- Royal Caribbean confirmed to PEOPLE that it is canceling the original Ultimate World Cruise itinerary through the Red Sea and Suez Canal due to the unrest in the Middle East.
- The cruise presents passengers with two alternative itineraries to assess which route change is preferred among cruisers for the third leg of the trip.
- Royal Caribbean has not confirmed details of the two potential new routes.
- Popular TikToker and cruise traveler drjennytravels said cruise lines have been told the ship will now travel around Africa for the third leg.
Royal Caribbean has confirmed that the Ultimate World Cruise is making significant changes to its itinerary due to the unrest in the Middle East.
The cruise ship confirmed to PEOPLE that it has decided to cancel its original nine-month itinerary through the Red Sea and Suez Canal in May to protect its passengers and crew members. Instead, the cruise presents passengers with two alternative itineraries to evaluate which change of route is preferred among cruisers for the third leg of the trip.
Royal Caribbean has not confirmed details of the two potential new routes.
Popular cruise TikToker drjennytravels shared a video of the cruise’s town hall meeting on Friday and revealed that the ship will still travel to Dubai and then head around Africa on its third leg. However, she said that cruisers have the option to vote on what type of route they want to take.
He explains in a clip on social media: “We’re going to Dubai. We’re also going to Africa. We’re going to go all over the top of South Africa. The itinerary is not finalized; we actually have two options. One, they call it the ‘Scenic Route’ — it’s more about Africa. And the other is what they call the ‘Highway’, which has many days at sea and has fewer stops in Africa.”
“We learned that there will be compensation for both options,” she continues.
‘Serenade of the sea.’.
Peter Bischoff/Getty
Royal Caribbean previously told PEOPLE it was considering alternative routes for Serenade of the sea.
“The safety of our guests and crew is our top priority and we are monitoring what is happening in and around the Red Sea,” a company spokesperson said in a statement on February 9. “Looking ahead to a potential adaptation roadmap, we are currently reviewing alternatives for Serenade of the sea, which is currently due to pass through the Suez Canal in May. Our guests and tourism partners will receive news from us in mid-February.”
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A close-up view of ‘Serenade of the Sea’.
Jeffrey Greenberg/Universal Images Group via Getty
Captain Stig, who led the voyage on the first leg around South America, shared an update with passengers about the possibility of major changes to the itinerary during the February 7 farewell ceremony. According to drjennytravels, the captain said Royal Caribbean will notify the voyage on February 16 of the changes.
Rumors that the Ultimate World Cruise might reroute or end early began circulating in January. Royal Caribbean told PEOPLE at the time that it would end its Americas tour in February and embark on a second leg in Asia as planned.
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“The Ultimate World Cruise gave guests the opportunity to see the world in a unique way, and we loved watching their reactions to this incredible experience,” Royal Caribbean said in a statement. “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 did not mention the third leg of the trip, which was due to begin in May and include stops in the Middle East and the Mediterranean.
The Ultimate World Cruise is divided into four segments with a total of 160 destinations. The cruise set sail from Miami on December 10, 2023 to weave through the Caribbean and sail up the east coast of South America. The cruise then traveled around Cape Horn and braved the stormy Drake Passage near Antarctica; then made its way up the west coast of America and concluded its first segment in Los Angeles on February 11. The Asian part started on the same day and should end on May 9.
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