FionaMG

I think that, these days, many people believe it's impossible to have a good time if there isn't constant entertainment and a vast array of facilities. That idea propagates and so others too end up paying higher fares for bells and whistles that they often don't need and may end up not even using. Our very first cruise was on Splendour of the Seas, which was "only" around 70,000 tonnes. Water parks and climbing walls had not even been thought up at that time and specialty dining was in its infancy, yet we still all had an amazing time. By doing the probably cheaper and certainly easier cruise on the smaller ship, you will get a feel for whether or not cruising is for you, at which point you can decide if the time and effort of getting the visa, as well as the additional cost of cruising on the bigger ship, are worth it to you.

It's not a sales scam and the benefits can be real and worthwhile but you need to do your homework before you book. Sometimes the price they give you will be higher than you are expecting because they are quoting for a higher category cabin. If you've checked your prices beforehand and know it should be cheaper, insist on a quote for the specific cabin category you're interested in.

We are on Freedom now (last day ) and have Erhan as our waiter. He is absolutely outstanding. Is he the same one? I don't know how common a name Erhan is in Turkiye.

At Captain's Corner on Freedom this morning, Captain Mattias said it would likely be 2029 and size-wise a bit smaller than Freedom. I guess we won't know anything for sure until they officially announce it. Captain Mattias said he was very excited about this new class and that he had applied to command it, although I couldn't tell if he was serious about that or just kidding.

On Freedom now. Our chairs are zip-tied in the upright position and also have the "Do not lay flat" stickers on them.

Try this one: https://cruisetransatlantic.com/

I have everything crossed for you! DH and I arrived in Fort Lauderdale last night ahead of the infamous Freedom of the Seas sailing on Saturday. I'm sorry to miss meeting you in person.

Congratulations! Next stop Casino Manager (is that a thing?)?

Congrats! Strictly speaking, it's just dinners and is supposed to be booked and redeemed on nights one or two of your cruise but from what I have read, it's very much a YMMV situation. Never hurts to ask. The worst they can do is say no.

There is some speculation, and at the moment it is only speculation, that Europe 2.0 is related to the launch of Icon 3 and that the ship will debut in Europe, likely taking over from Harmony. This would be one explanation as to why Harmony is only showing itineraries up to mid-July 2026 at the moment. It's anyone's guess what might happen to Harmony thereafter. It may be significant that the European itineraries listed for Harmony include departures only from Barcelona, whereas the standard pattern for some years now for the Oasis-class in Europe to interport, i.e. with passengers embarking and disembarking in both Barcelona and Civitavecchia. For now, all anyone can really do is be patient (it's hard, I know).

Yup. Gone on the US site now too. Only promenade interiors left now at $1280, which is the same price they were at yesterday.

@WhoCruiser, I would have to agree with you. I did move back to this sailing and a few months later was rewarded with such a substantial price drop on the spacious balcony cabins that I was able to upgrade to one of them and still save money over the cost of the oceanview cabin I originally booked. Hoping you and your group have a great time on explorer. It's a fantastic itinerary.

Yes, you're right. I mean who decided on that number anyway? It seems so random.

I only have three more years till retirement BUT I would have to move to somewhere close to a departure port in Florida or win the lottery. Crystal ball says nope!

If anyone's available for a last minute 8-night cruise and doesn't mind an inside cabin, they are going for $374pp on Freedom. This is for the December 7th sailing from Fort Lauderdale, which stops at St Martin, St Lucia and St Kitts.

I saw that too. There was quite a lengthy thread about it over on cc. I imported it from an earlier tablet to my Galaxy Tab S5e, which I've had for a couple of years now, and it's still working but I don't know if the fact that I have a SIM slot makes a difference by maybe tricking the app into thinking it's a phone.

Sounds like a plan. When is your anniversary? Does it allow for a second cruise each year?

Oh, how I wish! No, she is on MSC Orchestra and her ship is arriving into Maceio, Brazil, as I write this. Her dry dock will be in Valletta, Malta, around the same time as Allure's. Hubby and I are actually booked on the first Allure sailing after the dry dock. Can't wait! But just a tad nervous in case it's not finished in time.

Great video, Chris. Thanks for sharing. My daughter works on cruise ships too and will experience her first dry dock in spring. She is really looking forward to it. Wishing you an amazing season down under!

Harmony is in Europe doing the standard 7-night Med itinerary until mid-July. Thereafter, nothing. This pretty much coincides with when Icon 3 is expected to show up and there is speculation (and at the moment it is only speculation) that Icon 3 will stay in Europe and take over that itinerary from Harmony. At that point, who knows what will happen with Harmony. I think it is probably significant that she is not interporting as has been the pattern over the past years with the Oasis-class ship in the Med, i.e. sailings are from Barcelona only, with no option to board in Civitavecchia. So will Icon 3 double up on that itinerary but sail from Civi? Or will it take over from Harmony? Will Harmony do a mid-summer TA back to the US? So many questions. Probably we won't find out the answers until Europe 2.0 goes live at the end of January 2025.

In full disclosure, I haven't sailed it myself but I think a lot of that is to do with the fact that it's quite different from your typical mainstream American cruise line, so people go into it expecting it to be something it's not and then they're understandably disappointed. But there are a lot of fans out there and, given the price, if budget is an issue, I guess it can't hurt to try it once and see.

At the risk of promoting the competition and getting sent to the naughty room, maybe you need to give MSC a try. They have the Meraviglia sailing out of New York doing essentially the same itinerary as Royal, except they go to their own private island called Ocean Cay.

I have Spanish in one: and English in the other:

The OP @RCDM-123 posted a pic in the very first post.

I don't remember those. The shortest TA I remember seeing on Royal is 12 nights. If it helps, Cunard sail do a regular 7-night non-stop sailing from New York to Southampton.