Phillip Diamond Plus

We booked this May 5th, 2022, 8 day Ovation of the Seas cruise.  This cruise starts in Vancouver and ends in Seattle!  We look forward to seeing a lot of snow on the mountains this early in the Alaska cruise season! 

We booked this May 5th, 2022, 8 day Ovation of the Seas cruise.  This cruise starts in Vancouver and ends in Seattle!  We look forward to seeing a lot of snow on the mountains this early in the Alaska cruise season! 

We want to go on this cruise but we are waiting to see if US citizens are allowed.

We have really enjoyed 2 cruises during Christmas on Royal Caribbean ships!  Before our first Christmas cruise, we had trepidations about whether we might miss out on the spirit of Christmas. (We are Christian).  But with the plethora of beautiful Christmas decorations, the Christmas music and carols, and even Santa and elves on board, we felt filled with the holiday spirit.  
   Note: But the Santa that surfed on Freedom of the Seas looked a little too thin. Ha

Thank you Twangster!  What great research!  I really appreciate it!  I used to be do a lot of  research work when I was a Graduate Assistant many years ago!  So I am impressed!  I am bookmarking your page for future reference. I now plan to use your 2nd day strategy when purchasing internet!

Thank you Twangster!  What great research!  I really appreciate it!  I used to be do a lot of  research work when I was a Graduate Assistant many years ago!  So I am impressed!  I am bookmarking your page for future reference. I now plan to use your 2nd day strategy when purchasing internet!

Yes, my wife and I will gladly wear a mask. Just to be back on board a Royal Caribbean cruise is all we require. Before when the pandemic started, we thought that we would not want to do this; but now we are used to it. So yes we have changed our mind on wearing a mask. Can't wait to cruise again!

Thank you for your excellent and knowledgeable writing on this topic!!! I now think that I understand the "back to back" process!

Thank you for your excellent and knowledgeable writing on this topic!!! I now think that I understand the "back to back" process!

I sure hope that Jewel will still sail on the 12 night sailing May 28th to the British Isles from Amsterdam.  I am booked on that one and also have air. 

I sure hope that Jewel will still sail on the 12 night sailing May 28th to the British Isles from Amsterdam.  I am booked on that one and also have air. 

This just popped up in Feedly for me where I have their press center as a source. But, if you go to the press  center it is not on there? So I don't know the accuracy? 
 
 
ROYAL CARIBBEAN ANNOUNCES UPDATES TO 2021 SUMMER DEPLOYMENT Royal Caribbean Press Center News Feed 4h //keep unread//hide                 MIAMI, Sept. 17, 2020 – Royal Caribbean International today provides an update to its 2021 summer deployment, announcing upcoming redeployments of six ships. Tapping market research and listening to feedback and input from guests and travel partners, the cruise line has adjusted its seasonal schedule with the goal of providing guests with greater opportunity and variety for their 2021 adventures. The unrivaled itineraries combined with Royal Caribbean ships and crew will deliver the best vacation experience for those who deserve nothing short of a memorable getaway next summer. Most importantly, Royal Caribbean is applying the best available public health, science and engineering insights to deliver a safer and healthier cruise vacation. 
Highlights of the updated summer cruises for 2021 include the European debut of the long-awaited Odyssey of the Seas sailing from Rome; new 4- and 5-night Mediterranean getaways from Barcelona; and more Caribbean island time with ships sailing from additional, popular U.S. cruise ports next summer. 
Guests with confirmed bookings between April and October 2021 whose cruises are affected by these changes will be notified directly within the next three weeks, as the new, enhanced itineraries are added. These existing bookings will continue to be covered by Royal Caribbean’s Cruise with Confidence program.
New Ways to Vacation
The newly announced adventures below for the 2021 summer season will be available to book over the next three weeks.  
Europe
Adventure of the Seas, which was previously scheduled to sail from Copenhagen and Stockholm, will head for Barcelona to sail a mix of 4- and 5-night short Mediterranean itineraries to historic destinations like La Spezia and Rome, Italy; Ajaccio, Nice and Marseille, France; and Palma and Ibiza, Spain. Initially scheduled to sail from Miami, Brilliance of the Seas will now homeport outside of Venice in Ravenna, Italy, offering 7-night roundtrip sailings that visit Greece, the Greek Isles and Croatia. Jewel of the Seas, originally planned to homeport in Amsterdam and Barcelona, will now sail from Stockholm and Copenhagen on 7-night cruises calling on Northern Europe’s picturesque ports of Helsinki, Finland; Tallinn, Estonia; and Visby, Sweden. The Caribbean
Originally set to sail from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Independence of the Seas will make the neighboring city of Miami her home for the summer season. Sailing a combination of 6- and 8-night cruises to the Southern and Western Caribbean. Vision of the Seas¸ previously planned to sail from Barcelona, will sail from San Juan, Puerto Rico and offer 7-night Southern Caribbean itineraries to exotic destinations like Philipsburg, St. Maarten; Basseterre, St. Kitts and Nevis; St. Johns, Antigua; Castries, St. Lucia; and Bridgetown, Barbados. Rhapsody of the Seas will move from the Mediterranean and further expand short Caribbean sailings with 4-, 5- and 7-night cruises from Tampa, Fla., visiting The Bahamas, Perfect Day at CocoCay and the Western Caribbean. Adventure on Course
Guests can vacation as planned with previously announced cruises departing as of April 2021. In the Caribbean, travelers can set course for idyllic islands, including new destinations, with newly amplified ships, shorter itineraries and more. Two of the world’s largest cruise ships, Symphony and Allure of the Seas will sail alternating Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries visiting Perfect Day at CocoCay, while the newly amplified Oasis of the Seas will make her Big Apple debut sailing from Cape Liberty in Bayonne, New Jersey. Cape Liberty will also be home to Freedom of the Seas, which will homeport there for the first time in summer 2021 and offer itineraries that visit Bermuda, Canada and New England. Guests can also choose to sail on the newly amplified Mariner and Navigator of the Seas for short Caribbean getaways with 3-night weekend and 4-night weekday itineraries to The Bahamas and Perfect Day at CocoCay.
Vacationers looking to explore the Old World can still discover Europe like never before in summer 2021 with itineraries that feature a mix of destinations. Anthem of the Seas will sail from Southampton, England and offer a variety of cruises, ranging from the 7-night Norwegian Fjords to 14-night Mediterranean Cities, that include new ports of call in Denmark, France and Norway. Harmony of the Seas heads back to Europe for the first time since her inaugural season in 2016, with 7-night sailings to the Western Mediterranean.
The Last Frontier will have the cruise line’s biggest Alaska season yet with four ships: Quantum, Ovation, Radiance and Serenade of the Seas. Quantum will make her Seattle debut, sailing 7-night cruises that leave on Mondays, alongside sister ship Ovation, which will continue departing on Fridays. Returning favorites Ovation, Radiance and Serenade will offer varying 7-night itineraries sailing from Seattle, Vancouver, British Columbia; and Seward, Alaska.
 
About Royal Caribbean International
Royal Caribbean International has been delivering innovation at sea for more than 50 years. Each successive class of ships is an architectural marvel featuring the latest technology and guest experiences for today’s adventurous traveler. The cruise line continues to revolutionize vacations with itineraries to more than 270 destinations in 72 countries on six continents, including Royal Caribbean’s private island destination in The Bahamas, Perfect Day at CocoCay, the first in the Perfect Day Island Collection. Royal Caribbean has also been voted “Best Cruise Line Overall” for 16 consecutive years in the Travel Weekly Readers’ Choice Awards.
Media can stay up to date by following @RoyalCaribPR on Twitter and visiting RoyalCaribbeanPressCenter.com. For additional information or to make reservations, vacationers can call their travel advisor; visit RoyalCaribbean.com; or call (800) ROYAL-CARIBBEAN.

Cruise Vacation versus a resort vacation:
Yes I am hooked/addicted to cruising if that's what you call it.  
I will compare going to a resort or other destinations compared to a cruise vacation as an example of why I am only addicted to cruises and not just going to travel destinations.
When I spend any length of time at all at a resort, compared to a cruise vacation, I am bored for the most part.
 At a resort, I ask myself:
"Where is the fabulous entertainment each day and night?" "Where is my compass which is loaded with a list of daily activities".  "Where is the wonderful food provided all day long which is included?" (Oh yes for variety I have to drive somewhere".)  Where are all the people who help you?  Where are all the new friends to meet? And where are the different sights to see every day or so without packing and unpacking.  The list goes on and on... ... ... ... ...

Cruise Vacation versus a resort vacation:
Yes I am hooked/addicted to cruising if that's what you call it.  
I will compare going to a resort or other destinations compared to a cruise vacation as an example of why I am only addicted to cruises and not just going to travel destinations.
When I spend any length of time at all at a resort, compared to a cruise vacation, I am bored for the most part.
 At a resort, I ask myself:
"Where is the fabulous entertainment each day and night?" "Where is my compass which is loaded with a list of daily activities".  "Where is the wonderful food provided all day long which is included?" (Oh yes for variety I have to drive somewhere".)  Where are all the people who help you?  Where are all the new friends to meet? And where are the different sights to see every day or so without packing and unpacking.  The list goes on and on... ... ... ... ...

WOULD YOU CRUISE AGAIN IF: 
  A. Face masks are required in all public areas:  14.3% Yes      80% No        5.7% Maybe
  B. Face masks are required only at shows and large gatherings including embarkation:   33.3% Yes          36.1% No          30.5% Maybe
  C. Face masks are not required but 6' spacing is encouraged:   64.7% Yes       23.5% No         11.8% Maybe  

WOULD YOU CRUISE AGAIN IF: 
  A. Face masks are required in all public areas:  14.3% Yes      80% No        5.7% Maybe
  B. Face masks are required only at shows and large gatherings including embarkation:   33.3% Yes          36.1% No          30.5% Maybe
  C. Face masks are not required but 6' spacing is encouraged:   64.7% Yes       23.5% No         11.8% Maybe  

WOULD YOU CRUISE AGAIN IF: 
  A. Face masks are required in all public areas:  14.3% Yes      80% No        5.7% Maybe
  B. Face masks are required only at shows and large gatherings including embarkation:   33.3% Yes          36.1% No          30.5% Maybe
  C. Face masks are not required but 6' spacing is encouraged:   64.7% Yes       23.5% No         11.8% Maybe  

I booked an August 22nd, 2020 Symphony sailing  because I could get "Cruise with Confidence" if I decided to cancel.
But wow!!!  How cheap!!! ( $88.20 non-stop round trip Knoxville to Miami!!!  And, American would offer a future credit if I cancelled.)
So, if anyone wants to try a cruise in August, then they might be in for a pleasant surprise when booking air.

I booked an August 22nd, 2020 Symphony sailing  because I could get "Cruise with Confidence" if I decided to cancel.
But wow!!!  How cheap!!! ( $88.20 non-stop round trip Knoxville to Miami!!!  And, American would offer a future credit if I cancelled.)
So, if anyone wants to try a cruise in August, then they might be in for a pleasant surprise when booking air.

WOULD YOU CRUISE AGAIN IF: 
  A. Face masks are required in all public areas:  14.3% Yes      80% No        5.7% Maybe
  B. Face masks are required only at shows and large gatherings including embarkation:   33.3% Yes          36.1% No          30.5% Maybe
  C. Face masks are not required but 6' spacing is encouraged:   64.7% Yes       23.5% No         11.8% Maybe  

WOULD YOU CRUISE AGAIN IF: 
  A. Face masks are required in all public areas:  14.3% Yes      80% No        5.7% Maybe
  B. Face masks are required only at shows and large gatherings including embarkation:   33.3% Yes          36.1% No          30.5% Maybe
  C. Face masks are not required but 6' spacing is encouraged:   64.7% Yes       23.5% No         11.8% Maybe  

WOULD YOU CRUISE AGAIN IF: 
  A. Face masks are required in all public areas:  14.3% Yes      80% No        5.7% Maybe
  B. Face masks are required only at shows and large gatherings including embarkation:   33.3% Yes          36.1% No          30.5% Maybe
  C. Face masks are not required but 6' spacing is encouraged:   64.7% Yes       23.5% No         11.8% Maybe  

WOULD YOU CRUISE AGAIN IF: 
  A. Face masks are required in all public areas:  14.3% Yes      80% No        5.7% Maybe
  B. Face masks are required only at shows and large gatherings including embarkation:   33.3% Yes          36.1% No          30.5% Maybe
  C. Face masks are not required but 6' spacing is encouraged:   64.7% Yes       23.5% No         11.8% Maybe  

WOULD YOU CRUISE AGAIN IF: 
  A. Face masks are required in all public areas:  14.3% Yes      80% No        5.7% Maybe
  B. Face masks are required only at shows and large gatherings including embarkation:   33.3% Yes          36.1% No          30.5% Maybe
  C. Face masks are not required but 6' spacing is encouraged:   64.7% Yes       23.5% No         11.8% Maybe  

Thank you for your replies/suggestions!  We have decided to cancel.
.By cancelling now, our United nonrefundable flight tickets do not have any cancellation fees. United has no fees ( for any flights cancelled by May 31st). Also our $100 per person nonrefundable cruise deposits will be given back for a future cruise credit (We booked on board for the lower $200 deposit rate.)
    I thought this information may help others decide what to do.  
   But if the Empress sailing on Aug. 24th is really going to happen, we will book again!!! What a wonderful itinerary it has!!!