royal caribbean cruises caribbean 2023

• Find a Cruise​ Cruise Deals Cruise Ships Destinations​ Manage My Cruise​ FAQ Perfect Day at CocoCay​ Make a Payment Crown & Anchor Society​ Royal Caribbean Blog Royal Caribbean Group
• Back to Main Menu
• Search Cruises " id="rciHeaderSideNavSubmenu-1-1" class="headerSidenav__link" href="/gbr/en/cruises" target="_self"> Search Cruises
• Cruise Deals
• Last Minute Cruises​
• Family Cruises​
• 2024-2025 Cruises
• Mini Cruises
• First Time Cruisers
• What's Included
• Cruising Guides
• All Cruise Ships " id="rciHeaderSideNavSubmenu-3-1" class="headerSidenav__link" href="/gbr/en/cruise-ships" target="_self"> All Cruise Ships
• Deck Plans​
• Cruise Dining 
• Onboard Activities
• Cruise Rooms​
• The Cruise Experience​
• All Cruise Destinations " id="rciHeaderSideNavSubmenu-4-1" class="headerSidenav__link" href="/gbr/en/cruise-destinations" target="_self"> All Cruise Destinations
• Cruise Ports​
• Shore Excursions​
• Perfect Day at CocoCay​
• Mediterranean Cruises​
• Caribbean Cruises​
• European Cruises​
• Greece Cruises​
• Italy Cruises​
• Cruise Planner
• Book a Flight
• Check-In for My Cruise​
• Make a Payment
• Redeem Cruise Credit
• Update Guest Information
• Beverage Packages​
• Dining Packages​
• My Account​
• All FAQs " id="rciHeaderSideNavSubmenu-6-1" class="headerSidenav__link" href="/gbr/en/faq" target="_self"> All FAQs
• Boarding Requirements
• Royal Caribbean
• Celebrity Cruises

Adventure in Warm Shores

Holiday cruises.

Heat Up the Holidays

This Holiday Season, say no to the cold and go for bold, taking your family on a sun-kissed Caribbean cruise. Make their spirits shine bright exploring the hottest tropical destinations, including the island paradise of Barbados and Perfect Day at CocoCay, Royal Caribbean’s private resort. Sail on our amazing Oasis Class ships, the world’s largest. These fan favorites have reframed what boatloads of adventure and next-level relaxation look like! Treat your family to a Christmas cruise or New Year’s cruise and create memories to light up a lifetime.

Baby, It’s Bold Outside

Seize sensational, spending the Holidays in balmy destinations where uncharted adventure awaits. Book an all-inclusive cruise in 2023 for a value that frees up your dreams.

{{error.text}} {{error.link.label}}

SIZZLING DESTINATIONS

Perfect Day at Cococay

SAINT MAARTEN ISLAND

COZUMEL & CANCUN

MONTEGO BAY

LABADEE HAITI

EAT, DRINK AND BE MERRY

Enjoy holiday cruises that spread waves of joy and festive cheer.

Way to Wander

Go on a holiday cruise in 2023 and start a tradition that will have the whole family ditching their snow boots and slipping on swimsuits! Dive into crystalline waters, tan on sugary sands, wander colourful colonial towns. Cheers to a habit you’ll never want to break!

A Pearl of Rare Worth

Book a Barbados cruise to explore a spectacular treasure of the Caribbean. Home to beautiful cave formations, 17th century plantations and the world’s oldest rum, Barbados is a must-see destination.

EXPLORE CRUISES FROM BARBADOS

Perfect Day at CocoCay

Where can you find the Caribbean’s biggest wave pool and the tallest waterslide in North America? Thrill, chill, and be merry at Perfect Day in CocoCay, the ultimate backdrop for your 2023 cruise.

EXPLORE PERFECT DAY AT COCOCAY

Previewing: Promo Dashboard Campaigns

My Personas

Code: ∅.

Royal Caribbean Reveals 2023 Seasonal Caribbean Cruise Schedule

Royal Caribbean International has unveiled its 2023 seasonal Caribbean cruises that offer a  “summer of firsts”. Wonder of the Seas, debuting in March 2022, headlines the lineup with its first U.S. summer from Port Canaveral (Orlando), Florida. The new, innovative ship will be joined by the  Mariner of the Seas,  while  Harmony of the Seas  will call Miami its summer home for the first time. The lineup is rounded out by the first Oasis Class summer in Galveston, Texas, with Allure of the Seas.

Families and travelers of all ages can have their pick of short,  5-night cruises  and  7- to 8-night sailings  that feature idyllic destinations in Bermuda and the Eastern, Western and Southern Caribbean. The vibrant, tropical places they visit from April through October 2023 include Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao ( ABC islands ),  Puerto Rico ,  Mexico, St. Kitts  and Royal Caribbean’s private island destination,  Perfect Day at CocoCay in The Bahamas .

Whichever itinerary beckons travelers, a day of thrill and chill on Perfect Day at CocoCay will be among the highlights on most sailings from Florida. The cruise line’s top-rated destination in the Caribbean welcomes guests to create their perfect day with 13 heart-pumping waterslides at Thrill Waterpark, including the  tallest waterslide in North America ; sights from the highest vantage point in The Bahamas on helium balloon  Up, Up & Away ; the first floating cabanas, a dedicated restaurant and infinity pool at  Coco Beach Club ; and more across dining, relaxation and adventure.

The lineup of award-winning ships and array of itineraries makes for exhilarating thrills from ship to shore. On Oasis Class ships  Wonder ,  Allure  and  Harmony,  adventures await in Royal Caribbean’s distinct signature neighborhoods. There are all-time favorites like the Ultimate Abyss, the tallest slide at sea, and more than 20 different restaurants, bars and lounges, plus all-new highlights on  Wonder , such as the Suite Neighborhood and the area’s dedicated sun deck. The amplified  Mariner  brings to life a combination of experiences for guests to seamlessly transition from a day at the pool to a night out. The lineup on board features a Caribbean-inspired and resort-style pool deck, a trio of high-speed waterslides known as The Perfect Storm, The Bamboo Room, a tiki-chic lounge; and more.

Itinerary Highlights:

• Wonder of the Seas –   Cruising from: Port Canaveral Following the world’s largest cruise ship’s debut in 2022, the cruise line keeps the good times rolling for vacationers.  Wonder  will sail its first summer in the U.S. from Port Canaveral, extending its newly announced 2022 winter season that starts in November. The adventure to be found in the new, innovative ship’s eight action-packed neighborhoods, including an Oasis Class first – the Suite Neighborhood – extends to the destinations in store on the  7-night Western  and  Eastern Caribbean cruises . Highlights include  Philipsburg, St. Maarten;Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas ;  Cozumel ; and  Perfect Day at CocoCay .
• Harmony of the Seas   – Cruising from: Miami The cruise capital of the world will be  Harmony’s  summer homeport for the first time. An Oasis Class favorite, perfect for families and travelers of every age,  Harmony  will set sail on  7-night   cruises  to the sun-soaked shores of the  Western  and  Eastern Caribbean . Natural sights and adventures will be at every destination, which include  Basseterre, St. Kitts and Nevis;   Charlotte Amalie;   Oranjestad, Aruba; Costa Maya;  and  Perfect Day at CocoCay .
• Mariner of the Seas –   Cruising from: Port Canaveral Returning to Port Canaveral for the third consecutive summer, the amplified  Mariner  sets course to offer vacationers varying ways to get away to the Caribbean. With their choice of short and longer  itineraries of   5, 7 and   8 nights  to  Bermuda , and the  Eastern, Western  and Southern Caribbean ,  travelers can visit stunning destinations across the board, such as the  Dominican Republic ,  Aruba, Curacao  and St. Croix  in the  U.S. Virgin Islands .

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

© 2024 Cruises-N-More Blog

• Cruise News
• Cruise Tips
• All Cruise Lines
• Carnival Cruise Line
• Celebrity Cruises
• Disney Cruise Line
• MSC Cruises
• Norwegian Cruise Line
• Oceania Cruises
• Princess Cruises
• Royal Caribbean
• Ports of Call
• Cruise Videos
• Port Webcams

• Advertiser Disclosure

Royal Caribbean Unveils 2023 Seasonal Caribbean Cruises

Allure of the Seas will sail from Galveston, Texas and Royal Caribbean’s new $125 million cruise terminal.  The 161,300 square foot terminal will allow an Oasis class ship to be based out of Texas for the first time.

Allure of the Seas will sail seven night cruises from Galveston to the Western Caribbean with port stops in Cozumel, Costa Maya, and Roatan.

Wonder of the Seas will be the world’s largest cruise ship when the vessel debuts next spring.  The cruise ship will sail from Port Canaveral from November 2022 through at least the summer of 2023.

Wonder of the Seas will sail week long cruises to the Eastern and Western Caribbean and visit different ports including CocoCay, St. Thomas, St. Maarten, Cozumel, and other popular ports.

Harmony of the Seas will head to the Cruise Capital of the World, PortMiami, for the first time and offer seven night cruises to the Eastern and Western Caribbean. Cruise ports offered on Harmony of the Seas sailings from Miami include St. Thomas, Aruba, St. Kitts, Costa Maya, and CocoCay.

Mariner of the Seas will offer a variety of five, seven, and eight night cruises to Bermuda, the Eastern and Western Caribbean from Port Canaveral.

Learn the cruise secrets most people don't know and cruise like a boss. Check out Intelligent Cruiser here for a better cruise vacation. (Sponsored)

8 Things I Skipped On My Cruise to Save Money

Princess cruises offering double points for a limited time, 4 things cruise lines want you to ignore, cruise gym dispute: passenger told to “move out of the way” as influencer films, related articles, sneak peek at royal caribbean’s newest cruise ship, utopia of the seas, royal caribbean’s next new cruise ship debuts in less than 50 days, royal caribbean adds status matching across all 3 cruise lines, 3 royal caribbean cruise ships will visit grand turk this summer, recent popular posts.

Two brothers started Cruise Fever in 2011 when they decided they couldn't stop cruising so they might as well write about it. Do you have Cruise Fever too? Follow along on this incredible voyage!

© 2011-2024, Cruise Fever ®. All rights reserved

• Privacy Policy
• Cruise Newsletter

• Cruise News

Bookings Open For Royal Caribbean’s 2023-24 Caribbean Cruises

Sarah Bretz, Contributor

• March 1, 2022

Royal Caribbean has opened up bookings for its 2023-2024 Caribbean sailings, which will include seven ships sailing mostly weeklong voyages in the eastern, western, and southern Caribbean regions.

Wonder of the Seas

For the 2023-2024 winter season, Royal Caribbean’s newest mega-ship  Wonder of the Seas  will set sail from Port Canaveral, Florida on mostly seven-night western and eastern Caribbean voyages.

On the western route, port calls will include Cozumel, Roatán, Costa Maya, and Perfect Day at CocoCay. On the eastern itinerary, calls will be St. Thomas, St. Maarten, and Perfect Day at CocoCay.

Symphony of the Seas

For the first time,  Symphony of the Seas  will homeport in Port Everglades for the 2023-2024 season, operating six-night western Caribbean and eight-night southern Caribbean cruises.

Port calls on the six-night will be Labadee, Haiti; Falmouth, Jamaica; and Nassau, Bahamas. Port stops on the eight-night will be Aruba, Curaçao, and Labadee.

Odyssey of the Seas

Odyssey of the Seas  will homeport in Port Everglades, sailing eight-night southern Caribbean and six-night eastern Caribbean voyages.

Port calls for most of the eight-night cruises will include Aruba, Curaçao, and Perfect Day at CocoCay. Destinations on the six-night route will vary, including a combination of some of these ports: Perfect Day at CocoCay, Labadee, Puerto Plata, Falmouth, and Grand Cayman.

MORE: 8 Cruise Lines Drop Their Face Mask Requirements

Oasis of the Seas

Oasis of the Seas  will homeport in Miami, offering mostly seven-night eastern and western Caribbean cruises for the 2023-2024 season.

Western Caribbean itineraries will call at Nassau, Labadee, and Falmouth. There will be two main eastern Caribbean itineraries: one that visits Labadee, St. Thomas, and Perfect Day at CocoCay; and another that visits Labadee, Falmouth, Nassau, and Perfect Day at CocoCay.

Harmony of the Seas

Galveston, Texas will welcome  Harmony of the Seas  for the 2023-2024 season, from where the ship will operate mostly seven-night western Caribbean voyages.

Port calls will include Costa Maya, Roatán, and Cozumel.

Voyager of the Seas

Voyager of the Seas  will homeport in Port Canaveral, offering six and eight-night eastern Caribbean sailings.

Destinations on the six-night cruises will be Nassau, Labadee, and Puerto Plata. Calls on most of the eight-night voyages will include Labadee, St. Thomas, St. Croix, and Puerto Plata.

Brilliance of the Seas

Brilliance of the Seas  will call Tampa home for the 2023-2024 winter season, from where it will operate mostly seven-night western Caribbean cruises.

Port calls will include Costa Maya, Belize, Roatán, and Cozumel.

READ NEXT: Wonder of the Seas Dining Guide: Which Restaurants Are Complimentary?

Recent Posts

Margaritaville at sea islander review + cruise news [podcast], cruise ship rescues 68 people adrift in atlantic ocean, miami cruise port debuts shore power, eight easy ways to protect your belongings on a crowded cruise ship, share this post, related posts.

AI Powered Face Scanning Expedites Cruise Ship Boarding in Vancouver

Cruise Passenger’s Costly Medical Bill for Seasickness Goes Viral

Bringing you 15 years of cruise industry experience. Cruise Radio prioritizes well-balanced cruise news coverage and accurate reporting, paired with ship reviews and tips.   

Quick links

Cruise Radio, LLC © Copyright 2009-2024 | Website Designed By   Insider Perks, Inc

• CruiseMapper
• Cruise news
• Cruise Industry
• Royal Caribbean's winter 2022-2023 Caribbean cruise ships and...

Royal Caribbean's winter 2022-2023 Caribbean cruise ships and itineraries

RCI-Royal Caribbean International introduced its 2022-2023 Caribbean winter ship deployment with 7-days-long itineraries.

RCI is breaking its own "Texas record" homeporting in Galveston TX for the first time ever one of the largest passenger ships in the world . Beginning November 2022, Allure of the Seas is scheduled for a season of 7-night roundtrips to ports in the Western Caribbean from Royal Caribbean’s new cruise ship terminal in Galveston. The facility is currently planned for a construction start in April 2021 and completion in November 2022.

5 other RCI liners are scheduled for homeporting in Florida, including Allure’s 3 Oasis-class sisterships Harmony OTS , Oasis OTS , and Symphony OTS .

Itineraries combine popular seaports like Nassau Bahamas , Cozumel Mexico and Falmouth Jamaica , Basseterre St Kitts , Philipsburg St Maarten , Charlotte Amalie St Thomas USVI .

RCI's Caribbean 2022-2023 program features extended port stays and late-night visits to destinations like Oranjestad Aruba and San Juan Puerto Rico , as well as calls at Royal Caribbean’s private Bahamian island CocoCay .

RCI’s 2022-2023 Caribbean cruises opened for bookings on March 3.

Additional itinerary highlights feature:

In Florida ( PortMiami and Port Canaveral-Orlando are homeported two Oasis-class vessels. Symphony OTS is scheduled to sail a mix of 7-night Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries from Miami to St Maarten and St Thomas (Eastern Caribbean) and to Mexico ( Costa Maya and Cozumel) and Isla Roatan Honduras (Western Caribbean). All cruises will visit CocoCay.

At Port Canaveral's cruise terminal is homeported Harmony OTS for 7-night Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries all visiting CocoCay. Eastern Caribbean roundtrips visit St Thomas, St Maarten and St Kitts. Western Caribbean roundtrips visit Nassau, Jamaica (Falmouth) and Labadee Haiti .

Beginning November 2022, Allure OTS sails 7-night Western Caribbean itineraries from Galveston (for the first time) to Roatan Island, Cozumel and Costa Maya. 

After a summer homeporting in NYC New York , Oasis OTS relocates to Miami for 7-night Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries (all visiting CocoCay) between November 2022-April 2023. Eastern Caribbean roundtrips visit Labadee, Charlotte Amalie, San Juan, Western Caribbean - Costa Maya, Cozumel, Roatan.

Following the summer 2022 Alaskan season, Serenade OTS relocates to Tampa Florida for 7-night Western Caribbean itineraries (Cozumel, Costa Maya, Roatan, Belize City) and 7-night Bahamas itineraries (Nassau, Bimini , CocoCay). Serenade OTS' relocation voyage (RepositionCruises.com) from Vancouver BC Canada to Tampa is a Pacific Coastal itinerary visiting Los Angeles CA prior to the 13-night Panama Canal transition cruise .

Following a short season in Northeast USA, Voyager OTS relocates from Boston to San Juan (Puerto Rico) in November 2022. From Puerto Rico the ship offers 7-night Southern Caribbean roundtrips to Barbados , St Lucia , St Croix , and Curacao .

Press Releases

Royal caribbean opens epic lineup of european adventures for summer 2023.

Vacations for the Whole Family: Nine Ships to Sail to More Than 25 Countries in the Mediterranean, Scandinavia and the Holy Land

MIAMI, Jan. 6, 2022 – Royal Caribbean International revealed the 2023 European summer lineup of nine award-winning ships that will visit landmark destinations in more than 25 countries, from the Amalfi Coast to the Holy Land, plus the Adriatic islands of Croatia, British Isles, Canary Islands and Greek Isles. Beginning in May 2023, vacationers of all ages can experience the region’s timeless beauty on a variety of cruises that range from five to 12 nights and visit iconic locales, from Reykjavik, Iceland, to Tel Aviv, Israel, and everything in between. The cruise line’s new summer 2023 Europe cruises are now open.   

Travelers with their sights on Europe can choose from 35 unique itineraries and a diverse set of ships, a matchup that makes for memories galore. Royal Caribbean’s Odyssey of the Seas in Rome,  following up its 2021 debut, and Anthem of the Seas in Southampton, England, are two returning favorites set to offer the whole family a combination of signature features and standout experiences. Highlights include Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade and bumper cars in SeaPlex , the largest indoor and outdoor activity complex at sea, North Star – the highest viewing deck on a cruise ship – and the gravity-defying skydiving simulator, RipCord by iFly. From Rome and Barcelona, Spain, Oasis Class ship Symphony of the Seas will bring all types of vacationers together with thrilling experiences across seven distinct neighborhoods only found on Royal Caribbean, like the Ultimate Abyss , the tallest slide at sea; famed Broadway shows and original productions across ice, water, stage and air; and more than 20 different restaurants, bars and lounges.

Itinerary Highlights

• Odyssey of the Seas – Cruising from: Rome Headlining the European summer lineup is one of Royal Caribbean’s newest additions, Odyssey , returning for an encore after its first summer in the region in 2022. Vacationers have a choice of 7- to 9-night cruises from Rome to Naples , Italy; the idyllic Greek Isles and Turkey , as well as 12-night Holy Land sailings to the historic, bustling cities of Limassol, Cyprus ; Ephesus (Kusadasi), Turkey ; and Jerusalem , Israel . From the iconic whitewashed homes of Santorini, Greece , to the Temple Mount in Jerusalem and the ruins of the ancient city of Ephesus – a UNESCO World Heritage Site – a world from centuries past is within reach.
• Symphony of the Seas – Cruising from: Barcelona and Rome One of Time’s World’s Greatest Places in 2018 and Royal Caribbean’s renowned Oasis Class ships, Symphony heads to the Western Mediterranean. Travelers can set course on 7-night cruises , from Barcelona or Rome , to bucket list destinations like Naples , Palma de Mallorca , Spain, and Provence, France . Whether exploring 14th-century castles and cathedrals in Mallorca or marveling at the Duomo in Florence, Italy , travelers can expect days filled with rich culture and history.
• Serenade of the Seas – Cruising from: Barcelona Serenade will call the warm shores of Barcelona home and sail 8-night itineraries to the Western Mediterranean , 12-night cruises to the Greek Isles and 5-night sailings to Italy and France . Beaches and beats await in Ibiza , Spain , home to a legendary electronic music scene, while the Cote d’Azur offers a glamorous getaway in iconic Cannes, France .
• Explorer of the Seas – Cruising from: Venice (Ravenna), Italy New to Ravenna, Italy, Explorer will explore the Aegean Sea and visit Olympia, Greece – the birthplace of the Olympic Games – for the first time, among several picturesque destinations. The 7-night cruises will sail to the Greek Isles and beyond to Adriatic and Mediterranean gems such as Kotor, Montenegro , and Chania, Crete.
• Brilliance of the Seas – Cruising from: Rome and Venice (Ravenna), Athens, Greece; and Barcelona Sailing open-jaw itineraries from Italy , Greece and Spain , Brilliance will offer vacationers a choice of four epic European cities to start and complete their adventures in the Western Mediterranean , Greek Isles and Adriatic Sea . The 7-night cruises will sail from Rome to Athens, Greece; Athens to Venice; Venice to Barcelona; and Barcelona to Rome. Bucket list-worthy sites like the Diocletian’s Palace in Split, Croatia , St. Mark’s Basilica in Venice and Praetorian Palace in Koper, Slovenia – a new destination for Brilliance – are just a few of the top spots awaiting travelers.
• Rhapsody of the Seas – Cruising from: Haifa, Israel, and Limassol, Cyprus Rhapsody will be the first Royal Caribbean ship to sail from Limassol and Haifa , Israel , all in one season. The new summer combination consists of 7-night sailings to ports of call in Turkey , Israel and Greece , including first-time destinations for the cruise line, like Skiathos and Thessaloniki, Greece. Starting in September, the ship will take off on short 4- and 5-night getaways from Haifa and visit Cyprus and the Greek Isles.
• Anthem of the Seas – Cruising from: Southampton, England A returning favorite, Anthem   will call Southampton, England , home for the third consecutive year. Adventure seekers can have their choice of 7-night adventures to Spain and France , or the Norwegian Fjords . They can visit destinations new to Anthem, including Maloy and Haugesund, Norway, and Cork, Ireland . Longer, 11- and 12-night vacations will go further to places such as Lisbon , Portugal; Vigo, Spain; and the Canary Islands . Between sampling lutefisk in Stavanger, Norway , and shopping for locally made goods in Lanzarote , Canary Islands , there are culture-rich experiences and outdoor explorations in store.
• Voyager of the Seas – Cruising from: Copenhagen, Denmark, and Stockholm Voyager returns to Northern Europe, sailing from Copenhagen, Denmark , and Stockholm to offer a mix of 7- to 11-night itineraries around Scandinavian countries, Estonia and Russia . There will be stunning sites to behold, like the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood in St. Petersburg, Russia , and the Suomenlinna fortress in Helsinki, Finland , a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the country’s most popular landmarks. Guests looking for a longer vacation can cruise from San Juan, Puerto Rico, to Copenhagen on a 14-night sailing that features an overnight in Bermuda and visits to St. Thomas, France and Belgium. 
• Jewel of the Seas – Cruising from: Amsterdam, the Netherlands All summer, Jewel will cruise roundtrip from Amsterdam, the Netherlands , welcoming travelers on 12-night sailings to the Arctic Circle, the British Isles, Iceland and Ireland . Picturesque destinations, including the Blue Lagoon in Reykjavik and the White Cliffs of Dover in England , will be just a night’s rest away.

About Royal Caribbean International Royal Caribbean International  has been delivering innovation at sea for more than 50 years. Each successive class of ships is an architectural marvel featuring the latest technology and guest experiences for today's adventurous traveler. The cruise line continues to revolutionize vacations with itineraries to more than 270 destinations in 72 countries on six continents, including Royal Caribbean's private island destination in The Bahamas,  Perfect Day at CocoCay ,   the first in the Perfect Day Island Collection. Royal Caribbean has also been voted "Best Cruise Line Overall" for 19 consecutive years in the  Travel Weekly  Readers' Choice Awards. 

Media can stay up to date by following  @RoyalCaribPR on Twitter and visiting RoyalCaribbeanPressCenter.com. For additional information or to make reservations, vacationers can call their travel advisor; visit RoyalCaribbean.com; or call (800) ROYAL-CARIBBEAN. 

Related Videos

Overview b-roll footage of Royal Caribbean's innovative Anthem of the Seas.  The game-changing thrills guests have in store on board the award-winning Quantum Class ship include the RipCord by iFly sky diving experience, the signature FlowRider surf simulator, North Star, the all-glass observation capsule that extends 300 feet (91 meters) above sea level; indoor and outdoor pools; and SeaPlex, the largest indoor activity space at sea. With show-stopping entertainment, dedicated spaces for kids and teens, a variety of restaurants serving up a world of flavors and more, Anthem is the ideal getaway for travelers of all ages.

Related Images

Related Stories

Carnival Cruise joins Royal Caribbean in making key safety move

A s we fully enter hurricane season, a lot of potential cruise ship passengers worry about how the weather will impact their cruise. Cruise lines, of course, cannot stop the weather and have no magic way to ward off rain, wind, and rough seas.

That means that from June 1 through Nov. 30, the traditional hurricane season in the Atlantic Ocean, you run the risk of facing inclement weather and potentially missing a port. You may get seasick, especially if you sail on a smaller ship (with small being relative these days for Royal Caribbean and Carnival ships), but you will never be in any actual danger.

Related: 2 reasons I like cruises more than land-based vacations

All the major cruise lines use every tool available to keep passengers (and their billion-dollar cruise ships) out of true harm's way. Ships will change their destinations, remove stops, and even sail way out of their planned path to avoid the worst weather.

It's not uncommon for sailing from New York meant for the Bahamas to be rerouted to New England and Canada. Sometimes, Florida sailings may stay at sea longer (which could mean hours or even an extra day) to avoid sailing into their homeport when conditions are not safe.

In addition to all the weather services and tools Royal Caribbean has to help it make decisions, the cruise line also employs a full-time meteorologist. Carnival Cruise Line has quietly been working with its own meteorologist who Brand Ambassador John Heald recently welcomed to the company.     

Sign up for the Come Cruise With Me newsletter to save money on your next (or your first) cruise.

Carnival welcomes a meteorologist

Amy Sweezey, a long-time television meteorologist, has been working with Carnival on a contract basis for the past 10 months, according to her LinkedIn page. Heald officially welcomed her to the company on his Facebook page.

"I would like to introduce a good friend of mine to you, Amy Sweezey. She’s a brilliant meteorologist and you might see her helping us deliver information to guests on our ships via the cabin TVs, and sometimes here on this page. Alberto was a reminder that the Atlantic storm season is upon us so I would ask please that you take a minute to watch what Amy has to say," he posted. 

In the video, Sweezey made it clear that Carnival was "closely monitoring the forecast that's coming out from the National Hurricane Center. We are in hurricane season, she added.

Sweezey, who appears to have formally joined the cruise line, shared what she has been, and will be, doing.

"Thanks John, for the warm welcome. I’ve enjoyed working with the Carnival team to create weather safety information for the ships. I am not involved with the daily forecasting, that’s done 24/7 at the Fleet Operating Center (FOC), but I’m excited to use my meteorology background to help guests understand how weather impacts cruising," she wrote in answer to Heald's post.

Want the latest cruise news and deals? Sign up for the Come Cruise With Me newsletter.

Royal Caribbean has a staff metorologist

Former Royal Caribbean International Chief Meteorologist James Van Fleet posted in May 2023 on his X (formerly Twitter) feed that he was no longer with the company and would not be replaced. He worked for the cruise line for six years taking an active role in offering daily weather updates for passengers. 

Van Fleet was the first meteoroligist employed by any cruise line. 

Royal Caribbean did hire a new chief meteorologist in August 2023 when Craig Setzer was named to the position. 

The cruise line shared that Setzer has a challenging job because of the nature of predicting weather at sea.

"Tracking weather over the open ocean can be tricky. Over the land, there are many weather stations including weather radar to track weather and help create forecasts, but weather data sources are sparse over the open ocean. Craig and his team must go beyond what the models display and think far ahead to analyze and interpret data," the cruise line shared on its web page. 

The entire goal of Setzer's job is keeping passengers and ships safe.

"Craig and his team can spend hours working on a cruise critical weather forecast, which requires anticipating not only how bad the weather will be, but how that moving weather system could impact a ship. After that, he reaches out to Captains to discuss the forecast and how to safely avoid bad weather developing ahead of a ship," the cruise line added.

Related: Get the best cruise tips, deals, and news on the ships from our expert cruiser