Make This a Summer to Remember
Flowers are blooming, birds are singing, travel is back on the menu … it’s that time of year to plan your annual summer vacation. What will it be this year? Back to the coast for a week of getting sand out of your ears? A trip to Nanna’s house to learn how to play Bridge? Nope. It’s time to think big, to plan something epic. Something filled with exciting cultures, tantalizing cuisine, and enough adventure to fill your Instagram stories for weeks. You need a cruise vacation, and there are dozens of choices launching from nearby ports of call this very summer. Here are some of our favorite destinations to cruise to during the summer.
Photo: Royal Caribbean Port Canaveral
Mesmerizing Mediterranean
Europe is filled with exciting destinations, each with its own style and vibe. While travelers often focus on just one destination, a cruise opens up multiple countries in one monumental vacation, allowing you to experience more cultures, sights and flavors along the way. While all of Europe is a delight to explore, the Mediterranean might hold the most highlights in the smallest amount of space. From Barcelona’s towering Sagrada Familia and the Colosseum in Rome, to the ancient walled city of Dubrovnik in Croatia and the blue-domed villages of Santorini, your cruise adventure here will be filled with amazing sights and authentic moments.
Royal Caribbean will have its two newest and most innovative ships — Wonder of the SeasSM and Odyssey of the SeasSM — plying the fabled water of the Mediterranean this summer. A 7-Night Western Mediterranean cruise will find you visiting Barcelona, Provence, Florence, Rome and Naples, while a 6-Night Greek Isles voyage will see you island-hopping from Santorini and Mykonos, taking epic pics and eating flavorful gyros along the way.
Photo: Amalfi Coast
Amazing Alaska
Alaska is another favorite destination for summer, especially for families looking for stunning views and non-stop excitement. From zip-lining through the Tongass National Forest to playing with sled dog puppies in Denali National Park, adventures abound in Alaska. Imagine the looks on your kids’ faces when they hear the thunderous roar of ice calving into the sea, or when they watch whales mingle among drifting icebergs. It's all part of the rugged beauty of the last frontier.
Massive rivers of slow-moving ice are the main attractions on a 7-Night Alaska Glacier Cruise with Royal Caribbean. Leaving from Seattle, these voyages visit Icy Strait Point, Skagway, Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier, among other places. The sights become unforgettable backdrops to fun activities onboard the two ships visiting this summer — Quantum of the Seas® and Ovation of the Seas® — onboard which you can get 360-degree views of the glaciers in the North Star® observation capsule and catch some waves on the FlowRider® surf simulator.
Photo: Alaska, United States
The captivating Caribbean
While island-hopping across the Caribbean, you’ll discover that each island is filled with its own unique adventures. This summer, dive into Nassau’s colorful past of buccaneers and bootleggers in the Bahamas, hike up a roaring waterfall in Jamaica, scale Maya ruins in Cozumel, zipline across the nature sanctuary of Loterie Farm on St. Maarten, and go snorkeling at world-famous Sapphire Beach on St. Thomas.
Plus, many Royal Caribbean voyages take you to their top-rated private destination, Perfect Day at CocoCay. Only here can you conquer the Caribbean’s largest wave pool and one of its tallest waterslides, Daredevil's Peak. Escape to the crystal-clear waters of Chill IslandSM, or head to the exclusive Coco Beach Club® to relax in your own Overwater Cabana.
Whichever slice of paradise you enjoy in the Caribbean, your amazing time on land will only be matched by the exciting options onboard Royal Caribbean’s Oasis-class ships sailing there this summer. The world’s largest cruise ships offer experiences to wow every kind of traveler, whether you’re a fun-seeking family spanning several generations or a couple looking to elevate your romantic escape with world-class dining and electrifying nightlife.
Photo: Airplane view from CocoCay, Berry Islands, Bahamas