We recently announced our 2019-2020 cruises and there’s plenty to excite any type of traveler, from even more short adventures in idyllic Caribbean islands to new European explorations. Coupled with making major upgrades to multiple ships, an entirely new terminal that will serve as a “crown jewel” for the Miami skyline, and even better views of the majestic Alaskan wilderness, you’ll want to start planning your next vacation right away. Here’s the featured lineup to get you one step closer to that official cruise countdown:
Ever-Expanding Caribbean Choices
From short to long cruises, big ships to the biggest ships, our Caribbean offerings for the 2019-2020 season will have it all. For those looking for a quick escape, here’s the answer: the freshly revitalized Mariner of the Seas and Navigator of the Seas can whisk you away on a 3- to 4-night trip to the beautiful beaches of The Bahamas. Setting sail from Port Canaveral and Miami, Florida respectively, these ships will offer Voyager Class-favorites like the ice-skating rink, rock-climbing wall, mini-golf, and the expansive dining and shopping options as well as fun activities like parades that stretch across the Royal Promenade.
Have more than four days to spare? A huge highlight for 2019 is that all four of the world’s largest cruise ships— the Oasis Class—will depart for the Caribbean. The current largest ship, Harmony of the Seas, sails from Port Canaveral, and sister ship Allure of the Seas returns to Fort Lauderdale from Miami.
The first ship in the class, Oasis of the Seas, will boast full bow-to-stern enhancements and fittingly call our new, state-of-the-art Miami terminal its home for the year. Joining her will be the biggest ship in the world, Symphony of the Seas, and its innovations like the Ultimate Family Suite and delicious new restaurants.
Anthem of the Seas will give north easterners a chance to head to warmer beaches as it sails from Bayonne, New Jersey for Bermuda and The Bahamas. Each of these ships will sail 7-night cruises to destinations in the Eastern and Western Caribbean like St. Kitts, Barbados and the Grand Cayman islands.
Wilder Views of the Last Frontier
We’ve always offered guests jaw-dropping views of the Alaskan wilderness, especially from their balcony staterooms, including bald eagles, brown bears, caribou and other ample wildlife residing there. The 2019-2020 season welcomes a new ship in town; Ovation of the Seas will take Alaska cruises to new heights when it heads to Seattle from Sydney, Australia. The Quantum Class ship is set for 7-night summer sailings to Juneau, Alaska and Victoria, British Columbia, meaning guests can take to the sky from on board Ovation’s North Star glass observation capsule, where they’ll have 300-foot panoramic views of the untouched forests and mountains. Radiance of the Seas will also offer weeklong explorations between Seward, Alaska—nearby the breathtaking Kenai Fjords—and Vancouver.
That’s not the only way to enjoy sights like the Northern Lights and towering peaks though. Adventurers on Ovation can try out sky-diving and surfing simulators, find new thrills like bumper cars or trapeze lessons in the SeaPlex, or relax in the glass-enclosed Solarium at the front of the ship or the other indoor and outdoor pools while sailing past impressive glaciers. Radiance of the Seas offers its own impressive views as well, since all Radiance Class ships feature acres of ocean-facing windows, and unique nightlife, including a mystery dinner theater and late-night pool parties.
What are some can’t-miss, land-based experiences in Alaska? Well we’d recommend taking a cue from some of these fascinating locals we’ve spoken with:
New European Destinations
Another exciting development for 2019-2020, there are four new European ports guests can explore with Royal Caribbean. Travelers can visit the best-preserved medieval city in the world, a UNESCO World Heritage site, in Visby, Sweden, or witness breathtaking waterfalls in national parks and fascinating Roman-era history in Zadar, Croatia. Also joining the itineraries, Portofino, Italy offers a postcard-perfect glimpse of colorful homes and bobbing boats dotting the coastline of this fishing village; and Porto, Portugal will let vacationers stroll through charming streets as they take in the city’s history.
What’s more, Oasis of the Seas will spend its first summer since 2014 in Europe starting in 2019, sailing from Barcelona, Spain, where guests can take in incredible art by Miro and Picasso, and the iconic architecture of Gaudi. As the largest ship in the Mediterranean, Oasis will sail to rich cultural locales like Palma de Mallorca, Spain; Marseille, France; and Florence, Rome and Naples, Italy.
Whether you’re looking to explore a brand new European port, take a quick vacation to the Caribbean, or to see the wilderness of Alaska in a whole new way, our upcoming cruises will have you covered.
But these are just some highlights of what’s in store for you in 2019-2020. You can explore all the upcoming itineraries as soon as they’re open here—it’s never too early to plan your next adventure.