RCI-Royal Caribbean announced it is canceling the European season of Serenade of the Seas previously scheduled for summer 2023.
Serenade OTS was initially homeported in Stockholm (Sweden) and Copenhagen (Denmark) for cruises in the Baltic Sea. The cancellation follows other companies like Princess and Celebrity, which will be using fewer vessels in Northern Europe in 2023.
The reason given by the line is "the poor security situation in Eastern Europe as a result of the Russian attack on Ukraine." Therefore, Saint Petersburg (Russia), which is one of the highlight ports in the Baltic, was removed from the itinerary. It was decided to use the vessel from Florida on voyages to the Caribbean. A new homeport for the 2023 summer has not yet been named. In the winter of 2022-2023, the vessel will be stationed in Tampa FL.
Royal Caribbean has informed the affected passengers and travel agents about the changes. The travelers of the transatlantic crossings and the Baltic Sea sailings can now choose between a rebooking/a refund of the expenses. The transatlantic cruises can be rebooked on Explorer OTS (PortMiami-Civitavecchia/Rome) or on Jewel OTS (Port Canaveral FL-Amsterdam Netherlands) during the same period.
Those who prefer to sail on a larger cruise ship can also travel to Europe from the United States next spring with Odyssey of the Seas or Anthem of the Seas. The voyages from May through September within Europe can be rebooked on other vessels in the fleet of Royal Caribbean. Any passenger who does not wish to embark on a cruise on Royal Caribbean ships in 2023 can have the entire travel expenses reimbursed.
The crisis in Ukraine led to reduced demand for voyages in Europe by American cruise lines, which is why routes were rescheduled. This summer season Royal Caribbean International has pulled Voyager OTS from Europe. In 2023 it will be Serenade OTS.