Plumlee2028

Yes, generally they are. They are listed on the amenities, so they should be there. They have always been there on my sailings. https://www.celebritycruises.com/things-to-do-onboard/staterooms/veranda-stateroom#infinite-verandas

The last time I did it (about a year and a half ago) we went to stingray city first and then moved over to a reef area about 10 minutes away. We didn't get as close to the reef that day as I had done maybe 10 years before, because the current was high, so it wasn't the best snorkeling that day, but that was just bad luck.

It is interesting to me they had a Quantum class, typically well suited for colder weather, scheduled (Odyssey) that they chose to manipulate and change into what was described as a "Caribbean Cruiser." But I do also see a Discovery class having indoor type pools and be more inward facing for space, but hopefully with a large outward facing window type design. The Celebrity Edge platform exists, with some tweaks, it could work well for Royal.

I think Symphony is in Galveston through April 2027. I am sure Wonder/Utopia will be on the 3/4 Bahamas from Canaveral and Miami when those get released. Maybe Oasis or Allure get assigned those from Fort Lauderdale. It's also possible one gets assigned to a 4/5 day routing as well. It seems like lately there has been an Oasis class over the winter doing alternating 6/8 night trips from Fort Lauderdale as well. I don't see that yet and Miami has had a winter oasis class on the 7 day routings opposite Icon, and has had 2 Oasis class over the weekend before that.

I did this Cruise on Beyond back in May. Usually left at 10pm or midnight from the first two islands. Not sure what the port rules were, maybe they have to leave before a set time, but they didn't plan a lot of sea time.

https://cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-ship-orderbook/ It also lines up with Royal's order book: Star in 2025 and Celebrity Xcel in 2025 Icon 3 in 2026 Nothing for 2027 Oasis 7 in 2028 For Ship yards, Meyer Werft may have room for 1 ship in 2027 (currently only 1 on order that year) and Meyer Turku has no orders (My suspicion is Royal has slots saved from options for Icon class which could get repurposed) after Star. Chantiers may have space in 2027. The size being discussed could fit Celebrity potentially as well, I imagine they will want to consider more for that brand, not sure if they would simply get more Edge class or go with a new design. They usually max out at around 4-5 ships in a class.

With Allure, Royal still has a compelling product compared to their peers: An Amplified Mariner is replacing Voyager on the 4/5 night trips. This competes well with Carnival's 4/5 Day on their Breeze. They have been running Jewel in the winter for long itineraries, however I didn't see that return for winter 26/6. But that competed well against Carnival Miracle. That said, they seem to have decided it is worth having 2 ships in San Juan for the winter, which may speak to that. Allure may be older than Carnival Jubilee (almost all ships are, since it is brand new) but doesn't mean it isn't competitive. It also probably has less people on an average sailing despite being significantly larger (about 40000 tons). With Harmony, they began working 8 days cruises into the rotation to add variety. Princess and Norwegian in the winter add another dynamic to compete against. Sometimes that doesn't mean you add more of the greatest, but you put your assets where they make the most sense. Carnival is big in Galveston, there is no way around that. They have Jubilee on the 7 day trips; Dream on the 6/8 day rotations; Breeze on 4/5 days; and Miracle (soon legend) on the long winter trips. I personally am of the mindset that Allure will transition to 4/5 day trips at some point with another ship moving to the 7 day trips. Royal has seen the ability to the Oasis class to succeed on short trips and quite obviously seems to like it. I suspect that the success there led to the new order last month. I am not sure that they want 4 or 5 ships based in Galveston like Carnival does. The new Beach Club at Cozumel had Galveston in mind.

Infinity just got a bit of a refresh with new carpeting in places, new retreat lounge, bigger luminae. They also changed the family balconies to "sunset suites" which will be part of the retreat. Millennium and Summit got revolutions before Covid. The others in the class may get similar to what Infinity just got.

I wouldn't expect the parent group to order nothing in 2027, but that may be a year to order for Celebrity (Xcel in 2025 is their last) or Silversea (Silver Ray this year is their last order). Or they could just think they will need a break. They generally take delivery of 2-3 ships a year. Last year was 3, and then 3 this year (including TUI), 3 next year (including TUI), and 2 in 2026 (including TUI).

I dont think we will know the full story here until winter of this year. Next week will clear up what is taking on the 4/5 market through April 2026, then I think they are done until around the November timeframe this year, where they would announce April 2026-April 2027?

https://cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/2024/02/royal-caribbean-group-signs-agreement-with-chantiers-next-oasis-class-ship/ Royal Caribbean ordered a 7th Oasis Class for Delivery in 2028 from Chantiers (financing needs completed). I was a little surprised to read that this morning, I assumed another large one would be Icon class at this point. Could be a sign they are working on another class of Ship with Meyer Group (Meyer Werft and Meyer Turku), such as the Discovery Class, or they could still be planning more Icon from them as well. There is no delivery in 2027 on their current schedule, but that may be intentional to absorb some capacity. From very late 2023-2026 is 3 Icon class and an Oasis Class already.

Oasis Number 7 is officially next after Icon 3. Due in 2028. That leaves 2027 open for something else, but they may be intentionally taking that year off. https://cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/2024/02/royal-caribbean-group-signs-agreement-with-chantiers-next-oasis-class-ship/

They just ordered Oasis Number 7 this morning. Due in 2028. https://cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/2024/02/royal-caribbean-group-signs-agreement-with-chantiers-next-oasis-class-ship/

Its possible Allure eventually moves to 4/5 day routing and Wonder/Icon or something takes over 7 nights. Or they move to a more permanent 6/8 night ship and a 7 night ship like Carnival does.

You would just have 80 points. The points build separately on each brand. So your status will be Elite, with all of the perks etc associated, but you will just stay there until you get enough points, on Celebrity, for the next tier. For example, I have 111 points, but am "Select" still, because I am Platinum on Royal Caribbean. It just says I have 189 points to the next tier. With the solo pricing of late, dont see that needle moving much for me.