J_Keeble

I'm sure any week now we will get some information on odyssey of the Seas. I wonder how it will differ to Spectrum and the other 3 Quantum class ships? my big question as it seems to be going to Miami area, will they still have the seaplex? for me I think they should change it up and make it like a Navigator sports deck with slides and such like. Along with the new BBQ Concept and increase the main pool so its again like Navigator. No skypad aswell for me. Just my thoughts, I would be interested to see what others think, I know plans have already been finalised but I am growing very curious!

I work at Harwich and am gutted we lost royal just as I got into cruising. I don't see them coming back anytime soon :(

me too, I think work block the hosting site too :(

Send us Empress over here and offer short 3/4 night sailing to Amsterdam / Rotterdam and Bruge. you would get loads of English lager louts on her! I would defiantly book up! Us Brits just want booze cruises LOL

The prices for Royal Caribbean Compared to the many other cruise lines out of Southampton are ridiculous. When they were released the message boards on facebook and such like were all disgusted with the pricing structure compared to the US. I get that US will be cheaper due to many many more ships but the UK pricing is awful IMO. That's why I choose to fly elsewhere and cruise

Although I think having both Anthem and Independence is asking too much of the market. They are both very big ships. Last time Anthem came it was joined by Navigator I Believe and that worked. But maybe as Anthem was brand new it had more pulling power. just on a side note P&O are bringing out a new ship IONA next year at Southampton.

it was strange that I read your posts this morning and then 2 hours later we get this announcement.

SInce I began cruising on Anthem in 2015 the prices have increased by around 40% I would say. and with so much competition from other companies, the demand was not there

The facebook group page is going off! there are a lot of angry customers that's for sure! 1 ship out of the UK is surprising, they used to go out of Harwich England too but that stopped. 3 down to 1 ?! I cant help but think the pricing was just far too high.

I'm not sure royal are even doing the fjords this season now? Also I just thought maybe odyssey might come to Southampton for a couple of months before it goes to the US. im not sure when she is due for delivery though.

take a look in the news and rumours topic area :) but heres the link https://help.royalcaribbean.co.uk/hc/en-gb/sections/360004499552-Independence-of-the-Seas-2020-changes-to-sailings

https://help.royalcaribbean.co.uk/hc/en-gb/sections/360004499552-Independence-of-the-Seas-2020-changes-to-sailings

ah I'm on rhapsody in 9 days time and I love her, I love big and small ships. its what you make of it I suppose. But just seeing the announcement on independence not coming to the UK next year has just changed the game all together.

Independence of the Seas 2020 – changes to sailings Responding to strong booking interest in our exciting new Caribbean private destination, Perfect Day at CocoCay, Royal Caribbean International has announced a 2020 deployment change for Independence of the Seas. The ship will now sail from Fort Lauderdale, Florida rather than Southampton. Guests affected by the itinerary change will be offered full refunds and a ‘Future Cruise Credit’ for use on alternative sailings. The popular Quantum Class ship Anthem of the Seas will return to the UK market for 2020, adding more options for guests sailing from Southampton. Please click on the following FAQs for more information. IMO a very bold move, but seeing what @twangster had put in another thread about slow sales in Europe it wasn't a surprise

The pricing for Europe cruises with royal has gone up over 60% from 5 years ago that's why there isn't the bloody demand! I too find it cheaper to fly to the US and cruise compared to taking a med cruise on an oasis class ship.

Its on my Rhapsody sailing in 24 days time I had the BOGO in my cart priced at £32 but now this has gone and been replaced with this which is £42 I should have booked it when I had the chance! as this new chops +1 doesn't seem no way near as good as the BOGO :(

I ways love rumours, I get excited of the prospect of what is happening and what could be going on in the world of Royal Caribbean. I wonder what other concept they could put in, instead of central park? https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2018/02/15/meet-the-oasis-of-the-seas-never-was A few of these unused concepts maybe

Price!

Ah I see! well the icecream and cupcake would maybe move over to become sugar beach as like symphony. and as I said just have a smaller Sabor but without the bar of course :)

By golly gosh! that could be a great idea!! ah seriously that could work , then again that's el loco fresh isn't it? change El loco Fresh back to minibites and have a small Sabor Express down on the boardwalk with a few seats, nearer the Entrance of the boardwalk. having looked at Harmonys / Oasis and Symhponys deck plans I would like to think they would move starbucks into the promenade like symphony And have a Sabor express where the starbucks is on Harmony ( boardwalk area) and still have a playmakers like my little mock up ;) also I'm aware there are smoke stacks running either side of the boardwalk entrance but you get the idea of the placement.

My opinion is that they should keep sabor but make its smaller and also have a playmakers on the boardwalk. the current playmakers on Symphony seems a bit too big.

sorry what is FCC? Free cruise credit?

I wonder when we can expect news on the AMP?! I'm wondering if they will enlarge the solarium to bring it in line with Symphony / Harmony . I know the 2 have that extra tier at the front and in Symphonys case she has a much larger Bistro and Hooked.

I love this thread already, I constantly look at the US site also and do some price comparisons. A big factor for me is the drink packages offer they have in the UK. However ... when the drinks package 'offer' is on the UK site the prices do tend to increase at a rate that is close to the cost of a drink package. But it is certainly worth checking with the Us prices before booking. I have not booked any from the US site so far in my cruising career but it is certainly an option I look at every time.

She looks fantastic! I wonder how much longer it will take and the extra length for oasis too.