Royal Caribbean Sells Majesty of the Seas and Empress of the Seas - All 2021 Empress of the Seas Cape Liberty Cruises Canceled.

Dec. 16, 2020 – Royal Caribbean International today announced Empress and Majesty of the Seas will depart its fleet later this month. With this announcement Royal Caribbean has officially canceled all of the Empress of the Seas 2021 cruises from Cape Liberty cruises expected to New England, Canada, Bermuda and Coastal US.

“Empress and Majesty of the Seas made indelible marks on the cruise industry with their revolutionary design and size. Touted as the cruise industry’s most groundbreaking ships when they were introduced, they continued to make history throughout their more than three decades of service,” said Michael Bayley, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean International. “Saying goodbye to these two beloved ships is a major moment in Royal Caribbean’s history – one that is difficult but necessary. With plans for new, innovative ships to join our fleet in the upcoming years, we look forward to our guests and crew continuing to make new memories with us.”

Empress of the Seas was the first ship designed for 3- and 4-night cruises when she launched in 1990, with her initial sailings visiting The Bahamas from Miami. (The Empress of the Seas was originally ordered by and constructed for Admiral Cruises as the project name Future Seas) Empress also made history as the first cruise ship to sail out of Cape Liberty in Bayonne, New Jersey when Royal Caribbean opened the terminal in 2004. In 2017, the ship took center stage again when she set sail on the global cruise line’s inaugural cruise to Cuba.

Majesty also played a crucial role in Royal Caribbean’s commitment to continuously redefine the industry. The third ship to round out the impressive Sovereign Class was more than twice the size of the average cruise ship – and the largest in the vacation company’s fleet – when she debuted in 1992. Her adventures began with 7-night Western Caribbean cruises from Miami.

The ships have been sold to an undisclosed party, based in Asia-Pacific, that will release details for future sailings at a later time.

Guests and travel advisors with clients booked on Empress and Majesty will be contacted about their options.

With this latest announcement Royal Caribbean is now planning on summer sailings on the Freedom of the Seas and the Oasis of the Seas from Cape Liberty, Bayonne, NJ / New York.

The Freedom of the Seas is expected to sail from New York/Cape Liberty sailing to New England / Canada.

The Oasis of the Seas is scheduled to sail cruises to Florida and the Bahamas visiting Port Canaveral, Florida; Nassau, Bahamas; and Royal Caribbean's Private Island, branded the Perfect Day at Coco Cay.

In the winter months the Anthem of the Seas is expected to return. The Anthem of the Seas will sail six - 9, 11 or 12 Day cruises to the Southern Caribbean visiting such exotic ports as San Juan, Puerto Rico; Basseterre, St. Kitts; Castries, St. Lucia; Bridgetown, Barbados; and St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. Please note that ports visited may change by itinerary. Cruise sail from from the Port of New York and New Jersey starting October 30, 2021 through April 24, 2022

Both the Empress of the Seas and the Majesty of the Seas has spent the past six month laid up in a small port in Cyprus. At the time the Empress in en-route to Malta while the Majesty of the Seas remains idle in Cyprus.

It is not expected that Royal Caribbean will announce a replacement ship for the abandoned Empress of the Seas sailings and guest will be accommodated on other Royal Caribbean sailings and ships.

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