Royal Caribbean to double UK capacity
Royal Caribbean will have two ships based out of Southampton for the first time from summer 2013, when it will almost double its UK capacity.
The 3,114 passenger Adventure of the Seas will offer cruises from Southampton alongside the 3,634 passenger Independence of the Seas from May 2013.
The Independence launched from Southampton in 2008 when it was the world’s largest cruise ship.
Dominic Paul, vice president and group managing director Royal Caribbean EMEA said:
"The UK cruise market has long been a success story for Royal Caribbean International and doubling the number of ships sailing from Southampton is another great milestone."
Royal Caribbean first based a ship in Southampton in 2005 with the 2,435-guest Legend of the Seas and this has since steadily increased with larger and larger ships calling at the port.
The addition of Adventure of the Seas will enable the cruise line to offer more Mediterranean, Northern Europe, Iceland, Baltics and Canary Island cruises from the UK. It will offer a series of 7, 12, 13, 14 and 16-night depatures.
Highlights for the 2013 season include:
- Seven-night France and Spain cruise departing Southampton and calling at Vigo, Gijon and Bilbao in Spain, and Le Havre for Paris in France
- A 12-night Baltic cruise calling at Oslo, Copenhagen, Tallinn, Helsinki and an overnight stay in St Petersburg
- A 14-night Mediterranean Cities cruise stopping at Malaga, Cannes, Barcelona, Palma de Mallorca, Valencia, Cartegena, Lisbon and Vigo from £1,199
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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