Royal Caribbean announced some major overhauls for 2004, including repositioning one of its most famous ships, Voyager of the Seas.
The Voyager, which was the world’s largest cruise ship when it debuted in 1999, is being brought to New York City. The Voyager will sail alternating five-night Canada/New England and nine-night Western Caribbean itineraries starting in May and running October of next year.
Royal Caribbean will also be offering a new departure port from the Northeast in 2004. Grandeur of the Seas will sail out of Baltimore from July through October. Grandeur’s seven-night itinerary will include visits to Key West, Orlando, Freeport in the Grand Bahamas and a stop at a private island.
Another Royal Caribbean ship, Jewel of the Seas, will make her US debut in Boston in September, offering 10-night Canada/New England cruises.
Royal has also expanded its Alaskan cruises, with some cruises paired with train trips through the Canadian Rockies.
Another 15 company ships will cruise the Caribbean next winter, departing from seven ports that include Miami, Ft. Lauderdale and Port Canaveral.
New options in the Gulf include Splendour of the Seas, which in March will offer short, four and five-night getaways out of Galveston. In November of 2004, Splendour will head to Tampa where it will offer seven-night Western Caribbean cruises with stops in Grand Cayman and Cozumel.
