9-Month Cruise Included Stops in Russia, Israel but Rerouted to Avoid Conflicts, Says Passenger (Exclusive)

Brandee Lake and more than 600 other passengers signed up for the entire 9-month Royal Caribbean Ultimate World Cruise will see a whopping 60 countries — but three originally on the itinerary have been scrapped due to ongoing political strife.

“The itinerary changed a little bit a few times. Because when we first checked in, Russia and Ukraine were on it,” says Lake, a podcaster who has been documenting the cruise on TikTok since it left Miami on Dec. 10. PEOPLE.

And now? “Definitely not,” she adds. “Israel was also involved [the itinerary]and now it’s not.”

But according to Lake, 46, “They added a few places” and “moved some things around,” and she will still reach her goal of visiting 100 countries (and counting) by the end. Each time a destination was removed, she says, Royal Caribbean sent passengers an official update in advance and included new ports to visit instead.

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Royal Caribbean’s Serenade of the Seas. JEAN-FRANCOIS MONIER/AFP via Getty TikToker says ‘I hate it here’ on 9-month world cruise amid canceled trips, hate from other passengers

On Wednesday, Royal Caribbean issued a statement after rumors began swirling on board that the cruise would be canceled due to ongoing unrest in the Red Sea and Suez Canal.

A popular content creator named Adita (who goes by the name @aditaml2759 on TikTok) shared a post on Tuesday revealing that she had “heard a few rumours” that made her feel “a bit concerned”.

“The rumor I’ve heard is that Royal Caribbean is considering canceling the Los Angeles World Cruise because of the problems in the Middle East and because we can’t go through the Red Sea and the Suez Canal,” she says in the video.

In a statement to PEOPLE, Royal Caribbean confirmed that it will continue the voyage as planned.

“This adventure will complete its first segment in February, and we can’t wait to begin the next leg of the journey soon after and begin exploring Asia,” the statement said.

Passenger on nine-month cruise ‘prays for the best’ as ship approaches dangerous Drake Passage (Exclusive)

Lake Brandee on Royal Caribbean’s 9-month Ultimate World Cruise.

Courtesy of Brandee Lake

In the first 30 days of the nine-month voyage, passengers aboard Royal Caribbean Serenade of the sea he has already visited 10 countries or territories and multiple wonders of the world, including Chichén Itzá in Mexico, Christ the Redeemer in Brazil and Iguazu Falls in Argentina.

The Ultimate World Cruise is scheduled to continue until September 2024 and will cover all seven continents. Guests recently caught a glimpse of Antarctica after crossing the dangerous Drake Passage. Currently, Serenade of the sea treks along the west coast of South America, with several planned stops in Chile.

Despite what many who follow cruise posts on social media may think, there is no drama among the passengers, Lake says.

“Honestly, and I’m not just saying that, we’re all a group. It’s funny to me that people think we’re all so separate,” The Brannon Files the co-host tells PEOPLE.

Courtesy of Brandee Lake

Royal Caribbean is addressing rumors circulating among passengers that the 9-month cruise may be cut short

When asked what the best parts of living on a cruise ship have been so far, Lake says, “It feels like a mobile hotel.”

“You just have to go to sleep and wake up in a new place and you don’t have to pack all your stuff, get to the airport, get ready. You have everything you have and it just comes with you,” she says.

And the most challenging part? “I’m balancing my diet. This first month felt like a vacation, and now I feel like it’s starting to settle into this home,” Lake explains. “And I think for me it’s even more portion control because I’m gluten intolerant.”

“I have some dietary restrictions, which keep me from going completely off track, but still, still…desserts!” she adds.

Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education