From 15th November the 137,308gt/2000 built Explorer of the Seas took up residence at Port Canaveral for a series of Caribbean cruise itineraries until March 2015 when she heads for a summer season at Southampton. Port Canaveral is also home to the Freedom of the Seas and Enchantment of the Seas.

The 138,194gt/1999 built Voyager of the Seas has resumed service following an $80 million revitalisation at the Sembawang Shipyard in Singapore. During the month-long dry-dock, which was the largest cruise ship refurbishment project to ever be carried out in Singapore, the ship was fitted with Royal Caribbean’s signature features such as the FlowRider surf simulator and Virtual Balcony staterooms. The facelift also included a 3D cinema, digital signage, a new Diamond Club for the Crown and Anchor Society and new dining venues such as Izumi Japanese Cuisine, Giovanni’s Table Italian Trattoria and Chops Grille steakhouse.

After departing Singapore on 25th November, the Voyager of the Seas sailed to Sydney, Australia, to begin her 2014- 2015 winter-spring season. In April 2015 the ship will return to Singapore to offer a ten-night cruise to Tokyo, Japan. From June to October 2015 the ship will homeport in Hong Kong to offer 22 round trips itineraries.

Having avoided the gaze of the U.K’s top maritime publications whilst at Southampton the 168,666gt Quantum of the Seas arrived in New York harbour on 10th November to berth at her new $55 million terminal at Cape Liberty Cruise Port in Bayonne. The voyage from Southampton had taken a detour via the Azores for a medical evacuation. The ship was christened by her Godmother, actress and singer Kristin Chenoweth, on 14th November and the ship’s official maiden voyage departure to the Bahamas followed on 23rd November.

Royal Caribbean’s last remaining first generation ship, the 74,077gt/1992 built Majesty Of The Seas, is to transfer to the Spanish brand Pullmantur after her final cruise for RCCL on 2nd May 2016. After a refit she will join her ex-RCCL sisterships Sovereign and Monarch. The trio will form the backbone of Pullmantur’s increasing attempt to attract the lucrative Latin market and, although no formal deployment has yet been announced, it seems likely that the ship will go to the Caribbean.