explorer-of-the-seas.jpgHomeland cruising has proved to be one of the most popular trends, making it easier for cruisers to drive or take local transportation to their ship.  In 2009, Royal Caribbean has scheduled New England/Canada, Bermuda and Caribbean cruises from three Northeast ports, including New York, Boston, Norfolk and Baltimore.  Explorer of the Seas will continue to sail year-round from New York.

Canada/New England:  Explorer of the Seas will offer nine-night round-trip itineraries from Cape Liberty Cruise Port in Bayonne, NJ, with calls at Sydney and Halifax, Nova Scotia; Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island and Quebec City, Quebec, a guest favorite and the line’s highest rated port of call. Guests also cruise the Saguenay River, the line’s second-highest rated Canadian port. Jewel of the Seas and Grandeur of the Seas will make maiden calls at Rockland, ME, as the largest cruise ships to call at the port. In addition to the wide variety of restaurants, galleries and museums, Rockland will turn the city’s main street into a pedestrian mall to welcome guests.   From Boston, Jewel of the Seas will take guests on five- and seven-night round-trip itineraries, while Grandeur of the Seas will offer eight- and nine-night round-trip sailings from the port of Baltimore. Jewel and Grandeur will call at Canadian ports of St. John, New Brunswick, and Halifax, Nova Scotia, as well as the Maine ports of Portland, Bar Harbor and Rockland.

Bermuda & the Caribbean:Royal Caribbean will sail to Bermuda and the Caribbean in 2009 with two ships, Explorer of the Seas and Grandeur of the Seas. From Cape Liberty, Explorer of the Seas will continue to offer alternating five-night Bermuda and nine-night Bermuda and Caribbean itineraries. The nine-night voyage includes a day-visit at Kings Wharf, while the five-night itinerary overnights there, giving guests an opportunity to take in the island’s nightlife.

During April through mid-June, Grandeur of the Seas will offer alternating five-night Bermuda and nine-night Eastern Caribbean round-trip itineraries from Norfolk. The five-night itinerary also features an overnight call at Kings Wharf, and the nine-night sailing makes a call at Labadee, Haiti, Royal Caribbean’s private beach destination. In June, Grandeur repositions to Baltimore, also to offer similar and alternating itineraries through November.