Breaking News: RCCL Sells Legend Of The Seas, Revamps Rhapsody And Vision Schedules
by Cheryl RosenPhoto: Jim Hooker
Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. will sell Legend of the Seas to Thomson Cruises effective March 26, 2017, and redeploy Rhapsody of the Seas and Vision of the Seas to accommodate its passengers.
Legend’s current round-trip Brisbane, Australia, sailings departing on January 6, 15, and 29, and on February 8 will operate as scheduled, but all scheduled sailings from February 20, 2017, onward will be canceled. This includes the summer season cruises from Venice, as well as the balance of the Brisbane itineraries, the company said.
Three repositioning cruises will be offered beginning on February 20 from Brisbane; there will be an 11-night sailing from Brisbane to Singapore, a 10-night cruise from Singapore to Dubai, and a 13-night sailing from Dubai to Barcelona.
Rhapsody of the Seas will transition to Venice for the summer. All sailings from Cape Liberty, NJ, will be canceled, but the full schedule of sailings from Tampa scheduled for fall 2016 and winter 2017 will proceed as planned. Rhapsody will offer a 14-night transatlantic sailing from Tampa to Barcelona on April 29, and a 7-night open-jaw sailing from Barcelona to Venice on May 13. From May 20 through the end of October, Rhapsody will offer a variety of 7-night round-trip sailings from Venice. At the end of the Mediterranean season, Rhapsody will return to Tampa as planned and begin sailings on November 19, 2017.
Vision of the Seas will offer four fall foliage sailings from Cape Liberty, NJ, after completing a crossing from Copenhagen. On August 22, Vision will offer a 16-night transatlantic sailing from Copenhagen to Cape Liberty, NJ, with calls in Denmark, Norway, Scotland, and Iceland. On September 7, Vision will offer a 13-night open-jaw sailing from Cape Liberty to Quebec City.
The sailings departing from Cape Liberty on September 20, October 1, and October 11 will replace the previously planned sailings offered on Rhapsody. They will stop in Boston and multiple ports in Maine and Nova Scotia.
Vision’s current fall itineraries in Europe, including those departing from Venice, between August 22 and November 17, 2017, will be canceled.
In addition to full refunds for customers whose plans have been affected, Royal Caribbean is offering the opportunity to re-book on another Royal Caribbean ship plus an onboard credit. Travelers who purchased airfare through Royal Caribbean will receive a full refund, and those who purchased their own airfare will receive refunds of any airline change fees they incur.
Commissions for travel agents will be protected for all cruises that are fully paid, the company said.
