By
Rebecca Gibson |
Royal Caribbean International is to deploy Radiance of the Seas and Jewel of the Seas, two of its Radiance-class ships, in the Alaskan region in summer 2015, marking its 26th year of cruises in the region.
From May to early September next year, Radiance of the Seas will alternate seven-night northbound and southbound Alaska and Hubbard Glacier cruises from Vancouver, British Columbia and Seward, Alaska, respectively. Guests will sail up the Inside Passage and by Hubbard Glacier, as well as calling at Ketchikan, Icy Strait Point, Juneau and Skagway. On a special Sept. 4, 2105, sailing, Radiance of the Seas will sail a seven-night round-trip itinerary from Vancouver; cruise Tracy Arm Fjord to Sawyer Glacier; and call at Icy Strait Point, Juneau, and Ketchikan.
Similarly, Jewel of the Seas will sail seven-night round-trip itineraries from Seattle, US, along the Alaska Inside Passage to Tracy Arm Fjord and the Sawyer Glacier, calling at Juneau, Skagway and Victoria. In addition, at the start and end of her Alaska season, the vessel will offer four six- to eight-night sailings along the California Coast. She will also offer a 14-night westbound Panama Canal trip from Puerto Rico’s San Juan to San Diego, and a 15-night eastbound trans-Canal sailing, departing from Los Angeles to San Juan.
Passengers can take advantage of a Royal Caribbean Alaska Cruise Tour to explore the region’s natural attractions and wildlife, as well as the towns and cities of the Canadian provinces of Alberta, British Columbia and the Okanagan Wine Valley.
In addition, Royal Caribbean has also confirmed new European sailings. Rhapsody of the Seas and Splendour of the Seas will join Anthem of the Seas, Allure of the Seas, Adventure of the Seas, Brilliance of the Seas, Serenade of the Seas and Vision of the Seas to total eight Royal Caribbean International ships to sail Europe in summer 2015.
Rhapsody of the Seas and Splendour of the Seas will operate a range of cruises to Greece and Turkey. Splendour of the Seas will homeport at Venice, Italy, for the tenth consecutive summer season, offering seven-night Adriatic and Greek Isles round-trip itineraries until November.
In June 2015, Rhapsody of the Seas will offer Royal Caribbean’s first Black Sea itineraries, offering passengers three round-trip sailings, 10- and 11-night in duration, from Istanbul, Turkey. The vessel will make inaugural calls at Burgas, Bulgaria; Odessa, Yalta and Sevastapol, Ukraine; and Sochi, Russia, with overnight stays in Odessa, Sochi and Istanbul. From July to mid-November, she will homeport at Civitavecchia, Italy to sail seven- to 11-night Greece and Turkey itineraries. The seven- and nine-night itineraries focus on smaller ports such as Katakolon, Thessaloniki, Mykonos, and Santorini in Greece; and Bodrum, Turkey. Rhapsody of the Seas will then reposition to Sao Paolo, Brazil, for the winter season on a Royal Caribbean trans-Atlantic Ocean Voyage, departing from Barcelona, Spain in November.