After a hiatus of more than a decade, a Royal Caribbean International ship entered the port of Los Angeles last week.
The 1,020 foot Navigator of the Seas arrived for its first passenger from Los Angeles on a weekend cruise to Ensenada. It was Friday evening, November 19th.
“Our waterfront visitors get a close look at the ships crossing the main channel,” Port of Los Angeles executive director Gene Seroka wrote in an email. “And when a cruise ship glides by, everyone stops to watch it.
“There is a special bond between the passengers on the ship’s deck and the visitors on the water,” he added, “and they always smile and wave to each other.”
Royal Caribbean International has planned more than 100 departures from the port of Los Angeles in 2022. In total, the port is forecasting more than 200 passenger cruises for the calendar year 2022.
Port officials have announced that on a busy weekend cruise with three or four ships in port, up to 20,000 travelers will sail along the Los Angeles waterfront. They also found that each cruise ship call generates more than $ 1 million in economic activity.
The ship, which cruises at 22 knots, can accommodate up to 2,000 passengers with a crew of 1,200. The 15-deck ship went on its maiden voyage almost 19 years ago in December 2002. The ship’s special features include the largest water slide at sea, a redesigned pool deck and new night clubs.
“As a native of California, I’m delighted that Royal Caribbean International is back in Los Angeles for the first time in 11 years,” wrote Vicki Freed, Royal Caribbean’s senior vice president of sales, trade support and service, in an email. “The newly strengthened Navigator of the Seas is the right ship for the LA market, and we wanted to discover more variety on the west coast.”
The ship will operate cruises to Ensenada Friday through Monday and cruises Monday through Friday that include a stop at Avalon on Catalina Island.
“People who want to take short breaks will love the 3, 4 and 5 night cruises to Catalina, Ensenada, Cabo San Lucas,” said Freed, “and still have the option of 7-night vacations on these to make amazing goals.
“In addition, our customers enjoy the venues that we have on board,” added Freed, “from the newly designed and beautiful pool area of the Navigator to world-class entertainment, extensive dining options and the latest features and experiences, this ship offers it all . “
The cruise industry felt the COVID-19 hiatus as often or more than other industries.
“The last 20 months have been tough for all of us,” said Freed. “We are committed to the West Coast market as part of our royal comeback and our goal is to build on this dynamic in Los Angeles and well into the future.”
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