leaveitallbehind

To echo previous comments, there is discussion regarding RCCL that has been voiced as well by Michael Bayley of a current feasibility study for developing a new mid-sized cruise ship class that reportedly would have all of the current technology and amenities of their newer mega ships in a smaller ship size. I guess we will just have to wait and see.

Yes, it probably would be. Typically Chops, Giovanni's, Jamie's, 150 Central Park. But that works well enough for us. And while it states 1st or 2nd night, that typically is only when the first reservation is made. At that time, by prepaying the BOGO $, you can schedule the second night for any night and participating restaurant after that.

Agree - I had always thought that as well, but there was a recent similar thread where one poster indicated that they have used it for lunch. Can't argue their comments but it does seem contradictory to the offer and IMO not its' best value use.

That site is for information regarding booking corporate events and meetings on board RCCL ships.

Here is a more updated and complete list of exemptions. The one posted by @OCSC Mike is the older version. I just came across this last week. Although we've always only used it for dinner, I have heard others on CC indicate that they have used it for lunch. But I cannot confirm that from direct experience, Purchase a specialty restaurant dinner cover charge during the first or second night of your cruise and enjoy complimentary dining for the second guest. Valid for dinner reservations on the first or second night only. (Excludes Celebration Table, Chef’s Table, Empire Supper Club, Hooked, Izumi: Hibachi/Teppanyaki, Omakase, Izumi in the Park, Johnny Rockets, Playmakers, Portside BBQ, and Royal Railway

You may be right - can't find anything confirming the air draft of M class ships but the max clearance under the bridge is 186 ft. Didn't think M class was that high but don't know. RCCL vision class ships may be the limit.

That's interesting. Have not heard that. Where are you getting this information?

I simply upload pictures from my pc, so no savings there. Can also select the time. The only part of that I can't do on the website is scanning the passport barcode - which I agree is a big plus! But entering the information is still done via the website, so it is still done in advance. Everything also is on the app when I check in. Again, not challenging as I do both methods. Just saying either one has the same check in results.

I've done both and can do either, but my preference only because I usually am at my desk on my pc at the time, is to use the website. Just easier and faster for me to type on a keyboard. But I have no preference as to functionality, etc., and don't find either to present an advantage over the other. JMO

Currently RCCL Quantum and Oasis class ships fit under the VN bridge and sail from Cape Liberty - far bigger / taller than any Celebrity ship. As you suggest, it would appear as though Icon will fit as well. Hopefully, as has been discussed elsewhere and referenced by RCCL in quarterly meetings, one of their next ship classes will be smaller, mid-sized ships - not bigger. However that is topic for another discussion on a different cruise line thread...

The "not enough ships" discussion from my perspective was regarding having only one ship in the northeast versus RCCL with several. The short run itineraries out of FL that include Coco Cay IMO is to further capture the ROI from that destination with RCI by adding Celebrity ships there. Time will tell, as you suggest, if it is successful or not with the different primary demographics between RCCL and Celebrity. But as to fleet size with that, they are going where they at least think the demand is at present with their new launches. We will see if any redeployment takes place. Interestingly, RCCL is dedicating a new Oasis class ship exclusively to the 3/4 night Bahamas / CocoCay itinerary.

Not sure what facilities those ships sailed from, but when RCCL sailed from there many years ago it was out of the Navy Yard. They also only did so for a couple of years as I recall. That facility is no longer equipped to handle passenger vessels and is not set up anymore with customs & immigration. The cargo statement may also be part of it. But with Cape Liberty 90 miles to the north and Baltimore 90 miles to the south I don't think Philadelphia made much sense and may have not been sustainable from a business standpoint to be a third location. JMO

I think it's a combination of both as M class Celebrity would certainly work out of Baltimore. I remember the time when RCCL had a Vision class ship sail out of Philadelphia. Never did cruise out of there, though.

I agree with you. And what frequently happens is the older (and smaller) ships are placed on longer itineraries or do special itineraries that often are longer and to less traveled ports of call. Or are selectively dropped from the fleet. I think it may boil down to a cost effectiveness decision where the costs of maintaining the older fleet are weighed against the return from alternate itineraries or departure ports. Who knows. As to the Bermuda repeatable itinerary, it is actually one of our favorites. It started with RCCL Grandeur out of Baltimore. Now it's Celebrity out of Cape Liberty. We just got back from Eclipse two weeks ago. We typically do that one every other year as it is very convenient for us logistically and one of our favorite places to visit. To us it is a very relaxing itinerary.

Enjoyed cruising out of Baltimore, in particular with the sail down the Chesapeake. RCCL has changed those itineraries as well in that they used to offer Grandeur on a 7-night Bermuda cruise, Now Vision only does 5-nights. This is what initially put us on Celebrity as Summit (now Eclipse) does the 7-night Bermuda. While it would be nice to have a Celebrity ship in Baltimore, as mentioned, I don't think their current fleet size will permit that. That is likely why Cape Liberty only has Eclipse and no other Celebrity ship.

They have been for a number of years and as mentioned before, it has a lot to do with fleet size and availability of ships for different departure ports. For instance, at any given time RCCL will have one ship based out of Baltimore and two or three based out of Cape Liberty. This allows them greater itinerary options than Celebrity. Celebrity also has modified their Bermuda sailings in recent years by shortening the season and adding Iceland and Canada sailings into October before their end of season repositioning cruises. In short, cruise lines place their ships where the market demand dictates, and cruise lines with comparatively limited fleet sizes have less options than others with more ships.

Typically when a cruise line changes an itinerary it is due to situations that are not in their direct control, of which there can be many. Also typically the only "compensation" is a return of port fess and taxes for any port missed. Sometimes as a gesture they may add some amount of non-refundable OBC to your stateroom account, depending on the circumstances and port(s) missed. But, unfortunately, itinerary changes are rather common and part of the cruise industry circumstances. If an itinerary has a significant deviation during the cruise or if circumstances force an itinerary cancellation, along with some amount of fare refunds, a future cruise credit may be issued to help offset the impact to the passengers. But these extreme circumstances are somewhat rare and not examples of typical itinerary changes. Sorry for the frustration that this causes - we've experienced it as well. But it is unfortunately, as mentioned, a part of cruising.

....until you do! Our roughest seas ever was en route from the Panama Canal to Jamaica on Christmas night in 2008 on Jewel of the Seas. 25 ft. seas and we were in a front facing deck 8 family stateroom no less. What was most unusual is that it was not the result of a storm - just bad sea conditions. Smoothest seas were on a cruise from Cape Liberty to Bermuda on the second day en route and the seas were flat as glass. Go figure. Not trying to add any concern for the OP - its just that sea conditions are not very predictable.

...and to add it is the up and down motion as the ship is moving forward that is felt the most the further forward and higher your stateroom deck is. (The side to side rolling motion would be felt the same anywhere on the ship, but that is the motion that is mitigated by the ship's stabilizers). But there is no predicting sea conditions as they can and do change frequently and with short timing based on weather and other sea conditions. If one is prone to motion sickness the forward and higher deck locations would not be the best choice as mentioned. However, that being said, IMO on Adventure the deck 12 forward staterooms are some of the nicer locations with their view.

Understood, but if you look back and re-read the comments, my response to ajtaylor29, to which you are referring, was in response to their comments regarding an upcoming boarding in Puerto Rico and plans to disembark after boarding but prior to departure to go to Old San Juan (osj) while there. My first comment addressed the OP, but also referenced our experience in SJ as an example of being able to leave the ship - to which ajtaylor29 ultimately responded to do so with similar plans on their upcoming cruise.

Typically it is the big box retailers with a travel service whose bookings are not eligible for MoveUp by way of their arrangement with the cruise lines and their offered fares. Our TA fares (individual, or reduced rate group based) have always been eligible. Not clear on your comment regarding "having no options". That my just mean there were no stateroom upgrade options available at the time, not that your booking was not eligible.

Too far to walk comfortably IMO. Uber's are plentiful and are a good option. Last time we were there he dropped us off in OSJ and picked us back up at a prearranged time. Worked well. There is also the cab option. With the new individual muster through the app with muster station confirmation, do that first so you don't have to worry about it on your return. Just be sure you are back on board 90 minutes prior to sail away latest. Typically we come back to have dinner on board so that is not an issue.

Is this based on direct experience with Ravenna? I have not heard of that restriction before with other departure ports. (See my prior response).

It may be possible that for some reason you cannot leave the ship in Ravenna, but none that I'm familiar with. As example, when we sail out of Puerto Rico, we check in early and then leave the ship for the day to sightsee and eat lunch in Old San Juan, and then reboard around dinner time and prior to sail away. Have done that several times. We have done it in other departure ports, for example, to meet up with other traveling companions. I would check with the cruise line to confirm.

Whatever works and it's an individual decision, I guess. But in 32 years of cruising and using several different TA's over that time I have never heard of that practice nor would I agree to it. I have heard of them charging fees not charged by the cruise lines for modifying or canceling a cruise. But I would not agree to that or do business with them either. JMO As to finding a good one, most cruise lines will refer you to one if you ask.