Israel, of all places, is about to be one of the world's biggest cruise hubs
Israel, of all places, is about to become one of the world's biggest hubs for cruising -- at least for a month or two.
In an unexpected move, cruise giant Royal Caribbean on Monday announced it would deploy its newest vessel -- the 4,198-passenger Odyssey of the Seas -- to the country starting in May for cruises to the Mediterranean.
Assuming the voyages go ahead as planned, Odyssey of the Seas will be only the second Royal Caribbean ship to begin operating anywhere in the world since the coronavirus pandemic brought a halt to cruising in March 2020. It also likely will be one of just a handful of cruise ships sailing anywhere in the world in May. That'll catapult Israel into the ranks of the world's leading cruise hubs for at least a brief period of time.
Most major cruise lines have canceled all or most of their sailings worldwide through at least June.
Royal Caribbean's announcement comes just a day after Israel's fastest-in-the-world COVID-19 vaccine campaign reached a significant milestone with more than 50% of the population vaccinated for the illness. Almost 90% of Israelis over the age of 50 have been fully vaccinated.
By contrast, only about 7.5% of the U.S. population has been fully vaccinated. About 15% of the U.S. population has received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.
Israel's rapid vaccination of its population is allowing the country to loosen coronavirus-related restrictions sooner than many other places, making activities such as cruising possible again. The country has launched a “green passport” system that lets vaccinated citizens have access to gyms, hotels, theaters and other indoor venues.
Related: The best credit cards for booking cruises
"Thanks to the millions of vaccines we have brought, I am proud that Israel will be the first country in the world to launch Royal Caribbean's new flagship," Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Monday in a statement. "Royal Caribbean's decision to come to Israel is a significant expression of confidence in our policy."
Royal Caribbean said the voyages out of Israel initially would be open only to residents of Israel.
"We are thrilled to debut Royal Caribbean cruises from Israel with our newest and most innovative ship, Odyssey of the Seas," Royal Caribbean president and CEO Michael Bayley said in a statement. "Israeli travelers will be looking to get away, relax with total peace of mind, and enjoy the travel experiences they are missing dearly; and that is what we do best."
Related: The ultimate guide to Royal Caribbean
Using the port of Haifa, Israel, as a base, Royal Caribbean plans a range of three- to seven-night voyages from the country through the summer that feature stops in the Greek Isles and Cyprus.
The trips will be notable on several levels. For starters, they will mark the first voyages ever for Royal Caribbean out of Israel, which traditionally has not been a hub for cruising.
Odyssey of the Seas also will be the biggest cruise ship ever to sail from Israel. At around 169,300 tons, Odyssey of the Seas will be the world's 13th largest cruise ship when it debuts.
Related: Royal Caribbean's six types of ships, explained
But perhaps more notably, the deployment is just the latest sign that the initial return to cruising at many lines will feature voyages in unexpected places as progress in vaccinating populations and reducing COVID-19 case counts proceeds at different rates around the world.
Royal Caribbean, the world's largest cruise line, is best known for cruises in the Caribbean, Europe and Alaska. But so far, the only place in the world where it has been able to resume cruising is Asia, out of the port of Singapore. With new COVID-19 cases near zero in Singapore, the line launched new cruises out of the city-state in December with a single ship, Quantum of the Seas. The voyages only are open to local Singaporean residents.
Quantum of the Seas had been scheduled to spend the coming summer sailing in Alaska, but Royal Caribbean recently announced it would remain in Singapore for the summer to continue with the voyages for local Singapore residents.
Related: The Alaska cruise season may be over before it even begins
The new Royal Caribbean ship that will be sailing out of Israel, Odyssey of the Seas, had been scheduled to begin sailing out of Civitavecchia, Italy (the port for Rome) in May on Mediterranean voyages that were aimed at Americans just as much as Europeans. But with U.S. travel to many European countries still restricted due to the coronavirus pandemic, such voyages are looking less viable -- at least for the early part of summer.
Under construction since early 2019 at a shipyard in Germany and due for delivery to Royal Caribbean in the coming weeks, Odyssey of the Seas was named one of the nine most anticipated new cruise ships of the year by TPG.
While not quite as big as Royal Caribbean’s record-breaking Symphony of the Seas (the world’s largest cruise ship), Odyssey of the Seas will have all the trappings of a major megaresort, including multiple pool areas, a kiddie aqua park and such amusements as a sky-diving simulator, a surfing simulator and a bumper car pavilion. It'll offer a something-for-everyone array of cabin classes that range from tiny, 166-square-foot “inside” cabins without a window to massive, two-deck-high Royal Loft Suites that are nearly 10 times that size.
In restarting cruising in the Mediterranean with its newest ship, Royal Caribbean is following in the wake of MSC Cruises. MSC Cruises in August restarted cruises in the Mediterranean with its newest vessel, MSC Grandiosa.
Other lines have hinted that they, too, initially will resume cruising with their newest vessels, which also are their most efficient vessels.
After spending an initial summer sailing out of Civitavecchia, Italy, Odyssey of the Seas had been scheduled to redeploy to Fort Lauderdale in the fall for sailings to the Caribbean. For now, the redeployment still is on the schedule, Royal Caribbean said Monday.
Royal Caribbean's new itineraries out of Israel will feature stops at the Greek islands of Rhodes, Santorini and Mykonos as well as Piraeus, Greece (the port for Athens); and Limassol, Cyprus.
Royal Caribbean has been eyeing Israel as a cruise hub for "quite some time," Bayley said in his statement.
Related: Everything to know about Royal Caribbean cabins, suites
"We greatly appreciate the government of Israel for their collaboration and confidence in us to deliver memorable cruise experiences to their residents, and look forward to delivering on that promise aboard our newest ship – the first 'Green Island' at sea," he said.
Netanyahu called the development an "important economic, touristic moment" for the country.
"Israel is a global model of success," Netanyahu said. "We will continue our program – the 'green passport' – so that we can get out of the COVID-19 virus in peace. Just as we made Israel the world champion in vaccines, we will make it the world champion in economics and tourism in the post-Corona era."
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
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- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
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- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
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- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
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You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.