Royal Caribbean canceled all cruises from Haifa, Israel due to the war in the area, but Rhapsody of the Seas is back in the region at the behest of the United States State Department.
Royal Caribbean Group issued the following statement Monday morning, “Royal Caribbean Group is actively supporting the U.S. Department of State in an effort to evacuate American citizens in the area.”
The United States Embassy in Israel updated its website to state it was helping to evacuate Americans and their immediate family members with valid travel documents. The United States Embassy stated that boarding began on Monday morning and passengers will sail to Cyprus where they can then fly to the United States or wherever they choose.
Rhapsody of the Seas was the only viable option since air travel to Israel has been halted. The sailing will only take about 10-12 hours and passengers will have food and WiFi available during the cruise.
Passengers have been asked to sign an “Evacuee Manifest and Promissory Note” as a promise to repay the United States government for the cost of the travel but no amount has been stipulated. The note hi does state “no greater than the amount of a full-fare economy flight, or comparable alternate transportation, to the designated destination that would have been charged immediately prior to the events giving rise to the evacuation.”
The Times of Israel reported that dozens of United States citizens and their families had traveled from very early in the morning to arrive at the port by 8am. Many of those passengers were having mixed feelings about leaving but cited safety, family, and personal concerns as their reason to board the ship to Cyprus.
It is not known if Rhapsody of the Seas will be called on again to assist the United States State Department with further evacuations. It is also possible another country could request similar assistance. But, with no scheduled sailings until November, Royal Caribbean Group does have Rhapsody of the Seas available to help.