‘Friends’ fan cruise to set sail in 2022
By Lilit Marcus, CNN
First, the “Friends” reunion, now the “Friends” cruise.
A cruise dedicated to the beloved ’90s sitcom will be setting sail from Florida in May 2022.
FANA, a US and Singapore-based travel company, is organizing the Friends Fan cruise, nicknamed “The One When They Went On a Cruise.” The seven-day sailing will depart from and return to Fort Lauderdale, with stops in Key West, Florida; Cozumel, Mexico; and George Town, Grand Cayman.
The cruise is not affiliated with Warner Bros., which owns the rights to “Friends” and shares a parent company with CNN. In addition, there will not be any cast members appearing. But for superfans, there’s plenty to do on board, including “Friends” trivia, a come-as-your-favorite-character costume contest and cooking demos.
The trip is on board the Celebrity Equinox, which was a big winner in the industry’s Cruise Critic Awards in 2019, snapping up recognition for Best Public Rooms and Best Overall Large Ship. Though the ship can hold about 2,800 passengers, the “Friends” sailing — operated in partnership with Celebrity Cruises — will only allow 500 guests to book.
Rates begin at $1,648.66 per person for an inside stateroom up to $3,048.66 for a Sky Suite with Veranda, the highest room category. According to FANA, all stateroom rates are inclusive of free Wi-Fi, premium beverage package, $150 shore excursion credit per person, gratuities, taxes and fees. As there are two international ports of call, guests must have passports that are valid for at least six months past the date of the trip.
Shore excursion options include a visit to the Key West Tropical Forest and Botanical Gardens, a tour of the Ernest Hemingway Home, tequila and rum tastings (not at the same time), a helicopter journey over Grand Cayman’s famous Seven Mile Beach, swimming with dolphins and stingrays (definitely the one Pheebs would pick), exploring a coral reef by submarine and participating in a beach cleanup project.
As of June 2021, Celebrity Cruises requires all passengers over the age of 16 to be vaccinated against Covid-19 and provide proof of inoculation. Travelers must also fill out a mandatory health questionnaire before being permitted to board.
