This week in the cruise industry saw several major lines announcing their lineups for the 2017 season.
Royal Caribbean International released its schedule for 2017 and 2018 in the Caribbean and Canada, departing from the Northeast, Florida and Puerto Rico. These itineraries are now on sale.
Royal Caribbean will offer expanded Caribbean itineraries from the Northeast in 2017, with Rhapsody of the Seas joining Anthem of the Seas in Cape Liberty, New Jersey, marking the first time that two Royal Caribbean ships will be sailing from that port. Navigator of the Seas will sail five- and nine-night itineraries to Southern Caribbean destinations, while Independence of the Seas, Freedom of the Seas and Serenade of the Seas will sail the Eastern and Western Caribbean. In 2017 Royal Caribbean will also position Brilliance of the Seas in Tampa for the winter, where it will join Rhapsody of the Seas.
From Puerto Rico, Jewel of the Seas will sail to destinations such as St. Lucia, St. Kitts and Nevis, and Barbados on seven-night itineraries out of San Juan.
In luxury news, Regent Seven Seas cruises announced that its lineup of new itineraries for 2017 and 2018 would include free, intercontinental roundtrip business class air, in addition to the line's other inclusive elements: free unlimited shore excursions, fine wine and spirits, unlimited Internet access, prepaid gratuities, ground transfers and luxury pre-cruise hotel stays. Business class air will be available on all European, Asian and South American voyages where a guest would need to travel on an intercontinental flight in order to board or return home from a Regent Seven Seas Cruises ship. Air travel will be available from 26 U.S. and Canadian gateway cities and offered to all guests, no matter what category of suite booked.
Also new for 2017 will be a Northwest Passage Voyage onboard the Seven Seas Navigator, departing from Seward and exploring Alaska, Canada and Greenland, before sailing along the St. Lawrence River to Quebec City and on to the final destination, Montreal.
The 2017 - 2018 season also includes additional departures from Los Angeles, increasing the number of voyages that visit the Hawaiian Islands, Mexican Riviera and traverse the Panama Canal. In Northern Europe, Seven Seas Explorer will sail its inaugural season in the area, and Seven Seas Voyager will return to the Mediterranean for the summer and fall.
Finally, Disney Cruise Line has announced that its lineup of 2017 itineraries would include new destinations in Alaska and Europe. That summer, the line also returns to Norway, the British Isles, the Mediterranean, the Caribbean and the Bahamas. Bookings are now open.
In Alaska, Disney will sail first-time visits to Icy Strait Point and Hubbard Glacier as part of a new nine-night itinerary on the Disney Wonder. In Europe, the line will visit Amsterdam, the Netherlands, for the first time, as part of European itineraries onboard the Disney Magic.
In the Caribbean, Disney Fantasy will sail from Port Canaveral on longer itineraries – new 10- and 11-night cruises. Additionally, the Disney Dream will offer more time at the line's private destination, Castaway Cay, with select sailings including two stops at the island.
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