royal caribbean cruise ship jobs south africa

Charting your Course to Success

Allow Portside Consulting to help you start or advance your career at Sea.

Work & Explore  

At Portside Consulting, we understand that securing a role at sea can be a daunting task, but with our expertise and guidance, we can help chart your course to success in the cruise industry. We have a wealth of knowledge and experience working with cruise lines, which enables us to provide comprehensive services to candidates seeking employment at sea.

We can assist you in identifying suitable job opportunities that match your skills, experience, and interests. Our network of contacts allows us to connect you with the right people and increase your chances of securing employment in the cruise industry. Our team of experts can also help you prepare your resume, cover letter, and provide guidance on how to present yourself effectively during interviews. Once you have successfully completed your interview, Portside Consulting will continue to guide you with obtaining all the documentation required to work onboard.

You will have a designated consultant assisting you along the way.

​​ Data Protection Policy

At Portside, we take data protection very seriously, and we are committed to complying with the Data Protection Act (POPI) in South Africa. This act is designed to protect individuals’ personal information by regulating how it is collected, processed, stored, and used.

We only collect and process data for specific and lawful purposes.

When we collect personal information, we do so for a specific purpose that is clearly stated to the individual. We only process that data for that purpose, and we do not use it for any other purpose without the individual’s consent.

We ensure that personal information is accurate and up-to-date.

We take steps to ensure that the personal information we collect and process is accurate and up-to-date. If an individual’s personal information changes, we will update our records accordingly.

We keep personal information secure.

We have implemented appropriate technical and organizational measures to keep personal information secure. This includes using encryption and access controls to prevent unauthoriz ed access or disclosure.

We limit the retention of personal information.

We only keep personal information for as long as is necessary for the purpose for which it was collected. Once that purpose has been fulfilled, we securely delete or destroy the information.

We respect individuals’ rights.

Individuals have certain rights under the Data Protection Act, including the right to access their personal information, to have it corrected or deleted, and to object to its processing. We respect these rights and have processes in place to ensure that individuals can exercise them.

We train our employees.

All of our employees are trained on the Data Protection Act and the importance of protecting personal information. They understand their responsibilities and are committed to complying with the act.

By following these steps, we believe that we are fully compliant with the Data Protection Act in South Africa. We take our obligations seriously and are committed to protecting personal information and respecting individuals’ rights. If you have any questions or concerns about how we handle personal information, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Want To Work On Cruise Liners?

Our team of experts has years of experience working in the cruise   industry, don't hesitate to contact us with any queries.

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Recruitment Process

We would like to emphasize an important point regarding the recruitment process at Portside Consulting. We want to assure you that we strictly adhere to ethical business practices, and as such, we want to make it clear that no agency fees will be charged at any stage of the recruitment process.

At Portside Consulting, we believe in maintaining transparency and fostering a positive relationship with our applicants. Therefore, we want to emphasize the following:

Ethical Standards

We pride ourselves on upholding the highest ethical standards in the industry. Our primary goal is to facilitate a fair and merit-based recruitment process that benefits both candidates and our esteemed cruise line partners.

No Agency Fees

We want to assure you that we will never charge any fees for our recruitment services. Our commitment is to connect qualified candidates with exciting opportunities onboard cruise ships, without any financial obligations on your part.

Beware of Scams

It has come to our attention that fraudulent individuals or organizations may attempt to deceive job seekers by falsely claiming to represent Portside Consulting and requesting fees for recruitment purposes. Please be aware that we have no affiliation with such practices, and any communication or request for payment should be treated as suspicious and promptly reported to us.

We are dedicated to providing a seamless and professional experience for all applicants, and your trust is of utmost importance to us. Should you encounter any concerns or receive any solicitations that contradict our policy, please inform us immediately so that we can take appropriate action.

Our Partners

Cape Town 2024

Cruise job fair - cape town 2024.

Cruise Job Fairs are finally coming to South Africa in 2024. Our first two events on the African continent will be in Cape Town and Durban . Recruiters from several cruise lines, recruitment agencies and concessions are looking forward to meeting job seekers like you, who are interested in working on cruise ships or within the cruise industry.

Due to a large volume of applications from candidates in South Africa, only selected candidates will be invited to the job fair. Anyone can apply for a ticket, and we will invite those of you who are the best match for the companies participating in the job fair.

The full list of cruise lines, recruitment agencies and other companies attending the Cape Town job fair will be published here closer to the date.

Thursday, 17 October 2024 11am - 4pm

The exact venue will be confirmed to selected candidates shortly before the event.

Admission to the Cruise Job Fair is free of charge. You may apply for a ticket. Selected candidates will receive tickets and invitation shortly before the event.

Apply for your FREE ticket

Cruise lines, recruiters and other exhibitors confirmed to attend the Cruise Job Fair in Cape Town: (More companies will be added closer to the date.)

As the World’s Leading River Cruise Line® and the #1 Ocean Cruise Line, we are constantly innovating our business and growing our fleet.

For our ocean divisions, we are looking for experienced candidates in all levels of the Food and Beverage, Culinary, Housekeeping, Hotel Admin, IT, Entertainment and Spa fields.

For our river division, we are also looking for experienced candidates to join our Food and Beverage, Culinary, Housekeeping and Nautical departments.

Set Sail for Your Career with Viking.

Carnival Cruise Line

Food Operations – Culinary Arts (all positions) and Assistant Servers, Food Operations Management. Beverage Service – Bar Servers. Housekeeping – Management Trainees, Floor Supervisors, Supervisors Pools and Decks. Photography – Trainee Photographer. Carnival Adventures – Shore Excursions Associates. Shipboard Finance – Finance Trainee candidates.

Cast-A-Way Cruise & Resort Hiring Agency

Candidates for the Housekeeping, Food & Beverages, Entertainment, Childcare, Guest Services, IT, Management, Medical, Photography, Retail, Sport and Fitness, Shore Excursions, Casino and Deck & Engine departments.

Celebrity Cruises

Restaurant, Beverages (including Flair Bartenders), Housekeeping, Management, Entertainment, Guest Services, Shore Excursions, Deck and Engine candidates.

Cunard Cruise Line

Food & Beverages, Guest Services, Childcare, Entertainment, Medical, Shore Excursions, Deck and Engine candidates.

Disney Cruise Line

Experienced candidates for Hotel positions including Culinary, Dining Room, Bar, Housekeeping, Merchandise and Photography. All Entertainment positions including Youth Activities & Nursery team members, Entertainment Hosts and Entertainment Technicians. All Marine & Technical Operations positions. All HR Manager, Guest Services, Shore Excursions and Administration positions.

Gourmet Recruitment International

MS Security

MS is an accredited crewing agent specializing in recruiting security personnel for the cruise sector.

MSC Cruises

Food & Beverages, Accommodation, Guest Services, Beauty & Spa, Medical, Child Care, Casino, Entertainment, Management, Administration, Photograpy, Retail, Shore Excursions, Sport & Fitness, IT, Deck and Engine Officers.

P&O Cruises

Project Maritime Training

Royal Caribbean Entertainment

Royal Caribbean International

Restaurant, Beverages, Housekeeping, Management, Entertainment, Guest Services, Shore Excursions, Deck and Engine candidates.

Shosholoza Ocean Academy

Representing MSC Cruises in South Africa.

Food & Beverages, Housekeeping, Guest Services, IT, Management, Administration, Retail, Shore Excursions, Spa, Sport & Fitness, Deck and Engine candidates for a luxury residential cruise ship.

Windstar Cruises

Deck and Engine Officers, Deck and Engine Ratings, Shore Excursion Managers, Chefs, Pastry Chefs, Dining Room Managers, Waiters, Bar Managers, Bar Servers, Guest Services, Pursers, Housekeeping Managers, Housekeeping Staff and Inventory Storekeepers.

Watch the video from Cruise Job Fair London 2023:

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FAQs about shipboard jobs

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Shipboard hiring process

Start an application with a hiring partner or apply directly online

Be Contacted

Hear back from a hiring partner or recruiter

Get an interview

Complete onboarding

Join the Team

Join a ship or an island

Interested in working on a Royal Caribbean Group ship? We’re here to help. Below are the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions. Check them out below.

General Questions

• Requirement to work onboard

Visa questions

Room and board questions.

• Port questions
• Hiring partner questions

Where do Royal Caribbean Group ships sail? Our ships sail around the world and visit exciting and unique destinations on every continent. Many employees note that traveling the world is one of their favorite parts of working on our ships.

What companies make up the Royal Caribbean Group? We are made up of five brands: Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity, Silversea, Tui Cruises, and Hapag-Lloyd.

What is a letter of employment? A letter of employment (LOE) is a document provided by Royal Caribbean Group (or Hiring Partner) that states the date you are scheduled to join our team, the vessel you are joining, and the position for which you have been hired. You must have this document available at all times when traveling to join the ship.

Where do I get the pre-employment medical (PEME)? All Royal Caribbean Group’s brands’ crew members are required to complete an extensive pre-employment medical examination prior to joining the ship. In most cases, the examination is at the employees’ expense. The examination should be conducted through one of RCG’s approved medical facilities. Once the medical examination is complete and approved by our corporate medical department, employees will be cleared to travel. This medical documentation will then be valid for two years. Your recruiter or hiring partner will discuss this with you in more detail.

Do I have to wear a uniform? As a team, we like to project a consistent and professional image; therefore, we have carefully chosen a uniform for most positions. Uniforms will be provided onboard and there are some uniform items that are considered personal items crew are required to pay for. Your recruiter or hiring partner will discuss this with you in more detail.

Does Royal Caribbean Group hire couples? Royal Caribbean Group brands welcome couples onboard. However, each applicant is assessed individually based on their qualifications, and although every effort is made to accommodate couples to be assigned to the same ship, we cannot guarantee that they will be assigned to the same ship, since business needs take precedence.

Is medical attention available to employees? Yes, of course! Our crew’s safety and wellbeing is our highest priority. Should employees become ill while onboard, each ship has a team of dedicated medical professionals that will provide assistance at no cost to the crew member. However, while the medical team is ready to assist in any urgent situation, they shouldn’t be considered your primary medical care provider. It is important to join the ship healthy and ready to work. If you have any prescriptions that have been cleared as part of your pre-employment medical exam, those should be filled for the duration of your assignment before you join.

Are crew members entitled to discounts for their families? As part of Royal Caribbean Group, we offer different discount programs for our employees and their families. Depending on your position, you may have to wait for some time before qualifying for this benefit.

Do I have safety responsibilities? In the unlikely case of an emergency, we need to be ready. Therefore, all crew members must attend emergency training, and are required to participate in boat drills. Every crew member is assigned an emergency duty which they will be trained on and practice during regular boat drills.

Will I always work on the same ship? Assignments are based on many factors, and priority is understandably given to business need. Generally, there are periods where an individual is assigned to a particular ship, in order to provide an opportunity for the teams to build relationships and consistency. However, as with every aspect of shipboard life, flexibility is key. You might be transferred to another ship as necessary.

Can I socialize in Guest Areas? Access to guest areas will depend on your position. Your scheduler or recruiter can advise you what your onboard privileges would be.

How long would I be onboard before going back home? A contract ranges anywhere from three to approximately eight months, depending on the position. Most senior management roles have 4-month contracts while most of the rest of the positions have 6-8 month contracts. Employees live onboard for the total length of their contracts.

Do I get time off while onboard? Because ships have guests onboard 7 days a week, you may not get a 24-hour period off; however, you will still have time to rest, visit the ports, and participate in fun events.

What happens if I have a family emergency? In case of family emergencies , your HR manager will work closely with you to make necessary arrangements.

To which ship would I be assigned? Once you have been offered a position, you will be advised which ship you will be joining. Please keep in mind that assignments are provided based on business needs, therefore, you could join any of our beautiful Royal Caribbean Group ships!

How do I get to the ship? Depending on your location and the ship’s location, you may fly to the nearest airport. In some cases, this will be at the crew members’ expense for the first contract. The company covers the cost of repatriation after your contract is concluded as long as you satisfy the basic requirements of your assignment.

If specific tools are required to perform my job, do I need to bring them? No, all the tools you need to perform your job will be provided by the company. We know there’s a lot to consider. As you go through the application process, our recruiters and hiring partners will be glad to provide guidance, and more relevant details to answer any additional questions about shipboard life.

Requirements to work onboard

What are the requirements to work onboard Royal Caribbean ships? Regardless of the position for which you are applying, to qualify for shipboard employment you must have a valid passport, and the ability to:

• Obtain a C1-D visa (unless you are Canadian or a US citizen or resident).
• Pass RCG’s pre-employment medical examination.
• Obtain relevant itinerary-driven visas (i.e. Schengen).
• Present the proper qualifications/certifications required, based on your role.
• Pass a criminal background check.
• Obtain flu vaccines and negative COVID-19 tests.

What languages are required to work onboard? English is the official language onboard our vessels, therefore, all employees must be able to read, write and speak English. Some positions have specific language requirements, but (in general) English is sufficient. However, because of our international guests and exciting itineraries, it is helpful if you speak additional languages, including (but certainly not limited to): Italian, German, French, and Spanish. Additional language skills are always a plus!

Does Royal Caribbean Group have a drug policy? Royal Caribbean Group is a drug-free company, and we have a zero tolerance policy for consumption or possession of illegal substances. Because we operate in many jurisdictions around the world, even if a substance is legal in one location it may not be legal elsewhere, therefore you should refer to company policies for a list of prohibited items.

Are employees allowed to smoke? When off duty, employees are allowed to smoke in the designated smoking areas. Smoking in crew cabins is prohibited.

What is a C1-D visa? A C1-D visa is a non-immigrant visa issued by US embassies around the world. This visa allows crew members to transit through US ports. If offered a position, Royal Caribbean Group will provide a letter to support your application. This visa is not required for Canadians or US citizens or residents.

What is a Schengen visa? Some nationalities are required to obtain this visa in order to enter countries that are part of the Schengen territory, in Europe. Your Hiring partner or HR representative can help you determine if you need to apply for a Schengen visa.

What should I pack? Since cabin space is very limited, it is recommended that employees bring only what is needed. Some suggestions would be:

• Clothing: Jeans/long pants, sweater, shirts, belt(s), shorts and T-shirts, appropriate shoes, tennis and/or beach shoes, and swimsuit. We also recommend bringing one pair of black pants, one one shirt and a pair of comfortable black shoes.
• Toiletries: Deodorant, razors, brush/comb, toothbrush/paste, shampoo, shaving cream, sunblock.
• Other: Medication, beach towel, laptop, smart phone and hair dryer.

Are any items prohibited? Objects that may represent a hazard are prohibited. Examples include weapons, clothing irons, hot plates, candles, incense, and any other items that may create a fire hazard, or are deemed unsafe by shipboard security. Curling irons, flat irons, and hair dryers are allowed.

Do Royal Caribbean Group brands provide accommodations while I am onboard? Forget about paying rent! Our brands provide accommodations for all shipboard employees. Depending on your position you may share your cabin with a fellow crew member. Because space is limited onboard, cabins and bathrooms are relatively small compared to land-based accommodations, but don’t worry there are plenty amenities for you to enjoy when you are off duty.

What if I don’t get along with my roommate? Working onboard is a great opportunity not only to grow professionally, but also to make friends from all over the world. While different cultures act differently and sometimes it takes time to adjust, we believe that being open and respectful always leads to good relationships. Communication is usually the key to get along with your roommate; however, if for some reason you don’t feel comfortable you can check with supervisor who will try to facilitate a cabin switch.

Where will I have my meals? Our chefs create for our crew a variety of dishes from different parts of the world, providing options for a healthy and well-balanced diet. All meals are served in crew-allocated dining areas. We also frequently send out surveys asking for feedback on living onboard – if you’d like to request a certain meal, just ask!

Do you have laundry facilities for employees? Yes, there are laundry facilities available for the crew.

What type of electrical system will be in my cabin? Cabins offer US 110V and 220V outlets.

Do employees have internet access? Yes, each ship has an internet café that is available to employees, with several computers that have internet access (fees apply). For those who would like to bring their own laptop, wifi is available (fees apply). Text messaging is free within WhatsApp.

How do I call home? You can purchase minutes to use for long-distance calls from the ship. Be sure to download WhatsApp on your smartphone device. You can utilize free WhatsApp text messaging to family members while onboard. You may also purchase a wifi package for calls and video streaming.

Is to possible to receive mail while onboard? Yes! There is a central location where all mail is received and then distributed to the ships. Your shipboard HR team will be able to provide more details.

Would my cell phone work onboard? Cell phone service is available onboard; however, international roaming rates do apply. You may want to check the rates with your provider before using your cell phone.

Would I be able to buy some necessities (i.e. toiletries) onboard? The Crew Shop is a general store for crew on every ship. It sells all sorts of things you might want during a contract and charges low prices too.

Can I make purchases in the Gift Shop? The gift shop is available to crew members during crew sale events. Shipboard employees are entitled to a 20% discount (some items excluded).

Are there places to exercise? Yes! Each ship is equipped with a crew gym. We encourage you to take advantage of it and work out at your leisure.

Are there places to socialize with my teammates? Yes, there are different types of areas where you can socialize with your colleagues, including the crew bar, and other lounges and common crew areas.

Is there a hair salon onboard? Each ship features a spa and hair salon onboard, and treatments are offered at a discounted price to crewmembers. Appointments are necessary and, as expected, guests have priority. We also have a crew barber shop available. Please inquire with your shipboard HR team.

How do I get paid while onboard? Employees are paid in U.S. dollars twice a month to a pre-paid Mastercard operated by North Line.

How do I send my money home? You may wire transfer money to your land-based bank account from your pay card up to certain limits. Please note that there may be a nominal fee from the receiving banks.

Are taxes deducted? For U.S. citizens and residents, federal taxes are automatically deducted from pay. All other employees are responsible for filing and declaring their own taxes upon returning to their home country.

Should I bring cash with me? We suggest you bring at least $200-300 cash in U.S. dollars and/or a major credit card, to cover out-of-pocket expenses during travel and before receiving your first pay.

PORT QUESTIONS

Do I get to visit the ports? Definitely! When you are not on duty, you are welcome to explore the amazing destinations we visit. Just make sure you are back on time!

Can I participate in Shore Excursions? As a service to our guests, we offer organized tours when visiting the ports. If space is available, employees are welcome to enjoy the excursions at a discounted price.

Are there any activities to enjoy during my time off? At Royal Caribbean Group we believe in creating a fun work environment. We have a crew activities team onboard each ship in charge of hosting different events for our crew. From parties to sport tournaments, all activities are designed for our crew to enjoy life onboard.

Can family and friends come and visit me for the day? Employees can apply for a one-day visitors’ pass for family and friends; this must be requested with advanced notice. Please check with your supervisor for more details.

HIRING PARTNER QUESTIONS

Who are the Hiring Partners, and what do they do? Royal Caribbean Group has a network of hiring partners to assist in meeting recruitment goals around the world. Hiring partners are third party service providers; they are not employees of our company. Only those listed on this site are authorized to recruit for our company. Learn more here .

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Cruise Line Job Opportunities for South Africans

Working on a luxurious cruise ship means that you can do it from anywhere in the world, even in South Africa, where top recruiters and concessionaires on constantly on the lookout for hard working, dedicated South African cruise ship workers.

Well, then cruise ship life might just be for you!

No matter where in South Africa you live, you can easily apply for a cruise ship job. The main ports where you will depart from are Durban and Cape Town, with some of the largest cruise liners in the world berthing here. East London, Port Elizabeth and Richard's Bay along the east coast of South Africa also provide ports of call for cruise liners.

Durban Harbor has a well equipped cruise ship terminal for passengers, namely the N-Berth on the T-jetty. This is busiest during the summer months between November and May each year, with one cruise ship based there as a "resident." There can be as many as 3 cruise ships in the port at any one time.

Cruise Companies Departing from South Africa

MSC Starlight is one of the main cruise lines in South Africa, based in Johannesburg with itineraries throughout Europe and the Mediterranean. Their fleet includes the MSC Sinfonia and the MSC Melody boasting a crew of around 700 and 530 respectively. You can easily be part of this crew and sail off into the sunset.

Oceania Cruises ship the Nautica departs from Cape Town on various month-long journeys along the African coast, eventually reaching destinations in Singapore and Hong Kong.

The Seaborne Quest departs for various length cruises leaving Cape Town, heading East where stops include Singapore, the Maldives, and Mumbai, India.

Silversea offers two smaller cruise ships, the Silver Wind and Silver Whisper, both offering local cruises to Richard's Bay and international cruises to Spain and Mauritius.

Princess Cruises operates the Ocean Princess out of Cape Town traveling to London and Paris.

Holland America 's Amsterdam cruise liner offers a 24 day grand world voyage departing from Cape Town, visiting The U.S.A and Caribbean Islands.

Cruise Ships Visiting South Africa

South Africa is a popular cruise ship destination amongst the small and large liners. Some of the main lines visiting the South African harbors, in addition to the ones above, include:

• SeaDream Yacht Club - SeaDream 1
• Holland America - HAL Prinsendam
• Hapag-Lloyd Cruises - MS Hanseatic
• Cunard - Queen Mary 2
• Seaborne - Seaborne Spirit

Aside from the large, luxury liners, many smaller cruise ships operate out of South Africa with harbor and coastal cruises all along the east and west coasts of the country. What an amazing way to explore the beauty of Southern Africa!

Interested to learn more? Just become a CruiseJobFinder member and you will gain access to all the hiring agents and concessionaire companies - and much more. As a subscriber you will also get detailed company info about cruise lines and recruitment agencies around the world, plus interviews with recruitment agency directors and experienced cruise ship employees, who give valuable advice about getting cruise ship jobs.

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Skills Required

Everything You Need to Know about Working On a Cruise Ship

Care & Repair

Costs to Consider

Life Aboard a Cruise Liner.

Hard working.

Working abroad a cruise liner means long hours.

If you have a love for seeing the world, this is the golden opportunity!

Ups & Downs

Life on board is not always smooth sailing. Be motivated!

You will make life-long friends from all around the world.

Find your dream cruise ship job!

We, at GRI, are the dedicated Hiring Partners for the worlds premier Cruise Vessels and we are consistently on the look out for professionals who are committed & passionate and who are looking for a rewarding and challenging career at sea!.

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START YOUR APPLICATION!

In a strategic partnership with a Canadian company, Cast-A-Way is unveiling its new online application platform ( ATRIUM Recruitment System ).

The aim is to optimize recruitment and selection processes, providing greater convenience to all candidates aspiring to work on the world's finest cruise ships. Numerous features are yet to be implemented in the coming days, so stay tuned for updates!

If you are not able to log into the Atrium System, kindly send an email to: [email protected]  

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Crew Life at Sea

Crew Life@Sea is a Leading Recruitment Agency based in Cape Town, South Africa. Specializing in Cruise Ship Jobs, Yachts and River Cruises.

In addition, we offer useful information, advice, insights, and resources to help inspire all job seekers to succeed while working abroad...

Contact Details:

17 Postern Way Edgemead Cape Town South Africa

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Royal Caribbean Productions

Broadway shows. world-class performers., positions available, can you see the world from your window we can..

We are always looking for talented performers to entertain our guests. See below for more information about the positions that are currently available and how to apply. Please note that you must be 18 years of age or older to be hired.

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Royal Caribbean International Cruises

By booking with us you qualify to earn travel vouchers

International Cruise Enquiries Fill in this form to check availability and pricing Name * Email * Confirm email address * Phone Number Number of adults - 18 years and older 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 or more If more than 20 people, please specify the number in the special requests field. Number of children between the ages of 12 and 17 (but not yet 18 years old) 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 or more Please note that the child must still be under 18 at the date the cruise RETURNS to be included as an under 18 Number of children between the ages of 2 and 11 years 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 or more Number of infants UNDER 2 years old 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 more than 8 Please note that the infant must still be under 2 at the date the cruise RETURNS to be included as an infant Please select your destination: *  Eastern Mediterranean    Western Mediterranean   Caribbean   Dubai & Middle-East   South America   Canada & New England   Bahamas   Bermuda   Hawaii   Panama Canal   Transatlantic   Asia   Australia & New Zealand   Alaska   Red Sea  Please select the season: *  2015   2016  Please select the month you would like to travel: *  January   February   March   April   May   June   July   August   September   October   November   December  Please select the duration: *  1 - 3 Nights   2 - 5 Nights   4 - 7 Nights   6 - 9 Nights   8 - 14 Nights   15+ Nights  Cabin position *  Inside (no window)   Outside (window)   Balcony (basic)   Balcony Suite  Number of cabins required 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 or more If you would prefer not to share one cabin, please indicate the number of cabins you require. Cabins sleep a maximum of 4 persons. Preferred bedding  Double bed   Single beds  Are you on honeymoon?  Yes   No  Cruise must fall within 6 months of wedding date. Proof of wedding to be provided. Special Requests -->

Spectrum of the seas.

Royal Caribbean are starting a new class of ship called the "Quantum Ultra class", which is an enhancement of the Quantum class. Quantum Ultra ships are larger than the Quantum class ship. The first of its class is the Spectrum of the Seas, which is being built at Germany's Meyer Werft shipyard, and is due to be launched in 2019.

Symphony of the Seas

Symphony of the Seas' inaugural cruise is a 7 day cruise starting on the 21st April 2018, leaving Barcelona for Palma de Mallorca, Marseille, La Spezia, Rome, Naples, before heading back to Barcelona. The ship is 230,000 tons (3000 tons bigger than the current leader, Harmony of the Seas), has capacity for a massive 6870 passengers, and will have the highest slide at sea, which drops 10 floors down. She's the 4th of Royal Caribbean's Oasis Class of ship, and is being built in Nazairre, France, at the STX Shipyard. In June 2017 she was floated out of her dry dock for the first time. Technological features include facial recognition when checking in, virtual balconies, and a Bionic Bar where passengers are served by robotic barmen.

Harmony of the Seas

We knew something was up when in 2014 Royal Caribbean applied to trademark 8 new ship names - Apex of the Seas, Emblem of the Seas, Harmony of the Seas, Joy of the Seas, Ovation of the Seas, Passion of the Seas, Pulse of the Seas & Spectrum of the Seas. Then in February 2015 it was announced that the new Royal Caribbean ship would be called "Harmony of the Seas", and she'd be in the Oasis class, the largest cruise ships in the world. The other Oasis class ships are the Oasis of the Seas & the Allure of the Seas. Construction of the Harmony of the seas was completed in Saint Naizaire, France.

She set sail from Southampton to Northern Europe, before embarking on her maiden cruise to Barcelona in June 2016. During November 2016, Harmony of the Seas arrived at her homeport of Port Everglades. Harmony of the Seas has a "Central Park" in the middle, with balcony cabins facing inwards, water slides going over Central Park and real grass in Central Park. Even inside cabins have virtual balconies installed. And if you like cruising single, do not despair - the liner has studio options. If you're rolling in the green then book a suite, and enjoy an exclusive sun deck, lounge & restaurant.

In December 2017 the Harmony of the Seas was voted "Best Large Cruise Ship" by the readers of Cruise Hive.

View Allure of the Seas with Google Maps

7 July 2014. Royal Caribbean are using Google's Street View technology to allow everybody with an internet connection to explore the Allure of the Seas. Photos on which the walkthrough are based were taken using a fisheye lens on a DSLR camera. Click here to take a virtual tour of the ship.

Quantum of the Seas to Position in China

From May 2015, the newest Royal Caribbean Ship, the Quantum of the Seas will position itself in China.

Wow Band & Sea Beyond App

Since 2014 guests have been using a "Wow Band", which they can use to purchase food, drinks, goods and also function as their door key.

The Sea Beyond App can be used from both Apple as well as Android smartphones. It shows visuals of shore excursions, can be used for facial recognition for use in check-ins, when passengers are unaccounted for it could potentially be used to find them,

Introducing Dynamic Dining

Royal Caribbean is doing away with the traditional cruise ship methodology of huge seated dinners, and introducing "dynamic dining". The concept is first being introduced on the Quantum Class ships. Guests can choose from 18 restaurants, some free and some which require payment. Cruise passengers can book restaurants online in advance of their cruise, or on the ship.

Royal Caribbean cruise ships in order of size are:

Quantum of the Seas

Allure of the Seas

Oasis of the Seas

Freedom of the Seas

Independence of the Seas

Liberty of the Seas

Adventure of the Seas

Explorer of the Seas

Mariner of the Seas

Navigator of the Seas

If you can't afford a balcony suite here's the next best thing - Royal Caribbean are introducing virtual balconies in inside cabins on the Navigator of the Seas. The virtual balcony is an HD screen on the walk which shows the view outside the ship, as well as the sound of the sea.

Voyager of the Seas

Brilliance of the Seas

Jewel of the Seas

Radiance of the Seas

Serenade of the Seas

Enchantment of the Seas

Grandeur of the Seas

Legend of the Seas

Rhapsody of the Seas

Vision of the Seas

Majesty of the Seas (In 2016 Royal Caribbean are selling the Majesty of the Seas to Pullmantur cruise line)

Latest news

21 December 2018. The Empress of the Seas rescues 2 Costa Rican sailors, who had been adrift at sea for over 20 days. From the brink of starvation to unimaginable luxury. The ship had changed course to avoid a storm, and would not have found the sailors if they had stuck to their original plan. Well done Empress! The men were provided with medical attention by the ship's docters, and then disembarked at Ocho Rios (Jamaica). [The running joke was that Royal Caribbean does whatever it takes to keep their rooms full!]

2 January 2018. Royal Caribbean's daily gratuity fee increases by $1 a day; meaning that the fee increases to $14.50 per day for most passengers, and $17.50 per day for those booked into a suite.

13 December 2017. The USA's 11th Circuit court finds in favour of Royal Caribbean, after a passenger fell during a cocktail party, suffering injuries. She had tripped over the coaming on the helicopter deck; whilst not able to use her hands to hold the han rail because of a purse in one hand and a champagne glass in the other.

1 January 2014 - Royal Caribbean bans smoking on balcony cabins of all its ships except for Asia-based ships. You can still smoke in the smoking section of casinos, on the starboard side of ships (except Oasis-class ships where you can smoke on the port side), in the Connoisseur Club on Freedom- and Voyager-class ships and in the designated smoking area on cruises from China.

21 December 2013. At 1am a man is seen falling into the sea off the Royal Caribbean's Rhapsody of the Seas some 550km east of Brisbane. Crew members through smoke markers & life rings into the water, the ship was turned round and rescue boats launched. The body of the man was recovered from the sea 7 hours later.

September 2013. Over the year to date Royal Caribbean has increased the internet bandwidth capacity on its ships by 700%, and expects to sell access from $179 per week or $49 per day. In the short time ships drop off passengers it has placed new antennas which receive satellite signals onto its ships. It has also changed the way its buys internet bandwidth from a per ship basis to a per region basis.

April 2013 - Royal Caribbean unveils the new Quantum Class ships - Quantum of the Seas and Anthem of the Seas. Quantum of the seas is expected to go into service in autumn 2014 and Anthem of the Seas in spring 2015.

March 2013 - Royal Caribbean's biggest ship (and the biggest cruise ship in the world), Oasis of the Seas , will be sailing to the Mediterranean for the first time in 2014. Book now to get your place on this epic ship.

Book a 6 night or more Royal Caribbean cruise in April 2013, for departure in May 2013, and choose the onboard credit option to receive $150 in spending credits ($250 if your cruise is 10 days or more).

27 December 2012. Royal Caribbean Cruises announces that it has requested STX France to build a a sister ship to the Allure of the Seas and Oasis of the Seas .

On 11 July 2011 Royal Caribbean International announced that it will invest some USD300m to introduce the best-rate programs from its Oasis-class ships to the rest of the fleet. The revitalizations include new entertainment, dining options, oversized video screens on the pool decks and widespread Wi-Fi. The ships will be revitalized as follows:

Splendour of the Seas (November 2011)

Rhapsody of the Seas (March 2012) - Alaska, New Zealand, Australia cruises

Grandeur of the Seas (May 2012) - try its Mediterranean cruises

Serenade of the Seas (November 2012)

Legend of the Seas, Vision of the Seas, Navigator of the Seas, Voyager of the Seas, Explorer of the Seas, Adventure of the Seas , Brilliance of the Seas , Independence of the Seas, Mariner of the Seas and Enchantment of the Seas (2013 & 2014).

Royal Caribbean International's senior vice president of Hotel Operations, Lisa Bauer, said "We are thrilled that the ongoing Royal Advantage revitalizations will result in a virtually brand-new fleet that offers the most contemporary experience, no matter which ship or itinerary vacationers choose. From new dining concepts to cutting-edge entertainment to technological advancements, we are raising the bar across the fleet to offer guests our signature Gold Anchor Service and the world's most innovative cruise ships that sail to exciting destinations worldwide."

The Chief Executive of Royal Caribbean International, Adam Goldstein, said: "The Royal Advantage revitalizations takes many of the best features that we have created in recent years and introduces them across our fleet, offering our guests enhanced vacation choices around the world. We never stop trying to make the experience even better, and no other cruise line can offer the same high quality vacation experience with such an array of choices that cater to every guest.

Liberty of the Seas Mediterranean cruise review

Well we'd cruised on the Sinfonia , Melody , Rhapsody and even the RMS St Helena ; but never before on the Royal Caribbean. In other firsts, we'd never cruised in the Mediterranean before (unless you count a ferry from Naples to Palermo), and never indulged in the luxury of booking a balcony cabin before.

(see Royal Caribbean news above)

We spent 7 nights in a balcony cabin on a ship called the MS Liberty of the Seas, a Freedom Class cruiser which entered service in May 2007, and made its maiden Meditteranean visit this year.

Royal Caribbean has 3 Freedom Class cruiseliners , the other 2 being the Freedom of the Seas and the Independence of the Seas . The Freedom Class ships were the largest passenger ships in the world, until the Oasis of the Seas was completed in November 2009.

The Liberty of the Seas has fifteen decks and can accommodate 3634 passengers, which compares with the 2065 passengers the MSC Sinfonia can accommodate (I'm not saying that more passengers is better, just stating the facts).

Experiences on Liberty of the Seas

whirlpools that project out from the ship to provide undisturbed views of the sea underneath

cellphone & wi-fi connectivity through most of the ship

DreamWorks character meet and greets, table-side visits from characters during meals, DreamWorks movies on stateroom TV & 3D DreamWorks movies

Tot's Nursery

wave generator for surfing

ice skating rink

an interactive water play area for children

flat screens in some of the rooms

outdoor video screen in the main pool area

fitness center

Cupcake cupboard

a boxing ring

a full-sized basketball/volleyball court

conference center for business meetings

Restaurants

a 3 level formal dining room

Jade Cafe Asian themed casual dining,

Windjammer Cafe traditional casual dining

Sorrento's Pizzeria

Promenade Cafe

Ben & Jerry's Ice cream shop

Johnny Rockets (1950s American style diner - kids will love it - milkshakes, & burgers, with everybody getting fried chips & onions. Every now and then the staff break out into a line dance)

Chops Steakhouse

Portofino Italian restaurant.

We depart from Barcelona at 5pm on the 10th of September 2011. On the 11th we arrive in Provence (Toulon, France), on the 12th we in Nice (Villefranche), the 13th in Florence, the 14th in Rome, the 15th in Naples/Capri, we then have a day at sea cruising before arriving back in Barcelona on the 17th of September. We plan on waking up early and having breakfast in our cabin on port days, so that we can see as much as possible in the cities.

We ended up paying a total of $5047.92 ($3587 for our cabin, $1134.72 port charges and $326.2 in prepaid gratuities). A deposit of $1000 was required to be paid by the 15th June, and the final payment had to be made by the 8th July.

Cruise insurance

Royal Caribbean and Celebrity strongly recommended that we purchase a Cruise Care Vacation Protection Plan, pointing out that we would not be covered under any circumstances if we declined this insurance." At $356, we thought it was a bit steep and rather took out our own travel insurance.

Royal Caribbean mentioned that "Visas are required for all cruises. There are no ship visas. It is the Travel Agent /Guests responsibility to obtain all applicable visas. For all visa requirements kindly check with the relevant consulates or a visa service. Embarkation will be denied if the correct visas are not obtained. For your protection, your passport expiration date must not occur within 6 months of the voyage termination date." We got Shengen visas for ourselves, which covered all the countries we were visiting in the Mediterranean.

Minimum age

"The minimum age for infants is 6 months (a bit different to South Africa, where we took our son on a Melody cruise at the age of 2 months), as of the date of sailing and 12 months, as of the date of sailing for Transatlantic, Transpacific, Hawaii, selected South American cruises and other selected cruises.

No person under 21 may sail on any cruise holiday or have a stateroom on his or her own unless accompanied by a parent or guardian or authorized person who is over the age of 21. No guest under the age of 21 will be booked in a stateroom unless accompanied by an adult 21 years of age or older, except for minors sailing with their parents or legal guardians in adjacent staterooms.

Individual staterooms can be booked by married couples whose minimum age are 18 (proof of marriage is required at time of booking)."

"Guests who will enter their 24th week of pregnancy by the beginning of, or at any time during their cruise holiday will not be allowed to cruise."

"You have a choice of seating times for meals in the Main Restaurant (Main Dining approx. 18h30 and Second Dining approx. 20h30) Dining times may vary according to ship and itinerary. Please request your preferred seating and table size at the time of booking. We cannot accept any bookings which are conditional on your preferred seating being or becoming available before departure. If you cancel because your preferred seating is not available, normal cancellation charges will apply. Seating requests cannot be guaranteed. My Time Dining (Royal Caribbean) and Celebrity Select (Celebrity Cruises) is now being offered. You can decide when you would like to dine between the hours of 18h00 and 21h30 each evening. Services Charges/Tips are mandatory when My Time Dining is selected."

" Kosher meals must be ordered at least 80 days in advance for international sailings (Europe, South America) and 40 days in advance for domestic sailings (Caribbean)."

Accommodation in Barcelona

The Eurostars Grand Marina Hotel is recommended for those wanting to cruise from Barcelona.

We booked from the 7th to the 10th September 2011, and it cost us €1020 for a room for 2 adults, a child and an infant. This included breakfast (and the 8% VAT rate).

Getting there from the airport

According to the hotel website:

Take the airport bus (Aerobús: line A1 if you are in Terminal 1 and line A2 if you are in Terminal 2) heading towards Plaza Cataluña.

Get off at the Plaza de España stop and take Metro line 3 heading towards Trinitat Nova.

Get off at the Parallel stop. Go down Avenida del Paralelo until you reach Plaza de la Carbonera. After you cross the traffic circle you will reach Plaza de Les Drassanes, which leads directly to the Eurostars Grand Marina Hotel".

Wi-fi is available in the entire hotel and is free of charge.

Royal Caribbean announced in April 2013 that their new Quantum Class ships will be due to set sail towards the end of 2014 and early 2015 respectively. The Quantum of the Seas and Anthem of the seas will both be packed with new innovations, as well as their most popular features from the current ships, proving once again that Royal Caribbean are at the forefront when it comes to ship design.

Some of the new features include a skydiving simulator, a capsule that takes you 300 feet above sea level and bumper cars (dodgems.) Interior staterooms (no window) will have virtual balconies, which show real-time images of the sea and the ship's destinations. Everyone's favourites - the Flowrider, climbing wall, adults only Solarium and more - are back too. This will be THE ship to go on for the ultimate fun-packed family cruise. Bookings open in May 2013, so make sure you get your spot on this fantastic ship.

Surf Simulator

Royal Caribbean ships are known for offering the "Flowrider" surfing simulation, in which guests may surf on an artificial wave. Ships with Flowriders are the Adventure, Allure, Anthem, Explorer, Freedom, Harmony, Independence, Liberty, Navigator, Oasis, Ovation, Quantum and Voyager of the Seas.

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