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Royal Caribbean sets New Orleans return, adds second Galveston ship

(Photo: Anne Kalosh)
Enchantment of the Seas, pictured here sailing from Miami, will move to join Liberty of the Seas in Galveston
After a three-year hiatus, Royal Caribbean International will return to New Orleans with the repositioning of Vision of the Seas for the 2018/19 winter season. In other changes, Galveston will get a second ship and Mariner of the Seas will move to a PortMiami home.

The 915-foot cruise ship will sail seven-night itineraries to destinations across the Bahamas and Yucatán Peninsula.

Its 989-foot sister ship Enchantment of the Seas will move from Miami to join Liberty of the Seas in Galveston, offering four- and five-night cruises that will complement Liberty’s seven-night Caribbean vacations.

Before repositioning to New Orleans on Dec. 15, 2018, Vision of the Seas will offer two 16-night sailings through the Panama Canal, from Miami to Los Angeles from Los Angeles to New Orleans. This will be the first time in three years that Royal Caribbean journeys through the Canal.

Mariner of the Seas also will embark on new adventures in 2018 when the longtime resident of Asia-Pacific returns to the United States to homeport in Miami.

Mariner will be the first Voyager-class ship—characterized by introducing industry innovations including the rock-climbing wall, ice-skating rink and Royal Promenade—to offer short Caribbean sailings, ideal for first-time cruisers. The three- and four-night itineraries from Miami to the Bahamas begin on June 21, 2018, following the ship’s extensive, 32-day revitalization.

Prior to going into drydock and its arrival to Miami, Mariner will embark on a previously announced 'global odyssey' of three 13- to 15-night sailings from Singapore to Dubai, Dubai to Barcelona and Barcelona to Miami.

Enchantment of the Seas arrives in Galveston on June 23, 2018. Passengers currently booked on Enchantment for sailings departing Miami after June 23 will be contacted individually to transition their booking to Mariner of the Seas from Miami.