In mild of the tensions within the Crimson Sea that make it unsafe for cruise journey for the foreseeable future, Royal Caribbean Worldwide has opted to let visitors aboard the Final World Cruise on Serenade of the Seas vote between two radically completely different Africa itineraries.
The votes have now been counted and the winner is the distinctive “Immersive Africa” choice that may go to a variety of ports from the Seychelles to the Canary Islands.
Serenade of the Seas Itinerary Change
It’s official, Serenade of the Seas will likely be visiting 15 completely different ports of name alongside the southern and western coasts of Africa because the ship continues her 274-night Final World Cruise.
The brand new route is the “Immersive Africa” itinerary choice offered to passengers when it was determined the deliberate passage by way of the Crimson Sea and Suez Canal was not possible, as a result of ongoing tensions within the area which are threatening marine site visitors.
As an alternative of Royal Caribbean Worldwide merely deciding on a brand new itinerary and presenting it to passengers, these aboard the epic crusing got the unprecedented alternative to vote on two completely different choices.
First was the “Immersive Africa” route that may go to ports in 11 completely different nations and territories in Africa, in comparison with an “Africa and Greece” itinerary that had far fewer port visits in Africa however included extra intensive exploration of the Greek Islands.
Visitors had a number of days to ask questions and forged their votes, and the clear winner was the primary choice for a deeper exploration of Africa and extra distinctive ports of name.
“The brand new section will happen between Might and June 2024 and go to locations resembling Madagascar, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa and extra,” a Royal Caribbean spokesperson mentioned. “We look ahead to persevering with to make once-in-a-lifetime recollections with our adventurous visitors as we go to one other lineup of unimaginable locations.”
Visitors onboard the ship reported cheering and basic celebration when the successful route was introduced. Whereas the precise vote tallies haven’t been revealed, the response appears to have been overwhelming.
Now, passengers can look ahead to wonderful locations resembling La Digue Island, Seychelles; Diego Suarez, Madagascar; Port Louis, Mauritius; Mossel Bay, South Africa; an in a single day at Cape City, South Africa; Luderitz, Namibia; Luanda, Angola; Takoradi, Ghana; Abidjan, Ivory Coast; Dakar, Senegal; and extra.
Potential Difficulties
Whereas there’s a lot celebrating aboard Serenade of the Seas for the exceptional itinerary to return, there are additionally some issues.
For instance, the latest quarantine of Norwegian Daybreak over fears of a doable cholera outbreak might point out better scrutiny from native well being authorities, which could imply that not all of the deliberate ports of name might occur. Fortuitously, Norwegian Daybreak was cleared by extra well being testing and capable of proceed crusing, regardless of a two-day delay.
Some vacationers may additionally lack particular vaccinations beneficial or required to go to some African nations, resembling yellow fever or malaria vaccinations.
Undoubtedly, Royal Caribbean Worldwide will assist make preparations to make sure all vacationers are correctly protected for the brand new itinerary, and visitors are additionally being given the choice to discontinue their crusing if they like to not take the brand new itinerary.
Extra Data to Come
Three segments of the Final World Cruise are actually cancelled with this itinerary change: the “Final Jordan, Egypt & Israel” (Might 9-27) section, the “Final Bulgaria, Romania & Turkey” (Might 27 to June 7) section, and the “Final Greece, Turkey & Italy” (June 7-20) section.
“Compensation will likely be offered to our visitors who’re crusing and those that select to cancel on account of the replace,” Royal Caribbean mentioned.
Visitors impacted by the now-cancelled segments, in addition to vacationers aboard, will likely be contacted with extra info within the days to return. Fortuitously, the change has been made far sufficient prematurely that there’s ample time for the cruise line to assist visitors easily alter their journey plans.
Learn Additionally: The Affect of Crimson Sea Tensions on Cruising – UPDATED
In the intervening time, Serenade of the Seas is having fun with time within the South Pacific en path to New Zealand and Australia, after which she’s going to sail to the Philippines, Hong Kong, China, Japan, and different wonderful locations on one of the vital wonderful world cruise itineraries ever created.
Regardless of the alterations to the Center East segments of the cruise which have had a knock on impact on her Greek Island locations, Serenade of the Seas will nonetheless go to gorgeous ports within the Mediterranean, Europe, Scandinavia, Iceland, Greenland, Canada, Bermuda, and The Bahamas earlier than ending the Final World Cruise in Miami on September 10.
