Royal Caribbean International is set to make this an unforgettable summer with its return to the UK. The cruise line has announced that the Anthem of the Seas, a ship with strong ties to the region, will begin sailing from Southampton on July 7. UK residents can choose from a combination of 4-night getaways in early July and 5- to 8-night cruises around the British Isles, starting July 15, which include visits to destinations such as Liverpool, Belfast, Northern Ireland, and Kirkwall in Scotland. Furthermore, in recognition of the tremendous efforts of emergency services, the National Health Service (NHS), the social care sector, and the armed forces over the past year, Royal Caribbean will offer 999 (a nod to the phone number used by the UK's emergency services) complimentary cabins on its inaugural "getaway cruises" for these professionals.
The new itineraries will be available for purchase from April 7. With vaccinated crew, the cruises will currently be available to UK residents aged 18 and over who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and to those under 18 with negative test results. These current health measures, like others, are subject to change as they are continuously being evaluated.
“The UK is a place very close to our hearts at Royal Caribbean. We miss our British guests and can’t wait to be sailing from Southampton again,” said Michael Bayley, President and CEO of Royal Caribbean International. “We are delighted with the UK government’s recent announcement regarding cruises and excited to be sailing again on the phenomenal Anthem of the Seas. After a challenging year, we all need a holiday, but no one deserves it more than the emergency services, the NHS, the social care sector, and the armed forces, who will have this much-needed opportunity to escape and relax in peace and quiet.”.
Designed for passengers of all ages, the Anthem of the Seas is a guaranteed success and a favorite in the UK. From world-renowned entertainment and adrenaline-pumping activities to a diverse global culinary scene, the Anthem is also the perfect place for a relaxing getaway.
Once ashore, passengers can continue their adventure in Liverpool, Scotland, and Belfast. Kirkwall, in the enchanting Orkney Islands of northern Scotland, offers passengers some of the most picturesque scenery in the UK and the opportunity to discover and learn about the Viking heritage of this ancient Norse city. Meanwhile, Belfast is the perfect gateway to exploring Northern Ireland, known for its historic landmarks, ancient Irish castles, and stunning natural landscapes.
Passengers can rest assured that their health and well-being, as well as that of all our crew members and the communities we visit, are Royal Caribbean's top priority. Details regarding the health and safety measures that will be implemented on UK cruises will be announced at a later date. These comprehensive, multi-tiered health and safety measures will continue to be guided by the expert, scientific advice of the Healthy Sail Panel, the Royal Caribbean Group's Chief Public Health and Medical Officer, and local government and health authorities.
Royal Caribbean's new itineraries from the UK are another step in the company's Safe Return to Sail initiative, launched months ago with great success in Singapore, where more than 50,000 passengers have sailed aboard the Quantum of the Seas. This is in addition to the recent announcement of cruises aboard the Odyssey of the Seas from Haifa, Israel, and cruises from the Bahamas aboard the Adventure of the Seas, from Bermuda with the Vision of the Seas , and from Cyprus with the Jewel of the Seas.
