Joe01

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?

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.

Thanks, Joe. Really looking forward to visiting your country.  It’s been on our “list” for many, many years. I’ve been to London but never to Scotland or Ireland. I really cannot wait for this one !

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

The UK is not alone in that concern. Ray. I hate being an alarmist and that is not my forte or MO. But the variants are going to affect vaccines in some way going forward. There effectiveness is dependent on blocking the spike protein of SARS-2 from attaching to human cells. Viruses mutate to survive when they are under pressure (mitigation measures and vaccines). We're seeing that.
I do not think vaccine will be rendered useless. They can be tweeked much like H1N1 virus responsible for seasonal flu is tweeked every year. We will learn to live with SARS-2 much like the flu doesn't stop us now. It's going to take a while to sort all this out. 

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. 

This is the one for me ! I will refuse vaccine if its any other brand and wait for this, no one should be making billions from this pandemic 

AstraZeneca vaccine was approved for use in the UK .
That will expedite the UK vaccination program and might indicate that the FDA will also approve it.
AstraZeneca vaccine  not require  deep freezing for shipment which is a big advantage and will help ship the vaccine to remote places.
https://news.sky.com/story/covid-19-oxford-astrazeneca-vaccine-approved-for-use-in-uk-12155958

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

NO!!!
Economically the world cannot afford to continue as it has for the past 9 months, look at all of the businesses closing down, people being made redundant etc 
If things were to continue as is then every day/week or month more people would be impacted be it financially, mentally or health.
Right now the UK Government is bailing everyone out the best they can with furlough payments, grants or loans but at what cost? 
Tax increase for those still employed in April? 
Of course we have the 5 day free for all over xmas to look forward to before we have to suffer another lockdown causing even more misery! 
 

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.

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.

I know enough about this top to decline on wearing a mask, or getting a vax or getting traced while on board.  Cruising is the most social vacation there is.  With these mandates in place, I will not cruise until all 3 mentioned are removed.

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.

We will not be cruising again until no mask is required. its one thing to wear a mask to the grocery store, its another to spend thousands of dollars on a cruise and have to wear a mask, or not be able to fully enjoy the ship due to social distancing rules. 

Agree 100% Joe ...We (The UK) like many countries are writing the rule book day by day!
Problem was and still is that no one has a bloody clue whats going on! 
We went into lockdown but you could still go to shops for food however you didnt need a mask then when lockdown was lifted we had to wear them?? Surely masks should have been implemented from the start! 
Boris and Nicola have been having a "who can P!$$ the furthest " competition since this began and its been a complete shambles!!!!

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.

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.

Agreed, there are risk's both ways. Wasnt saying i see it as a slam dunk either way, just that i think there is a legitimate discussion not just "you are an idiot anti-vaxer".