MIAMI, Feb. 15, 2023 – Weekend and midweek getaways just got bolder. Royal Caribbean International has revealed the lineup of short Caribbean cruises,featuring eight action-packed ships sailing to tropical, vibrant destinations that make for the ultimate short escapes in 2024-2025. Families, friends and vacationers alike can set their sights on making the most of their vacation time on a variety of ships, including Allure of the Seas, the first Oasis Class ship to sail 3- to 4-night cruises, will extend its short Caribbean season homeporting from Port Canaveral (Orlando), Florida, Mariner of the Seas, sets sail from the cruise line’s new, net-zero terminal in Galveston, Texas, for the first time; and four more amplified ships with new and signature experiences on board, cruising from four different cities in Florida, Texas and California. The short Caribbean cruises in 2024-2025 are now open for bookings on Royal Caribbean’s website. Vacationers will have a wide range of sun-soaked destinations to choose from, including Royal Caribbean’s award-winning private destinations, Perfect Day at CocoCay in The Bahamas and Labadee, Haiti. From 13 next-level waterslides in Thrill Waterpark to the new adults-only oasis Hideaway Beach opening in 2023, vacationers will find adrenaline-pumping thrills and ways to chill on Perfect Day at CocoCay. Labadee, located along the northern coast of Haiti, is a slice of paradise with five stunning shorelines and beautiful mountain backdrops. Experiences range from taking in once-in-a-lifetime views on Dragon’s Breath Flight Line, the world’s longest overwater zipline, kicking back on white sand beaches and exploring rich culture while meeting local crafters and artisans. Families and travelers of all ages can have their pick of one-of-a-kind vacations that feature stops at idyllic locales in the Eastern and Western Caribbean including destinations like Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic; Roatan, Honduras; Puerto Vallarta, Mexico; and more. Year-Round 2024-2025 Short Getaways Highlights Allure of the Seas – Sailing from Orlando (Port Canaveral) and Miami, Florida Ushering in the first year-round season of 3- to 4-night sailings on an Oasis Class ship, the class known today as the ultimate family vacation, Allure will sail to The Bahamas and Perfect Day at CocoCay from Orlando until July 2023 and then will settle in Miami for the remainder of the year. Everyone in the family can make memories on board with a lineup of adventures, from a nine-story-high zip line and twin FlowRider surf simulators to ice skating as well as showstopping entertainment like theatrical hit Mamma Mia! and original shows across four stages – air, ice, water and theater. To refuel between adventures, there are 30-plus restaurants, bars and lounges, including the new-to-Allure Wipeout Cafe featuring El Loco Fresh that serves up grab-and-go Mexican delights like made-to-order quesadillas, tacos, nachos and more. There’s more in store on shore with stunning destinations in Nassau and Perfect Day at CocoCay, where guests will find more ways to chill beachside or take on adrenaline-pumping thrills. Independence of the Seas – Sailing from Miami This amplified ship reimagined experiences for everyone includes restaurants like Fish & Ships, a poolside eatery; The Perfect Storm, a duo of racing waterslides; glow-in-the-dark laser tag and more. Independence will sail 5-night Western Caribbean and Perfect Day at CocoCay cruises, and 4-night Eastern Caribbean sailings that visit Labadee, Haiti, where thrill-seekers looking for a jolt of adrenaline can jump on the Dragon’s Tail Coaster or a spot on the white sand beach to kick back. Mariner of the Seas – Sailing from Galveston, Texas For the first time, the amplified ship that changed short Caribbean getaways will sail from Royal Caribbean’s new $125 million cruise terminal in Galveston, Texas, the world’s first LEED Zero Energy facility, generating 100% of the energy it needs through onsite solar panels. Mariner’s 4- and 5-night escapes will visit tropical and vibrant destinations like Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico. On board, vacationers will find more ways to stay, play and dine with amped-up experiences like The Perfect Storm, a thrilling pair of three-story-high waterslides; The Bamboo Room, the cruise line’s first Polynesian-inspired, tiki-chic bar; glow-in-the-dark laser tag; and more. Navigator of the Seas – Sailing from Los Angeles Families and travelers of all ages looking to make the most of short getaways on the West Coast will find plenty to explore across Navigator’s $115 million series of experiences, including a reimagined resort-style poolscape with the lively, three-level poolside bar The Lime & Coconut; The Blaster, the longest aqua coaster at sea; To Dry For, the first standalone blow-dry bar; and more. Vacationers can have their pick of 3-, 4- or 7-night cruises to Catalina Island, California, and Puerto Vallarta, Cabo San Lucas, Ensenada and Mazatlan, Mexico. Seasonal 2024-2025 Short Cruise Highlights Enchantment of the Seas – Sailing from Tampa, Florida Vacationers looking for winter getaways can choose 4- or 5-night cruises to visit Cozumel and Costa Maya, Mexico on Enchantment. It’s the ideal ship for an intimate vacation experience that makes for plenty of quality time together and adventures to match every family member’s preference. In the heart of summer, travelers can opt for 7-night adventures that head to Roatan, Honduras; Belize City, Belize; Cozumel and Costa Maya; and Perfect Day at CocoCay, The Bahamas. Grandeur of the Seas – Sailing from Tampa and Fort Lauderdale Grandeur will continue sailing from Tampa through the summer and set sail on 4- and 5-night escapes to The Bahamas, including destinations like Perfect Day at CocoCay and to the picturesque shores of Cozumel, Mexico. The winter brings a new adventure to choose from including 5-night vacations to tropical destinations Labadee and Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic. Liberty of the Seas – Sailing from Fort Lauderdale, Florida Following a summer in the Big Apple, Liberty will return to Fort Lauderdale for the winter season to sail alternating 3- and 4-night getaways to The Bahamas, including Perfect Day at CocoCay and Nassau featured on every cruise. Voyager of the Seas – Sailing from Orlando (Port Canaveral) Royal Caribbean’s amplified ship, Voyager, welcomes vacationers to enjoy amped-up experiences with more ways to play, including two high-speed waterslides at The Perfect Storm, glow-in-the-dark laser tag, the FlowRider surf simulator, the adults-only Solarium and more. Voyager will sail 4- and 5-night winter getaways on a varied lineup of Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises to The Bahamas, including Perfect Day at CocoCay and Nassau; Cozumel; Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic and Labadee.

Royal Caribbean after 15-month pause sails first trial cruise in US

On Sunday, the Royal Caribbean cruise line kicked off its trial sail, which is meant to test the company’s health and safety measures as the pandemic lingers,

The ship Royal Caribbean is conducting this trial on is its Freedom of the Seas, a 1,111-foot long and 15-deck vessel that can accommodate up to 4,553 people at a time. 

However, unlike previous voyages, the ship is not bustling with thousands of passengers and instead has 600 fully vaccinated employees who have volunteered to help with Royal Caribbean’s trial.

A surveyor from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is on board to evaluate the cruise line’s health and safety protocols. Moreover, the trial sail left from PortMiami on Sunday, June 20 at 7 p.m.

The company’s trial sail is being conducted days before Royal Caribbean intends to welcome paying customers onto the Freedom of the Seas for 3- and 4-night voyages to the Bahamas, which is set to start on July 2, according to a press release the cruise line issued earlier this month.

Meanwhile, Royal Caribbean’s sister ship, Odyssey of the Seas recently had its July sail dates canceled due to eight crew members tested positive for COVID-19. The ship was supposed to have its “simulation cruise” in late June, according to Michael Bayley – the cruise line’s president and CEO.  

Despite the slight setback, Royal Caribbean’s Freedom of the Seas is the first American cruise ship to set sail in the last 15 months. The cruise industry as a whole notably shuttered operations shortly after the World Health Organization declared the coronavirus a global pandemic in March 2020.

The CDC lifted its no-sail order in October and had shared conditional guidelines for cruise ships that wish to sail during the pandemic, including the mandatory use of face masks, social distancing, and enhanced cleaning. Last week, a U.S. District Judge Steven Merryday granted a preliminary injunction that will put an end to the CDC’s conditional sailing order on July 18.