Jill

2 minutes ago, Neesa said:

Again thanks so much for all this fantastic info! I'm doing my research now! So far all 3 insurers mentioned are in the 450 plus range, for an annual this seems fair. There are 3 of us!

Ours runs about $1,000 but again that’s because I insure the most expensive cruise and have to increase cancellation coverage 

We use Allianz all trips premier. We increase cancellation coverage to $10k to cover the “bucket list” cruise for that year. 
 

Annual covers any trip over 100 miles from home. 
 

I generally start the policy the day we leave the house. Although I’ll be renewing back to back years since we’re trying to knock out the bucket list

Well I’ll be within elbows reach! Sailing Celebrity Apex out of Southampton on June 25 to the fjords (because I didn’t like Indy’s itinerary). 
 

Any pre or post land tours? 

Pretty sure (IMO) the bionic bar will be phased out as the ships go into dry dock. Worst upgrade ever. I’d welcome Pesky Parrot but will always be #teamchampagnebar

We love oasis class BUT it would be my last choice in the Mediterranean. It’s a waste of an oasis class with only one sea day. 

Europe is very port intensive and sea days are welcome to rest. 

We did the 12 night Holy Land/Greece/Turkey on Odyssey in 2022 and LOVED it! 3 sea days were awesome to relax. 

We recently decided against Independence in favor of Celebrity Apex solely due to itinerary for 2025. Apex Norwegian fjords was far better than Indy 

My bottom line advice: pick the itinerary you want. In Europe it’s all about the ports but make sure you get enough sea days to recuperate 

What if the wine is your amenity gift? So far we’ve brought our gift wine to chops and haven’t been charged but wondering if that wine would be exempt since Royal gave it to us 

On 12/29/2023 at 3:08 PM, Obdave said:

Heard on the “Miles to Memories” podcast that the cruise industry is gearing up for loyalty program changes in 2024.  No specifics but the hosts are plugged into the miles and points universe

All I’m gonna say is if Royal gets rid of the D drinks there will mass outrage! Going to find my torch and pitchfork right now just in case

4 dates in 2024. This was originally an Israel/Egypt itinerary and obviously is not going to happen. Itinerary was changed and people who were booked apparently have cancelled in large numbers. This is a great itinerary at a REALLY great price. Veranda and Concierge class start at $799. If I hadn’t just done most of these in 2022 on Odyssey, I’d be seriously considering this! Someone go book it! 

Well I was correct. My fare went up a hair shy of $600. I’ll keep my original quote. @Peter D I’m having my TA confirm about perks. Pretty sure website wasn’t updated. It’s the same group of 8 junior suites on deck 6 that utopia has as sky class. I just looked at the deck plans and the sky suites start April 27, 2025. I heard that eventually all oasis class will have these 8 sky JS

1 hour ago, Ryan79 said:

That sale will be tomorrow, then extended for another day, then extended for another day, and so on and so on. There really aren’t “sales” to get excited about. Cabin prices go up and down based on supply & demand for the most part and not the presence or absence of any “sale”. 

Oh I realize the “math.” Currently holding 2 sky JS. There’s only 8 total and all 8 still available. As soon as one gets booked, up goes the price. If we go through with the booking, we have the first 2 of 8. That’s why I had my TA snag them. If we can get OBC, I’m happy! 

1 hour ago, smokeybandit said:

That looks to be the new default sale.

Yeah my fare will probably increase by $600 I’ve got my TA looking into it for me. 

Hey today is the 19th! @CHRIS WONG

Just saw this on Abe Hughes facebook. I’ve got a suite on hold and I think I’ll get that booked tomorrow! 
 

Can you no longer look at other ships? The “browse our ships” where you could see what shows each ship had

Norwegian fjords, Apex, June 2025

On 12/10/2023 at 11:25 AM, smokeybandit said:

I think $200 is a great price, at least until we hear reviews of it.

Ya know, I’m starting to think this really isn’t that out of the ballpark when I think back to our anniversary dinner this August at lll Forks. $376 with tip for 2 steaks that weren’t even good. Plus they don’t enforce a dress code! Had dinner with men wearing logo t-shirts and baseball caps next to us. 

https://www.schiffe-und-kreuzfahrten.de/news/royal-caribbean-arbeitet-am-project-discovery-neue-auftraege-fuer-die-meyer-werft-aus-papenburg/290350/?fbclid=IwAR2npaBBwHtZABZ529iS5OnwYZcHtxXTpcXGoqwIk7FvbsgI8Fg91lQ3l0Y_aem_AW-4BT96wP7yvPh-ZW1QbxYPyrLbkxjeW9fxZP0H6J73KQq8iYfJhXpH0Qmk1DckdYo#google_vignette
 

Translation: 

Around Royal Caribbean International, there are ongoing rumors about smaller new buildings under the project title Discovery. Royal Caribbean International has now indirectly confirmed that work is being done on new buildings. In the introduction text of staff captain Markus Alander, who has been working in the new building department of Royal Caribbean for several years, states that he is also working on Project Discovery. In recent years, he has accompanied the introduction of numerous new ships for the Royal Caribbean Group.

Project Discovery is supposed to be planning for medium-sized cruise ships. Since with the four ships from the Vision Class and the four ships from the Radiance Class, several Royal Caribbean cruise ships will soon exceed an age of 20, 25 or even 30 years, these cruise ships must be replaced. However, you cannot simply replace these cruise ships with ships of a significantly larger ship class such as the Oasis, Quantum or Icon Class, as these cruise ships are far from being able to sail all routes.

Royal Caribbean International has not yet placed any orders for Project Discovery. Since the ship class is currently in the planning phase, the delivery of the first ships from Project Discovery is not expected until the end of the 2020 years, provided that this ship class is ordered. Presumably, the ship class is medium-sized cruise ships for 3000 to 3500 cruise passengers. This would only mean that these ships would be about half the size of the Oasis or Icon Class ships from Royal Caribbean International.

Allegedly, Royal Caribbean International is also talking to Meyer Werft from Papenburg about Project Discovery. The shipyard from Emsland could well use orders for new cruise ships. Since the current order book for cruise ships from Papenburg only lasts until 2025, the shipyard could build a new ship class for Royal Caribbean International from 2026. In 2026, the oldest Royal Caribbean cruise ship Grandeur of the Seas reaches the age of 30 years, a year later the Rhapsody of the Seas and the Enchantment of the Seas also exceed this age limit. Royal Caribbean International will have to replace these cruise ships towards the end of the 2020s.

The fact that the Meyer Werft on Papenburg will be involved in Project Discovery is well possible but by no means guaranteed. In addition to the shipyard from Papenburg, the competition of Chantiers de l'Atlantique from France has also built several cruise ships for the Royal Caribbean Group in recent years.

I live on a farm with 5 horses and 2 cats. I have a farm sitter that stays here. If you’re on facebook, go join some of the local horse groups. Farm sitters post often or you can post looking for a sitter. Many farm sitters pet sit too. We have several that advertise that they sit all kinds of animals from farm to reptiles. 
 

Ideally you want to be the only client that week to prevent cross contamination. If the sitter is sitting other dogs, ask what kind of disinfecting/biosecurity they do between visits. Good luck! 

9 minutes ago, Kenneth said:

Royal Caribbean is basically pricing out the middle class by this move. Pretty disappointing in all their prices lately.

And yet it’s a middle class cruise line. Sure hope the food matches this price tag 

I don’t have any dining options yet (October). Do you have the immersive one? I’d like to see pricing for that if you have it. Also the description 

I know it’s in line with what icon is currently getting but come on. So glad I got OV balcony on icon for $3200 over a year ago. This class will be a one and done for us until these prices come down. 

There are cameras EVERYWHERE. The truth will come out. 

Yep. Eastern/Western with Perfect Day thrown in. Yada, yada, yada. 
 

Eastern you’ll have a choice of St Maarten or St Kitts with St Thomas. Ask me how I know lol 

seriously just look at Icon. Same itineraries. These big girls are very limited where they can go. 

We each got our free 8x10 on Allure end of October 

I just booked Apex for June 2025. Geiranger, Flam, Bergen and Bruges. We are with family (4 couples total) and 7 nights is all 2 couples can do but we will add on either London or head back to Scotland for a few days. 

We also are new to celebrity. Have only sailed Royal but Indy itinerary was not good. I figure I have plenty of time to research! I’ve already joined several celebrity groups on Facebook