Atricks

Rail from this point in Cocoa to the Port itself has been discussed in the past, but there's a bunch of environmental concerns about expanding it across Merritt Island.

This 10 year old article https://www.floridatoday.com/story/money/business/2014/12/11/controversy-grows-port-canaveral-rail-plan/20245383/ 

discusses the possibilities, including an option connecting the port with the existing Nasa Railway that's already on the island (but a bit out of the way as it goes through north of titusville) and also building it across from 528.  Nasa railway barely ever gets used nowadays, and would be susceptible to blocks when rocket launches are going on, so a new set of bridges across from where the cocoa curve is is probably the best long term plan.

I.e. it's come up before, but seems unlikely in the short term.

App now saying Norfolk as well

This story from a local news station in the Hampton Roads area mentions Royal has contacted the Half Moone Cruise Terminal at Norfolk about possibly using it for Vision, but no announcements one way or the other yet.

https://www.wavy.com/news/local-news/carnival-to-temporarily-move-baltimore-operations-to-norfolk/

Clearance will likely take a least a month (maybe a few weeks if they really pile on).  The entire bridge and the cargo ship need to be cleared out.  (cargo ship would need to get unloaded first) 

As for the bridge itself, the closest analog in the Tampa Bay Sunshine Skyway collapse in between Bradenton and St. Pete in 1980 and that didn't reopen until 1987.  It'll probably be years before they rebuild a bridge there.  One key difference is Skyway had two spans so they just converted the undamaged one into a 2 lane road until the new one was built.  Key bridge is gone in both directions.  (They potentially may have an opportunity to make it taller to allow the bigger ships.. Bay bridge near Annapolis may still limit that though since it has about the same clearance )

Live feed of the bridge

The entertainment booking options just opened up tonight on our March 16th Icon cruise, and I've not seen mention of this show anywhere.  Is this "Effectors 3"?   Are we getting the first showing of it on Icon?

I just don't know anything about it and haven't heard anything about it (booked it anyway since we were on both Odyssey and Wonder before the Effector shows were ready):

Screencap of cruise planner below:  (clicking on it provides no further info except times, we reserved the first one day 5 (cozumel) at 7pm)

 Wonder, with the giant cowboy hat on the promenade, in Galveston when Star moves in to Port Canaveral seems like the most likely thing.

Saw this interview with Craig with Greg Fishel (retired meteorologist from WRAL TV in Raleigh, NC)  Where they discuss the cruises a bit.  Craig is a good asset for RC to have.

Ticket sale, may be worth it if you are heading from Orlando to Miami or Port Everglades on a longer cruise:

Today is the first official day, and the first trains with passengers are already en route.

https://www.wesh.com/article/brightline-train-miami-orlando/45227586

Part of me is wondering if this is a trial balloon to see how much they can book up at the higher prices, especially releasing icon alone out this far.  I think Icon will be the opposite of the typical rule of thumb for other ships about booking early.  I know I'm going to wait it out, because if this approach falls flat, it'll probably drop.

It's a puzzle game they set up in the Fuel teen club next to the Seaplex (while it's closed for the teens) it's not a dedicated room.  But it was a decent puzzle, and we managed to win it.  (look under all the bean bags is the only hint I'll give).   We did it on the may 29th cruise a few weeks ago.

Our travel agent just got this, so it's confirmed Freedom is doing the drydock then.  For reference we were booked on the Nov 23, 2024 Sailing of Freedom.  Nothing on the same date, but we're going to take them up on the New Years Eve Oasis one, which if I tried to book the same cabin type on that we had for Freedom was ten times the price, so it's a no-brainer with that type of price protection.   I've avoided Christmas/New Years cruises in the past because they are usually out of sight price wise, but with this lateral move, I'll take it.

Quote

 

Dear Travel Partner,

We're continuously working to improve our ships and the many amenities they have to offer. We'll take Freedom of the Seas into dry dock for routine maintenance and exciting improvements. Unfortunately, this means your clients' upcoming cruise has been cancelled.

The time and effort you took to plan your clients' cruise is important to us, and we apologize for the inconvenience. Every aspect of their time with us should be enjoyable, so we've put together some alternate options that we hope will work for them.

Option 1: Re-book one of the following 2024 or 2025 itineraries departing from Fort Lauderdale, Florida:

Freedom of the Seas:

• October 20^th, 2024 | 7-Night Western Caribbean & Perfect Day | sailing to:
  • Perfect Day at CocoCay | Labadee, Haiti| Falmouth, Jamaica | and George Town, Grand Cayman
• October 27^th, 2024 | 7-Night Western Caribbean & Perfect Day | sailing to:
  • Perfect Day at CocoCay | San Juan, Puerto Rico| and Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas
• February 16^th, 2025 | 7-Night Eastern Caribbean | sailing to:
  • Nassau, Bahamas | Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas | and St. Johns, Antigua

Oasis of the Seas:

• November 16^th & December 14^th in 2024 or January 11^th in 2025 | 8-Night Eastern Caribbean & Perfect Day | sailing to:
  • Basseterre, St. Kitts & Nevis | Philipsburg, St. Maarten | Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas | and Perfect Day at CocoCay
• November 30^th & December 28^th in 2024 or January 25^th in 2025 | 8-Night Southern Caribbean & Perfect Day |sailing to:
  • Oranjestad, Aruba | Willemstad, Curacao | and Perfect Day at CocoCay

What they'll receive:

• Their original stateroom category will be price protected at the original cruise fare rate, excluding taxes, fees, gratuities, and other non-cruise fare items.
  • If their booking was already paid in full and their cruise fare rate decreases, we'll provide them with a refund for the difference. They can expect to receive their refund to their original form of payment within 14 business days. Kindly note, refund times may vary depending on their financial institution.
• And, they'll also be reimbursed for non-refundable, pre-purchased transportation change fees incurred (such as a flight, train ticket, or rental car).
  • We'll cover up to $200 USD per guest for Domestic changes, or up to $400 USD per guest for International changes.
  • Please email their receipts and booking information to RoyalGuestRelations@rccl.com for review and reimbursement.
• Lastly, you'll receive protected commission.

Option 2: Re-book any other Royal Caribbean International sailing

• If they prefer to re-book another sailing not included in Option 1, we'll waive any non-refundable deposit change fees.
• Please know, they'll be responsible for any difference in pricing for their cruise fare, taxes, fees, gratuities, and other non-cruise fare items.
  • If their booking was already paid in full and their cruise fare rate decreases, we'll provide them with a refund for the difference. They can expect to receive their refund to their original form of payment within 14 business days after we move them. Kindly note, refund times may vary depending on their financial institution.
• And, they'll also be reimbursed for non-refundable, pre-purchased transportation change fees incurred (such as a flight, train ticket, or rental car).
  • We'll cover up to $200 USD per guest for Domestic changes, or up to $400 USD per guest for International changes.
  • Please email their receipts and booking information to RoyalGuestRelations@rccl.com for review and reimbursement.
• Lastly, your commission will be based on the revised cruise fare paid.

Option 3: If they can't find a new itinerary that works for them and choose to cancel, we'll be sad to see them go. They'll receive:

• A full refund of any paid portion of your cruise fare (including non-refundable deposits) and any pre-paid amenities to the original form of payment, within 14 business days. Kindly note, refund times may vary depending on their financial institution.
  • If they used a Future Cruise Credit on this sailing, and they request a refund instead, we'll refund any NEW funds paid above the certificate amount, and we'll reinstate their original certificate.
• If they booked their airfare through Royal Caribbean International, it will be automatically refunded to them. However, if they booked on their own, please contact the service provider directly for their options with them.
• Please note, if they choose this option, we will not provide additional compensation.
• Lastly, you'll receive protected commission if the booking is paid in full only.

There are a lot of moving parts when it comes to rebooking all guests, so we ask for your patience as we work to make this process easier for you and your clients. All moves for individual and group bookings will be completed by July 12^th, 2023. We'll send an updated reservation confirmation with the revised details to the email address on file as soon as their reservation has been completely updated. If they decide to go with Option 1 or 2, please call us at 888-281-9344 by July 12^th, 2023. And know, hold times may be longer than usual. If we haven't heard from you by July 12^th, their reservation will be cancelled.

If you have any questions, please contact us at:

• 1800 754 500 in Australia / 0800 102 123 in New Zealand
• In the UK only, by using our webchat service or by calling 0344 493 4005
• All other countries, please visit http://www.royalcaribbean.com/contactus for your local Royal Caribbean International office phone number.

Thank you for understanding and support. We hope your clients find another cruise with us. Whether they are celebrating a special occasion or looking to explore, relax, and recharge - we have no doubt their time with us will be nothing short of amazing.

Sincerely,

 Prices are higher than the Wonder was for the same room types when it was brand new (comparing to the 2nd sailing trip I took on it), and that was for a 7 night.  I think Royal is overplaying it here, but I get why.   Going to hold off booking, but wish anyone well that does.

We booked the Nov 23, 2024 on Freedom of the Seas booked (8 night) and was wondering about this since it can't be booked anymore.  Originally we thought it was a fluke, but you still can't book our sailing (or almost anything in Nov/Dec) for freedom, so I went looking, so I found this thread.  And yep the thread is from April, but it's mid June and nothing new.

This is on Madeiras page scheduled for when our cruise is supposed to be, but we still have it in the cruise planner.  https://www.portosdamadeira.com/site/index.php/en/ports/wharf-reservations?page=9
 

But haven't heard anything from Royal (Travel agent hasn't either).   I'd assume it's best to wait this out to see if Royal does offer anything and cancels out on us.   Unless they offer to move to another ship (Utopia?) I'm wondering if it'll just be a refund and credit, or they will have a few options.  The only thing that makes me think Utopia is they haven't said anything about this yet or released Utopia's (real) bookings.

Nov 9 - Dec 29th is the window you can't book anything on Freedom.

We went on Quantum's May 29th Alaska sailing and rented a car on the 27th at the seatac airport (avis) and drove around the first two days.  We got a one way from the airport to Komo Plaza Avis/Budget Office downtown (literally right across the street from the Space Needle at 100 4th Avenue North) and it worked out pretty well.

For that particular location to drop off you have to leave the car in the Komo Plaza underground parking garage (466 John St, Seattle, WA 98109), grab a tikcet on the way in, park, go up the elevator and walk around to the corner to the office to turn in the keys and parking ticket, then I just uber to the port from there.  I didn't wait long at all for the uber (maybe like 2 minutes), uber was $18.92 before tip.  About a 7-10 minute drive between the pier and the Space Needle  

What I did was drove all of us to the port early, around 945am, dropped everyone (and the luggage) off but me, then grabbed gas at a shell station between the port and the space needle, went to the parking garage, went up the elevator, into the office door along the street, got in an uber and dropped me off at the port and in I went.  In my case it went smooth as butter.  I did not rent a car on return from Alaska.  

One thing is that Pier 91's dropoff/parking is counterintuitive.  Going in you get off turn right into the "parking" area but keep going (It looks like you need to turn left, but you don't), the first time I drove in to drop everyone off I turned the wrong way and had to leave and come back.

Renting on return you could probably get one from that same office since it's much closer to the airport and return it either there or at the airport, the 1 way rental I remember being much cheaper than I thought it would be.  Added bonus you could drop the bags off in the car, tour the Space Needle THEN head out.

We're on the May 29th one, Skagway got swapped to Ketchikan and moved the day for Sitka.

28 minutes ago, Ditchdoc said:

She is still in dry dock on 3/23. I would guess she should be coming out most any day. In a week for sure.

Mariner is scheduled to float out Saturday morning

Via the app, Independence has no ice show in the schedule for the current 4 night, but does for the 3 night coming up.  This may just be a cast switchover week, and they may just need the time for more rehearsals.

14 hours ago, Vlad said:

That sounds strange... 

Until embarkation day? That's not really possible... 

You can't print luggage tags to your cabin, if you'll be getting different one. 

All your documents, including SAIL PASS would be for wrong cabin? 

This happened to us on Odyssey, found out after we were already on the way to the port.  It was no issue.  App had updated to the stateroom, and for the bags we took off the tags we had and got the porter to handwrite the new cabin on a new tag.

Lots of kids so 102% aka full is what i heard.  Holiday weekend though.  

Im on freedom now. Surreal to hsve the whole port to ourselves on a weekend.  Cold and extremely windy , most unique nassau visit ive ever had by a long shot.

Looks like all of this ends Nov 13th for Bermuda

Only problem we had with vouchers was when we tried to use them on Labadee (on the Mariner group cruise this past July), since many places there don't have the electronic registers, it really got hosed with the hand written ones a day later which meant a trip to guest services.  Not sure how it would effect something like that.  

The Snack Shack "Special" is the chicken sandwich with the mozzarella sticks on it.   One thing about snack shacks (one behind the pool, one in the waterpark, one at south beach) is that it opens a half hour before the other main food places.  Captain Jack's wings (upcharge) I didn't care for.  I have not tried the beach club yet.