Royal Caribbean International announced plans for its 2012 Alaska cruises and cruise-tours aboard Radiance of the Seas and Rhapsody of the Seas. As part of the global cruise brand’s return to Alaska for a 23rd consecutive year, Radiance of the Seas will sail seven-night north- and southbound itineraries between Vancouver, B.C., and Seward, Alaska, while Rhapsody of the Seas will embark on a series of seven-night cruises, roundtrip from Seattle
After a very controversial stint last year when Royal Caribbean Cruises threatened to boycott Trinidad and Tobago if its $6 million seized as evidence by the Trinidad and Tobago Customs & Excise Division was not returned to them, the Spain-based Royal Caribbean Pullmantur Group is now interested in strengthening ties with Tobago.
Celebrity Cruises has introduced new Asia itineraries for winter 2012-13, its first season in the region. The itineraries will be aboard the Celebrity Millennium, which Celebrity plans to “Solsticize” in April 2012. In Asia, the ship will visit nine countries new to the brand, including Vietnam, Thailand and China.
Carnival Cruise Lines is kicking off its 2011 Bermuda program, which will operate a record 16 departures from four eastern U.S. homeports -- Baltimore, Md.; Norfolk, Va.; New York; and Charleston, S.C. Carnival is the only cruise line offering Bermuda cruises from Charleston.
Carnival Cruise Lines’ newest ship, the 130,000-ton Carnival Magic, is undergoing sea trials in the Adriatic Sea in preparation for its May 1 debut in Europe. Currently under construction at the Fincantieri shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy, the 3,690-passenger vessel had a full contingent of officers, technicians and engineers on board who tested the Carnival Magic’s navigation and mechanical systems.
Royal Caribbean International is offering upgrades to a Central Park- or Boardwalk-view balcony stateroom to those who book an inside stateroom on select seven-night sailings of Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas in April. For a four- or five-night cruise, vacationers can get an upgrade to a balcony stateroom when they book an inside stateroom for select April sailings aboard Navigator of the Seas.