Cruises from England are back on Royal Caribbean, and the cruise line is celebrating the start by honoring those that have served England during the pandemic.

Anthem of the Seas set sail from Southampton on Wednesday, which marks the return of cruises to the UK for the first time in more than a year.

Appropriately, Royal Caribbean wanted to extend a way of saying "thank you" to the men and women who worked tirelessly to keep their fellow Brittons healthy during the global health crisis.

Exactly 999 emergency services, NHS, social care sector and armed forces employees will be on board multiple sailings this summer as a way of recognizing their tremendous efforts.

Ben Bouldin, vice president, EMEA, Royal Caribbean commented: “We are delighted to once again sail from the UK, and it’s an honour to host some of the country’s many key workers on board our first sailings. It’s thanks to these individuals, who have worked so hard to see our country through this tough time, that this moment is finally here. I have no doubt they will have an incredible and well-deserved break aboard our UK-favourite, Anthem of the Seas.”

UK residents can choose between one of Anthem's 4-night Ocean Getaways and 5- to 8-night British Isles cruises that tour the UK coastline, from Liverpool, England and Belfast, Northern Ireland, to Kirkwall, Scotland.

Sailing with fully vaccinated crew, these summer cruises are only available to UK residents 18 years and older who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and children under the age of 18 with negative test results. 

Royal Caribbean has restarted ships sailing in North America, and Europe is next.

First up is Anthem of the Seas, which completed a shakedown cruise and has returned to Southampton, UK to begin sailings.

Anthem will begin offering cruises on July 7, which will be the first revenue sailing for that ship and from England.

Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley announced Anthem is ready to sail, and congratulated the crew members for getting everything ready, "Congrats UK team!  Onwards and Upwards."

Anthem will offer a combination of 4-night cruises to nowhere in early July and 5- to 8-night British Isles cruises, starting 15th July, that feature visits to destinations such as Liverpool, England, Kirkwall in Scotland and Belfast, Northern Ireland. 

All crew members onboard will be fully vaccinated.

This weekend, Jewel of the Seas will kick off her sailings from Limassol, Cyprus.

Like Anthem, Jewel of the Seas concluded a 2-night shakedown sailing on Tuesday and is ready to offer 7-night cruises.

Jewel will sail with fully vaccinated crew and guests 18 years of age and older, along with children under 18 who are ineligible for the vaccine. Testing protocols are required for all guests.

This is the first time a Royal Caribbean ship has called Cyprus its homeport and will offer 7-night cruises to the Greek Isles through October.

Port stops will include Limassol, Athens, Greece and the Greek islands of Rhodes, Crete, Mykonos and Santorini.

By the end of this week, the two ships will join a handful of other ships sailing in North America and Asia.

Freedom of the Seas and Adventure of the Seas have begun sailing again from North America, along with Quantum of the Seas from Singapore.

Royal Caribbean has restarted ships sailing in North America, and Europe is next.

First up is Anthem of the Seas, which completed a shakedown cruise and has returned to Southampton, UK to begin sailings.

Anthem will begin offering cruises on July 7, which will be the first revenue sailing for that ship and from England.

Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley announced Anthem is ready to sail, and congratulated the crew members for getting everything ready, "Congrats UK team!  Onwards and Upwards."

Anthem will offer a combination of 4-night cruises to nowhere in early July and 5- to 8-night British Isles cruises, starting 15th July, that feature visits to destinations such as Liverpool, England, Kirkwall in Scotland and Belfast, Northern Ireland. 

All crew members onboard will be fully vaccinated.

This weekend, Jewel of the Seas will kick off her sailings from Limassol, Cyprus.

Like Anthem, Jewel of the Seas concluded a 2-night shakedown sailing on Tuesday and is ready to offer 7-night cruises.

Jewel will sail with fully vaccinated crew and guests 18 years of age and older, along with children under 18 who are ineligible for the vaccine. Testing protocols are required for all guests.

This is the first time a Royal Caribbean ship has called Cyprus its homeport and will offer 7-night cruises to the Greek Isles through October.

Port stops will include Limassol, Athens, Greece and the Greek islands of Rhodes, Crete, Mykonos and Santorini.

By the end of this week, the two ships will join a handful of other ships sailing in North America and Asia.

Freedom of the Seas and Adventure of the Seas have begun sailing again from North America, along with Quantum of the Seas from Singapore.

Royal Caribbean is just days away from restarting cruises from England, and the ship to kick things off has arrived to start up operations.

Anthem of the Seas arrived in Southampton, where she will begin offering cruises on July 7, 2021.

Anthem will offer a combination of 4-night cruises to nowhere in early July and 5- to 8-night British Isles cruises, starting 15th July, that feature visits to destinations such as Liverpool, England, Kirkwall in Scotland and Belfast, Northern Ireland. 

All crew members onboard will be fully vaccinated.

Anthem’s summer itineraries are open for bookings and are available to UK residents above the age of 18 who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and those under the age of 18 with negative test results. In addition, all crew onboard are fully vaccinated.

Ben Bouldin, vice president, EMEA, Royal Caribbean commented: "Anthem of the Seas has always been a firm favourite for UK guests, and we have seen incredible demand for our sailings since announcing our return in March. With a jaw-dropping lineup of onboard activities, restaurants and entertainment, Anthem presents the perfect getaway this summer. We can’t wait to welcome families back on board one of the most revolutionary ships in our fleet for a summer of adventure."

Anthem of the Seas will offer "staycation cruises" around the British Isles.

Royal Caribbean is just days away from restarting cruises from England, and the ship to kick things off has arrived to start up operations.

Anthem of the Seas arrived in Southampton, where she will begin offering cruises on July 7, 2021.

Anthem will offer a combination of 4-night cruises to nowhere in early July and 5- to 8-night British Isles cruises, starting 15th July, that feature visits to destinations such as Liverpool, England, Kirkwall in Scotland and Belfast, Northern Ireland. 

All crew members onboard will be fully vaccinated.

Anthem’s summer itineraries are open for bookings and are available to UK residents above the age of 18 who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and those under the age of 18 with negative test results. In addition, all crew onboard are fully vaccinated.

Ben Bouldin, vice president, EMEA, Royal Caribbean commented: "Anthem of the Seas has always been a firm favourite for UK guests, and we have seen incredible demand for our sailings since announcing our return in March. With a jaw-dropping lineup of onboard activities, restaurants and entertainment, Anthem presents the perfect getaway this summer. We can’t wait to welcome families back on board one of the most revolutionary ships in our fleet for a summer of adventure."

Anthem of the Seas will offer "staycation cruises" around the British Isles.

Royal Caribbean has shared the health protocols for Brits sailing on Anthem of the Seas from Southampton this summer.

Anthem of the Seas will begin sailing from Southampton, England on July 7, 2021 on sailings with a combination of 4-night cruises to nowhere in early July and 5- to 8-night British Isles cruises, starting 15th July, that feature visits to destinations such as Liverpool, England, Kirkwall in Scotland and Belfast, Northern Ireland. 

These cruises are available to UK residents only, and proof of residency will be required.

The cruise line has now shared what health measures will be required for guests sailing onboard, although the protocols are being continually evaluated. Royal Caribbean says booked guests can expect to be advised of the latest requirements within 30 days of sailing.

Vaccines

All crew members will be vaccinated, and anyone that is 18 years old or older must be fully vaccinated as well.

If you are fully vaccinated, you’ll need to present your testing results (through the Eurofins Trust One app or a physical test result) and Proof of Vaccination (either on the NHS app or a NHS vaccination certificate) on boarding day. 

If you are not fully vaccinated before the sailing because the healthcare system is working by age group, you will not be able to sail.

Testing

Vaccinated guests must bring the negative result of an rt-PCR test taken within 72 hours of sailing. We will email instructions on how to register for your complimentary test approximately 14-18 days before your cruise.

Unvaccinated guests, 2-17 years old, must take a complimentary rapid antigen test at the terminal and receive a negative result in order to sail. We will email instructions on how to register in advance approximately 14-18 days before your cruise.

Guests Under The Age Of 2 have no testing requirements.

No further tests or documentation is required for your return and disembark at Southampton.

Face masks

Outdoors onboard: Masks are not required outdoors in open-air areas, such as decks, balconies and by the pool, unless you are in a crowded setting. Masks are not permitted in the pool or for any activity where they could become wet.

Indoors onboard: All guests 11 years and older must wear a mask in all indoor public spaces, unless seated and actively eating or drinking. Masks are not required in your stateroom as long as you are with your own travel party.

At public ports of call, local face covering guidelines apply. 

Shore Excursions

Royal Caribbean says it anticipates guests will not have to book a tour in order to go ashore, but it is not confirmed yet.

"At this time we anticipate that you won’t need to book a tour to go ashore in our destinations, we are working closely with each of the ports we visit and will ensure we adhere to the protocols they have defined."

Dining

Royal Caribbean recommends making reservations for onboard dining.

Specialty dining and My Time Dining times can be booked via the Cruise Planner app. Reservations for the Main Dining Room and Windjammer can be made once onboard by using the Royal Caribbean App or calling the reservation line. 

Windjammer will be open for breakfast and lunch, and food will now be served to you by crew members to avoid guests sharing serving utensils. 

Entertainment

Venues will seat at a reduced capacity to allow for physical distancing, and the cruise line will also be offering more showtimes throughout each sailing so there is an opportunity for everyone to see the shows.

Show times can be reserved via the Royal Caribbean App.

Royal Caribbean has shared the health protocols for Brits sailing on Anthem of the Seas from Southampton this summer.

Anthem of the Seas will begin sailing from Southampton, England on July 7, 2021 on sailings with a combination of 4-night cruises to nowhere in early July and 5- to 8-night British Isles cruises, starting 15th July, that feature visits to destinations such as Liverpool, England, Kirkwall in Scotland and Belfast, Northern Ireland. 

These cruises are available to UK residents only, and proof of residency will be required.

The cruise line has now shared what health measures will be required for guests sailing onboard, although the protocols are being continually evaluated. Royal Caribbean says booked guests can expect to be advised of the latest requirements within 30 days of sailing.

Vaccines

All crew members will be vaccinated, and anyone that is 18 years old or older must be fully vaccinated as well.

If you are fully vaccinated, you’ll need to present your testing results (through the Eurofins Trust One app or a physical test result) and Proof of Vaccination (either on the NHS app or a NHS vaccination certificate) on boarding day. 

If you are not fully vaccinated before the sailing because the healthcare system is working by age group, you will not be able to sail.

Testing

Vaccinated guests must bring the negative result of an rt-PCR test taken within 72 hours of sailing. We will email instructions on how to register for your complimentary test approximately 14-18 days before your cruise.

Unvaccinated guests, 2-17 years old, must take a complimentary rapid antigen test at the terminal and receive a negative result in order to sail. We will email instructions on how to register in advance approximately 14-18 days before your cruise.

Guests Under The Age Of 2 have no testing requirements.

No further tests or documentation is required for your return and disembark at Southampton.

Face masks

Outdoors onboard: Masks are not required outdoors in open-air areas, such as decks, balconies and by the pool, unless you are in a crowded setting. Masks are not permitted in the pool or for any activity where they could become wet.

Indoors onboard: All guests 11 years and older must wear a mask in all indoor public spaces, unless seated and actively eating or drinking. Masks are not required in your stateroom as long as you are with your own travel party.

At public ports of call, local face covering guidelines apply. 

Shore Excursions

Royal Caribbean says it anticipates guests will not have to book a tour in order to go ashore, but it is not confirmed yet.

"At this time we anticipate that you won’t need to book a tour to go ashore in our destinations, we are working closely with each of the ports we visit and will ensure we adhere to the protocols they have defined."

Dining

Royal Caribbean recommends making reservations for onboard dining.

Specialty dining and My Time Dining times can be booked via the Cruise Planner app. Reservations for the Main Dining Room and Windjammer can be made once onboard by using the Royal Caribbean App or calling the reservation line. 

Windjammer will be open for breakfast and lunch, and food will now be served to you by crew members to avoid guests sharing serving utensils. 

Entertainment

Venues will seat at a reduced capacity to allow for physical distancing, and the cruise line will also be offering more showtimes throughout each sailing so there is an opportunity for everyone to see the shows.

Show times can be reserved via the Royal Caribbean App.

Brits can now book sailings on Anthem of the Seas for a summer holiday cruise.

Royal Caribbean has opened up bookings for its recently announced summer cruises aboard Anthem of the Seas.

Beginning with the July 7 sailing, Anthem of the Seas is open for bookings from her homeport of Southampton.

Anthem will sail  three and four-night Ocean ­Getaways in July with five to eight-night British Isles cruises from July 15.

Guests can sail to destinations such as Liverpool, Kirkwall in the Orkney Islands, Scotland, and Belfast, Northern Ireland.

The new sailings range between the months of July and October 2021.

Cruises on Anthem of the Seas are open only to UK residents and you must be vaccinated to sail if you are at least 18 years old. Guests under the age of 18 will not need to be vaccinated but should show a negative test result. 

Royal Caribbean says guests must not only have had the full inoculation, but also two weeks after the last shot.

Royal Caribbean International’s Ben Bouldin confirmed the requirements, "For adults, we are asking that all adults are vaccinated. That means they've had both vaccinations and they've had the required period of time, the two weeks post their second vaccination for that vaccination."

Royal Caribbean indicated the requiring the vaccine, and other health measures, "may evolve as they are evaluated on an ongoing basis."

Anthem of the Seas is one of many cruise lines that has pivoted its plans to offer cruises this summer from the UK exclusively to residents of that country.

Sister line Celebrity Cruises also recently put on sale its Celebrity Silhouette ship from Southampton as well.

Celebrity Silhouette will offer 6-, 7-, and 8-night cruises around the UK.

Ports of call will include Portland on the Jurassic Coast as well as Inverness and Glasgow, and Kirkwall on the Orkney Islands plus Belfast and Liverpool.

Moving plans around this summer has been Royal Caribbean's new game plan, with many governments still closing their borders to cruises.

Thus far, five Royal Caribbean ships have been re-deployed in order to offer cruises this summer.

• Adventure of the Seas from Nassau, Bahamas
• Vision of the Seas from Bermuda
• Jewel of the Seas from Cyprus
• Odyssey of the Seas from Haifa, Israel
• Anthem of the Seas from Southampton

Count Royal Caribbean in among the cruise lines that will offer cruises from the UK this summer.

Royal Caribbean announced Anthem of the Seas will begin sailing from Southampton beginning July 7, 2021.

Anthem will offer a combination of 4-night cruises to nowhere in early July and 5- to 8-night British Isles cruises, starting 15th July, that feature visits to destinations such as Liverpool, England, Kirkwall in Scotland and Belfast, Northern Ireland. 

The new Anthem of the Seas sailings will go on sale April 7th.

All crew members onboard will be fully vaccinated, and at this time, the cruises are only available to be booked by UK residents above the age of 18 who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and those under the age of 18 with negative test results.

The cruise line says current health and safety measures, like others, may evolve as they are evaluated on an ongoing basis.

Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley celebrated the news of Anthem sailing from the UK this summer, "The UK is a place we hold near and dear to our heart at Royal Caribbean. We miss our UK guests and are as eager as they are to get back to cruising from Southampton."

"We are delighted with the UK government’s recent announcements regarding cruising and excited to set sail again with a phenomenal ship and favorite such as Anthem of the Seas. After a tough year, we all need a holiday, but no one more so than the emergency services, NHS, social care sector and armed forces who will have the long-awaited opportunity to get away and relax with total peace of mind."

Details on the health and safety measures to be implemented for the summer cruises in the UK will be announced at a later date.

With Anthem of the Seas restart, it becomes the 6th ship that will be able to restart cruises this year, following a number of ships Royal Caribbean has announced plans for new sailings this summer.

• Adventure of the Seas from Nassau, Bahamas
• Vision of the Seas from Bermuda
• Jewel of the Seas from Cyprus
• Odyssey of the Seas from Haifa, Israel
• Grandeur of the Seas from Barbados

Announcements like this have been the slow and methodical means Royal Caribbean has been able to resume cruises while the United States maintains its ban on cruise ships.

Thank you giveaway

In addition to announcing the new sailings, Royal Caribbean said it will also offer 999 staterooms to the UK's first responders.

As a way of saying thank you to the people who have worked so hard during the global health crisis, Royal Caribbean will offer 999 free staterooms on its first Ocean Getaways to those UK residents in these professions:

• Emergency services
• National Health Service (NHS)
• Social care sector
• Armed forces

To be eligible for one of the free sailings, UK residents must be able to show proof of an official Blue Light Card, which is available to those working in the emergency services, NHS, social care sector and armed forces. 

 Pre-registration for guests eligible for one of the 999 free staterooms open on 13th April, and final names will be drawn from a ballot by the end of April.

Pre-registrations will be entered into a ballot to be drawn by the end of April. F

Count Royal Caribbean in among the cruise lines that will offer cruises from the UK this summer.

Royal Caribbean announced Anthem of the Seas will begin sailing from Southampton beginning July 7, 2021.

Anthem will offer a combination of 4-night cruises to nowhere in early July and 5- to 8-night British Isles cruises, starting 15th July, that feature visits to destinations such as Liverpool, England, Kirkwall in Scotland and Belfast, Northern Ireland. 

The new Anthem of the Seas sailings will go on sale April 7th.

All crew members onboard will be fully vaccinated, and at this time, the cruises are only available to be booked by UK residents above the age of 18 who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and those under the age of 18 with negative test results.

The cruise line says current health and safety measures, like others, may evolve as they are evaluated on an ongoing basis.

Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley celebrated the news of Anthem sailing from the UK this summer, "The UK is a place we hold near and dear to our heart at Royal Caribbean. We miss our UK guests and are as eager as they are to get back to cruising from Southampton."

"We are delighted with the UK government’s recent announcements regarding cruising and excited to set sail again with a phenomenal ship and favorite such as Anthem of the Seas. After a tough year, we all need a holiday, but no one more so than the emergency services, NHS, social care sector and armed forces who will have the long-awaited opportunity to get away and relax with total peace of mind."

Details on the health and safety measures to be implemented for the summer cruises in the UK will be announced at a later date.

With Anthem of the Seas restart, it becomes the 6th ship that will be able to restart cruises this year, following a number of ships Royal Caribbean has announced plans for new sailings this summer.

• Adventure of the Seas from Nassau, Bahamas
• Vision of the Seas from Bermuda
• Jewel of the Seas from Cyprus
• Odyssey of the Seas from Haifa, Israel
• Grandeur of the Seas from Barbados

Announcements like this have been the slow and methodical means Royal Caribbean has been able to resume cruises while the United States maintains its ban on cruise ships.

Thank you giveaway

In addition to announcing the new sailings, Royal Caribbean said it will also offer 999 staterooms to the UK's first responders.

As a way of saying thank you to the people who have worked so hard during the global health crisis, Royal Caribbean will offer 999 free staterooms on its first Ocean Getaways to those UK residents in these professions:

• Emergency services
• National Health Service (NHS)
• Social care sector
• Armed forces

To be eligible for one of the free sailings, UK residents must be able to show proof of an official Blue Light Card, which is available to those working in the emergency services, NHS, social care sector and armed forces. 

 Pre-registration for guests eligible for one of the 999 free staterooms open on 13th April, and final names will be drawn from a ballot by the end of April.

Pre-registrations will be entered into a ballot to be drawn by the end of April. F