Does Royal Caribbean Group support Israel?

Royal Caribbean International (the group's flagship brand) announced in March 2021 that the brand-new Odyssey of the Seas would homeport in Haifa from May 2021, selling the industry's first 'fully vaccinated' cruises for Israeli residents in cooperation with Israel's health and tourism authorities; the parent company's SEC filing cited Israeli government approval to sail from the country. The season was canceled in mid-May 2021 amid the Israel-Gaza fighting (and COVID-protocol disputes), before a single cruise sailed, and the ship was redeployed to Florida.

Rhapsody of the Seas completed the first Israel homeport season in Royal Caribbean's history, basing in Haifa from August through early November 2022 and operating about 28 short round-trip cruises to Cyprus and the Greek islands aimed at the Israeli market.

Rhapsody of the Seas returned for a second Haifa homeport season in summer 2023, running 4-5 night Greek Isles round trips. After the October 7, 2023 attacks, the line diverted Odyssey of the Seas away from Haifa and Ashdod, canceled Rhapsody's remaining seven Israel sailings (October 9 - November 6, 2023) with full refunds, and in November 2023 canceled Jewel of the Seas' planned 2024 Haifa homeport season, redeploying the ships to other regions.

At the request of the U.S. Embassy in Israel, Royal Caribbean Group used the Haifa-based Rhapsody of the Seas to carry roughly 160 American citizens and immediate family members from Haifa to Limassol, Cyprus on October 16, 2023. The company said it was supporting the State Department's assisted departure and covering the voyage; CEO Jason Liberty told employees the ship was 'providing free passage, including accommodation and food, for Americans in the region wishing to leave and find safer ground.' Evacuees signed U.S. government promissory notes for repatriation costs.