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THE GREAT ALASKA COMEBACK: ROYAL CARIBBEAN TO SAIL THE LAST FRONTIER THIS SUMMER (TRADE VERSION)

Returning Favorites Serenade and Ovation of the Seas Begin Sailing from Seattle July and August

MIAMI, May 21, 2021* – Royal Caribbean International’s U.S. comeback marks its first step forward with the cruise line’s return to Alaska this summer. Today, the cruise vacation company announced plans to launch its Alaska season with 7-night cruises – roundtrip from Seattle – on returning favorites Serenade and Ovation of the Seas, beginning July 19 and August 13, respectively. After more than a year with cruising on pause and the significant impact its had on the beloved Alaskan communities, travelers can now chart a course for the culture-rich destinations they have looked forward to discovering while helping revive the local economies. The new summer 2021 Alaska cruises on Serenade and Ovation’s existing sailings are available to book today.

“Few words can express just how excited we are to start delivering memorable vacations in the U.S. once again, starting with a destination as rich in culture and natural beauty as Alaska,” said Vicki Freed, senior vice president, Sales and Trade Support & Service, Royal Caribbean International. Having attended the American Society of Travel Advisors’ (ASTA) Legislative Day this week in Washington D.C., I was proud to witness and join in the collective effort of the many professionals who came together to speak with our government representatives and voice their support for the Alaska Tourism Restoration Act. We thank them and every one of our travel partners for their commitment and hard work – this is a testament to the impact we can have as one voice for the industry.”

“Wednesday, 170 ASTA members from 40 states came to Washington, where we urged lawmakers from both parties to support the Alaska Recovery Bill. Many were unaware of the grave damage another lost cruise season would inflict on our travel-reliant small businesses. Thursday, the U.S. House voted for the Bill’s passage. Plain and simple, our voice was heard,” said Zane Kirby, president and CEO, ASTA. “A heartfelt thank you to all who participated at ASTA’s Legislative Day. The cruise industry’s (with Royal Caribbean in particular) arm-in-arm approach with ASTA on Wednesday evidenced their enduring partnership with small business travel advisors. We urge President Biden to sign the Alaska Recovery Bill into law to facilitate the safe and swift resumption of Alaska cruising.”

Serenade will begin cruising in July, sailing roundtrip from Seattle – a change from its previously scheduled homeport in Vancouver. On board, the ship will deliver awe-inspiring views from its signature ocean-facing glass elevators and floor-to-ceiling windows as guests travel from one far-flung destination to the next. The week-long itinerary features a lineup of popular ports of call, including Juneau, Sitka, Ketchikan and Icy Strait Point, Alaska, as well as the jaw-dropping Endicott Arm fjord and Dawes Glacier.

Ovation follows suit in August for a different take on Alaskan adventure, pairing the region’s natural wonders and wildlife-filled fjords with a thrilling lineup of experiences on board. From the North Star glass observation capsule to the RipCord by iFly skydiving simulator, vacationers can get their adrenaline pumping as they take in deck-defying sights of the scenic landscape and lush scenery of the destinations, such as the Inside Passage, Skagway, Sitka and Juneau, Alaska, from unparalleled viewpoints.                 

Travelers can plan their Alaska cruise with peace of mind knowing that all crew members and vacationers 16 years of age or older will be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, and everyone 12 or older as of August 1. Those underage will receive a test prior to sailing. These measures are part of the cruise line’s Royal Promise commitment to the health and safety of every guest, crew member and community visited. The measures will be evaluated and updated as public health circumstances evolve. Royal Caribbean will continue to work closely with local health officials on specific measures outlined for the region.

Guests and travel partners impacted by the affected sailings will be contacted directly with their options. These reservations are covered by Royal Caribbean’s Cruise with Confidence program.

About Royal Caribbean International 
Royal Caribbean International has been delivering innovation at sea for more than 50 years. Each successive class of ships is an architectural marvel featuring the latest technology and guest experiences for today’s adventurous traveler. The cruise line continues to revolutionize vacations with itineraries to more than 270 destinations in 72 countries on six continents, including Royal Caribbean’s private island destination in The Bahamas, Perfect Day at CocoCay,the first in the Perfect Day Island Collection. Royal Caribbean has also been voted “Best Cruise Line Overall” for 18 consecutive years in the Travel Weekly Readers’ Choice Awards. 

Media can stay up to date by following @RoyalCaribPR on Twitter and visiting RoyalCaribbeanPressCenter.com. For additional information or to make reservations, vacationers can call their travel advisor; visit RoyalCaribbean.com; or call (800) ROYAL-CARIBBEAN. 

Royal Caribbean International is applying the recommendations of its Healthy Sail Panel of public health and scientific experts to provide a safer and healthier cruise vacation on all of its sailings. Health and safety protocols, regional travel restrictions and clearance to visit ports of call, are subject to change based on ongoing evaluation, public health standards, and government requirements. U.S. cruises and guests: For more information on the latest health and travel alerts, U.S. government travel advisories, please visit www.royalcaribbean.com/cruise-ships/itinerary-updates or consult travel advisories, warnings or recommendations relating to cruise travel on applicable government websites. 

*Note: For the complete details on Royal Caribbean’s vaccine policies, click here.

 

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Related Images

Quantum Class ships like Ovation of the Seas feature a lineup of experiences, including the FlowRider surf simulator, skydiving at RipCord by iFly, and the SeaPlex – the largest indoor activity space at sea – with bumper cars, full-size sports court, roller-skating rink and more.
Quantum Class ships like Ovation of the Seas feature a lineup of experiences, including the FlowRider surf simulator, skydiving at RipCord by iFly, and the SeaPlex – the largest indoor activity space at sea – with bumper cars, full-size sports court, roller-skating rink and more.
Ovation of the Seas' top-deck adventures include Royal Caribbean’s signature FlowRider surf simulator and skydiving on RipCord by iFly.
Ovation of the Seas' top-deck adventures include Royal Caribbean’s signature FlowRider surf simulator and skydiving on RipCord by iFly.
Ovation of the Seas offers a lineup of activities, including the FlowRider surf simulator, skydiving with RipCord by iFly, and the SeaPlex, the largest indoor active space at sea featuring a trapeze school, full-size basketball court, roller-skating rink and bumper cars.
Ovation of the Seas offers a lineup of activities, including the FlowRider surf simulator, skydiving with RipCord by iFly, and the SeaPlex, the largest indoor active space at sea featuring a trapeze school, full-size basketball court, roller-skating rink and bumper cars.
Serenade of the Seas touts ocean-facing glass elevators and floor-to-ceiling windows throughout, delivering to vacationers breathtaking sights of every destination. The Radiance Class ship also features onboard experiences for guests of all ages, from rock climbing, to poolside movie nights under the stars, to guest-favorite dining venues such as Chops Grille, Giovanni’s Table and Izumi.
Serenade of the Seas touts ocean-facing glass elevators and floor-to-ceiling windows throughout, delivering to vacationers breathtaking sights of every destination. The Radiance Class ship also features onboard experiences for guests of all ages, from rock climbing, to poolside movie nights under the stars, to guest-favorite dining venues such as Chops Grille, Giovanni’s Table and Izumi.
Health and safety protocols, guest conduct rules, and regional travel restrictions vary by ship and destination, and are subject to change without notice. Due to evolving health protocols, imagery and messaging may not accurately reflect onboard and destination experiences, offerings, features, or itineraries. These may not be available during your voyage, may vary by ship and destination, and may be subject to change without notice.