Clear Sailing Ahead

It seems only fitting that it was Royal Caribbean International’s Freedom of the Seas set sail from the Port of Miami on July 4 after a 16-month shutdown.

Sailing with 93% of the onboard community fully vaccinated and just in time for Fourth of July weekend, Freedom of the Seas set off on the first cruise of a summer-long series of 3-night weekend and 4-night weekday getaways to Perfect Day at CocoCay and Nassau, The Bahamas.

Michael Bayley, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean International, said: “We have a lot to celebrate. Families and loved ones can finally come together after more than a year apart, and we’re now welcoming them back on board to make up for that lost time.”

Bayley continued: “For a moment, as meaningful as Fourth of July weekend, it couldn’t be more appropriate that Freedom of the Seas be the first ship to ring in our return to cruising in the U.S. and delivering the memorable and safe vacations Royal Caribbean is known for. Summer family vacations are back, and we are just getting started.”

Royal Caribbean is planning for nine more ships to return through August, including Anthem of the Seas in the U.K., Serenade and Ovation of the Seas in Alaska, and the brand-new Odyssey of the Seas in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

In the coming weeks, the cruise line will announce plans to reintroduce its full fleet around the globe by year’s end.

Click here for the complete 2021 lineup.