ROYAL Caribbean International is expanding its Florida operations to include three home ports – Miami, Port Canaveral and Port Everglades – from spring 2000.
The change is aimed at repositioning the fleet away from its existing base in Miami to make room for the 3,000-passenger Voyager of the Seas.
The ship is to be launched from that port in November, and will immediately start operating seven-day cruises to the western Caribbean.
Majesty of the Seas will switch to three and four-night cruises to the Bahamas from Miami on May 29 2000.
Enchantment of the Seas will move its base from Miami to Port Everglades on April 2 2000. It will continue to carry out the same alternating, week-long eastern and western Caribbean itineraries that it does at present. Royal Caribbean has never used Port Everglades before.
Meanwhile, Sovereign of the Seas will move from Miami to Port Canaveral to operate three and four-night itineraries to the Bahamas, from spring 2000.
Pete Williams, sales, marketing and operations director for UK and Ireland, said the main reason for the increase in ports was to make way for Voyager of the Seas.
It would also allow British holidaymakers more choice of departure ports in Florida, he explained.
“This is the first time Royal Caribbean will have three home ports in Florida on a year round basis. This diversity is crucial to our continued growth and expansion of the brand,” he said.
Splendour of the Seas is to carry out a 12-night itinerary around Britain and the Norwegian fjords this summer.
The ship departs from Harwich on August 9 and stops at Le Havre. Prices start from ú1,119 per person.