foxrunner

7 days minimum or bust. 

I got the email also. 
Here’s my advice if I could bend an ear to the powers that be: 
There’s a subgroup of RC cruisers who are “seasoned” and comprise the upper tiers. This group is somewhat over the whole “big ship” thing along with St Thomas, St Maarten, Cozumel and Costa Maya (and the other islands that the big girls go to)
This group is BEGGING for a new smaller class that visits somewhere other than above. 
Well…..give us our RC benefits on a Celebrity ship and you won’t have to build a new class. Just transfer us to Celebrity. I’d be happy with that. 
We have our first celebrity booked to Norwegian fjords in 2025 because the itinerary was way better than Indy but it was hard giving up our 5 free drinks anytime, anywhere. 
Deep fjords beat alcohol but I shouldn’t have to choose!  

This is strictly my opinion, and I'm sure someone here is going to try and correct me, but this is all I can see right now after reading this announcement. I thought Royal Caribbean had a debt to pay. They jacked their prices up so much on everything in order to pay this debt that I can't afford to cruise with them now.  Maybe I should thank them for this. Because of what they are charging, I'm branching out, I booked a Carnival cruise that was less expensive and goes to 3 ports I have not visited yet. Now instead of building a smaller ship like they had hinted at, they are now going to build another giant ship with a limited itinerary that you need to take out a second mortgage out in order to sail on, not to mention jacking up the prices again on every other ship in the fleet. And yes, I know the sailings will all sell out, but I won't be on them. And for those of you who do choose to buy them, more power to you.

That is what we are looking for as well. Do you think they will show up later this week? Maybe next week but that should be shorts and LA.

Not sure but these are the ships with nothing announced for Jan/Feb 26…not sure if any will be in dry dock at the time either.
Anthem
Enchantment
Explorer
Freedom
Liberty
Mariner
Ovation
Quantum
Radiance
Serenade
Spectrum (usually in Asia)
Utopia (will be doing short Caribbean out of PTC I believe)
Voyager
Wonder
 

Even I don't want to be "trapped" on a ship with few choices besides the MDR and WJ, and I'm the one who doesn't mind the WJ... totally understandable.
That said, if the prices are too crazy, it may be whatever tiny ship fits under @Neesa's bridge or nothing for me.

I booked another Oasis cruise for August 2025.  I still have two short cruises to book and 1 long cruise. I wonder!

I was looking for a 10-12 night Caribbean itinerary leaving from PTC, FTL or MIA for Jan/Feb ‘26 but those were unfortunately not part of this batch.  Guess I’ll keep waiting…

Getting real!
 

68 Days!!! Now there’s 2 of us

It's not

Like many things cruise-related, the food is the only part of interest to me so I won't be going but have some for me!

That just saved me some cash!
I think this is going to be a one and done but wanted to check it out. Maybe the Pizza will be next level.

I know it varies greatly by sailing, these things always do, but FWIW, the price for my Wonder 3/17/24 cruise is now on sale for even less than it was during Black Friday.
It's $19.99pp now.
Dynamic pricing is of course driven by supply and demand so it could be because we are the only ship there and it's a spring break cruise so more kids means less adults able to go there even if they wanted to. Just thought I'd share in case those who are interested and/or already booked wanted to check the price.
EDIT: Apparently it's a "Hideway Beach Opening Day Sale"

Key Lime Pie 

I’m going to insert a plug for the use of the staircase which is highly underrated IMHO. 

I thought this was kind of cool to see
 
TBC*  Icon  Due 2026
Star of the Seas Icon Due 2025
Utopia of the Seas Oasis Due 2024
Icon of the Seas Icon 2024
Wonder of the Seas Oasis 2022
Odyssey of the Seas Quantum Ultra 2021
Spectrum of the Seas Quantum Ultra 2019
Symphony of the Seas Oasis 2018
Harmony of the Seas Oasis 2016
Ovation of the Seas Quantum 2016
Anthem of the Seas Quantum 2015
Quantum of the Seas Quantum 2014
Allure of the Seas Oasis 2010
Oasis of the Seas Oasis 2009
Independence of the Seas Freedom 2008
Liberty of the Seas Freedom 2007
Freedom of the Seas Freedom 2006
Jewel of the Seas Radiance 2004
Mariner of the Seas Voyager 2003
Serenade of the Seas Radiance 2003
Navigator of the Seas Voyager 2002
Brilliance of the Seas Radiance 2002
Adventure of the Seas Voyager 2001
Radiance of the Seas Radiance 2001
Explorer of the Seas Voyager 2000
Voyager of the Seas Voyager 1999
Vision of the Seas Vision 1998
Enchantment of the Seas Vision 1997
Rhapsody of the Seas Vision 1997
Grandeur of the Seas Vision 1996
 
Retired ships
Majesty of the Seas 1992 Sold 2020
Empress of the Seas 1990 Sold 2008 Bought back by RCCL in 2016 Sold 2020
Legend of the Seas 1995 Sold 2017
Splendor of the Seas 1996 Sold 2016
Monarch of the Seas 1991 Sold in 2013
Sovereign of the Seas 1988 Sold in 2008
Viking Serenade Launched 1982 Sold to RCCL in 1990 Sold 2002
Song of America 1982 Sold in 1998
Sun Viking 1972 Sold in 1998
Nordic Prince 1971 Sold in 1995
Song of Norway 1970 Sold in 1996
 

I agree Royals craft beer game is weak at best, pardon my french really piss poor. On one of the Icon walk through videos I thought I saw Lagunitas Day Time IPA on tap, that would be great. The Stone IPA is OK but gets old. 

Beer selection on Royal is abysmal across the board. 

Wouldn't it be great if some wealthy soul bought the cup and then sold raffle tickets to benefit a charity! Come on RCBlog folks step up to the plate. We will all appreciate you!

I too was wondering if the RC logo discount would apply to this. 😉

Generally we always buy the package pre-cruise when on sale. Watch the cruise planner for deals but $81 pp per day may be the cheapest for your sailing. I have 2 bookings currently. Allure is $79.99/pp PD right now and Utopia is $85.99. It is a math problem as already mentioned but also one of convenience. I hate having to sign every time I buy a drink, and hate even more the dreaded bill on the last day. If you drink a specialty coffee or 2 in the morning, some pool side drinks, and wine or a couple evening cocktails I think you will find it is cheaper than paying per drink. We were just on Odyssey and to get a decent glass of wine it was $14.99 which was a dollar up charge over the package limits. If you take a peek at the bars and lounges on your app u can see menus. Beer averages around $8 and cocktails/wine $11-$14. Lets assume your average drink is $12 you only have to consume 7 drinks for the entire day to make the package worth it for you. 

Ah ... the age old question ... can I drink a thousand dollars worth of booze in a week?
Yeah ... maybe ...
Or will you just be so hung over trying to get your monies worth the trip is not that much fun?
The only way I would get my monies worth is if I focused on specialty drinks the entire cruise. This includes coffees, fresh squeezed juices, many bottles of water, bloody Mary for breakfast, drinks by the pool in the afternoon, wine  or Scotch at dinner, a drink at the evening show and probably a night cap.
Then I think, what could I put in my home bar for a thousand bucks?
Many Diamond member's that already get 4 or 5 drinks a day, it is probably not going to be worth it.
Nah .... maybe ....
You gotta decide for yourself.

Just wanted to report on my experience with this since I asked the original question.  We had booked the 2 bedroom grand suite for myself, my wife, and my daughter's family which included a recently turned 2 granddaughter.  The waiter went out of his way to take care of her and help keep her entertained and quiet during dinner (and other meals).  However, I did find myself excusing myself early after the main course on most nights to take her down to the merry-go-round while everyone else finished deserts and after dinner drinks.  Her attention span was just not there for the duration of the courses.  For me, as a grandpa that lives in a different state from my granddaughter, this worked out because we spent some quality one-on-one time together.  But for others, I could see them getting frustrated if they felt they wanted the "whole" costal kitchen experience.

We don't eat out often due to cost and few restaurants where we live, so anything that someone else cooks is a real treat for us.