Arrange a coronavirus vaccination if you want a cruise holiday from Israel – Royal Caribbean makes it mandatory for sailings launching in May aboard new liner
- Both crew and guests over 16 will have to be vaccinated against Covid-19 in order to sail on Royal Caribbean’s Odyssey of the Seas
- Jubilant Israeli prime minister says: ‘We made Israel the world champion in vaccines, we will make it the world champion in tourism in the post-coronavirus era’
Royal Caribbean’s new ship, the Odyssey of the Seas, will set sail in May from Israel – but only for guests vaccinated against the coronavirus. All the crew will have been vaccinated too.
The sailing, announced this week, represents several firsts: the new ship’s first trip, Royal Caribbean’s first sailing from Israel, and the company’s first cruise with a full vaccination requirement.
A Royal Caribbean spokesman initially said that it would be expecting its crew members to get the vaccine, while making no mention of guest requirements. Now the company has clarified that both crew and all guests over 16 years old will have to be vaccinated against Covid-19 in order to sail on the Odyssey of the Seas from Israel.
Royal Caribbean has been eyeing the chance to offer cruises from Israel “for quite some time”, Michael Bayley, the cruise line’s president, and chief executive said.
The new ship, Royal Caribbean’s fifth Quantum-class vessel, will have classic cruising amenities, such as a two-level pool area, a “high-adrenaline” playground for children, and several restaurants. It will shuttle passengers on three- to seven-night trips to Greece and Cyprus to and from Haifa, in northern Israel.
Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel’s prime minister, called the announcement an “important economic, touristic moment” for his country. “Royal Caribbean’s decision to come to Israel is a significant expression of confidence in our policy,” Netanyahu said. “Just as we made Israel the world champion in vaccines, we will make it the world champion in economics and tourism in the post-coronavirus era.”
Vaccination progress in Israel outpaces other countries. Of the nine million population, more than 4.6 million have received the first jab, while over 3.3 million are now fully inoculated against the virus, the Washington Post reports, although Israel has faced criticism for not extending its campaign to the occupied West Bank and Gaza, home to a combined 5.2 million Palestinians.
Additional reporting by Staff Reporter
