Royal Caribbean has returned to cruising from the United States. 

The cruise giant’s Freedom of the Seas ship became the first Royal Caribbean cruise ship in the US to welcome back guests in 16 months, launching a Bahamas cruise out of Port Miami this weekend. 

The ship will be sailing a summer-long series of three-night and four-night getaways to Perfect Day at CocoCay, the company’s private island in The Bahamas, and Nassau, The Bahamas. 

“We have a lot to celebrate. Families and loved ones can finally come together after more than a year apart, and we’re now welcoming them back on board to make up for that lost time,” said Michael Bayley, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean International. “For a moment as meaningful as Fourth of July weekend, it couldn’t be more appropriate that Freedom of the Seas be the first ship to ring in our return to cruising in the U.S. and delivering the memorable and safe vacations Royal Caribbean is known for. Summer family vacations are back, and we are just getting started.”

The move comes after Royal Caribbean had already restarted its sailings in the Caribbean with a new homeport in Nassau. 

And Royal’s Celebrity Cruises brand had already relaunched cruising with a sailing out of Fort Lauderdale. 

The company will be announcing plans for its next relaunches in the coming weeks. 

— CJ