Royal Caribbean unveils yet another first-ever home port as it ramps up comeback plans
Add Cyprus to the list of unusual places that will soon be home to a Royal Caribbean ship.
Royal Caribbean on Thursday said it would begin seven-night departures out of Limassol, Cyprus, on July 10 with its 2,191-passenger Jewel of the Seas.
The voyages will focus on destinations in Greece including Piraeus, Greece (the port for Athens) and the Greek islands of Rhodes, Crete, Mykonos and Santorini.
The trips will mark the first time that Royal Caribbean has based a ship in Cyprus in its 52-year history and come as the line is looking for countries that will allow it to restart cruising in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.
Royal Caribbean and other lines have been blocked by health officials for the past year from restarting cruises in some of the world's biggest cruise hubs including ports in the U.S. and Canada.
In recent days, Royal Caribbean also has announced plans for its first sailings out of Bermuda and its first sailings out of Nassau, in the Bahamas, both of which will start soon. The line also plans its first voyages out of Israel, albeit for Israeli residents only. The line has also been operating cruises out of Singapore since December for residents only.
And on Thursday, Royal Caribbean's sister line, Celebrity Cruises, also announced voyages out of Greece that will start in June.
Royal Caribbean said the new sailings out of Cyprus would be open to travelers from any country. One major caveat: Adults who want to sail must show proof of being fully vaccinated for COVID-19. Children under the age of 18 will be able to sail with just proof of a negative COVID-19 test. All crew also will be required to have COVID-19 vaccinations to work on the ship.
The line suggested such restrictions could evolve over time.
Royal Caribbean also noted that passengers on the voyages would have to meet the travel requirements of Cyprus.
"We know how eager our guests are to enjoy a getaway this summer, and these sailings, which include a mix of fantastic destinations and must-visit islands, make for the perfect getaway," Royal Caribbean president and CEO Michael Bayley said in a statement. "Cyprus is a beautiful island, and we are thankful to the Cypriot government for their support and enthusiasm in making these incredible itineraries possible."
In a statement, the deputy minister of tourism for Cyprus, Savvas Perdios, welcomed Royal Caribbean and its newly announced sailings.
"We are delighted that Royal Caribbean will call Limassol its home port for the first time ever," Perdios said. "This has been an ambition of ours for many years, and we are thrilled that, finally, this dream has come to fruition."
The new Cyprus trips will open for bookings on April 7.
Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:
- The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
- The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
- A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
- 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
- 15 ways cruisers waste money
- 12 best cruises for people who never want to grow up
- What to pack for your first cruise
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees