24 Mar 2011
Royal Caribbean is planning on sending a record amount of its ships to Europe for the 2012 cruise season, which constitutes more than half of its fleet. The cruise line announced 12 of its 22 ships will be serving European itineraries in 2012 as demand in the region is expected to continue growing.
By sending 12 ships in 2012, it will increase Royal Caribbean's presence in the continent from 11 in 2011 and 8 in 2010.
More changes for Royal Caribbean in Europe include
- Serenade of the Seas will sailing out of Barcelona starting in 2012
- Royal Caribbean has also added cruises out of Amsterdam, Holland, where Brilliance of the Seas will call Copenhagen home as it conducts northern Europe itineraries
- Mariner of the Seas will add Holy Land cruises as well as seven-night Western Mediterranean voyages from Rome
- Vision of the Seas will visit the Holy Land as well as some Northern Europe itineraries
- Liberty of the Seas will offer new five-night Western Mediterranean cruises
Royal Caribbean has also announced it will offer cruises from 8 "interports" (locations that passengers can board ships wile in the middle of a scheduled itinerary). The interports will include
- France
- Toulon
- Marseille
- LeHavre
- Italy
- Genoa
- Messina (Sicily)
- Bari
- Valencia, Spain
- Kusadasi (Ephesus) Turkey
Maiden calls will be made at Arhus, Denmark; Klaksvik, Faroe Islands; and Kenes (Lofoten), Norway
