Royal Caribbean Announces 2011-2012 Mariner Redeployment

Royal Caribbean International has announced the redeployment of the Mariner of the Seas from the Mexican Riviera, which will take effect in January 2011.

The ship will sail its final roundtrip Mexican Riviera itinerary from Los Angeles on Jan. 9, 2011, and offer a short South America season before debuting in the Mediterranean as Royal Caribbean’s 11th ship in the region for summer 2011.

It will homeport at Rome (Civitavecchia) from March through October 2011, replacing the Splendour of the Seas, which will then homeport in Venice, offering 10- and 11-night Greek Isles and Turkey itineraries for the season.

The Mariner of the Seas will then return to North America for the 2011-12 winter season, offering seven-night Western Caribbean itineraries from Galveston, Texas, replacing the Voyager of the Seas. As a result, the Voyager of the Seas will herald Royal Caribbean’s return to New Orleans in winter 2011-12, sailing on seven-night Western Caribbean cruises.

Guests currently booked on Mariner of the Seas’ Mexican Riviera sailings from Jan. 16, 2011, onward will be contacted with the following offer: Until May 6, 2010, affected guests can opt for a full refund of any fares paid or a $200 onboard credit per stateroom ($400 per suite category stateroom) when they rebook their vacation, at the same fare or lower prevailing fare, on a Mariner of the Seas sailing before Jan. 16, 2011, or on the same 2011 departure date aboard Voyager of the Seas, sailing from Galveston.

Travel agents also will receive a $50 bonus commission for rebooking affected clients whose names and deposits have been submitted to the Mariner of the Seas and Voyager of the Seas sailings.