Lud

1 minute ago, twangster said:

They could have created a new Cruise Line, marketed it under that brand and the same would be true - the ship would be locked into that region. 

There is a lot of effort moving a ship into or out of the Asia region.  Gambling is very big and more space is dedicated to that.  Signage, restaurants, etc.  If the booking support it, I wouldn't move ships into and out of the region either, it costs too much and to what end? 

There is another Quantum Ultra coming and Oasis #5 plus a whole new class of ship over the coming years.  Plenty of new ships for other regions but this move is designed to generate revenue and I suspect it will. 

I think you are a 100 % right. It is a strategic move from RCI to generate revenue. It's just the cruise nerd in me that would like to visit the ship someday, maybe I've to do like you do and just book it! 

Just now, twangster said:

I guess we'll have to wait to see how it plays out on board, but China is a developing cruise segment and given the population has the ability to become a significant cruise market.  I believe the intent is to create a ship designed for the Asian segment, not simply another western based ship visiting the area.  That I think is part of the marketing they intend to use in the region. 

My expectation is find it much more immersive compared to sailing a western ship that part-times in the region. 

I guess you are absolutely right. China is the big aim for RCI, but in a way I feel a bit sad that she is going straight there and "disappears" like Quantum did.

I recently read a thread here on the board about Quantum and the differences in culture there on cruises origin from China. Which crowed do you think Spectrum is catering towards? Will it be like Quantum or are they aiming on western crowed like Celebrity and Azamara? I would love to cruise in South East Asia but after reading the thread I'm worried...

Now when the deployment for the Caribbean is official, I can't stop thinking what RCI's plan for Jewel is. As for today, the last official sail with her is a late TA sailing to PR. Explorer seems to take her place in Miami with South Caribbean cruises, so it would be strange to let her return to Miami.

My hope is that they reposition her to somewhere else then the Caribbean, like the West coast or maybe Dubai

What is your thoughts about Jewel?

59 minutes ago, Sarah said:

Norway is beautiful; beautiful but expensive!  I would suggest either taking some Norwegian currency with you - buy before you go; I can imagine RCI will charge a fee for changing currency on board.  Or you could use debit / card as you go - very commonly accepted.

I agree with @Sarah, Norway is absolutely one of the most beautiful places on earth, the fjords are just like in a fairytale! I wouldn't exchange money at all. Debit/Credit card are almost excepted everywhere in Norway (and the rest of Scandinavia too). Some places don't even take cash anymore. 

Instead (if you don't have one already) you could sign up for a credit card with no exchange fee and use it during your cruise. Saves you both time and money.

54 minutes ago, twangster said:

I'm on Anthem now that was out of Cape Liberty (Bayonne) New Jersey.  I am also on a B2B!

I flew into EWR and stayed at the Hilton Airport that has a free shuttle from EWR.  I then took a ride sharing car (Lyft) from the Hilton to Cape Liberty.  It was $23 USD.  You can see my live blog including how the B2B process worked here:

 

Thank you! I'll look in to your Live blog. I'm sure I'll find plenty of good tips and hacks for our cruise

I was super exited for the New England deployment this week, but I'm even more exited for the European deployment because it's closer to home.

I've a question regarding Oasis of the seas visit to Europe. I can't figur out if she will visit during the summer of 2019 or 2020? Is there anyone who have any ideas? 

On 7 december 2017 at 2:43 PM, Boston Babe said:

My dream is to do a B2B!!!!! I'm excited for you! You can convince him I'm sure!!

Thank you! I've now convinced her  and we're now booked on a B2B leaving 19th of October 2019 for 14 days. I've a question I'm hoping someone could help me answer.

My plan is to fly in through EWR and then stay for one night at a hotel near the airport. What I can recall the cruise terminal is just like 20 minuts away. In my confirmation it says Cape Liberty, NJ (NY Metro). What does the "NY METRO" stands for? Is it just an explanation that the cruise terminal is in the New York Metropolitan area, or am I missing something?

11 hours ago, Boston Babe said:

Great, let us know if calling worked for you!! Good luck!

I didn't have to call RC. The website was updated this morning. Guess RC transferred data during the night. I haven't booked anything yet, need to convince my fiancée but hopefully it'll be a B2B on Anthem (New England and Bermuda) in October 2019. So exited! 

1 minute ago, Boston Babe said:

They have them open for the Fall of 2018 and Fall of 2019.  Adventure of the Seas and Anthem from NYC (Cape Liberty) and Grandeur from Baltimore.  Can you call them?

1 minute ago, Matt said:

The Northeast US 2019-2020 itineraries are released, as of today. Not sure about RC's Swedish site, but as @Boston Babe said, you might consider calling if you aren't seeing the itineraries and prices.

Thanks for the information! I guess there are just some strange delay between the US and European market then. I'll call RC tomorrow  to see if they can access the sailings I'm interested in.

1 minute ago, Boston Babe said:

Yes they did up till April 2019.  From NY and Baltimore.  Are you C&A? I signed in under that and they showed up. 

So they were not supposed to release the sailings for the fall today? Yes, I'm but the problem is that I get redirected to the Swedish site if I click on anything outside the "members area". The Swedish webpage is a simplified version of the American site and does not support C&A at all.

Do anyone know if the have released the New England sailings yet in the US? In Europe (Sweden) they are not available on their webpage. Seems strange that Royal exclude some markets during a deployment. Hope they are available soon, have my eyes on a B2B with Anthem in 2019.

I would love to cruise with RC in South America, maybe a longer sailing from FL combined with some Caribbean islands :) 

2 hours ago, pamw said:

Your Sea pass will be given on your check in before you embark the ship.

You will pay for your drink with your sea pass card and this will be added to your on board account which is payable before you disembark - unless of course you have bought a package of drinks?

 

When the Seapass actually is in the stateroom, like on Harmony. How does it work then? 

First of all, thank you for all the great tips you have provided me in my earlier cruises! I've been a passive member for a while but thought it would be nice to become a little bit more active.

Me and my girlfriend both reside in Sweden and try to get away on a cruise each year. We have cruised a few times before in the Caribbean and Europe and have a 21 days transatlantic cruise planned from San Juan, PR to Rome on Jewel of the seas next year.

Regardless how much I like the Caribbean, I would like to find a new exciting itinerary for our next cruise. When I asked the Next Cruise staff about Asian routes, they directly pointed  towards cruises with Celebrity saying that Royal Caribbean's ships only was marketed towards the Chinese market. I've also read something similar on the blog.

Does Royal Caribbean has any ship in Asia that would reflect the cruise experience we are used to, like in the Caribbean? On repositioning cruises to Australia from Asia, is the cruise intended for the Asian market or the Australian market in terms of experiences, food etc.?

Once again thank you for all your valuable tips!