Royal Caribbean International on Tuesday launched the first of three ships it will operate in Europe this summer, with the Jewel of the Seas embarking on a two-day preview cruise from Limassol, Cyprus.
Its first revenue cruise will launch on July 10, kickstarting a series of seven-day voyages to the Greek islands. The first Royal Caribbean ship based in Cyprus, the Jewel will visit Athens, Rhodes, Crete, Mykonos and Santorini.
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The ship will sail with fully vaccinated crew and guests 18 years of age and older. Children between 12 and 18 must provide negative PCR test results taken within 72 hours of arrival in Cyprus. Those over the age of 2 must test for Covid on embarkation day.
The Jewel is one of two Royal Caribbean ships to return to cruising in Europe this week, with the Anthem of the Seas launching from the U.K. on July 7. The Harmony of the Seas will begin sailing from Barcelona in August.
Royal Caribbean also said Tuesday that it will delay its Hong Kong launch of the Spectrum of the Seas to Oct. 5. The line had planned to restart cruises there at the end of July.
The Spectrum will sail two- to four-day cruises exclusively for residents of Hong Kong. Crew and guests age 16 and older are required to be fully vaccinated and those ineligible for the vaccine must present a negative Covid test.