Latest news with #VoyageroftheSeas
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Royal Caribbean Cancels More Stops at Popular Cruise Destination
Few things distress travelers aboard a cruise ship than learning of a last-minute change to their ship's scheduled itinerary. Such is especially the case when the change comes mere days before a cruise is expected to take place, forcing passengers to detour around a port destination they had previously expected to stop at. With the escalating violence affecting the Caribbean nation of Haiti, Royal Caribbean has once again canceled its intended stop at its private port of Labadee for the cruise ship Icon of the Seas. As reported by the popular vacation website Royal Caribbean's first Icon-class ship was originally booked to stop at Labadee during Icon of the Sea's May 3 sailing. Days before the ship was scheduled to disembark, however, prospective passengers receiving a message notifying them that the ship will no longer make port within the island nation. In the message sent to Royal Caribbean's passengers, the company said, "As you prepare for your vacation, we wanted to inform you about some changes to our itinerary. We have been monitoring the evolving situation in Port-au-Prince, and out of an abundance of caution, we're swapping out our visit to Labadee for a Sea Day." Though vacationers might have been disappointed by the change in schedule, Royal Caribbean offered onboard credit as a way to make up for the last-minute cancelation, ranging from $75 per ocean-view or interior state rooms to $150 per suites. This is not the first time that the cruise company has canceled intended stops at Labadee. Owing to increased gang violence in the country, Royal Caribbean had previously removed stops at Labadee for Oasis of the Seas, Voyager of the Seas, and Adventurer of the Seas this past month. To make up for the ships' abrupt change in itineraries, Royal Caribbean redirected Oasis of the Seas towards Nassau, Bahamas, with Voyager of the Seas and Adventurer of the Seas stopping instead at Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic.
Yahoo
18-04-2025
- Yahoo
Royal Caribbean Pauses Major Route After Travel Warning
A major cruise ship line has paused a route due to a travel warning. According to Cruise Radio, Royal Caribbean has cancelled stops to Haiti. Royal Caribbean "suspended calls to Labadee, Haiti," citing "growing security concerns over a surge of gang violence in the region," the site reported. In the past, the cruise ship line promoted cruises that included a stop in Labadee. According to Cruise Radio, Royal Caribbean "rerouted at least four ships—Voyager of the Seas, Oasis of the Seas, Adventure of the Seas, and Odyssey of the Seas—away from the private beach destination." Passengers were told of the change through letters and an announcement from the captain, Cruise Radio reported, noting that the company said the change was being made 'out of an abundance of caution.' On April 16, 2025, the U.S. State Department issued a safety alert for Port-au-Prince, Haiti, citing security issues relating to possible widespread protests. "Announced widespread protests with potential for violence between police, protestors, and criminal gangs. All visas and citizen services appointments at the U.S. embassy for Wednesday have been rescheduled. The embassy will be on limited operations," the alert said. 'Out of an abundance of caution, we have temporarily paused our upcoming visits to Labadee,' a Royal Caribbean spokesperson said in a statement to USA Today. 'We have already communicated with guests directly." According to USA Today, the cruise ship line previously suspended that route last summer. USA Today noted that Port-au-Prince, the focus of the April security alert, is more than six hours away by car from Labadee. However, in September 2024, the U.S. State Department designated Haiti as a level 4 "do not travel" country. "Do not travel to Haiti due to kidnapping, crime, civil unrest, and limited health care," the State Department warned. "Since March 2024, Haiti has been under a State of Emergency. Crimes involving firearms are common in Haiti. They include robbery, carjackings, sexual assault, and kidnappings for ransom. Kidnapping is widespread, and U.S. citizens have been victims and have been hurt or killed," the travel advisory says. "Kidnappers may plan carefully or target victims at random, unplanned times. Kidnappers will even target and attack convoys. Kidnapping cases often involve ransom requests. Victims' families have paid thousands of dollars to rescue their family members." "
Yahoo
13-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Royal Caribbean adds a convenient new homeport
Royal Caribbean has big news for West Coast cruisers. The cruise line best known for its Caribbean itineraries is expanding its offerings for West Coast cruises to Mexico in 2026 and adding a convenient new departure announcing that it would send four ships to Alaska in summer 2026, the cruise line is increasing its cruise options from California beginning in October 2026. After completing their 2026 Alaska seasons, three of the four ships will reposition to California ports. Voyager of the Seas will join Ovation of the Seas in sailing Mexican Riviera cruises from Los Angeles. Voyager will replace Navigator of the Seas in LA, as Navigator is expected to head to routine dry dock in Asia. It's rumored that Navigator of the Seas will deploy to Australia after its dry dock, but Royal Caribbean has not confirmed that. Along with switching up its Los Angeles-based ships, Royal Caribbean will add a new California homeport in fall Caribbean will debut a new San Diego homeport in October 2026 to give passengers more opportunities to experience the Mexican Riviera. After completing its summer season in Alaska, Serenade of the Seas sail a variety of Mexican Riviera cruises from San Diego from October 2026 through April 2027. Itineraries include a mix of short two-, three- and four-night getaways, as well as longer seven-night sailings visiting popular spots like Cabo San Lucas and Ensenada, Mexico. Some of the longer sailing will also visit La Paz, Mexico, a new port of call for Royal Caribbean.A Mexican Riviera cruise destination also visited by Carnival and other cruise lines, La Paz is the coastal capital city of Baja California Sur. Situated on the shores of the Sea of Cortez, La Paz is known for its beautiful beaches, marine life and playful sea lions, as well as its fresh seafood and seafront Malecón promenade. Before making San Diego its new homeport in October 2026, Serenade of Seas will sail one repositioning voyage from the port in September 2025—a cruise to Miami that travels through the Panama Coast cruisers shared their excitement about the new homeport in the Royal Caribbean community on Reddit. Those familiar with the port noted its convenient location, both for those who live in San Diego and those traveling in by train, bus or airplane. 'Who's excited for a San Diego home port? Serenade will be out of San Diego starting October 2026,' posted Reddit user xjaspx. 'I can't wait because now I can literally walk to the port or take the Circuit golf cart to the ship from my place. Plus the port is across the street from the Amtrak station, public bus to the airport (with luggage racks), and it's pretty much a couple miles from the airport.' (The Arena Group will earn a commission if you book a cruise.) , or email Amy Post at , or call or text her at 386-383-2472. 'I'm pumped. We did the Panama Canal out of SD years ago and it was sooo convenient,' agreed muy-feliz. 'It's like the only port with all sorts of transportation option right there at the port,' continued xjaspx. 'You can also see the end of the runway for the airport. The only downside is the overpriced parking but a lot of people just use airport parking and take the bus over.' Cruisers also noted that the port has convenient hotel and restaurant options nearby, and that San Diego offers plenty of fun things to do before or after a cruise. 'Easiest port for a hotel stay and sail,' wrote Minimum_Finish_5436. 'Wake up, hit the cross walk. Get on the boat.' 'There's a lot more restaurants in the area now,' noted xjaspx. 'some time they even have a street food market across from where the port is.' Are you taking a cruise or thinking about taking one?
Yahoo
13-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
This major cruise line will homeport in San Diego for the first time in 2026
Cruise passengers will have more options out of Southern California starting next year. Royal Caribbean International will homeport a ship in San Diego for the first time. The line's Serenade of the Seas ship will sail from the city beginning in October 2026. 'San Diego is nicknamed 'America's Finest City,' and it sure lives up to the title,' the cruise line said on its website. 'With its breezy, sunny climate and laid-back, beach-town spirit, this West Coast gem beckons with unique experiences.' Cruise passengers are breaking records: See America's busiest ports The ship, which can accommodate 2,143 guests at double occupancy, will offer three, four and seven-night sailings to the Mexican Riviera, with stops including Cabo San Lucas and Ensenada. The vessel will also visit La Paz, a new stop for the line. The season's cruises currently start at $467 per person, based on double occupancy, according to Royal Caribbean's website. There will also be a one-off two-night cruise departing Oct. 2, 2026. The cruises are part of the line's 2026-27 offerings, which will feature a range of itineraries from elsewhere in the state. The line's Quantum of the Seas, Ovation of the Seas, Navigator of the Seas, and Voyager of the Seas ships will all sail from Los Angeles visiting destinations like Puerto Vallarta and Mazatlan in Mexico, and California's Catalina Island. Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at ndiller@ This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: This major cruise line will homeport in San Diego next year
