In early June, cruise line Royal Caribbean International (RCI) announced its decision to relocate its ship, Serenade of the Seas, from New Orleans in April 2015. The move will leave the famous Louisiana port without an RCI presence at least through the end of the 2015-2016 winter season. No plans have yet been released to indicate the company will return in the foreseeable future.
There is speculation that RCI could move Serenade to Hong Kong, in order to serve the exploding cruise market in Asia. The company has previously announced that it will homeport its new flagship, Quantum of the Seas, in Shanghai beginning in May 2015, so RCI’s interest in Asia is well-established.
Despite the latest news, the port of New Orleans is doing very well. In recent years, it has seen a healthy increase in cruise business as passengers and cruise lines alike have come to recognize its convenient location for the southern U.S. market. To fill the gap left in RCI’s absence, the city of New Orleans has courted other cruise lines in the past year, including Royal Holiday affiliates such as Celebrity, MSC, and Princess.
About the Port of New Orleans
New Orleans serves as a homeport for ships sailing Western Caribbean itineraries that include destinations such as sunny Cozumel on the Mexican coast and popular island mainstays like Jamaica and Grand Cayman. Currently, two Carnival ships—Dream and Elation—call New Orleans home and have no plans to leave. Also serving the region is Norwegian Dawn, which operates out of the port during the winter cruise season.
Of course, with its rich music culture, Deep South history, and world-famous French Quarter, “The Big Easy” is a favorite destination in and of itself. Passengers embarking here often plan to spend a few extra days before or after their cruise in order to see the sights, enjoy the food, and “laissez les bons temps rouler!”
