Royal Caribbean Promotes Incentive Rewards for Holidays

Royal Caribbean International said consumers can give the gift of a cruise to family and friends by purchasing Royal Incentive Rewards through travel agents by Sept. 18.

Royal Incentive Rewards are individual cruise certificates that can be redeemed for a Royal Caribbean cruise for two.

A range of certificate levels are available, which offer choices in departure ports, ships, itineraries up to 12 nights, and accommodations. There is no expiration date, and gift recipients of Royal Incentive Rewards can upgrade their certificate or transfer it to another person. Certificates redeemed after two years of the issue date will provide a cash value toward the cruise price.

Royal Caribbean is offering an array of holiday cruises. An eight-night Bahamas itinerary over Thanksgiving aboard Explorer of the Seas sails on Nov. 21 from Cape Liberty in Bayonne, N.J. The line also will offer Hanukkah-themed festivities. A rabbi will be onboard every ship to conduct services and preside over a menorah-lighting ceremony.

In the main dining room, guests can request a kosher meal, an option that Royal Caribbean offers on every sailing throughout the year. The Dec. 12 sailing of Independence of the Seas from Port Everglades will combine the Jewish holiday with an eight-night Eastern Caribbean cruise. A Catholic priest also will be onboard to lead the holiday’s observances.

Families can still book staterooms aboard the Dec. 19 sailing of Oasis of the Seas, which enters service in December from Port Everglades. All Royal Caribbean ships will usher in the New Year at sea, with a Cruise Director and Captain’s Countdown, and themed parties in all onboard lounges. Mariner of the Seas will depart Los Angeles on Dec. 27 on a seven-night Mexican Riviera voyage.