Summer 2013 will see Royal Caribbean International deploy nine ships in Europe, including three ships based from UK ports.

With more than 40 per cent of British passengers choosing to begin their cruise from a UK port according to research from the Passenger Shipping Association, Royal Caribbean International is increasing its capacity for summer 2013 in line with this trend and providing even more opportunities for agents to sell. 

In addition to Independence of the Seas, Adventure of the Seas and Brilliance of the Seas sailing from UK ports, Barcelona-based Liberty of the Seas and Serenade of the Seas, and Italy-based Navigator of the Seas and Splendour of the Sea, today Royal Caribbean completed its 2013 European deployment with the addition of Legend of the Seas sailing from Venice and Rome and Vision of the Seas home-porting in Copenhagen and Stockholm. 

In total Royal Caribbean International will offer 276 sailings to 88 culture-rich ports on 58 exciting European itineraries for 2013.

By summer 2013 seven of the nine Europe-based ships will have completed a multi-million dollar re-fit and re-design ensuring that the summer cruises on offer will be on the industry’s newest and most innovative fleet.

Jo Rzymowska, associate vice president and general manager, UK and Ireland, Royal Caribbean International, commented: “Next year is a landmark in the history of Royal Caribbean International with three ships dedicated to the UK market during the summer.

“We have listened to agents and are offering some fabulous sailings featuring more popular destinations such as the Baltics and the Norwegian fjords, and old favourites like the Canary Islands and Mediterranean all sailing from UK ports. 

“What’s even more exciting for agents is that most of the ships sailing in Europe will have undergone extensive enhancements taken from our most innovative and popular Oasis-class ships. 

“So now all our ships are our best ships!”

To mark the launch of the 2013 summer sailings, Royal Caribbean International will also be supplying agents with a new dedicated preview brochure which will be distributed to trade partners to rack in store.