Ports in the Caribbean are opening for business again, and Royal Caribbean has a great lineup of cruises there this winter, from short weekend getaways to the Bahamas to in-depth explorations of the Eastern, Western and Southern Caribbean.
Although you might know Royal Caribbean best for its massive Oasis-class ships that can carry roughly six thousand passengers apiece (Oasis of the Seas, Allure of the Seas and Harmony of the Seas), the line’s smaller, classy, mid-1990’s ships are among my favorites. They carry fewer people than their newer (and larger) counterparts, but still offer Royal Caribbean’s superfun onboard atmosphere and activities.
The 1998-built Vision of the Seas, for example, is doing some great four-day runs to Cozumel and Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula in the New Year. Sailing out of Galveston, Texas, these value-priced cruises are a terrific getaway opportunity that isn’t going to break the bank, but one that will provide plenty of fun both onboard and ashore.
Sister-ship Rhapsody of the Seas makes her winter home in Tampa, where she cruises to Key West before sailing a Western Caribbean route that will take her to Cozumel and Costa Maya, Mexico; plus an additional stop in Georgetown, Grand Cayman.
Also on the short-cruise list is the impressive little Empress of the Seas, which sails a mix of quick break cruises to the Bahamas and Cuba. Royal Caribbean brought Empress of the Seas back into its fleet after a multi-year absence expressly for Cuban itineraries, and she’s remarkably well-suited to these voyages to Havana.
Information Provided by Aaron Saunders
Vancouver Sun
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