Diplomacy

Royal Caribbean is the world’s largest cruise line and they are offering 31 unique cruises in 2025 on 12 of their cruise ships.

These 31 cruises differ from the traditional seven night cruises to the Caribbean or Europe and short cruises to The Bahamas. They are unique sailings that are only offered once by Royal Caribbean in 2025 and all of them start in one port and end in another (aka repositioning cruises).

The cruises depart from February through December 2025 and range from five to 17 nights in length.

Here is a list of the 31 unique sailings that Royal Caribbean will offer in 2025 listed by sailaway date.

February 10, 2025 – Allure of the Seas will sail a nine-night Transatlantic cruise from Miami, Florida to Barcelona, Spain.

April 7, 2025 – Brilliance of the Seas will sail a 14-night cruise from Miami to Barcelona. The ship visit ports in the Azores and Spain.

April 8, 2025 – Quantum of the Seas will embark on a three week cruise from Sydney, Australia to Honolulu, Hawaii.  Port stops on the 21-day cruise include New Zealand, Tahiti, and the French Polynesia.

April 13, 2025 – Serenade of the Seas will sail a 16-night cruise through the Panama Canal that will depart from Fort Lauderdale and end in Los Angeles. Port stops on the cruise include Grand Cayman, Panama, Guatemala, and Mexico.

April 13, 2025 – Anthem of the Seas will sail a 12-night cruise from Singapore to Tokyo with port stops in Vietnam, Hong Kong, Taiwan and South Korea.

April 16, 2025 – Ovation of the Seas will depart on a five-night cruise from Singapore to Hong Kong with two stops in Vietnam.

April 19, 2025 – Radiance of the Seas will sail a 15-night cruise through the Panama Canal from Tampa to Los Angeles. The cruise will visit Grand Cayman, Colombia, Guatemala, and Mexico.

April 25, 2025 – Anthem of the Seas will offer a 15-night cruise from Tokyo to Seattle with several port stops in Japan.

April 27, 2025 – Odyssey of the Seas is sailing a 14-night Transatlantic cruise from Cape Liberty, New Jersey to Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy. The ship will stop in the Azores, Spain, and Italy before arriving in Rome.

April 28, 2025 – Independence of the Seas is sailing a two-week Transatlantic cruise from Miami to Southampton with port stops in the Azores, Bermuda, Portugal and Spain.

April 28, 2025 – Quantum of the Seas will offer an eight-night cruise from Hawaii to Vancouver. The cruise will include a few stops in Hawaii.

April 29, 2025 – Serenade of the Seas is sailing a short five-night cruise from Los Angeles to Vancouver.

April 30, 2025 – Explorer of the Seas will offer a 12-night cruise from Miami to Barcelona. The ship will visit the Azores and Spain.

May 3, 2025 – Voyager of the Seas is sailing a 13-night cruise from Port Canaveral to Barcelona.

May 4, 2025 – Radiance of the Seas will sail a short five-night cruise from Los Angeles to Vancouver.

August 22, 2025 – Brilliance of the Seas will offer an eight-night cruise from Barcelona to Southampton that visits Portugal and Spain.

August 30, 2025 – Brilliance of the Seas is sailing a 15-night cruise from Southampton to Boston with port stops in Scotland, Iceland, Greenland and Canada.

September 14, 2025 – Serenade of the Seas will offer a short five-night cruise from Vancouver to San Diego.

September 19, 2025 – Serenade of the Seas is sailing a 13-night cruise through the Panama Canal from San Diego to Miami.

September 26, 2025 – Radiance of the Seas will offer an eight-night cruise from Vancouver to San Diego with a few stops in California.

October 4, 2025 – Anthem of the Seas is sailing a nine-night cruise from Vancouver to Hawaii.

October 4, 2025 – Radiance of the Seas will offer a 16-night cruise through the Panama Canal and stop in Mexico, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Colombia, Panama and Grand Cayman.

October 9, 2025 – Ovation of the Seas is sailing a 11-night cruise from Tokyo to Singapore with stops in Japan, Vietnam, Hong Kong and South Korea.

October 13, 2025 – Anthem of the Seas will offer a 17-night cruise from Hawaii to Sydney, Australia. This two and a half week cruise will visit Tahiti, French Polynesia and New Zealand.

October 22, 2025 – Odyssey of the Seas is sailing a 14-night cruise from Rome, Italy to Cape Liberty, New Jersey. The ship will stop in Italy, Spain and the Azores.

October 26, 2025 – Allure of the Seas will offer a 13-night cruise from Barcelona to Fort Lauderdale.

October 31, 2025 – Jewel of the Seas is sailing an eight-night cruise from Fort Lauderdale to San Juan, Puerto Rico. The ship will visit ports in the Southern Caribbean.

November 2, 2025 – Brilliance of the Seas will offer a seven-night cruise from Boston to San Juan. The ship will stop in Bermuda and ports in the Caribbean.

November 3, 2025 – Voyager of the Seas is sailing a 14-night cruise from Rome to Dubai with port stops in Greece and Jordan.

November 17, 2025 – Voyager of the Seas will offer a 14-night cruise from Dubai to Singapore with port stops in Oman, Mumbai, India, Thailand and Malaysia.

December 1, 2025 – Voyager of the Seas is sailing a 12-night cruise from Singapore to Brisbane with port stops in Bali and Australia.

Smoking on cruise ships has once again become a hot topic after one major cruise line stated why the embarkation day rules have changed in recent months.

Carnival Cruise Line Brand Ambassador, John Heald, is facing backlash from certain passengers regarding the cruise line’s smoking policy.

In a Facebook Live video message, Heald addressed some “awful” comments he received, clarifying the company’s stance and the reasons behind its restrictions.  

“So, yesterday I mentioned about the gentleman who had come to see me and used colorful language to say the least… I have taken on the wrath of many smokers who now believe that I am anti-smoking and have been saying some rather awful things, and I just wanted to say this,” Heald stated in the video.

Heald explained that the rules for smoking on embarkation day are mainly due to the new e-muster drills that Carnival has embraced.

“We used to allow smoking in the casino before it would open on embarkation day, but that was back when we had the original muster station where you would either go to the lounge or out on the deck floor and stand in front of the lifeboats,” he said.

“That has been replaced now with the electronic muster station part of which involves people going to the casino which becomes a place we can’t have people smoking while they’re doing that.“

Additionally, Heald emphasized the safety risks associated with smoking on open decks while the ship is refueling.

“Secondly, we cannot have people smoking outside on the open decks while we are refueling. And I had a gentleman who wrote to me and said that this is proven to be nonsense and then others followed in and now I’ve suddenly become this hated anti-smoking guy even though I smoke cigars,” he explained.

Addressing rumors of a complete smoking ban, Heald assured passengers that there are no current plans to implement such a restriction.

“We live in a more anti-smoking world than ever, but at the moment we’re not changing anything.   We’re just asking for smokers to please please don’t shout or scream at the crew. You can shout and scream at me but not the crew.  [Smoking] isn’t allowed on embarkation day until you hear the announcement that the outdoor areas are open.  Smoking cannot be done in the casino on embarkation day until the casino opens,” he said.

Heald acknowledged the inconvenience caused by the smoking restrictions but stressed the importance of passenger and crew safety.

“I do understand. I’m sympathetic. I really am. But if it’s that bad then just wait until the last moment before you can come on the ship,” he concluded.

Oceania Cruises, one of the world’s leading destination focused cruise lines, will offer a wide variety of cruises to Europe in 2025.

These cruises on Oceania Cruises will range from six to 34 days in length and will take place on six ships.

The voyages will offer true immersion in the epicurean arts thanks to hundreds of culinary-focused shore excursions, an unprecedented array of dining venues, guest lectures and demonstrations, and hands-on cooking lessons in The Culinary Center.

Included in these sailings is the maiden voyage of Allura. The cruise ship will debut in July 2025 setting sail from Trieste, Italy. The vessel will spend her maiden season sailing cruises to the Eastern and Western Mediterranean.

Three of the cruise line’s smaller ships, Nautica, Sirena and Insignia will sail to Iceland, Northern Europe, and the Mediterranean, Adriatic, and Aegean Seas. They will visit ports that aren’t often visited by cruise ships.

Frank A. Del Rio, President of Oceania Cruises, said the following about the cruise line’s 2025 sailings in Europe:

“We are thrilled to have this rich line-up of Europe sailings on such a wonderful choice of ships for next year. We cannot wait to welcome Allura to the family in July; to have her, and her sister, Vista, which launched to global acclaim last year, in one of the most intriguing and well-loved cruise regions of the world at the same time is so exciting.”

“Europe has always been a favorite for our well-traveled and curious guests, who eagerly seek to explore its hidden gems and create new memories aboard our elegant ships.”

Oceania Cruises offers guests the ultimate value in ultra-premium cruising thanks to a host of always included amenities, such as dining at all specialty restaurants; unlimited WiFi; butler service for all guests in Penthouse Suites and above; juices, still and sparkling Vero Water, plus coffees and teas.

“Great value for money and choice are cornerstones of what Oceania Cruises offers; exemplified beautifully by the free seating in our always included specialty dining venues, and our wonderful espresso bar Baristas, where you never need to swipe your room card for your caffeine fix, as all our coffees are included for every guest,” added Del Rio.

Carnival Cruise Line is known as America’s Cruise Line since they sail from more ports in the U.S. than any other line. Carnival currently has 27 cruise ships cruise ships in service with another five on order or under construction. They also have two ships moving over from sister cruise line P&O Cruises Australia.

A total of 40 different cruise ships have sailed under Carnival Cruise Line since the company’s first cruise in 1972. Here is a look at what happened to the 13 cruise ships that are no longer sailing under the Carnival Cruise Line brand.

Mardi Gras (1972-1993)

Mardi Gras was Carnival’s first cruise ship.  On the maiden voyage, the cruise ship ran aground on a sandbar shortly after leaving Miami. Future voyages went much smoother. The cruise ship sailed under Carnival for 21 years before being sold.  The ship sailed under the names Empress of Canada, Olympic, Star of Texas, Lucky Star, Apollo, and Apollon.  The ship was finally scrapped in 2003.

Carnival Cruise Line brought back the name Mardi Gras for their first Excel class ship that debuted in 2021.

Carnivale (1975-1993)

Carnivale was a 31,500 gross ton cruise ship and Carnival Cruise Line’s second ship. After 18 years in service with Carnival, the ship was sold and sailed under the names Empress of Britain, Queen Anna Maria, Fiesta Marina, Olympic, and The Topax.  In 2008, the ship was sold for scrap after sailing for 52 years.

Festivale ( 1977-1996) 

Also known as the Big Red Boat III, Festivale sailed with Carnival for 19 years.  While Festivale was the third ship in Carnival’s fleet, it was also the last ship purchased by Carnival before building their own vessels. After 19 years in service with Carnival, the ship was sold and sailed under the names Transvaal Castle, S.A. Vaal, Island Breeze, and the Big Red Boat III.  The ship was sold for scrap in 2003.

Tropicale (1982-2001)

Tropicale was the first cruise ship custom built for Carnival Cruise Line. The construction of the ship kicked off the beginning of a multi billion dollar shipbuilding boom that helped propel the cruise industry into what it is today.  The ship spent 19 years sailing with Carnival before being sold to Costa.  After sailing with Ocean Dream and the Peace Boat organization, the vessel was scrapped in 2021.

Holiday (1985-2009)

The first of three Holiday class ships from Carnival,  Holiday spent 24 years in Carnival’s fleet.  The ship was renamed Grand Holiday when transfered to Iberocruceros in 2009. The cruise ship now sails under the name Magellan and is currently for sale for $55,000,000.  The cruise ship was used to house victims of Hurricane Katrina in 2005.  The vessel was also used as a hotel for the Winter Olympics in Sochi in 2014. It was eventually sold for scrap in 2021.

Jubilee (1986-2004)

Jubilee spend 18 years in Carnival’s fleet before being transferred over to sister cruise line P&O Cruises Australia. The ship sailed under the name Pacific Sun and then Henna in 2013.  The ship was sold for scrap last year.

Carnival Cruise Line reused the name Jubilee for their third Excel class ship.

Celebration (1987 -2008)

The third and final Holiday class ship from Carnival Cruise Line, Celebration spent 21 years sailing with the cruise line. In 2008, the ship was sold to Iberocruceros and was renamed Grand Celebration.  The cruise ship sailed with Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line until 2020 when it was sold for scrap.

Carnival Cruise Line brought back the name Carnival Celebration for their second Excel class ship.

Carnival Fantasy (1990-2020)

Carnival Fantasy was the first of eight Fantasy class ships from Carnival. After 30 years of offering cruises, the ship was scrapped in 2020 along with a few sister ships.

Carnival Ecstasy (1991-2022)

Carnival Ecstasy sailed with Carnival for 31 years before being scrapped.  The ship briefly returned from the cruise shutdown before being taken out of service 7 months later.

Carnival Sensation (1993-2022)

Carnival Sensation was scrapped in 2022, although the ship’s last cruise was in the spring of 2020. It remained in Carnival’s fleet even though it was out of service for the last two years. The cruise line decided to sell the vessel for scrap instead of returning it to service.

Carnival Fascination (1994-2020)

Carnival Fascination spent 26 years sailing with Carnival before being sold to Century Harmony Cruise Ltd in 2020. A year later, the ship was sold for scrap.

Carnival Imagination (1995-2020)

Carnival Imagination spent 25 years with Carnival before being another casualty of the cruise shutdown. The ship was sold for scrap in 2020.

Carnival Inspiration (1996-2020)

Carnival Inspiration spent 24 years with Carnival before being sold for scrap in 2020.