Royal Caribbean Plans Eight Ships in Europe for 2009

Royal Caribbean International plans to deploy a record eight ships in Europe for the 2009 summer and fall seasons.

Itineraries range from four to 14 nights aboard Independence of the Seas, Navigator of the Seas, Voyager of the Seas, Brilliance of the Seas, Jewel of the Seas, Legend of the Seas, Splendor of the Seas, and Vision of the Seas. All told, the line plans 70 itineraries to 87 ports of call in 32 countries.

Itineraries will explore the Mediterranean Sea, Northern and Western Europe and a variety of transatlantic sailings. Bookings are open for the 2009 Europe cruises and cruise-tours for all ships except for Vision of the Seas, which will open in April.

Cruise-tours allow passengers to combine a cruise with land journeys, city tours and hotel stays ranging from three to five nights prior to embarkation. A tour director escorts each group to landmarks and attractions in Europe’s popular cities, including Paris, London, Madrid, Barcelona, Verona, Venice, Florence and Rome. Air and ground transfers, hotel reservations, tours and some meals are included.

In 2009, Independence of the Seas returns to Southampton, U.K., for its second Europe season, offering 14-night Western Mediterranean, 10- and 11-night Western Europe and Canary Islands, and four-night British Isles itineraries.

Navigator of the Seas will sail from homeports of Malaga, Spain, a new homeport for Royal Caribbean; Rome, Italy; and Barcelona. Voyager of the Seas is also homeporting in Barcelona through November 2009.