Jamesszy94 Posted March 23 Report Share Posted March 23 4 minutes ago, FionaMG said: Don't hold your breath. The one that Royal do really consistently is repeat the same old itineraries year after year. That's a real shame. There's so many ports Royal could visit (Moreton Island, Fraser Island (Carnival I know for a fact visits Moreton Island and I know P&O visits Fraser Island and Norfolk), LHI, PNG, Kimberley region just to name a few) but I guess they have to worry about the logistics and whether or not they can get into the ports. At least it'll be nice to visit the same ports on a different ship - somewhat of a difference experience I suppose. FionaMG 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FionaMG Posted March 23 Report Share Posted March 23 28 minutes ago, Jamesszy94 said: That's a real shame. There's so many ports Royal could visit (Moreton Island, Fraser Island (Carnival I know for a fact visits Moreton Island and I know P&O visits Fraser Island and Norfolk), LHI, PNG, Kimberley region just to name a few) but I guess they have to worry about the logistics and whether or not they can get into the ports. At least it'll be nice to visit the same ports on a different ship - somewhat of a difference experience I suppose. It will be. It's always good to try out a different ship. I'm hoping to do a cruise down your way to celebrate my retirement in a few years from now. Jamesszy94 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blake_Clayton Posted March 24 Report Share Posted March 24 On 3/20/2024 at 10:50 AM, Jamesszy94 said: Just attended the session where they ask questions to the captain and the other officers. Something mentioned about Lelepa in 2026 (couldn't hear properly cause people wouldn't stop talking over the captain - lowkey a bit rude) Captain basically confirmed Ovation (and by extension Quantum and Anthem, dunno about Odyssey or Spectrum) is the largest ship that will fit into Sydney, unless they get a bigger port. He mentioned something about 7 metre gap between the ship and the rock - again couldn't hear properly cause people wouldn't be quiet.. Hotel Director also basically confirmed that Ovation is going into Dry Dock in 2026. There were a few questions I wanted to ask but didn't get the chance cause people kept rambling on.. I was in the crowd when you asked this question I think (if it was the 12th march ovation sailing...) Yeah he pretty much said it wouldn't handled it. he did mention from memory something about potentially using port botany but NSW govt. wouldn't go for it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamesszy94 Posted March 24 Report Share Posted March 24 4 hours ago, Blake_Clayton said: I was in the crowd when you asked this question I think (if it was the 12th march ovation sailing...) Yeah he pretty much said it wouldn't handled it. he did mention from memory something about potentially using port botany but NSW govt. wouldn't go for it I didn’t ask the question, but yeah, March 12 sailing. Anything bigger will probably not be able to fit into the harbour. Unless they upgrade the OPT, Quantum class is the largest class that could fit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F1guynz Posted March 24 Report Share Posted March 24 I guessing the issue is more with the width of the ship than the length as Oasis class is 40ft longer than Quantum Class. Width is 215ft vs 136ft so I assume they would be too wide and interfere with the ferry service. Oasis also do not tender so that would also restrict itineraries. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KWofPerth Posted March 25 Report Share Posted March 25 I received a RC email today advertising Wiggles themed sailings for the summer of 2025-26 that will go on sale 10th of April. So lock that date in that itineraries open to the public. I don't remember if C&A members get access one day earlier still? Chili 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattymay Posted March 26 Report Share Posted March 26 10th is a Wednesday which is when they are usually released. KWofPerth 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FionaMG Posted March 26 Report Share Posted March 26 8 hours ago, KWofPerth said: I received a RC email today advertising Wiggles themed sailings for the summer of 2025-26 that will go on sale 10th of April. So lock that date in that itineraries open to the public. I don't remember if C&A members get access one day earlier still? I had to look that up to see what Wiggles are. WAAAYTOOO, KWofPerth and mattymay 1 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattymay Posted March 26 Report Share Posted March 26 I'm guessing it will be some of the 2 and 3 night itineraries. Will be avoiding those ones! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F1guynz Posted March 27 Report Share Posted March 27 I notice I can now use Air2Sea to book flights for the cruises in Australia and New Zealand with the option to pay later for economy and premium economy. Previously it used to say not available in your region. Chili, Jamesszy94, mattymay and 2 others 3 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamesszy94 Posted March 31 Report Share Posted March 31 I was about to ask what's this... totally forgetting that it was April 1st and thought it was a legit thing then saw the float in the water... FionaMG and WAAAYTOOO 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FionaMG Posted April 4 Report Share Posted April 4 Test loads are up ahead of next week's release. WAAAYTOOO and Chili 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chili Posted April 4 Report Share Posted April 4 Brilliance is mobile off Sydney, looks like it’s building up for the release of the 25-26 season. WAAAYTOOO 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamesszy94 Posted April 5 Report Share Posted April 5 9 hours ago, FionaMG said: Test loads are up ahead of next week's release. South Pacific again... I knew I shouldn't have gotten my hopes up for new itineraries. FionaMG 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Southern Dan Posted April 5 Report Share Posted April 5 They are saving the new and exciting itineraries worldwide for when they unleash the six ships of the Discovery Class! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokeybandit Posted April 5 Report Share Posted April 5 5 hours ago, Chili said: Brilliance is mobile off Sydney, looks like it’s building up for the release of the 25-26 season. If this was an American cruise, would that say "MOM?" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chili Posted April 5 Report Share Posted April 5 2 hours ago, Jamesszy94 said: South Pacific again... I knew I shouldn't have gotten my hopes up for new itineraries. I have a feeling it won’t be Voyager but Adventure of the seas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F1guynz Posted April 5 Report Share Posted April 5 2 hours ago, Chili said: Adventure of the seas Let’s hope. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamesszy94 Posted April 5 Report Share Posted April 5 4 hours ago, Chili said: I have a feeling it won’t be Voyager but Adventure of the seas. Either way... it's the same old itineraries seems like. Hopefully Royal surprises us, but at this point, I'm not getting my hopes up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted April 5 Report Share Posted April 5 14 hours ago, Chili said: Brilliance is mobile off Sydney, looks like it’s building up for the release of the 25-26 season. They must use an Etch A Sketch for the autopilot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted April 5 Report Share Posted April 5 9 hours ago, Jamesszy94 said: South Pacific again... I knew I shouldn't have gotten my hopes up for new itineraries. Curious what your expectations were that were not met. Not trying to start or suggest anything. Do other lines have more diversity to better ports of call? Are there new or unused ports of call that Royal mysteriously avoids? Trying to understand what Royal is missing that other lines do better with. Florida even has itinerary stagnation but there are more ports of call reachable from Florida so it's more of a hidden issue unless you are a frequent cruiser. California and Texas are subject to a lot of itinerary stagnation due partially to a lack reachable destinations that fit desirable cruise lengths. Bayonne has very limited options for ports of call since it's so far North. What is Royal missing in Australia? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F1guynz Posted April 5 Report Share Posted April 5 7 hours ago, twangster said: Trying to understand what Royal is missing that other lines do better with. Other cruise lines go to Tonga and Fiji including Celebrity. Royal tends to stick to Mystery Island, Noumea and sometimes Vila. The itineraries are less diverse than they used to be because some islands never reopened for cruising after Covid, and also some places limit the ship size. Maybe having Voyager/Adventure will provide opportunities for new ports. Cruises also tend to be shorter now than they used to be with less opportunity to travel further afield. I think it is the cruise ship equivalent to chocolate bar manufacturers who make the chocolate bar slightly smaller each year but still charge the same price. Also the ships are travelling slower so a port stop that used to take 2 days now takes 3 so the total number of port stops is less. Mike.s, SeniorCruiser, EnSeven and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chili Posted April 5 Report Share Posted April 5 13 hours ago, F1guynz said: Let’s hope. I think it’s a pretty good possibility. They could quite easily swap Adventure for Voyager and Adventure could come around the bottom of South America to Brisbane. Adventure is the only Voyager class that hasn’t been to the Pacific and I think it would be welcomed in Singapore in our off season. I reckon if Voyager turned up in Singapore they would use it for target practice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Southern Dan Posted April 5 Report Share Posted April 5 It looks like Adventure doesn't have anything planned for March/April 2026...perhaps it will finally get its Amplification then? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted April 5 Report Share Posted April 5 1 hour ago, F1guynz said: Other cruise lines go to Tonga and Fiji including Celebrity. Royal tends to stick to Mystery Island, Noumea and sometimes Vila. The itineraries are less diverse than they used to be because some islands never reopened for cruising after Covid, and also some places limit the ship size. Maybe having Voyager/Adventure will provide opportunities for new ports. Cruises also tend to be shorter now than they used to be with less opportunity to travel further afield. I think it is the cruise ship equivalent to chocolate bar manufacturers who make the chocolate bar slightly smaller each year but still charge the same price. Also the ships are travelling slower so a port stop that used to take 2 days now takes 3 so the total number of port stops is less. I like the chocolate bar analogy. Speed is definitely more of a focus now as it is for shipping in general including cargo, container, tanker, etc. The difference between them being nobody is on social media complaining about container ships going too fast therefore increasing emissions. Cruise lines are much more aware of brand image and social media. I think many in the world are oblivious to shipping beyond cruise ships which are a tiny fraction of global shipping. The only way a non-cruise ship makes the news is to block the Suez or take out a bridge. The focus on shorter itineraries I feel is a reaction to market demand. Not so much from seasoned or frequent cruisers, that isn't where significant revenue comes from. Right now the new to cruise market is in overdrive and frequent cruisers are losing out so the new to cruise market is satisfied. I feel like the parent corporation, the Royal Caribbean Group, is putting their brands into lanes. Royal is to focus on mass market, new to cruise, fulfil the market demand of the day if it makes money. The Celebrity focus has been broadened to take advantage of the short cruise/newbie upscale market with many better routes to entice seasoned cruisers to go X. I think Royal would love it if seasoned cruisers would consider X leaving more berths for newbies to book on Royal. SilverSea is in a market competing outside of the RCG family leaving little overlap within the family. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted April 5 Report Share Posted April 5 1 hour ago, Chili said: I reckon if Voyager turned up in Singapore they would use it for target practice. I think Singapore is a very different market. Gamblers don't care the name painted on the ship. Sure some would complain about it as they will if anything but the newest ship in the fleet doesn't go there. Unless Royal places Icon 3 there, Singapore will complain, so Royal might as well put whatever ship there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamesszy94 Posted April 5 Report Share Posted April 5 9 hours ago, twangster said: Curious what your expectations were that were not met. Not trying to start or suggest anything. Do other lines have more diversity to better ports of call? Are there new or unused ports of call that Royal mysteriously avoids? Trying to understand what Royal is missing that other lines do better with. Florida even has itinerary stagnation but there are more ports of call reachable from Florida so it's more of a hidden issue unless you are a frequent cruiser. California and Texas are subject to a lot of itinerary stagnation due partially to a lack reachable destinations that fit desirable cruise lengths. Bayonne has very limited options for ports of call since it's so far North. What is Royal missing in Australia? Carnival and P&O Australia goes to ports like Moreton Island, Fraser Island etc, and P&O goes to Fiji. P&O also goes to Norfolk Island. But what do I know. You can't really compare ports in the United States to Australia imo, because while, yes, you still need to travel to get to other ports around the US, at least the other ports still have some variety in their itineraries. Unlike Australia where we literally only have Quantum and Ovation and they basically have identical itineraries. twangster 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted April 5 Report Share Posted April 5 1 minute ago, Jamesszy94 said: Carnival and P&O Australia goes to ports like Moreton Island, Fraser Island etc, and P&O goes to Fiji. P&O also goes to Norfolk Island. But what do I know. You can't really compare ports in the United States to Australia imo, because while, yes, you still need to travel to get to other ports around the US, at least the other ports still have some variety in their itineraries. Unlike Australia where we literally only have Quantum and Ovation and they basically have identical itineraries. I was comparing the markets on the basis of route stagnation, not the actual ports of call. Unless it's a casino comp I can't see myself booking a Royal ship to the Caribbean. Yawn. Same old stuff on every itinerary. Just about every Royal itinerary in the Caribbean is all about beach, sun, water sports, etc. No history. No culture. Seriously repetitive. Different island, same s***. Is that you feel about Royal in Australia? Granted for many, especially those that have to suffer a miserable winter somewhere, beach, sun, water sports, etc. sounds pretty freaking great. Jamesszy94 and WAAAYTOOO 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chili Posted April 6 Report Share Posted April 6 1 hour ago, twangster said: I was comparing the markets on the basis of route stagnation, not the actual ports of call. Unless it's a casino comp I can't see myself booking a Royal ship to the Caribbean. Yawn. Same old stuff on every itinerary. Just about every Royal itinerary in the Caribbean is all about beach, sun, water sports, etc. No history. No culture. Seriously repetitive. Different island, same s***. Is that you feel about Royal in Australia? Granted for many, especially those that have to suffer a miserable winter somewhere, beach, sun, water sports, etc. sounds pretty freaking great. I think we have a fairly good choice of itineraries here ,sure could be better but our biggest problem is distance. We have 3 distinct destinations, Australian coastal,north or south and they are different .Tropical or temperate. New Zealand with its fiords. The islands like Noumea with a French influence and Vanuatu. twangster 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamesszy94 Posted April 6 Report Share Posted April 6 10 hours ago, twangster said: I was comparing the markets on the basis of route stagnation, not the actual ports of call. Unless it's a casino comp I can't see myself booking a Royal ship to the Caribbean. Yawn. Same old stuff on every itinerary. Just about every Royal itinerary in the Caribbean is all about beach, sun, water sports, etc. No history. No culture. Seriously repetitive. Different island, same s***. Is that you feel about Royal in Australia? Granted for many, especially those that have to suffer a miserable winter somewhere, beach, sun, water sports, etc. sounds pretty freaking great. Ah, yeah, fair enough then. I was mainly just saying that because of how many ships are in the United States that there's more route variation in a way. Honestly, once you've been to Adelaide and Tasmania for the 194871209451294th time, like you said, it seriously gets repetitive. I guess those types of cruises aren't aimed for me. Maybe it's time to try different cruise lines that sail to more exotic destinations. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted April 6 Report Share Posted April 6 13 minutes ago, Jamesszy94 said: Ah, yeah, fair enough then. I was mainly just saying that because of how many ships are in the United States that there's more route variation in a way. Honestly, once you've been to Adelaide and Tasmania for the 194871209451294th time, like you said, it seriously gets repetitive. I guess those types of cruises aren't aimed for me. Maybe it's time to try different cruise lines that sail to more exotic destinations. I like sailing other lines to try something different. Royal feels like home compared to other lines but if I never left home, home would get pretty boring. I don't have bad cruises on the other lines, they just don't feel like home. Maybe it's good to try another line if for no other reason than to remind you what line suits you best. WAAAYTOOO, EnSeven, Jamesszy94 and 1 other 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KWofPerth Posted April 6 Report Share Posted April 6 Variety is the spice of life. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chili Posted April 6 Report Share Posted April 6 From what I’ve heard,25-26 season will be released at 10:00 am on Wednesday. Someone on CC recons it was posted on a RC facebook page. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokeybandit Posted April 6 Report Share Posted April 6 Schedule releases have been coming out around 2-3z on the Wednesday of that week. Chili 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamesszy94 Posted April 7 Report Share Posted April 7 I thought it was supposed to be coming out today - April 8th? or is it April 8th United States time... Wednesday would be the 10th. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamesszy94 Posted April 7 Report Share Posted April 7 Looks like Voyager could be sailing year round from Brisbane in 2025/2026... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottishRobbie Posted April 7 Report Share Posted April 7 58 minutes ago, Jamesszy94 said: I thought it was supposed to be coming out today - April 8th? or is it April 8th United States time... Wednesday would be the 10th. Royal confirmed weeks ago on their Facebook page that they'll be on sale on Wednesday. Rumoured to be on sale 10am Sydney time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vanessa77 Posted April 8 Author Report Share Posted April 8 It’s 100% confirmed now that Anthem is coming. https://www.instagram.com/reel/C5esgyVM4ce/?igsh=MWkzcXhuejc3cnN5eQ== Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattymay Posted April 8 Report Share Posted April 8 Jamesszy94 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chili Posted April 8 Report Share Posted April 8 3 hours ago, Jamesszy94 said: Looks like Voyager could be sailing year round from Brisbane in 2025/2026... Where did you see that ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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