MarkedAngel

I actually feel that the improvements to Explorer only detracted from it. First we removed the kids splash area, then we allegedly amped it but no Playmakers and they have done nothing to upgrade or update the suite lounge that is in a hole in the wall on deck 9 with no windows.

I don't disagree with you there as she has no Playmakers or restaurant on the pool deck otherwise she has everything else technically.

Yeah it's why we just pulled the plug and added it in 2024. As the Viva and Prime this far are not fantastic favorites and cabin choices for families is abysmal and event he haven rooms are crowded space wise.

With the new UNESCO regulations going into place in the Fjords we are all very unsure of a royal will have that itinerary. NCL does on the Viva but that ship is LNG with shore power as are the MSC ones showing there.

Oh I totally understand and that's why several times it was asked when royal planned to build a few new smaller ships with he answer hmm that sounds like a good idea so is something in the works possibly. But the Caribbean currently makes them a ton of their revenue and I'm sure this move was made to cater to the older royal or the kid free crowds that don't want an Oasis class or Icon ship with over 2k kids on it.

There is a hue and cry from a large mass of loyal to royal fans that said they want smaller ship options in the Caribbean in the summer months was all the talk on the last Presidents Cruise as the ships there get bigger and bigger and not everyone likes that vibe.

The only LNG ships Royal has this far is Icon and Utopia and Oasis class was never truly meant to be LNG they made a last minute change for Utopia also why I think she went out on short day cruises her storage capacity isn't built like Icon that was meant to be LNG powered

NCL has the Prima in Norway, she is LNG powered thus far the only LNG ships for Royal are Utopia and Icon so that is how they have them listed with the new restrictions, those ships offer shore power options.

So the UNESCO restrictions are not going into place? I'm confused for sure lol.

The Norway cruises especially the Fjords are in hot dispute, my TA isn't even sure RCL will offer it next year due to the changes.

I get it we relocated 2 cruises next year to move it from 25 to 24 just in case as even 25 is questionable.

Norway is going to be an interesting one with the new regulations going into place for the UNESCO areas.

Following for Fall of 2025!

Some ships imho really shone after their amp ups, Freedom for example came out a whole new ship. Explorer, not so much they jammed in slides, no playmakers, and now no kid's area so literally to me all the hype for Explorer amp in March and we got slides?

I'm your huckleberry for sure! I'd have to plan accordingly but I get about 6 weeks a year of paid vacation time lol.