Rackham

1 hour ago, Jill said:

I really hope the loyalty programs will be combined and lean towards Royal 

I won't speculate on the benefits, but I'm willing to bet Celebrity's point system will triumph since it rewards booking more expensive cabins. In this scenario, existing C&A points would be converted so that no one would lose status; similar to the last time Royal changed how points are earned.

9 hours ago, Xaa said:

That's a bummer.  I'm part of the problem, because we will pay it and do it.  I was expecting around $40 which I also thought to be high.  I'm not seeing it in mine @TheMaxRebo, is there no listing currently for Port Days?

I'm going to assume Crown's Edge won't be in operation while in port for two reasons. First, Royal can't really control the airspace around their ship. For example, if somebody flies a drone in then suddenly there's a potential safety hazard outside the company's control. Two, if there's any accidents on the line then there's less witnesses (and recordings) in the middle of the ocean. An accident in port means there's a chance somebody just made an excellent recording from a good vantage point (and uploaded to the Internet a short while later).

Pina Coladas
Peach Coladas
Strawberry Daiquiris
Mango Daiquiris
Lime margaritas (also ask for it frozen)
Mojitos (also ask for it frozen)
Papaya Passion Mango Tango (1/2 Pina Colada, 1/2 mango daq)
Love Connection (1/3 Pina, 1/3 Mango daq, 1/3 straw daq)
Lava Flow / Miami Vice (1/2 pina colada-1/2 strawberry daq)
Pineapple Blast (pineapple soda with red bull)
Mudslide
Flavored Lemonades (also ask for it frozen)
Rosewater Lemonade
Arnold Palmer (1/2 iced tea, 1/2 lemonade)-may be avail frozen...
Bloody Mary
Mexican Limeade in TWO70
Roy Rodgers (Coke + Grenadine)
Bitter Tonic (Bitters + Tonic water)
Atomic cat (Orange Juice + Tonic water)
Singapore sling (squeeze of lime, add mango, pineapple and pomegranate juice in a 1:1:2 ratio(fill 50%), add equal tonic water or fizzy water, garnish with lime and mint)
Arizona Sunset (grenadine, 50/50 sprite + OJ)
Millionaire sour (Sour + Ginger Ale + Grenadine)
Dirty Dr P
Burabura Brew (Pineapple juice, Ginger Ale, Grenadine)
Cranberry Freeze (Sweet and sour, Cranberry juice, Soda water)
Sunrise (Orange juice, Pineapple juice, Sweet and sour, Grenadine)
Fresh Lemon Freeze (Sweet and sour, Soda water) 

15 minutes ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

 

I think those are all later in February. 
Doesn’t Bayonne fall under Northeast? 

Doh! You're right and I'm completely forgetting the release calendar.

Edit: Week of February 12, 2024 Short Caribbean, Los Angeles & Northeast

Edit Edit: Though I guess the referenced post is still technically correct.

As of now, there's no sailings on sale for Baltimore, Cape Liberty, New Orleans, or LA for summer 2025. Attached is also a ship list for the fleet. Bolded ships are currently on sale. 

I've scheduled my flight back to the US for that afternoon on the off chance anything delays the ship docking or allowing us ashore. Then there's potential issues between the cruise terminal and airport. With how full flights are, which means limited rebooking options if a flight is missed, I'm not taking the chance with a morning flight.

6 hours ago, CruisinKat said:

Second time on Anthem, first time at XMas.  Any idea if there is anything special (like a meal or anything in the dining room) going on on XMas Eve or Day?

Yes. It'll be Royal's holiday menu most likely. This is from 2019, but apparently it's still the same menu: https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2019/12/25/look-the-christmas-dinner-menu-royal-caribbean

Also, here's the Cruise Compass from 2021 which happens to have the exact same days as holidays as ours: https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/cruise-compasses/anthem-of-the-seas/fri-12242021-0000

Rebooked the refreshment package for Xmas aboard Anthem and saved ~$42.

Reserved multiple non-Italian lunches at 40% off on Anthem and Jewel. IZUMI sushi might be worth it at that price depending on the ship and your tastes. On my sailings, the Italian resturants were only $1 cheaper than on International Pasta Day thus didn't bother rebooking.

32 minutes ago, RCIfan1912 said:

No way that Internet 60% off could be real. I'll be floored if that's the case. Did they jack up the prices today for this sale? 

Might be indicative of how cheap it costs to provide Internet via Starlink. Royal might be able to turn a tidy profit at $10/day. But why charge $10/day when people are willingly paying $20-$30/day for access?

1 hour ago, Mr.Cruiser said:

I find the new European cruises for 2025 disappointing in several respects.
No more cruises along the west coast of Norway and therefore no more Arctic Circle Cruise. Luckily I'm doing mine next year.

With the removal of Anthem in Europe some cruises have unfortunately been completely discontinued.
For 2025 I wanted to book a cruise to the Canary Islands but instead of 4 dates there is only one cruise in early May - but it's not warm enough for me at that time.
Also the 14-day Mediterranean Cities and Med Beaches & Cities no longer seem to be offered.

Do you think there will be more dates released this week for summer 2025 cruises in Europe or is that it?

2 hours ago, Jill said:

Debating if I should just go ahead and book Indy to the fjords or hold out for Celebrity next week. 
 

Amsterdam port schedule for June 2025 is showing Brilliance and Celebrity Eclipse several times as well as Indy (as a port stop). **edit: just saw that Brilliance will be out of Athens summer 2025. Guess Amsterdam is already limiting ships. Was hoping for a celebrity out of Amsterdam

Since Brilliance is now in the Mediterranean (totally wrong call on my part early in this thread), it's possibly Jewel again out of Amsterdam. We're still midweek so there might be another round of itineraries released for Northern Europe?

Edit: The current sale ends tonight so Royal might be holding off this release until the next one begins tomorrow. Wouldn't be surprised if the next sale is less off versus the current.

32 minutes ago, goodionik said:

Where can I get cheap things for babies?

Goodwill.

4 hours ago, AndyPandy said:

So it’s rumoured that the Independence is back to U.K. from summer 2025 and the U.K. looses the Anthem. 
 

Why is RCCL downgrading the U.K. cruise market when other lines are sending improved ships?

Until the sailings are actually released, I wouldn't put too much stock in rumors. Once cruises are available for booking, then there's something actually to chew on (or not).

11 minutes ago, RCIfan1912 said:

What happened last year?

It crashed thanks to too many people trying to give Royal their money. From what I recall, many prices trended upward during the crash and Royal, of course, didn't honor the prices which were available before the crash occurred.

14 hours ago, GAPEACHNTX said:

I recently missed the 20% off deal on the refreshment package. Any idea on how often they offer the discounts? My sail date is in April so I still have time just don't want to miss out on a good deal.

12 hours ago, HeWhoWaits said:

I may have to make up some little slips with that sentiment to leave on such chairs on future trips, even though I rarely use deck chairs (I'm fairly certain that I've used a deck chair for less than 8 total hours on 87 cruise nights with the longest single use easily less than 30 minutes).

Couldn't help myself.

Chair Letter.pdf

I'm going to go out on a limb here and anticipate Royal not releasing all prime time dining slots for dining package purchasers (all dining slots could be available for off-peak dining). Maybe 30% for dining package holders to 70% for individual bookings to start, then shift the percentages as the sail date draws near depending on number of tables still available (along with holding a percentage back for people paying the full rate aboard the ship). I would also not be surprised if Royal does something about people booking a dining package and a separate reservation for hibachi, only to request a refund once aboard for hibachi while keeping the reservation. Maybe lock out purchases of individual reservations once a dining plan has been purchased? As far as people pre-booking all available times, Royal might make the change to the UDP so that only one lunch and one dinner per day can be reserved in advance. They could also redefine "Unlimited" to mean 1 dinner per night of the cruise and 1 lunch when the specialty dining restaurants are open.

Edit: Concerning no shows. Assuming they don't limit people to one reservation per night, they could always implement what they're already doing with select activities. In other words, charge a fee for people who don't appear and don't cancel their reservation early enough for it to be resold. As an example, "Due to the popularity of Ripcord by iFLY, appointments not cancelled 12 hours in advance will be subject to a $25 no show fee."

Comparing the pricing on a similar 7-night AK itinerary (in the same interior  cabin category) to the one I did summer 2023, rates increased by only 14%. Gut feeling is so many people preach, or require, a balcony or suite that Royal is increasing balconies and up by what they predict the market will bear. With how crazy current booking rates are, I wouldn't bet against this strategy. 

Reservations for Spectra's Cabaret are now open. I'd recommend booking it for later in the week as typically nights one (Christmas Eve) and two (Christmas Day) have the majority of holiday events happening during this sailing, but we won't know until we're nearly aboard due to when the final schedule is released. 

3 hours ago, Bazza said:

Awesome but can you split Restroom into #1 and #2 so some data can be 'logged'?!

Totally unnecessary. Like anyone using this sign is getting out for #1. 

1 minute ago, tonyfsu21 said:

$25 for the day. If you think that’s elite then call up CEO “up charge” Liberty and voice the concern because it’s coming. 

Is that sea day or port day pricing? 

How long before chair clocks become mandatory? 2 for $25 in the gift shop*.

* No, not really.

It's my understanding Juneau is better.

1 hour ago, Gilley said:

I’m on in Anthem in 7 days.  I don’t see the ability to book solarium bistro in the  cp or the website.

‘I was on Anthem 3 years  ago reservations were not required to eat at Bistro.  I do understand things changed over the years.

I wonder if reservations were scrapped after switching from the kitchen service, for the entrees, to having them on the buffet?

And the person with the sign might actually be in the pool or whirlpool. Unless I saw them post the sign and then leave, I'd assume they've had issues in the past (I know I have as a solo cruiser) and decided to literally leave a sign that the chair is in use by someone using the pool deck.

2 hours ago, Plasticbrain said:

1. Is 4 excursions too much while on Oasis for 7 days? (How much onboard events will you miss out by only having 3 days on the ship + some evenings/nights) 

That's really up to the individual. I found that 3 full days, and evenings throughout the sailing, was plenty of time to experience everything Oasis has to offer. Do book show reservations in advanced (will be available about 30-40 days before sailing) so you can see the shows when you'd like to see them.