lordbryan123

On 9/19/2023 at 6:43 AM, M.J. Grandsard said:

Booked this also, gonna enjoy Singapore a few nights before and then stay after in Shanghai and visit Disneyland.  Can't wait.  Not sure what to do in Hong Kong yet cause we will do Disney HK in January.  But the drink package was very cheap for this cruise.

I'm form Singapore, so let me know if you want some tips before the cruise. Maybe can even show you around xD
As of now, I'll be cruising solo this cruise.

In HK, you can also visit Ocean Park. They just opened a new water park there too!

See you on board and at Shanghai Disneyland!

PS, deluxue beverage package is super expensive for me now, almost 30 bucks more per night than what i paid for my last 2 cruises. Hoping it goes down soon.
Bought the unlimited dining package though. Spectrum has 2 specialty restaurants not found anywhere els on the fleet (Hotpot and Sichuan Red), in addition to classics like chops and izumi. Might wanna consider. especially cause hald the trip is sea days

I will be sailing this as well as the following 4N  12-16 Sep cruise back to back!

Is anyone else excited for this repositioning cruise?!

Intend to visit both HK and Shanghai Disneylands, as well as VinWonders in Nha Trang! 

19 minutes ago, JasonOasis said:

I'm surprised they will homeport it in Singapore and not in Shanghai at the international cruise port.  Without a doubt either Wonder or Utopia will go go Asia.  Having 6 Oasis Class ships and 3 Icon Class ships in the US is too much.  I think it is a given that at least one of these ships will end up in Asia by the time that Disney ship is delivered in mid-2025 if I'm not mistaken.

With the amount of capacity Royal has coming online over the next few years it wouldn't surprise me as the cruise market recovers in Asia if at some point when the second Icon Class ship is delivered both Wonder and Utopia end up in the Asia/Australia market.

Quoting the article:

"It is also significant that Disney has chosen Singapore to home port its first cruise ship in Southeast Asia. It speaks volumes of our region's significant potential for cruise tourism, and to become, as some have described it, the Caribbean of the East." 

SEA (Southeat Asia) really is like the Caribbean of the east. One would never get a similar vibe in Northeast Asia. For starters, SEA is located on the equator, which is a lot more conducive for year-round voyages. This would also open up the option of year long private islands in the region later on the road after the industry recovers, especially in any of the maritime Southeast Asia countries. The variety of itineraries (different countries) would also be much better in SEA.

Just my 2 cents. 

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/disney-cruise-line-ship-singapore-home-port-3381991

So DCL just announced that their newly acquired ship from Genting would be homeported in Singapore from at least 2025-2030.

This would be DCL's biggest and newest ship.

RC currently has Spectrum of the seas homeported in Singapore and i just don't see how any Quantum class or smaller ship can compete in the future, especially when it comes to family-friendly offerings. Sure, RC can focus on the casino and bring in older cruisers, but the bulk of families would definitely gravitate to DCL.

Living in Singapore, I've been waiting for an Oasis class for years to be homeported here. Could this finally be the time? Perhaps the upcoming Utopia? I'd settle for any existing ship too, even Allure without any upgrades xD

Thoughts?

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/disney-cruise-line-ship-singapore-home-port-3381991

DCL just announced that the newly acquired ship From Genting will be home-ported in Singapore for at least 5 years from 2025 onwards.

This might actually prompt RCI to place Utopia in Singapore too to compete. I don't think any quantum class or lower class of ships would be able to compete with the family-friendly offering DCL offers. Can't wait to say goodbye to Spectrum xD

14 minutes ago, twangster said:

I didn't realize Genting was still operating in Singapore.  

Haha yes, Genting still is. 

Genting Dream's homeport is in Singapore too. They mostly offer 2-3 night cruises as most gamblers only need that much time off and it makes a quick weekend escape so much easier.

15 minutes ago, twangster said:

So what you are saying is very few Singaporeans cruise for vacation.  It's primarily gamblers who sail from Singapore.  

If that's the case send all the old, tired ships to Singapore.  It won't matter, gamblers will book regardless if that is the basis of the cruise market in Singapore.  

That much is true, except there is still competition in the region. if you're going to cruise to gamble and Royal has a much older ship while say Genting has a way newer one, with all things being equal people would still go for the newer ship.

That being said, i'd rather the smaller ships too, would cost less as well. fingers crossed.

On 2/14/2023 at 3:16 PM, KWofPerth said:

Can anyone tell me whether the Solarium on Spectrum is:

a) for suite guests only, or 

b) has a specific section reserved for suite guests only?

I have received mixed information. Thanks in advance to anyone who knows.

https://www.royalcaribbean.com/sgp/en/cruise-activities/solarium?country=SGP

RESTRICTIONS

16 + (Excluding China sailings)

FOR CHINA SAILINGS ONLY

Access to the Solarium on Quantum of the Seas and Spectrum of the Seas is exclusive for Gold Suites, Silver Suites, Crown & Anchor Society Diamond and above members and Royal Premier guests. No age restrictions.

When I was on board Spectrum sailing out of Singapore in Sep 22, the only restrictions were no kids since it was not a China sailing.

On 1/19/2023 at 12:37 AM, twangster said:

Singapore seems to suffering the same fate.  Cruises from Singapore on Spectrum, a great and nearly new ship are dirt cheap.  There is only one reason for cruises to be dirt cheap - they can't fill the ship.  

It's cheap not really because it cannot be filled. The cruise market here is very different from the rest of the world.

The cruise fare does not include activities like North star, iFly etc. these are add-ons that are charged extra while on board.

Additionally, the main reason why many people go for cruises here is to gamble at the casino. lower fares entice gamblers to spend more at the casino.

amongst other reasons. you actually hear people complain that spectrum is too crowded. not at places like the pool (locals hate the sun), but at places liek windjammer xD

On 2/24/2023 at 10:22 PM, Attila B said:

I will be sailing onboard the Spectrum of the seas in April 2023 with my friends. There are a total of 4 bookings (8 people). We all booked late dining 8 pm. My question is how can I make sure we have the same table? How can I organize it in advance?

Also it will be my 50th birthday. Can I order a birthday cake in advance and if so, how I can do that for 8 people?

What I like to do is to head to the main dining room for lunch on embarkation day, and while you're there, give the crew there the room numbers of all the guests you want to be seated together with. The crew would be more than happy to help make arrangements. You might even be able to request a specific area, like near the windows etc.

Not sure on the cake request though.

1st time using the roll call here, hi everyone!