Joe01

7 minutes ago, em.down.the.rabbit.hole said:

Alas there's but 1 uk government... its a shame the 4 individual states aren't aligned at the moment, as its so confusing. 

Wonder which governing body has control of waters and borders?  Individual states have responsibility for health etc.. but no idea about security, borders, and water‽

Borders are reserved so it's the UK government in Westminster. Some powers are devolved to the governments in Scotland, NI, Wales however those governments have no say on what goes on outside their country whereas the UK government's reserved powers are UK wide.

12 hours ago, WAAAYTOOO said:

I guess it depends on your perspective. I would much rather go to Coz, Roatan and Costa Maya than GC and Falmouth.

Never been to GC but I did the Coz, Roatan, CM on Harmony 2 years ago, far better than Falmouth which is the worst port in the Caribbean. I don't know why Royal would choose to send cruises there than the ports around Mexico.

Barbados seemed like a last minute option when they decided to keep Grandeur and had nowhere for her to go. Seems to have actually sold well so maybe another ship will be there. Probably selling well with UK guests looking for winter sun, plenty of direct flights from the UK to Barbados, much more so than with some of the US ports.

Surely Anthem can't go from Southampton to the Greek Isles & Israel and back within 2 weeks?

Barbados season a one off then?

Interesting that Canaveral is getting a 4th ship (though this one is likely seasonal). Not too surprised, Harmony is very popular from there so there is demand plus it's near Orlando which attracts many.

Independence was always docked with port side looking over Southampton. Maybe that has changed with Anthem. She was starboard in NJ.

The only interesting thing I remember about the view there was the IKEA.

24 minutes ago, twangster said:

Royal was going to sail Odyssey from Southampton in April.  In fact it was going to be the new debut of the ship, her first ever revenue sailing, the "inaugural".  Then the UK gov't made it clear there would be no international travel for UK residents in April.

Odyssey's inaugural UK sailings remain visible to travel agents in their portal but they are "closed" so they can't be booked and were never made available for the public to see on the internet.

I get you are frustrated that Royal placed all 3 Freedom class ships into the market where they can maximize revenue from them but if the company didn't value UK guests they never would have made plans to bring Odyssey there in April of this year for her inaugural sailing.    

I know you don't like Quantum class based on your previous posts but to call Odyssey a "left over" is not accurate.  

That was just the taster cruise season because the ship was finished early, not a regular deployment. I could be behind 2 of the FR class on short cruises but all 3 basically means I can't sail one again which does annoy me considerably.

32 minutes ago, WAAAYTOOO said:

We recently booked the Voyager TA from Copenhagen to Boston (Iceland, Greenland). Yesterday we booked Jewel R/T from Amsterdam going to England, Scotland and Ireland. We will spend 4 days in Northern Europe getting from Amsterdam to Copenhagen and turn those into disjointed S2S.  We will stay on for the first Voyager Canada/NE in Boston.  

Sounds like an awesome trip! Northern Europe really is one of the best ones to do, land or cruise. The Jewel itinerary goes to both Glasgow & Edinburgh, great cities.

Optimistic for 2022 sailings. Maybe Q3/Q4 of this year. Not sure what will happen with this year's Europe season, especially given the way our useless govt in the UK are acting.

If int'l travel is allowed later in the summer, I'll keep my eye out for cheap deals on any ship. At the moment, I have my eye on Voyager in 2022 as I want to do some travelling in Scandinavia and the prices look pretty good.

Very, very disappointed that all 3 Freedom Class are on 3/4 nighters from FL. Officially never getting to sail one ever again...

Obvious that the company only cares about Americans, the rest of us get the left overs.

Found this, has all of the upcoming short cruises in 22/23 from FL/TX (apologies if already posted):
https://www.royalcaribbeanpresscenter.com/press-release/1496/royal-caribbean-debuts-showstopping-short-caribbean-sailings/?fbclid=IwAR1buNR04e-bnPGcsfsZpI4Vg6tiof-L30fpbjIy8uNCxCMNX8hxF5xLbdg

On 1/25/2021 at 2:46 PM, joshgates said:

Singapore.  At least last I checked their guidelines were 1m distancing for everyone when in public.  Seems strange at first glance but it's probably just easier to have a blanket 1m distancing than trying to enforce it with no real knowledge of who's in a bubble together.

Obviously some rules are necessary but it's silly rules like this where I draw the line, I will not sign up to be on a floating dictatorship. If even the most ardent of cruisers don't want to go, how on earth will they be able to get the average member of the public onboard? Fairly pessimistic about Royal's future if these rules last long.

The rule which I find most concerning is the one about 1m social distancing from those in your own bubble whilst around the ship. So I can share a room with someone yet can’t stand next to them whilst walking into the Promenade? What plank made up this rule?

I'd get more freedom this summer by staying at home and not paying a dime. Hell, I actually did have more freedom in the UK pre lockdown than what RCI are proposing. Sorry but definite pass.

11 hours ago, princevaliantus said:

I wonder now IF Odyssey of the Seas will be sailing in Europe in April.   

IF the past repeats itself, RCG will follow suit with Carnival brand, Hollnd America, which took their Mediterranean cruises aboard the Volendam and Westerdam ships and canceled through early June. And in Canada and New England, Zaandam cruises are canceled through August. 

2021 doesn't look promising. 

What happens in the USA shouldn't affect what goes on in Europe next summer. We've had a spike recently but more because it's winter, the cold weather and flu season will die out soon. By April, the vast chunk of the vulnerable in the UK should have been vaccinated so hopefully that's a ticket for the Odyssey to start with the taster sailings from Southampton.

I see sailings going on in Europe in the summer, maybe not all at once.

Honestly not got a favourite but I'm probably team Oasis Class as well. I was meant to do the revamped Oasis last July and had I been on her, I think she'd have maybe became my new favourite - better than HM & SY with the upgrades. Plus, she still has the original Oasis decor which I prefer to the Quantum decor that is on Q Class & 2nd gen O class.

3 hours ago, Mike04 said:

Also teen disco ? Do they check our pass/id ? Noway I can sneak in ?

So what about my activities? And what about my brother ? Pls help us ahaha

Absolutely no way that they will allow anyone 18 or over into teen activities, I'd be very doubtful that you can sneak in. It seems bizarre to me that they are so rigid with age difference (an 18/19 year old has more in common with a 17 year old than a 23 year old) but I suppose they have to prevent potentially dodgy folks sneaking into teen clubs.

Not really sure on what activities are available for 19 year olds but I do feel that the 18-29 age group are kinda forgotten about by cruise lines. Luckily you're going on Symphony (amazing ship) so there should be plenty of things to do on the ship anyway. 

5 minutes ago, Matt said:

Mitch will be headed to Quantum beginning with  January 28th sailing

Thanks! Great to finally get an update on a CD after so long.

Christmas itself - probably not. I do like to spend that day with family and having all of the Christmas traditions. Just not compatible with being on a ship.

As for the Christmas holidays - absolutely! Outside of Christmas Day, I find the 2-3 weeks off as dull as dishwater and as it's freezing cold for several months in Scotland, I'd love to do a New Year's cruise. I reckon that would be great fun and a perfect opportunity for some much needed winter sun.

19 hours ago, loki007 said:

The vaccination is the only thing that will stop the masking, social distancing, cancelled cruises, closed restaurants, closed everything. Its totally safe and I plan to get mine Friday when my hospital receives its shipment. Until 70% of the population is vaccinated your life will never return to normal. 

We're lucky that we do have a vaccine but hypothetically, if we didn't, do you think that would mean the world would continue the way it has for the last 9 months for years? I'm 100% certain that the public wouldn't take it eventually, indeed compliance with many rules in the UK are low currently, especially compared to Spring.

2 hours ago, Ray said:

Thing is its not just cruiseships! Like it or not facemasks will be part of the new norm for a good while yet be it on land or sea!

Right now if you want to go into town by bus or taxi facemasks must be worn, you go for something to eat you need a facemask when you enter the premises, you go for a beer or 6 you need a mask!

Can't compare a trip on public transport to a cruise of several days. A ticket to Glasgow from my local station costs £4.10 and the journey lasts 20 minutes at most. A 5 nighter on Adventure out of Barcelona costs £726. Similarly not comparable to wearing a face mask for 10 mins at a hotel lobby or while waiting briefly for a queue at a cafe or restaurant. I travel by public transport and visit cafes pretty much every day, wearing a mask to get there is nowhere near comparable to spending nearly a thousand pounds for a half baked cruise.

Do Royal actually expect anyone (other than the most ardent cruisers - and let's be real, the majority who post on cruise forums fall into this category) to dish out thousands of pounds/dollars/whatever other currency to go on a cruise where they can't explore ports on their own, have to distance from other guests, have to wear face coverings everywhere on the ship and risk being imprisoned in a cabin if someone even tests positive for a virus?

I know it sucks for the industry big time but let's be realistic.

8 minutes ago, mworkman said:

Makes you wonder if it wasn’t effective previously, why is it now? What’s changed to make it safe...nothing!

Nothing at all has changed - governments want to look like they are doing something and it is being used as a political game at this point by many.

If anything - the moment masks were mandated in shops where I live, proper social distancing went in the bin.

19 minutes ago, twangster said:

Depends.  I'm surprised daily to learn of another example of someone who still thinks it's a hoax.  

I guess if I were one of them (which I am not) I would find no reason to take a vaccine for something that isn't real.  Combine that with long time anti-vaxxers and there may be enough to keep COVID numbers elevated longer than required.  

There are obviously morons who would call COVID a hoax or are anti-vaxxers anyway but there are some who have reason to be skeptical of the vaccine and as a result, that could create issues in months to come.

1 hour ago, twangster said:

Could I wear a mask on a cruise?  I could.  Do I want to wear a mask on a cruise?  No.

The bigger issue for me is not being able to self explore.  If I can fly somewhere and I'm allowed to be a tourist (while wearing a mask) why can't I on a cruise?  

The requirement to only take ship excursions and never leave the ship otherwise makes the mask question irrelevant to me.  That is not how I want to travel on vacation.

  Welcome to the Hotel California.  You can check in any time you like but you can never leave.  

 

Do people have to leave the ship to go on ship excursions or can they stay onboard? If it's the former and you have a day structured by the cruise line, they can take a hike.