Jmccaffrey

These changes are going to roll out with 2025-2026 deployment. 
https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2023/10/18/royal-caribbean-recategorizes-cruise-ship-cabins
 

As long as they keep the promenade. That is the thing I miss the most when cruising other lines.

That would be just about perfect for many of us.

I hope Project Discovery is real and is between Freedom and Voyager class. This makes it small but not too small. Best of all worlds.

I hope Project Discovery is real and is between Freedom and Voyager class. This makes it small but not too small. Best of all worlds.

Agreed. I know some want to be on the biggest for some reason, we sailed on the Anthem and found it to be too much for us.

First, they'd have to place an order for a new ship. This is complicated by their debt situation.
As an example, when RCG restructured some of their loans in 2020, there was a stipulation they could not take certain actions, such as "Issuance of debt or equity other than for liquidity". So financing a new ship may be an example of what they can't do.
Granted, I have no idea if that restructured deal is now settled, but wanted to provide an example of how their existing loans could impact their ability to place new ship orders. 

Probably more Icon class ships. We have only heard about 3 because that is what is contracted to be built. Same thing happened with Oasis class when it was announced. Then came 4, 5, and 6. Royal need to "Test" the ship for profitability. They also want customer feedback and other research before they commit to a 4th one and beyond. $2 Billion per ship is a lot of money to spend.
I would love to see a Project Discovery at around 100,000 tons that can sail from ports like Tampa and get into ports that the big ships can't fit in. Radiance and Vision class ships are almost up for their lifespan. It's a smart business move since they said Vision class ships don't break even until about 80% capacity

Consumerism at its finest lol. We know about 1 more Oasis class and 3 Icon class ships (the first of which hasn't even gone into service) to the tune of more than $5B. But you know.....what about after that?
 
Reminds me of vacations when my kids were little. I know we already went mini golfing, swimming, water skiing, to the amusement park, and had pizza and Ice cream but now I'm booooooored.

I also think it's about time for Royal to think about making another mid sized ship after Icon 3. and I think it would be cool if they emailed a survey to emerald and above c&A members (cruisers who are most likely to have been on several cruises and several classes of ships) and ask them what "new" thing they wish was on an older ship. Then they could use that feedback to see what regular cruisers like about the new mega ships and find out a way to get the vibe on a smaller ship. Like the 270 area is really great and could vibe nicely on a calm and quiet ship.

What coming after Icon 3? More Icon? More Oasis? Project Discovery? Something Else?

Looks like they are using Rhaspsody to evacuate US citizens from Haifa today.... 
 
https://il.usembassy.gov/security-alert-10/
 

BACK to BACK on ICON WOW

I like the jumping Bubble and hate that they are removing them. 

I was willing to pay for access to the Hideaway for our Icon trip in February - but not for the day bed.   Guess we'll just have to look over the fence from the cheap seats to see what they are like. 

I think it ends around 5 or 6pm

Those are railings on either side. It's a Pilar at the top of the stairs. I wouldn't pay to have peoples hands and arms drip on me getting in and out. Odd spot for beds. 

It says per package because it is per package.  You are booking 3 beds in your example.
 

I believe there are avenues for government to ask for assistance because they see which assets are in the area.
In some cases, I believe the offer is made by the cruise line in case it's needed, as was the case with the Surfside condo collapse in 2021.

I can see where the crew would be a bit unnerved going back there during an official wartime stance.
 
Though on the lighter side of things, I wonder if those evacuees get C&A points?

It may cost Royal some money but will pay off in goodwill. Bless you RCI.

Here is a story from Crew Center:
https://crew-center.com/royal-caribbean-ship-evacuates-us-citizens-israel

The reason I bring up the nomenclature of the new Royal lingo is because I am an optimist and thinking where is this company in let's say...25 years. 
New ships being added at nearly one a year and older vessels lasting longer than one might expect, I think it's reasonable that Royal may very well have 50 some vessels working in 25 years. Can you see that with a future exaggeration of 50 vessels it's going to be important to be clear what lingo would represent a ship, a cabin, a venue, an activity, or a level of C & A?
 
Now, another chance to take a stab at current thinking; 25 years from now imagine how many Diamond and above there are going to be....ummmm humph.

Finally we will be able to say " I went to the crown lounge in the viking crown on the crown of the seas"

Cool... now drop the Icon prices because it's not new anymore 😆