Jmccaffrey

TAs should be able to book now.  It says bookings open 5pm today so I would assume they'll go live on the site this afternoon.

I love seeing my previous ship in New York!

Wow, I would love to know what an Owner's Suite is like.

My take on Royal's new Covid Vaccine requirements.
 
 

I don't think this will impacts Cruise lines at all. As I recall, NCL sued and it is currently hold on by the courts. So i would say this is a Moot topic.  

I don't think this will impacts Cruise lines at all. As I recall, NCL sued and it is currently hold on by the courts. So i would say this is a Moot topic.  

https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/event/royalcaribbeanblogcom-group-cruise-harmony-of-the-seas
Who's in?

Thank you!!

From this month’s Port of Galveston Trustee’s meeting, construction at Cruise Terminal 10 is continuing as planned.  Here are the key activities currently in progress:
Royal Caribbean has begun installing the pilings for the new terminal building. Over the next month they will install 800 auger cast pilings that will go 80 feet deep. These pilings will transfer the heavy load of the terminal building down to a solid layer of hard soil 80 feet below ground level. Port of Galveston is about 50% complete with the new water and sewer lines that will supply the new terminal building. They are continuing to relocate electrical utilities that need to be moved for this project. The East End Cruise Corridor roadway work is out for bids and that work will be awarded to the successful contractor in September. The schedule indicates that some of the work will complete after the planned opening of the new terminal. This may include things like landscaping and lighting. This photo shows the location of the new cruise terminal building and the location of the future surface parking lot. You can see the rough outline of the building in the dirt area where the drilling rigs are located.

 
Here is a photo of one of the auger cast piling rigs. These rigs drill the 80 foot deep holes that are then filled with grout and reinforcing rods.

It says underway using engine. 
I surmise that masts and sails were likely not part of any amplification work.

Looks like Liberty of the Seas was stretching her legs today off Cadiz. She arrived in dry dock July 18 (23 days ago). I still think there must have been some Amplification work done. Let's see what happens next.

@Galveston Steve, thanks for the valuable input on the terminal prognosis.  I like your option … keeping both sailings !  Agree about the Priceless comment ?

I feel confident in the terminal completing on time. This is my opinion as a former industrial project manager, from following the progress reports monthly with the Port of Galveston, and seeing the commitment to this project as one of Royal's priorities during the pandemic.  That said, we are also booked on the Nov 13 and Dec 4 sailings and we will keep them both. Being on the first Oasis Class ship to sail from the new Galveston Terminal? Priceless!

Or if you are @Galveston Steve and can wait it out in a nearby Whataburger should they need more time for the first sailing

August 1 “test cruise” is detailed in the local paper. If this is successful I sure wish they would relax the “must be vaccinated” requirement for Independence. 

From yesterday's Port of Galveston Trustees meeting:
Construction activity is picking up and things continue on track to be ready for Allure in Nov 2022. Carnival Vista is still planning to sail from Galveston beginning July 3rd. Governor Abbott will attend a Royal Caribbean event at the port on August 15th to celebrate the first sailing of Independence of the Seas. An LNG company held a demonstration of truck delivery of LNG and related safety measures earlier this month. Attending were representatives from the Port, US Coast Guard, city fire department, and others. There are a few ships in the region that use LNG fuel and this company wants to do truck deliveries for now.  The US Coast Guard has approved ship-based LNG deliveries on the east coast but has not approved it for the Houston/Galveston area yet.  Although this demonstration was not specifically related to Royal Caribbean's LNG-powered Icon Class ships, the new Galveston Cruise Terminal is designed for the Icon Class ships.

Great post Steve!

Right now, I'm scheduled to be here till January.

Oh that sucks, hopefully they'll let you continue on the Odyssey afterwards. 

November-ish. I say “ish” which means give or take a month. Our May Alaska for 2022 opened up early/mid November 2019. I think Europe follows shortly after. 

If you claim to be in the medical field and claim tests are only available for people who are symptomatic or exposed, then I am very, very glad you are not responsible for any aspect of my care, and I really think that you should not be responsible for any aspect of care for any living thing.  Tests are readily available.  If you were not aware they were required to board, then you have been ignoring the news, all communications from RCCL, and certainly have not been following any cruise blogs.

First, this is a fan site. No one from Royal Caribbean works here. 
 
Second, testing for travel is available.  
 
Third, I’m sorry your vacation time was ruined.  

Not Only is it straightforward, they are next to each other. As I live in York, it is very easy to get to the port.

Only if they leave the EZPass transponder on the windshield of the ship's bridge.

But, but, but... if they hire qualified IT people, how will be get beverage package "glitches" again???