December would be the finish of the 12 months, however it’s going to deliver much more ships again in to service earlier than 2021 involves an finish.
This text is an effort to share what you’ll want to know about occurring a Royal Caribbean cruise within the month of December, with essential information, ideas, and useful data alongside the way in which.
Similar to November, December is a narrative of two halves: the primary two weeks are often much less in-demand as a result of most households both simply took a trip over Thanksgiving or will wait till Christmas. Then, the final two weeks are the most well-liked time to go on a cruise over Christmas and New Years holidays.
If you’re searching for a deal, the primary half of December is a good time to snag a last-minute cruise. In any other case, penny-pinchers might want to wait till January.
Christmas week is an extremely common time to go on a cruise, as a result of households have off from faculty and their dad and mom largely have a break from work.
Coinciding with the Christmas vacation is Royal Caribbean’s subsequent push to get extra passengers onboard their ships.
Royal Caribbean Worldwide President and CEO Michael Bayley mentioned in November 2021 that capability for his or her ships will improve to round 65% throughout the fleet.
“In November it’s going to be 60 %. In December, it’s going to be 65. As we transfer into January, we’ll proceed to extend it.”
“We’re monitoring and watching every little thing is going on round us, and we’re ensuring that each time we improve our capability, we imagine it’s totally secure to take action. Our intention as we transfer into the spring is to get again to enterprise as regular.”
Ships crusing in December 2021
Three Royal Caribbean cruise ships will restart crusing in December, bringing practically all the fleet again into service apart from a handful that may comply with in early 2022.
- Freedom of the Seas from Miami, Florida
- Anthem of the Seas from Cape Liberty, New Jersey
- Jewel of the Seas from Miami, Florida
- Odyssey of the Seas from Fort Lauderdale, Florida
- Attract of the Seas from Fort Lauderdale, Florida
- Symphony of the Seas from Miami, Florida
- Independence of the Seas from Port Canaveral, Florida
- Concord of the Seas from Port Canaveral, Florida
- Mariner of the Seas from Port Canaveral, Florida
- Oasis of the Seas from Miami, Florida
- Liberty of the Seas from Galveston, Texas
- Serenade of the Seas from Tampa, Florida
- Journey of the Seas from Galveston, Texas
- Explorer of the Seas from San Juan, Puerto Rico
- Navigator of the Seas from Los Angeles, California
- Quantum of the Seas from Singapore
- Grandeur of the Seas from Bridgetown, Barbados, beginning Dec. 5
- Brilliance of the Seas from Tampa, Florida, beginning Dec. 16
- Enchantment of the Seas from Baltimore, Florida, beginning Dec. 23
In the end, Grandeur of the Seas will resume sailings from a brand new homeport. Grandeur will supply 7- and 14-night Southern Caribbean sailings from Bridgetown, Barbados, beginning December 5.
Brilliance of the Seas may even resume cruises this month when she returns to Tampa for the winter, providing 4- and 5-night Bahamas and Western Caribbean cruises starting December 16.
Lastly, Enchantment of the Seas will resume cruises from Baltimore, Maryland when she begins crusing 8-night Bahamas sailings, and choose 12-night cruises to the Southern Caribbean. Her first crusing is on December 23.
Scheduled cruises from China and Australia in December 2021 have been cancelled.
Well being protocols for December 2021 cruises
In comparison with final month, there is just one change for Royal Caribbean cruises from america in December.
Starting December 17, 2021, unvaccinated guests age 2 – 11 will need to get a negative PCR test result before the cruise. Antigen assessments won’t be acceptable any longer for this age group.
PCR take a look at should be taken not more than 3 days previous to crusing — however not on boarding day. Antigen assessments should not accepted for unvaccinated company.
Have in mind the protocols do differ in case your ship sails from Puerto Rico or Barbados.
Royal Caribbean requires all passengers 12 years previous and older to be absolutely vaccinated and supply proof of vaccination at check-in.
Friends below 12, who’re at the moment ineligible for the vaccine, can nonetheless cruise so long as they proceed to supply a damaging take a look at outcome at boarding and comply with sure well being and security protocols.
For company departing from Florida homeports, this vaccine requirement is the coverage of a number of worldwide governments for a cruise ship to enter their waters.
Relying on the place your ship departs from, the precise requirement for a pre-cruise take a look at will differ. Nevertheless, a pre-cruise take a look at is required for all passengers, no matter vaccination standing.
Masks are NOT required to be worn:
- In open-air areas of the ship, until you might be in a crowded setting
- Within the pool or any exercise the place they might develop into moist
- At venues designated for vaccinated company solely, reminiscent of choose bars, lounges, eating places and reveals
- In your stateroom when you find yourself along with your touring celebration
- Whereas visiting Good Day at CocoCay, until you might be in a crowded setting
- By any visitor below the age of two
Masks ARE required to be worn:
- Whereas indoors onboard the ship, until seated and actively consuming or ingesting
- Whereas visiting public ports of name, the place native laws could require them
Royal Caribbean up to date the Barbados testing necessities not too long ago:
All Friends Ages 2 Years & Older
- Should current a NEGATIVE COVID-19 PCR Check outcome at cruise terminal
- Taken not more than 3 days previous to crusing
- PCR Check used for entry into Barbados glad this pre-cruise requirement (if taken inside 3 days of crusing date)
You possibly can evaluation the entire December 2021 health protocols.
December climate on a cruise
Firstly, December marks the official finish of hurricane season. That is excellent news in your sailings within the Caribbean, nonetheless winter storms can nonetheless be disruptive to journey round america. Do not assume since hurricanes are unlikely you can be cavalier about while you arrive to your cruise port.
As all the time, it’s a good suggestion to present your self a buffer and arrive at least one day before your cruise in order that in case your journey plans are interrupted, you do not miss your cruise.
Whereas it may be downright frigid the place you reside, the Caribbean stays largely temperate throughout December. The tropics typically don’t expertise giant temperature swings, though an occasional chilly entrance can generally penetrate far south.
For instance, within the month of December, common highs and low temperatures in St. Kitts are 85 and 74 levels, respectively.
In The Bahamas, the typical excessive and low temperature is 80 and 66 levels, respectively.
Will it’s heat sufficient to swim? In all probability, though it relies upon how delicate you might be to “colder” water. The ocean stays hotter longer as a result of it takes longer for it to chill down regardless of decrease temperatures. Swimming pools, nonetheless, can calm down shortly. In my expertise, it’s heat sufficient to swim, however you could must “get used to” the cooler water temperature moderately than in summer season when you may barrel in instantly.
The very best half a few December cruise is the comfy temperatures and decrease humidity, which makes it splendid for out of doors excursions with out immediately sweating profusely.
Learn extra: Packing for a Royal Caribbean cruise in the Winter
Christmas on a cruise
What’s it prefer to have fun Christmas on a cruise ship?
Royal Caribbean will get into the vacation spirit proper after Thanksgiving, with vacation decorations across the ship for the month of December.
In case your cruise truly sails over the Christmas vacation, then you may count on sure particular actions and choices.
The eating places will supply vacation menus with seasonal favorites: roast turkey or ham on Christmas (with eggnog to drink).
Passengers can get pleasure from particular actions, reminiscent of caroling, tree- and menorah-lighting ceremonies and seasonal motion pictures proven on in-room TVs and onboard film screens.
On some sailings, there could even be a priest or minister onboard to guide providers with passengers on Christmas. Regulate the Cruise Compass for a midnight mass.
Learn extra: How Royal Caribbean celebrates Christmas and New Years holidays on its cruise ships
New Years Eve on a cruise
Historically, celebrating the New 12 months on a cruise ship is one huge celebration.
It stays to be seen what particular protocols could also be in place this 12 months attributable to Covid-19, however up to now, Royal Caribbean has gone all-out with New 12 months’s Eve events.
Across the ship, one can find totally different events to cater to various kinds of celebrations. The Royal Promenade had that Occasions Sq. ball drop really feel, whereas numerous bars and lounges supply their very own tackle the brand new 12 months festivities.
As well as, Royal Caribbean often reserves sure areas of the ship for buy to ensure a spot in the course of the motion. These are often chairs and tables you may ebook that present a reserved spot close to the primary celebration.
