December is the tip of the 12 months and one of the crucial common occasions of the 12 months to take a cruise trip.
This text is an effort to share what it is advisable know about happening a Royal Caribbean cruise within the month of December, with essential information, ideas, and useful info alongside the best way.
Identical to November, December is a narrative of two halves: the primary two weeks are often much less in-demand as a result of most households both simply took a trip over Thanksgiving or will wait till Christmas. Then, the final two weeks are the preferred time to go on a cruise over Christmas and New Years holidays.
In case you are on the lookout for a discount, the primary half of December is a good time to snag a last-minute cruise deal. In any other case, penny-pinchers might want to wait till January.
Christmas week is an extremely common time to go on a cruise, as a result of households have off from faculty and their dad and mom largely have a break from work.
Coinciding with the Christmas vacation is Royal Caribbean’s subsequent push to get extra passengers onboard their ships.
In case you’re studying this text in December, it is seemingly too late to ebook a Christmas or New Years Eve cruise, however you would possibly be capable of discover just a few cabins left in the event you act shortly and sail from ports equivalent to Tampa or Galveston.
Ships crusing in December 2022
All of Royal Caribbean’s cruise ships are again in service.
Here is the place you will discover every ship this month.
- Freedom of the Seas from Miami, Florida
- Anthem of the Seas from Cape Liberty, New Jersey
- Attract of the Seas from Galveston, Texas
- Symphony of the Seas from Miami, Florida
- Independence of the Seas from Port Canaveral, Florida
- Concord of the Seas from Fort Lauderdale, Florida
- Mariner of the Seas from Port Canaveral, Florida
- Liberty of the Seas from Fort Lauderdale, Florida
- Journey of the Seas from Galveston, Texas
- Explorer of the Seas from Miami, Florida
- Navigator of the Seas from Los Angeles, California
- Spectrum of the Seas from Singapore
- Grandeur of the Seas from Miami, Florida
- Enchantment of the Seas from Baltimore, Maryland
- Radiance of the Seas from New Orleans, Louisiana
- Serenade of the Seas from Tampa, Florida
- Voyager of the Seas from San Juan, Puerto Rico
- Quantum of the Seas from Brisbane, Australia
- Ovation of the Seas from Sydney, Australia
- Oasis of the Seas from Miami, Florida
- Brilliance of the Seas from Tampa, Florida
- Marvel of the Seas from Port Canaveral, Florida
- Odyssey of the Seas from from Fort Lauderdale, Florida
- Imaginative and prescient of the Seas from Fort Lauderdale, Florida
- Rhapsody of the Seas from Bridgetown, Barbados
- Jewel of the Seas from Port Canaveral, Florida
The notable occasion occurring in December 2022 would be the official christening of Marvel of the Seas.
Marie McCrea has been named the Godmother to Marvel of the Seas and can settle for the glory of blessing Marvel throughout a celebratory naming ceremony at its first year-round homeport of Port Canaveral, Florida, on Dec. 9, 2022.
Well being protocols for December 2022 cruises
Royal Caribbean’s well being protocols for December are actually the best they’ve ever been, with few necessities left.
In case your cruise would not go to Colombia or sail from Australia, pre-cruise testing is not required to sail.
Right now, solely the next sailings have pre-cruise testing necessities:
Cruises from the U.S. and Caribbean with stops in Colombia
Company age 18 and up who usually are not absolutely vaccinated might want to current a destructive end result for a PCR check taken inside 3 days or an antigen check taken inside 2 days previous to crusing.
Company beneath the age of 17 and absolutely vaccinated visitors should not have have any testing necessities.
Exams have to be organized by yourself and are at your individual expense.
Cruises from Australia
All visitors aged 2 and above, no matter vaccination standing, should current a destructive check end result for a COVID-19 PCR check taken inside 2 days earlier than boarding day, or a self-administered Fast Antigen Take a look at (RAT) inside 1 day earlier than boarding, for sailings of any size.
December climate on a cruise
At the beginning, December marks the official finish of hurricane season. That is excellent news to your sailings within the Caribbean, nevertheless winter storms can nonetheless be disruptive to journey round america. Do not assume since hurricanes are unlikely which you can be cavalier about while you arrive to your cruise port.
As at all times, it’s a good suggestion to provide your self a buffer and arrive at the least at some point earlier than your cruise in order that in case your journey plans are interrupted, you do not miss your cruise.
Whereas it may be downright frigid the place you reside, the Caribbean stays principally temperate throughout December. The tropics usually don’t expertise giant temperature swings, though an occasional chilly entrance can generally penetrate far south.
For example, within the month of December, common highs and low temperatures in St. Kitts are 85 and 74 levels, respectively.
In The Bahamas, the common excessive and low temperature is 80 and 66 levels, respectively.
Will it’s heat sufficient to swim? Most likely, though it relies upon how delicate you might be to “colder” water. The ocean stays hotter longer as a result of it takes longer for it to chill down regardless of decrease temperatures. Swimming pools, nevertheless, can calm down shortly. In my expertise, it’s heat sufficient to swim, however it’s possible you’ll must “get used to” the cooler water temperature somewhat than in summer season when you may barrel in instantly.
The very best half a few December cruise is the comfy temperatures and decrease humidity, which makes it best for out of doors excursions with out immediately sweating profusely.
Learn extra: Packing for a Royal Caribbean cruise within the Winter
Christmas on a cruise
What’s it wish to rejoice Christmas on a cruise ship?
Royal Caribbean will get into the vacation spirit proper after Thanksgiving, with vacation decorations across the ship for the month of December.
In case your cruise really sails over the Christmas vacation, then you may count on sure particular actions and choices.
The eating places will supply vacation menus with seasonal favorites: roast turkey or ham on Christmas (with eggnog to drink).
Passengers can get pleasure from particular actions, equivalent to caroling, tree- and menorah-lighting ceremonies and seasonal films proven on in-room TVs and onboard film screens.
On some sailings, there could even be a priest or minister onboard to guide providers with passengers on Christmas. Regulate the Cruise Compass for a midnight mass.
Learn extra: How Royal Caribbean celebrates Christmas and New Years holidays on its cruise ships
New Years Eve on a cruise
Historically, celebrating the New Yr on a cruise ship is one huge occasion.
It stays to be seen what particular protocols could also be in place this 12 months as a result of Covid-19, however prior to now, Royal Caribbean has gone all-out with New Yr’s Eve events.
Across the ship, you can see completely different events to cater to several types of celebrations. The Royal Promenade had that Occasions Sq. ball drop really feel, whereas varied bars and lounges supply their very own tackle the brand new 12 months festivities.
As well as, Royal Caribbean often reserves sure areas of the ship for buy to ensure a spot in the course of the motion. These are often chairs and tables you may ebook that present a reserved spot close to the primary occasion.
