the Red Sea?
Recent assaults on container vessels within the Red Sea, one of many world’s most essential commerce routes, have been ongoing for weeks. On Friday, February 16, information reviews claimed that missile fireplace focused yet one more ship, with the vessel’s captain reporting listening to an explosion off the coast of Mocha, Yemen.
Starting in late November, Houthi militants started growing their assaults on ships in response to the continuing battle in Israel that started when Hamas launched an assault on Israel from the Gaza Strip in October. Houthi forces declare that they are appearing in solidarity with the Palestinians in Gaza.
Consequently, each the United States and the United Kingdom have launched strikes towards Houthi targets in Yemen.
The Ultimate World Cruise hasn’t been with out its points
At first, it was tough seas that resulted in flooding onboard. Then, some minor itinerary adjustments, together with the cancellation of a pair ports. Most not too long ago, a passenger, sadly, handed away. There have additionally been reviews of company combating onboard and visa points for later locations.
Someone on-line went so far as to craft a bingo card for issues that would occur through the voyage. Some situations appear quite widespread/seemingly, akin to a painful sunburn and somebody returning residence early (a pleasant reminder that journey insurance coverage is essential, even on shorter sailings!).
Others, nonetheless, are a bit extra outlandish, together with a pirate takeover and mass STDs.
Suffice to say, the Ultimate World Cruise has had its share of drama, and it is solely getting began! The world cruise is not scheduled to finish till Tuesday, September 10 in Miami, Florida.
Itinerary adjustments, whereas disappointing, aren’t as unusual as you would possibly assume
In early November Royal Caribbean introduced that they’d be canceling the complete 2024 Israel cruise season as a result of ongoing battle within the Middle East.
While battle and civil unrest are attainable causes for itineraries to be modified, unfavorable climate situations and mechanical points can contribute to adjustments in journey plans, too.
For instance, passengers visiting Perfect Day at CocoCay on February 6 have been instructed to return to their ships round 1:00pm, as a quickly shifting storm was approaching the island. While Freedom of the Seas was capable of depart, Oasis of the Seas remained docked late into the night.
(Photo by Tim Morrison)
Even when you’re cruising exterior of hurricane season, flexibility is of utmost significance, as you by no means know when your ship would possibly miss a port or two.