Royal Caribbean has announced its 2017 and 2018 Caribbean cruise itineraries.
Harmony of the Seas, the first in a new generation of Oasis-class ships that incorporate some of the tech-friendly amenities of the cruise line's Quantum-class vessels, will sail its first summer season to the Caribbean. In 2017, Florida will be home to the three largest cruise ships in the world year-round: Harmony and Allure of the Seas in Ft. Lauderdale, and Oasis of the Seas in Port Canaveral. Repositioned to Central Florida from Port Everglades Cruise Port and offering access from Greater Orlando, Oasis of the Seas will sail a new seven-night Eastern Caribbean itinerary in 2017 that calls on ports including Nassau, The Bahamas. Recently launched Caribbean shore excursions include jeep tours to Mayan ruins in Cozumel, Mexico; flyboarding in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands; and a new Royal Extreme Challenge ropes course in Falmouth, Jamaica.
Following multimillion dollar revitalizations in 2016, Adventure of the Seas will sail from Puerto Rico to the Southern Caribbean on seven-night itineraries, and Liberty of the Seas will remain in Galveston, Texas, in 2017, offering a variety of seven-night sailings to the Western Caribbean.
Royal Caribbean has also released some of the highlighted ports of call for its 2017 and 2018 Caribbean season:
Belize City, Belize – Guests can embark on Liberty of the Seas and go from Galveston, Texas, to hiking in the rainforest, cave-and-river tubing, bird watching and exploring Mayan ruins. From the top of El Castillo, one of the tallest Mayan structures in Belize at 130 feet, travelers will be able to take in the lush rainforest of Peten, Mayan Mountains and even see across the border into Guatemala.
CocoCay, Bahamas – Reserved exclusively for Royal Caribbean guests, this 140-acre tropical destination was awarded a Gold-Level Eco-Certification by Sustainable Travel International for its environmentally friendly activities and nature tours. The destination is featured on many of the fleet’s Caribbean itineraries, including recently revitalized ships Majesty of the Seas sailing from Port Canaveral and Enchantment from the Seas sailing from Port of Miami.
San Juan, Puerto Rico – A home port for Adventure of the Seas and a port of call for ships like Harmony of the Seas, guests can enjoy the opportunity to explore the El Yunque Rain Forest, featuring more than 240 species of trees and what was once believed to be the Fountain of Youth.
George’s, Grenada – This unique island offers lush vegetation, mountainous terrain, colorful colonial architecture and a picturesque port. Travelers can choose a guided tour of one of the local rum distilleries or spice estates and try a traditional Grenadian dish, such as callaloo soup, whether sailing from Florida or Puerto Rico.
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