Royal Caribbean International is canceling its first-ever planned sailings from Haifa, Israel due to ongoing conflict between Hamas and Israel, the cruise line announced Saturday.
The Odyssey of the Seas, the cruise line’s newest ship, had planned sailings from Haifa beginning June 2 and continuing through October. Instead of sailing from Israel, the ship will spend its inaugural season with sailings in Florida. Details of the future cruises have not yet been announced.
“Due to the unrest in Israel and the region, Odyssey has not been able to complete the preparations required to operate from Haifa as planned,” the cruise line said in a release provided by spokesperson Lyan Sierra-Caro.
Michael Bayley, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean International, said in the release that while the decision was challenging to make that the safety of passengers, crew and the communities the cruise line visits remains priority.
“This change, while understandably very disappointing for the Israeli holidaymakers who we looked forward to welcoming on board, reflects our strong commitment to offering holidays that are as safe as they are memorable,” Bayley said in a statement.
Details of the future cruises have not yet been announced.
In March, Royal Caribbean committed to “fully-vaccinated” for sailings on Odyssey of the Seas. That requirement may change with the location change.
The cruise line has said that 100% of the crew will be required to be fully vaccinated, Royal Caribbean has not yet announced vaccine protocol for passengers sailing from the United States.
