Royal Caribbean Worldwide has commented on the destiny of the immensely fashionable Final World Cruise in mild of rising tensions within the Crimson Sea which will threaten a major a part of the ship’s upcoming itinerary.
Hypothesis has arisen that the itinerary could also be radically altered or the cruise may even be ended early to make sure the protection of the friends, crew, and ship.
The Final World Cruise – Much less Than Final?
The Final World Cruise – a 274-night journey aboard Serenade of the Seas visiting all seven continents, 65 international locations, and greater than 150 ports of name – has solely been crusing for 5 weeks, however already questions are being requested about whether or not or not the voyage will proceed.
A lady by the title of Adita (@aditaml2759) is presently onboard Serenade of the Seas and posting common TikTok movies of her experiences, together with a dialogue of rumors that the crusing could finish in Los Angeles.
“I’ve been listening to a few rumors and I’m beginning to get slightly nervous,” Adita mentioned. “The rumor that I’ve been listening to is that Royal Caribbean is considering of ending the World Cruise in Los Angeles because of the issues within the Center East and us not having the ability to undergo the Crimson Sea and the Suez Canal.”
Adita asks for readability and communication from Royal Caribbean and isn’t confirming any itinerary modifications, however solely asking if there was any official phrase.
“I don’t like placing rumors on the market, however I feel we additionally, the passengers that invested a lot cash and a lot time to see the world, we need to know what’s going on, what the plans are, what Plan B is,” she mentioned.
Potential choices which have been speculated about embody the itinerary shifting to go round Cape Horn and up the west coast of Africa. Alternatively, passengers may very well be flown from Dubai to a vacation spot within the Mediterranean whereas the ship crosses the Crimson Sea and Suez Canal with minimal crew complement earlier than selecting friends again as much as resume crusing.
Adita’s video on these rumors has been considered greater than 85,600 instances and is one among her extra fashionable movies documenting this excessive journey. Different movies embody exhibiting climate situations it the Drake Passage, suggestions for organizing and storage for such an extended journey, and different tidbits that deliver viewers alongside on the spectacular crusing.
Royal Caribbean Responds
Royal Caribbean Worldwide has responded to the rumors and confirmed that right now, there aren’t any modifications to the deliberate Final World Cruise itinerary.
“Royal Caribbean’s Final World Cruise will proceed its present schedule as deliberate,” a cruise line spokesperson mentioned to Enterprise Insider. “The security of our friends and crew is our high precedence. In collaboration with our World Safety staff, we repeatedly monitor the state of affairs within the area and make any obligatory changes. Company will likely be notified immediately of any modifications.”
A number of cruise strains have already adjusted or cancelled cruises within the Crimson Sea area resulting from escalating geopolitical tensions. Drones and mines have been used to disrupt marine visitors, and whereas no cruise ships have but been attacked, all cruise strains are intently monitoring the state of affairs as obligatory to guard their respective fleets.
Royal Caribbean said to Cruise Hive, “The Final World Cruise has given friends the chance to see the world in a singular method, and we’ve got beloved watching their reactions to this unimaginable expertise. This journey will full its first phase in February, and we are able to’t wait to kick off the subsequent a part of the journey shortly after and start exploring Asia.”
MSC Cruises, P&O Cruises, Silversea Cruises, Cunard Line, and others are all maintaining up to date on the state of affairs and can regulate itineraries if wanted.
It must be famous that Serenade of the Seas is just not scheduled to enter the Crimson Sea till mid-Might. With 4 months to go till that portion of the Final World Cruise is reached, there could but be many components to contemplate about whether or not or not the itinerary will proceed and the state of affairs is evolving every single day.
Learn Additionally: Not Everybody Is Having fun with the 9-Month Final World Cruise
In the meantime, if the hypothesis concerning the crusing ending in Los Angeles had been correct – which it isn’t – that may imply the cruise would finish on February 11, 2024, simply two months after starting on December 10, 2023. Moreover, this could imply the “world” cruise would solely have explored one small part of its various and detailed itinerary.
The crusing has already had an itinerary change resulting from climate situations close to Antarctica, and undoubtedly there will likely be additional itinerary changes within the months to come back. Hopefully, tensions will ease and no such dramatic change as skipping a complete portion of the cruise route will likely be obligatory.
