- A popular TikTok creator aboard the Ultimate World Cruise shares rumors circulating on board that the nine-month sailing may end early.
- In the video, he says word is spreading that the cruise may end in Los Angeles due to conflicts in the Middle East affecting the future itinerary
- A Royal Caribbean representative confirmed to PEOPLE that they plan to continue the voyage as planned
Royal Caribbean says its famous nine-month cruise could end early due to global unrest affecting the itinerary.
Popular onboard Ultimate World Cruise content creator Adita (who goes by the name @aditaml2759) shared a TikTok on Tuesday revealing that she’s “heard a few rumours” about the journey’s progress, which makes her feel “a bit worried”. .”
“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.
TikToker on 9-month world cruise says ‘I hate it here’ amid canceled trips, hate from other passengers
‘Serenade of the Seas’ by Royal Caribbean. JEAN-FRANCOIS MONIER/AFP via Getty
He adds that it is “worrying” if these plans are true and the cruise lines have not yet notified passengers. “We’d certainly like to know.”
The cruiser adds that he thinks there are alternatives to ending the cruise early, such as going around Africa or leaving passengers in Dubai and flying them to the Mediterranean.
She concludes: “I don’t like to spread rumours, but I think travelers who have invested so much money and so much time to see the world deserve to know what’s going on.”
Passenger on nine-month cruise ‘prays for the best’ as ship approaches dangerous Drake Passage (Exclusive)
A scene from the Drake Passage through which the Ultimate World Cruise traveled to Antarctica.
Getty
In a statement shared with PEOPLE from Royal Caribbean, the cruise line confirmed that it will continue its voyage as planned.
“The Ultimate World Cruise gave guests the opportunity to see the world in a unique way, and we loved watching their reactions to this amazing experience. This adventure will complete its first segment in February, and we can’t wait to start the next leg of the journey shortly after and begin exploring Asia,” the statement said.
Two other passengers on the ship told PEOPLE they had not heard rumors of the cruise ending early.
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The Suez Canal crisis could be a cause for concern among travelers. Pirate attacks on cargo ships in the Red Sea are causing major disruptions in the region, according to The New York Times. The conflict between Israel and Palestine, as well as US military actions in Yemen, are also ongoing.
Silversea, a cruise company within the Royal Caribbean Group, has changed one of its ship’s itineraries this week, according to Travel Weekly. The ship was supposed to sail through the Red Sea, from Aqaba, Jordan, passing Yemen on its way to Muscat, Oman. A Royal Caribbean Group representative told the outlet that the cruise will be cut short and end in Aqaba, where guests will disembark. From there, he will return by plane instead.
The “Middle East and Mediterranean” leg of the World Cruise begins in May 2024 with scheduled stops in Dubai, United Arab Emirates; Salalah, Oman; and Petra, Jordan.
The passengers officially set sail on Serenade of the sea for a nine-month voyage beginning on December 10, 2023. The voyage is scheduled to end on September 10, 2024 after passing through the Americas, Asia Pacific, the Middle East and the Mediterranean, Europe and beyond.
The voyage will cover 11 wonders of the world and travel to more than 60 countries in 274 days. Prices for the full experience ranged from $53,999 per person to $117,599 per person.
Although the ship already passed through the Drake Passage on its way to Antarctica earlier this month, passengers can still book additional legs of the cruise.
Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education