Royal Caribbean Launches Charter from Belfast for Wonder of the Seas Clients

After previously highlighting a lack of regional aircraft connectivity for the ship’s Barcelona sailings, Royal Caribbean is launching a weekly British Airways charter from Belfast City airport for clients sailing on Wonder of the Seas this summer.

Customers who book a cruise on the world’s largest ship, which debuted in Europe earlier this month, will be able to book direct flights from Belfast City to Barcelona from 3rd July to 28th September.

The charter was revealed after Royal Caribbean’s vice-president for Europe, Ben Bouldin, admitted that the line had greater availability than usual for the summer, due in part to a lack of capacity at several of its regional bases.

The company expects that the charter would make passengers’ vacations “smoother from the outset.”

Jennifer Callister, Royal Caribbean’s head of Ireland sales, stated: “We’re always looking for ways to make the lives of our guests easier and that extends to the entire guest experience – not just the cruise.

“By partnering with George Best Belfast City Airport, we hope to take one thing off our Irish guests’ minds this summer, so they can relax as they look forward to boarding Wonder of the Seas, the newest and most game-changing addition to our fleet.”

Return flights from Belfast City Airport to Barcelona with Royal Caribbean start at £315 per adult.

Previously, Bouldin told Travel Weekly that flight schedules and cost were difficult for the company.

During trade exhibition sailings of the new Oasis-class ship, he stated: “It’s not easy as the airline schedules are not as rich and robust as they used to be, airline pricing is extremely difficult – even for these two trade sailings it’s been costly for people to get here – and that’s something we’re trying to manage.

“There’s also just not enough capacity from some of our regional hubs that we have a lot customers from – particularly Scotland, Northern Ireland and Ireland. Aer Lingus are here but we’d like more from them. So there’s plenty still to go after.”

Michelle Hatfield, director of corporate services at George Best Belfast City Airport, stated: “We are thrilled to partner with Royal Caribbean Cruises this summer to operate a weekly charter service direct to Barcelona.”