Royal Caribbean confirmed Haifa in Israel to be the vessel’s homeport in May of this yr. Odyssey of the Seas, the global cruise line’s highly-anticipated new ship, will offer Israelis a combination of 3- to 7-night getaways on the Greek Islands and Cyprus. The new sailings will go on sale on Tuesday, March 9.
Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley mentioned in a statement today that the line has been eyeing Israel as a potential homeport for some time now:
In the same release, Michael Bayley mentioned guests would be able to relax and be totally at ease:
“We’re thrilled to debut Royal Caribbean cruises from Israel with our newest and most innovative ship, Odyssey of the Seas. Israeli travelers will be looking to get away, relax with total peace of mind, and enjoy the journey experiences they’re missing dearly; and that is what we do best,”
All guests should be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 above the age of 16.
The first guests to cruise on Odyssey of the Seas during its inaugural season will be residents of Israel. This ship is designed to provide every kind of traveler with an unforgettable vacation. Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli Prime Minister, mentioned that the Israeli government is proud to offer Royal Caribbean the opportunity to sail from Israel:
“Thanks to the millions of vaccines we have brought, I’m proud that Israel will be the first nation in the world to launch Royal Caribbean’s new flagship. Royal Caribbean’s decision to come to Israel is a significant expression of confidence in our policy. This is an important economic, touristic moment for the State of Israel,”
Royal Caribbean will be the first to offer fully vaccinated sailings, where each crew and guests above the age of 16 will be vaccinated against COVID-19. Details on the other health and safety measures to be implemented by Israel and Royal Caribbean can be announced later.
A round trip from Haifa, Israel, the itineraries will feature visits to idyllic isles and destinations within the Mediterranean, together with Rhodes, Santorini, Mykonos and Athens, and Limassol, Cyprus.
The Greek Minister of Tourism, Mr. Haris Theoharis, supports all the efforts for the resumption of cruising in Greece and the surrounding area, he said in a statement.
Though the sailings in May 2021 are significant for the cruise industry, because it adds one more sailing location to the total, it does bring to light a new difficulty. What will occur to Royal Caribbean’s cruises from other ports, now the line has decided to sail fully vaccinated from Israel only.
Whether these cruises will be canceled has still not been introduced, though other cruise lines like Carnival Cruise Line have already taken that step. Royal Caribbean is now steadily increasing the ships sailing for the company.
Quantum of the Seas, a sister ship to Odyssey of the Seas, has been cruising successfully since the last yr in Singapore, while part-owned Mein Schiff has been making regular sailings in the Canary Islands.
Odyssey of the Seas will be Royal Caribbean’s 5th Quantum-class ship and the company’s second Quantum-Plus class vessel after Spectrum of the Seas. Odyssey of the Seas is a trendsetter in her own way, one of the first to sport Royal Caribbean’s new look, she also boasts two pool decks with two resort-style pools, a kids aqua park, and 4 whirlpools. Whereas some new epic adventure options have also been installed.
When she is launched, the vessel will be 169,000 gross tons, 347 meters long, and have an area for 4,180 passengers at double occupancy. Odyssey of the Seas was all set to be launched in Fort Lauderdale, however, due to the delays, postponements, cancelations from the pandemic
Odyssey of the Seas will now be the first Quantum Ultra Class ship to homeport in Israel.
This weekend, the vessel sailed out of her dock in Germany on her way to Eemshaven in the Netherlands, where she will be outfitted and undertake sea trials. Odyssey of the Seas will be sailing from Haifa for the summer and transit towards Ft Lauderdale later this yr.
