The American company Royal Caribbean Cruise Line canceled the European season of Serenade of the Sea in the summer of 2023.
The ship is scheduled to depart Stockholm and Copenhagen on Baltic Sea cruises. The cancellation follows other cruise lines such as Princess Cruises and Celebrity Cruises operating fewer ships in northern Europe next year.
The reason given is the poor security situation in Eastern Europe as a result of the Russian attack on Ukraine. Therefore, St. Petersburg, one of the most important ports on the Baltic Sea, cannot call it that. It was decided that the Florida ship would be used for voyages to the Caribbean. The new home port for the summer of 2023 has not yet been named. In the winter of 2022/2023, the ship will be stationed in Tampa, Florida.
Royal Caribbean has already notified affected guests and travel agents of the itinerary planning changes. Passengers on transatlantic crossings and Baltic Sea voyages can now choose to rebook or reimburse travel expenses. Transatlantic voyages can be rebooked on Explorer of the Seas (Miami-Civitavecchia) or Jewel of the Seas (Port Canaveral-Amsterdam) during the same period.
Those who prefer to travel on a larger ship can also travel to Europe from the US next spring with Odyssey of the Seas or Anthem of the Seas. Cruises from May to September within Europe can also be booked on other ships in the Royal Caribbean fleet. Any guest who does not wish to travel on a Royal Caribbean ship within the next year can receive a full refund of their travel expenses.
Russia’s attack on Ukraine has led to a decline in demand for cruises in Europe from US cruise brands, causing itineraries to move. This summer season Royal Caribbean has withdrawn Voyager of the Seas from Europe, next year it will be Serenade of the Seas.