Grandeur sailings moved to Tampa

[RDeagazio]

This just in from RCI:

 

ROYAL CARIBBEAN REDEPLOYS GRANDEUR OF THE SEAS TO TAMPA

 

Indefinite Closure of Port of New Orleans Prompts Cruise Line to Move Ship;

Revised Bookings Open Today

 

 

 

MIAMI, Sept. 27, 2005 – Due to the indefinite closure of the Port of New Orleans, Royal Caribbean International’s Grandeur of the Seas will begin offering four- and five-night Western Caribbean itineraries from the Port of Tampa beginning Dec. 3, 2005. Grandeur had been scheduled to sail from the Port of New Orleans on a series of seven-night Western Caribbean cruises from December 2005 through May 2006, when she was to be repositioned to the Port of Baltimore.

Grandeur of the Seas will now sail four-night cruises out of Tampa with a port of call in Cozumel, Mexico, as well as five-night cruises visiting the Mexican cities of Costa Maya and Cozumel from Dec. 3 through April 22, 2006. She will then sail a seven-night Western Caribbean cruise beginning April 22, followed by a seven-night cruise to San Juan, Puerto Rico, beginning April 29. Grandeur will leave San Juan May 6 on a six-night repositioning cruise to Baltimore, where she will begin sailing a series of alternating five-night Bermuda and nine-night Western Caribbean itineraries May 12 through Nov. 10.

“We truly regret that we are unable to sail from New Orleans for the next several months,” said Adam Goldstein, president of Royal Caribbean International. “The impact of Hurricane Katrina has been devastating, but we know that New Orleans will eventually reclaim its place as a world-class tourism destination. We will work with guests who have already booked sailings on Grandeur of the Seas to ensure they experience as little inconvenience as possible. And, we look forward to returning to the Port of New Orleans as soon as circumstances permit us to do so.”

 

Guests already booked on Grandeur of the Seas sailings that were to depart from the Port of New Orleans have several options from which to choose to continue their cruise vacation plans between Dec. 3, 2005, and April 22, 2006. Guests may choose:

· One of the four- or five-night Grandeur sailings from Tampa, Splendour of the Seas sailings from Galveston or Enchantment of the Seas sailings from Fort Lauderdale. Guests who rebook on Grandeur will receive a partial refund and a $150-per-stateroom onboard credit. Guests who rebook on Splendour or Enchantment will receive a partial refund and $100-per-stateroom onboard credit;

· Any seven-night cruise on a Vision-class vessel (Vision of the Seas, Enchantment of the Seas, Rhapsody of the Seas, Splendour of the Seas or Legend of the Seas) at the rate paid (price protected) and a $100-per-stateroom onboard credit;

· Any other Royal Caribbean itinerary at prevailing rates and a $100-per-stateroom onboard credit; or

· To cancel and receive a full refund, plus a $100-per-stateroom future cruise certificate.

Revised bookings will be accepted today through Nov. 1, 2005.

Grandeur of the Seas guests who have already purchased air transportation through Royal Caribbean will receive assistance in changing their flights to arrive and depart from Tampa or the airport closest to their cruise departure point. Guests who booked their own air transportation should contact their carriers to make alternate flight arrangements. Royal Caribbean International is working directly with the airlines to request that cruise-only guests not be held responsible for any change fees.

Travel agent commissions will be protected when their clients reschedule their cruise on Grandeur of the Seas or any another Royal Caribbean sailing from Dec. 3, 2005, to April 22, 2006.

 

Royal Caribbean International is a global cruise vacation company with 19 ships in service and two more under construction. The company also offers unique cruisetour vacations in Alaska, Canada and Europe. Additional information can be found on the company’s web site at http://www.royalcaribbean.com or by calling 800-327-6700.