em.down.the.rabbit.hole

I've been eyeing Jewel hanging around Poole Bay wondering what they would do with her.
Now we know.

MIAMI/LONDON, March 25, 2021 – This summer, Royal Caribbean International guests can soak up the Mediterranean sun and explore the captivating coastlines of Greece and Cyprus on all-new 7-night cruises departing from Limassol, Cyprus. Starting July 10, Jewel of the Seas will call Cyprus home for the first time and sail to the picturesque shores and ancient ruins in Cyprus, Greece and the Greek Isles through October. Travelers can visit a combination of culture-rich cities and idyllic islands, including Limassol, Athens, Greece and the Greek islands of Rhodes, Crete, Mykonos and Santorini.
The new 2021 summer itineraries from Cyprus will open for bookings on April 7. Sailing with vaccinated crew, the cruises – at this time – will be available to adult guests who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and those under the age of 18 with negative test results. These current health and safety measures, like others, may evolve as they are evaluated on an ongoing basis.
“I’m delighted to announce our safe and gradual return to Europe. We know how eager our guests are to enjoy a getaway this summer, and these sailings, which include a mix of fantastic destinations and must-visit islands, make for the perfect getaway,” said Michael Bayley, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean International. “Cyprus is a beautiful island, and we are thankful to the Cypriot government for their support and enthusiasm in making these incredible itineraries possible.”
Travelers on board Jewel of the Seas can enjoy the perfect balance of culture and relaxation, exploring destinations seeped in history, relaxing in small peaceful coves and sampling delicious local cuisine. Guests can immerse themselves in Greek and Roman history at preserved ancient sites, such as Kourion in Limassol and the Parthenon temple in Athens, then take in the multihued waters and beaches of Mykonos and the waterfront tavernas of Santorini.
Savvas Perdios, the Deputy Minister of Tourism for Cyprus, said, “We are delighted that Royal Caribbean will call Limassol its homeport for the first time ever. This has been an ambition of ours for many years, and we are thrilled that, finally, this dream has come to fruition. We have every confidence that Royal Caribbean’s presence in Limassol will be beneficial to Cyprus and, similarly, we are very confident that as a homeport and as a country, Cyprus will live up to the expectations of Royal Caribbean and its guests.”
On board Jewel, travelers can cool off in the pools and whirlpools, recharge at the Vitality Spa and Fitness Center and dine at their pick of numerous complimentary and specialty bars and restaurants, including guest-favorites Chops Grille and Izumi. Spanning 13 decks, the ship comes complete with a rock-climbing wall, casino, sports court, nine-hole miniature golf course, an outdoor movie screen and more.
The Minister of Tourism of Greece, Mr. Harry Theoharis, adds, “We warmly welcome the announcement of this new itinerary that will give the opportunity to even more visitors to create unique experiences in the Greek destinations this summer. Our history, culture and famous gastronomy, together with our philoxenia, will make memories to last a lifetime.”
Guests can rest assured their well-being and that of the crew members and communities visited are Royal Caribbean’s top priorities. Details on the health and safety measures to be implemented will be announced at a later date. The comprehensive, multilayered health and safety measures to come will continue to be led by science and leverage expert guidance from the Healthy Sail Panel, Royal Caribbean Group’s Head of Public Health and Chief Medical Officer, and local government and health authorities.
In addition, travelers must meet the travel requirements of their home country and Cyprus. The most up-to-date policies can be found on Cyprus’ tourism website.
Royal Caribbean’s new 7-night sailings from Cyprus continue the cruise line’s measured and safe return to cruising the world once again. It follows months of successful cruises in Singapore, with more than 50,000 guests to date who have sailed aboard Quantum of the Seas, as well as the recently announced plans for the highly anticipated Odyssey of the Seas to cruise from Haifa, Israel, and cruises from The Bahamas with Adventure of the Seas and Bermuda with Vision of the Seas. For more information on Jewel’s new summer cruises, click here.

Chris said in a previous video he was flying to the US.  So if Harmony is headed to Europe, he's not going to fly here to get on her.  
He posts on these board every now and then...maybe he'll reply here.  ?   Paging @CHRIS WONG!  ? 

She's on her way to Cadiz for her 5-year dry dock.

In the same post Marc had a photo of a model of Harmony and a red UK-style pillar box, and he commented that he hoped he would be getting the chance to see a lot of his mum, who apparently lives in Bournemouth in the UK. He said he couldn't say anything about the itinerary in case it got changed but that he was due to join Harmony mid-May.
The photo led to speculation that Harmony might be re-routed to do cruises out of the UK. The post was gone by the next day. I suppose it's possible he was told to remove it.
There is a thread about it over on CC.
 

That's what I tookaway from Chris's video as well. He will be on Harmony out of Europe as long as he's able to get vaccinated by June. Fingers crossed. I enjoy his videos.

Marc's FB page is open.....type in Marc Walker Cruise Director in search box.

On Monday Marc posted on his FB page that he was heading back to Harmony mid May.  The post has now disappeared from his FB page.  Not sure why it was taken down.
 

I do, but I see nothing about it. Not sure how long ago he mentioned it, but it's nothing recent if it's there.

Cruisemapper shows Harmony is mid-atlantic headed towards europe so possibly they are setting up a Europe deal for Harmony.
I was originally thinking the comment might mean she was currently in Europe and sailing "out of" Europe back to the US ...

Running to YOUTube to watch Chris's latest.
 

Watching Chris' latest video and scrolling through the comments I came across an interesting comment about Harmony sailing out of Europe in June...
Does anyone have access to the Facebook page of Marc Walker the cruise director onboard Harmony...?

Pleasantly surprised with pricing. 

Yes, I noticed that too. Not limited to suites and balconies.

Apparently interior and oceanview are available but with my Crown and Anchor discount a balcony was the lowest price.   YMMV.
 
 

SAILING DATES:   June 12, 2021 - SEPT 11, 2021 (last date)
Insides, Ocean Views, Balconies, Suites

FInal payment date is 31 March 2021 for early June sailings

June 12th rates are just about $50 less for these categories below
July rates go up and are higher, lower again later Aug  - Sept

June 19, 2021 - (not putting in any qualifiers, includes all taxes)
Inside Cabin - $1994 total - 2 people
Ocean View - $2115 total - 2 people
Balcony Cabin - 2D - $2214 total - 2 people
Connecting balony $2184 total -2 people
 
 

This is great news.. ? now can we please get something in Europe? ???

TBD

Spoke to the missus, her response was a very firm, "YES!" Well, as far as getting a hold on a cabin and seeing what the prices come out to.
We're really constrained on what dates we can sail. Basically a 2-week window between when our younger daughter leaves for Japan and comes back home, right in mid/late July. So it's probably gonna be expensive. But after such a long vacation drought I'm hoping we can just say, "YOLO!!!! YOLO!!!! A thousand times, YOLO!!!"
Email sent to our TA requesting a hold on a 2B / 4B balcony cabin. Yeah, that's probably gonna have a premium with balconies in such short supply, but I want that sea air and cobalt blue water up for view.

Has not been announced/revealed if that is the policy.
In the case of Vision, seems unlikely. That ship has very few balcony rooms to start with.

Safe to say AZ vaccine will be on the list (US study has debunked blood clot link; EU really has a lot to answer for this as it was political decision to suspend vaccine, then EU medical Council told them its safe to use...now people wary of this vaccine for no reason, EU holding onto millions of doses claiming shortages and not releasing to Covax countries - which is leaving the door wide open to China to swoop in with their untested vaccine - the EU have made a pigs ear mess of it, but it's unacceptable the knock on effect!!!).
Anyho, there seems to be a cluster of vaccines that would make the list...AZ, Pfizer, moderna, J&J... it will be interesting to see what gets added to this list: there's an Indian vaccine that's going through testing rounds in the UK, and then there's the Russian one (which is being rolled out in the UAE, a RCI home port)

Safe to say AZ vaccine will be on the list (US study has debunked blood clot link; EU really has a lot to answer for this as it was political decision to suspend vaccine, then EU medical Council told them its safe to use...now people wary of this vaccine for no reason, EU holding onto millions of doses claiming shortages and not releasing to Covax countries - which is leaving the door wide open to China to swoop in with their untested vaccine - the EU have made a pigs ear mess of it, but it's unacceptable the knock on effect!!!).
Anyho, there seems to be a cluster of vaccines that would make the list...AZ, Pfizer, moderna, J&J... it will be interesting to see what gets added to this list: there's an Indian vaccine that's going through testing rounds in the UK, and then there's the Russian one (which is being rolled out in the UAE, a RCI home port)

Novovax will likely join AZ with an EUA by May in the USA.

That's definitely the bigger issue...Astra Zeneca, Sputnik, etc. etc., it'll be interesting to see which ones will or will not be accepted. 

I live in the UK and my view is that everyone who can should get the vaccine. In my opinion its the only way out of the pandemic and so I struggle to find any plausible argument against taking the vaccine. I’m only 19 so will be amongst the last to be offered it but when my time comes I will certainly be taking it. If Royal Caribbean mandates the having to have had the vaccine to sail I think thats a good ideas as there is a lot less chance of transmission of the virus and therefore a lot less likely cruising could be disrupted. Also in the fullness of time hopefully the vaccine can mean other measures like masks could be removed sooner. Anyway I cannot wait to cruise again!!