First Royal Caribbean Cruise Ship Restarts Operations From Galveston, Texas

The Royal Caribbean International cruise line today completed its first full season of service at a new, state-of-the-art cruise ship terminal in Galveston, Texas. The terminal, which was completed in 2010, is situated on the island’s west side and houses Royal Caribbean’s largest ships. The terminal’s amenities include two 14-story buildings, each of which features a 3,300 foot-long grand staircase. Royal Caribbean’s largest ships, also called Oasis Class ships, come equipped with 10 restaurants, nine lounges, two swimming pools, and various other amenities.

After a nearly 2-month delay, Royal Caribbean’s Roll Tide, a brand-new, state-of-the-art ship, started carrying guests to and from Galveston on May 31st. The 5,000-passenger vessel is the largest and most technologically advanced cruise ship in Royal Caribbean’s fleet and operates from two ports in the U.S.: Galveston, Texas and Miami.

Royal Caribbean’s brand new Oasis of the Seas is now operating from Galveston, Texas. The ship is set to sail the Gulf of Mexico in coming weeks, making its first voyage to the U.S. mainland since it was first launched over a year ago.. Read more about royal caribbean cruise cancellations 2024 and let us know what you think.

She’ll be ready for her maiden voyage in no time. Last Monday, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) issued a restricted sailing certificate to Royal Caribbean’s Independence of the Seas. From her home port of Galveston, Texas, the cruise ship has begun sailing.

Since the interruption in operations in March 2024, the Independence of the Seas was the first Royal Caribbean cruise ship to set sail from Galveston. Royal Caribbean currently has twelve cruise ships in operating across the globe after launching four new ships from Friday to Sunday.

Royal Caribbean has returned to Texas.

Independence of the Seas, a Royal Caribbean ship, returned to Texas on August 15 and began service from Galveston. The 3,600-passenger, 154,407-ton Freedom-class cruise ship was formerly the world’s biggest cruise ship. She’ll be traveling from Galveston to Roatan, Costa Maya, and Cozumel on a 7-day Western Caribbean itinerary that includes a sea day at the start and finish.

Reasons to Cruise aboard Royal Caribbean’s Independence of the Seas are worth reading.

The ship finished its test sailings just a few weeks ago, on August 1, when she set out on a four-day trip from Galveston. For Independence of the Seas, it was a near call. Royal Caribbean just obtained the Conditional Sailing Certificate the ship need to set sail with passengers at the last minute, with her maiden voyage planned for August 15.

First Royal Caribbean Cruise Ship Restarts Operations From Galveston, Texas Royal Caribbean provided this image.

These simulated or test voyages are required by the CDC to demonstrate that all procedures and regulations aboard operate and offer a safe environment for passengers and crew members.

Also check out these 22 fantastic hotels near Galveston Cruise Port.

Is it necessary for visitors to get vaccinated?

While the ship has obtained the necessary approvals to begin operations, passengers must first comply with a number of rules and regulations before being permitted to embark. Guests aged 12 and above must show evidence of Covid-19 immunization with the last dose given at least 14 days before sailing on the Independence of the Seas, which departs from Galveston, Texas.

Guests under the age of 12 are not need to get vaccinated since they are not yet eligible. Instead, a negative COVID-19 test must be performed 72 hours before to the ship’s departure, followed by two additional negative antigen tests at the dock. Vaccinations and tests are not required for guests under the age of two.

Wearing masks is one of the other regulations aboard. Guests must wear a mask at all times on board the ship, except while out in the open, in the pool, or doing any activity that involves getting wet, in venues reserved for vaccinated guests only, in guest rooms, and during Perfect Day at CocoCay. A mask is not required for infants and toddlers under the age of two.

First Royal Caribbean Cruise Ship Restarts Operations From Galveston, Texas

How many Royal Caribbean cruise ships are currently in the water?

Royal Caribbean Group, the firm’s parent company, said earlier this month that it aims to have at least 80% of its fleet operating by the end of the year. Royal Caribbean is well on its way to achieving this objective. No less than 12 ships have returned to service thus far. The following ships are among them:

Sailing three- and four-night Seacations around Singapore aboard the Quantum of the Seas
Week-long cruises to CocoCay, Cozumel, and Freeport are available aboard the Adventure of the Seas.
Three- and four-night Bahamas cruises, as well as Perfect Day at CocoCay cruises, are available on the Freedom of the Seas.
Anthem of the Seas: Sailing from Southampton, UK on Seacations
Sailing the Greek Islands including stops at Piraeus, Rhodes, Mykonos, Santorini, and Crete aboard the Jewel of the Seas
The Serenade of the Seas sails from Seattle to Juneau, Sitka, Ketchikan, and Icy Strait Point in Alaska.
Odyssey of the Seas: Royal Caribbean’s newest ship is running six- and eight-night trips from Fort Lauderdale to the Southern and Western Caribbean.
The Allure of the Seas departs from Port Canaveral on seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries.
Ovation of the Seas: Cruises to Alaska, including Juneau and Skagway, departing from Seattle.
The world’s biggest cruise ship, Symphony of the Seas, is operating seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries from Miami.
Independence of the Seas is the newest Royal Caribbean cruise ship to sail out of Galveston, Texas, offering seven-night Western Caribbean itineraries.
Harmony of the Seas is a Mediterranean cruise that departs from Barcelona and stops at Palma de Mallorca, Marseille, La Spezia, Civitavecchia, and Naples.

Apart from the four Royal Caribbean cruise ships that will resume service this weekend, the Mariner of the Seas and Oasis of the Seas will also resume service in the following weeks. Mariner will set sail from Port Canaveral, while Oasis of the Seas will arrive in New Jersey for her long-awaited debut on the US East Coast.

First Royal Caribbean Cruise Ship Restarts Operations From Galveston, Texas

Because of the threat of Hurricane Harvey, Royal Caribbean Cruises has decided to temporarily shut down operations from their itineraries on the West Coast, on their Empress of the Seas and Oasis of the Seas ships. Most of the ships that sail from Galveston, Texas would not be able to sail until late September or early October of this year.. Read more about is royal caribbean sailing in july 2024 and let us know what you think.

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