Israelis looking to vacation this summer can do so with Royal Caribbean International, which will begin sailing from Israel for the first time this May. The global cruise line will offer Israelis a combination of 3- to 7-night itineraries visiting Greece (Athens and the islands) and Cyprus aboard its newest ship, the Odyssey of the Seas. The new itineraries will go on sale Tuesday, March 9.
These itineraries will have Haifa (Israel) as their home port and will include stops at idyllic Mediterranean destinations such as Rhodes, Santorini, Mykonos and Athens in Greece and Limassol in Cyprus.
“We are thrilled to be launching Royal Caribbean cruises from Israel with our newest and most revolutionary ship, Odyssey of the Seas. Israeli travelers are eager to escape, relax, disconnect, and rediscover the travel experiences they’ve been missing, and that’s exactly what we do best,” said Michael Bayley, President and CEO of Royal Caribbean International. “Sailing from Israel is something we’ve had our sights set on for quite some time. We are incredibly grateful to the Government of Israel for their collaboration and the trust they have placed in us to deliver unforgettable onboard experiences to their residents, and we can’t wait to make that a reality with our newest ship.”
Residents of Israel will be the first to sail aboard the Odyssey during its inaugural season. The innovative ship has been designed to offer unforgettable vacations to all types of passengers, with a wide variety of new and iconic experiences from bow to stern. Set against the backdrop of the Mediterranean, its main attractions include a two-level pool deck designed for maximum enjoyment under the sun and stars; SeaPlex – a two-level complex where passengers of all ages will enjoy adrenaline-pumping indoor and outdoor activities; and a wide array of complementary and specialty restaurants that will delight even the most discerning palates with cuisine from around the world. Meanwhile, entertainment will feature cutting-edge productions in the Royal Theater and Two70, where art and multimedia will converge to create breathtaking, one-of-a-kind performances on board the Odyssey.
“Thanks to the millions of vaccines we have purchased, I am very proud that Israel is the first country in the world to launch Royal Caribbean’s new flagship ship. Royal Caribbean’s decision to come to Israel is a significant expression of confidence in our standards. This is a very important moment for the State of Israel from an economic and tourism perspective,” said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. “Israel is a global model of success. We will continue with our ‘ green passport’ program so that we can emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic in peace. Just as we have made Israel a world champion in vaccines, we will make it a world champion in the economy and tourism in the post-coronavirus era.”
In collaboration with Israeli health and tourism authorities, Royal Caribbean will be the first to offer "fully vaccinated" cruises, where both crew and passengers over the age of 16 will be vaccinated against COVID-19. Details regarding additional health and safety measures to be implemented by Israel and Royal Caribbean will be announced at a later date.
The Greek Minister of Tourism, Mr. Haris Theoharis, supports all efforts being made to resume cruises in Greece and the surrounding area and stated: “We are very pleased with today’s announcement as our recent travel agreement with Israel is already bearing fruit and more people will have the opportunity to enjoy unique experiences in our beautiful destinations and islands.”
Savvas Perdios, Cyprus' Deputy Minister of Tourism, commented, “It is an honor to be featured on Royal Caribbean's itinerary this summer, and we are delighted to welcome their newest ship to our island. Cyprus supports the cruise industry and is happy to do so as it moves toward recovery. We are confident that passengers will have wonderful experiences both on board the ship and while visiting Cyprus, one of the most beautiful islands in the Mediterranean.”
The Odyssey of the Seas will be the first Quantum Ultra-class ship to be homeported in the region and will feature a distinctive new look, an action-packed upper deck, and a hit playlist filled with records and firsts at sea. The cutting-edge ship will boast numerous technological innovations, including the state-of-the-art SeaPlex, which will house the Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade; a reimagined Adventure Ocean kids' program; and the Social180 teen lounge with video game consoles, music, movies, and a wraparound deck with ocean views. Passengers will also enjoy a variety of restaurants, including Teppanyaki, featuring Asian flavors and traditional Japanese style; and the new Giovanni's Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar, offering traditional Italian dishes with a contemporary twist. The upper deck will feature two resort-style outdoor pools and four jacuzzis with shaded cabanas and hammocks, plus many of our passengers' favorite amenities, including the FlowRider surf simulator, the RipCord by iFly skydiving simulator, the iconic North Star observation crane with its all-glass viewing capsule offering 360-degree views 90 meters above sea level, and robot bartenders at the Bionic Bar.
