No summer Southern Caribbean cruises 2012 on

[Aviator of the Seas]

Sad news. Not happy.

 

Indeed.

[cruisefeen2304]

Wow. So basically No Southern Caribbean Cruises With RCCL during the Summer Months. That's crazy! I wish I had known this information before as I am in pre-planing stages for a big family cruise (20ppl at least) for Summer 2012.

 

We're partial to the S.C iTT because my family is from Barbados, and we love the idea that you can go on vacation and spend a day with family.

Furthermore, as I'm still in school Summer is better for cruising even though I know most people obviously do Caribbean cruises in the winter... back to CCL for us? Oh Dear.

[shipfriend_max]

I think Serenade will be doing Norwegian fjord cruises. People have been posting the Geiranger port schedule that shows Serenade there on several dates.

 

According to the latest news Serenade of the Seas will be replaced by Brilliance of the Seas. Brilliance will be doing the Norway itineraries in 2012, up to the Arctic circle.

Serenade will be in Mediterranean. The Geiranger cruise schedule hasn't it updated yet! ;)

[negc]

negc, you are obviously a very senior, experienced and salty CruiseCritic member. If you're not Adam Goldstein himself or a member of the RCI board :D, I am sure that you could have a seat at their table if you just ask. If you do, can you ask them to at least toss us poor Southern-Caribs a bone? We'd probably even take the Sovereign back as a consolation :o.

 

Thanks for the compliment (I think) but I think Adam and the executives who determine fleet deployment recognize and perhaps even sympathize with your plight. However, their job is to maximize the revenue that their ships earn while trying to expand their appeal to a wider population. Unless leaving a ship in the southern Caribbean during the summer meets those criteria, chances aren't very good. They likely feel that they made a mistake when they listened to the loud lobbying from West Coast cruisers and moved the Mariner to the West Coast and later found that it wasn't producing the revenue necessary to maintain it there and will be shy about stationing another ship in a region that will not adequately support it in certain months of the year. Some of this discussion may be moot when the full 2012/2013 deployment is announced but until then we can only wait and see (and hope).:)

[nelblu]

Exactly!. Why would RC, and they are not the only cruise line doing it, not want to put ships where they generate the most revenue.

We have been on both the Serenade, and Adventure in Aug Sept and Oct.

Fares have been very low, and there have been many discounts for locals as well to fill ships. Most of the time the shows are half empty, bars are empty, etc, etc Although the suips are full, no one is spending on them. ( Gee, remember Mariner in LA??) this is what SJ is like. Why wouldn't they want to put ships somewhere else where they will generate more $$. If Oasis and Allure could get into European Ports, they would try one or both of those there as well in the summer/fall season. The only reason those 2 mega ships stay in the Caribbean, is they can't go anywhere else at this time. Until the European Market for cruising cools down, this will be the trend.

 

I guess you haven't been on an Mediterranean cruise. We've done it twice and almost everynight the MDR was always half empty. On our first 12 day Venice crusie we wanted a large tablelas we wanted to meet other nationalities--guess what--we had a table for 12 and basically attended by us and an elderly couple from Belgium who spoke no English. Sign lanuage anyone.

The casino was barely attended and the shows were mostly empty. The slot(s) tournament was cancelled twice and this disappointed my wife and forget the bingo as it was a waste of time.

Everything is relative when identifying the root cause and not what is bein spent on the aboard. Probably one of the reason is the money that they make from the tours--these suckers are expensive and take an entire day.

[barbie5401]

There have been a lot of changes this year that I am not in love with, no more 7 day cruises from Miami (hate the FLL port) no more cruises out of San Juan in May (ugh!), I really don't want to go on either the OASIS or ALLURE yet....maybe I will just have to go in April.

[Aviator of the Seas]

Thanks for the compliment (I think) but I think Adam and the executives who determine fleet deployment recognize and perhaps even sympathize with your plight. However, their job is to maximize the revenue that their ships earn while trying to expand their appeal to a wider population. Unless leaving a ship in the southern Caribbean during the summer meets those criteria, chances aren't very good. They likely feel that they made a mistake when they listened to the loud lobbying from West Coast cruisers and moved the Mariner to the West Coast and later found that it wasn't producing the revenue necessary to maintain it there and will be shy about stationing another ship in a region that will not adequately support it in certain months of the year. Some of this discussion may be moot when the full 2012/2013 deployment is announced but until then we can only wait and see (and hope).:)

 

It was a compliment indeed.

[negc]

I guess you haven't been on an Mediterranean cruise. We've done it twice and almost everynight the MDR was always half empty. On our first 12 day Venice crusie we wanted a large tablelas we wanted to meet other nationalities--guess what--we had a table for 12 and basically attended by us and an elderly couple from Belgium who spoke no English. Sign lanuage anyone.

The casino was barely attended and the shows were mostly empty. The slot(s) tournament was cancelled twice and this disappointed my wife and forget the bingo as it was a waste of time.

Everything is relative when identifying the root cause and not what is bein spent on the aboard. Probably one of the reason is the money that they make from the tours--these suckers are expensive and take an entire day.

 

If what you claim is accurate and it is the ship and not just the MDR that is always half empty, you can expect to see fewer Mediterranean cruises in the future. However, I don't think that is actually the case for most of their sailings and the fact that they are moving the bulk of their fleet to Europe for the summer months would seem to indicate that the cruiseline disagrees with your conclusions. Rest assured that, as far as the lines are concerned, they have an excellent handle on what is being spent onboard and off by their guests, and deploy their ships accordingly.:)

[Aviator of the Seas]

If it's any consolation the weekly Caribbean Business newspaper is "reporting" in its business gossip section that the Puerto Rico Ports Authority is in negotiations with an as-of-yet-to-be-named cruise line for year-round cruises out of San Juan. Possibly, an around Puerto Rico (San Juan/Ponce/Mayaguez) + USVI + BVI or FWI itinerary.

[Aviator of the Seas]

To add to my suspicion that RCI wants to shepherd cruisers away from the Southern Caribbean in favor of the Oasis class during the summers, A&A Tours - The RCI rep. in the Caribbean - is placing full page ads in newspapers and billboards around Puerto Rico touting the Oasis and the Allure beginning this year. It is unheard of that A&A Tours would highlight a homeport outside of San Juan in such a fashion.

 

It is my appreciation that Puerto Ricans cruise because of the beaches and shopping around the Caribbean, not so much for the boat itself. Let's see if RCI is successful in luring Puerto Ricans away to the boring "Caribbean" and the amusement parks afloat. Plus airfare.

[marci22]

It is my appreciation that Puerto Ricans cruise because of the beaches and shopping around the Caribbean, not so much for the boat itself. Let's see if RCI is successful in luring Puerto Ricans away to the boring "Caribbean" and the amusement parks afloat. Plus airfare.

 

I don't see that being very successful, especially with the pricing on these ships. They are going to have to give steep residency discounts for PR.

[Loves_Dogs]

To add to my suspicion that RCI wants to shepherd cruisers away from the Southern Caribbean in favor of the Oasis class during the summers, A&A Tours - The RCI rep. in the Caribbean - is placing full page ads in newspapers and billboards around Puerto Rico touting the Oasis and the Allure beginning this year. It is unheard of that A&A Tours would highlight a homeport outside of San Juan in such a fashion.

 

It is my appreciation that Puerto Ricans cruise because of the beaches and shopping around the Caribbean, not so much for the boat itself. Let's see if RCI is successful in luring Puerto Ricans away to the boring "Caribbean" and the amusement parks afloat. Plus airfare.

 

You have mentioned airfare in a few of your posts. For a lot of people, myself included, airfare is just a fact of life if you want to have a vacation. You should be grateful for all the cruises you have taken and not had to factor in the cost of airfare. Now that the cheap (no airfare) cruises are no longer available year round you will be like most of us, if you want to cruise, you gotta pay to fly somewhere. Sorry, I find it hard to sympathize with someone like you who already lives in a vacation paradise :) ..

[boingy300]

I have mentioned airfare but only in comparison of flying to Europe vs. flying to Miami or SJU. I could do 2 cruises in the Caribbean (giving MORE $$ to the cruiseline) than I could giving $1400 to Delta going to Europe. For me- air fare is factored in, but is an issue. That was my point. Yes I know how to make a cruise budget, that's why I am paying attention. Now $150 between Miami vs. SJU isn't going to make or break that trip (for me). I can do 2-3 trips to SJU to 1 Europe.

Karen

[Aviator of the Seas]

You have mentioned airfare in a few of your posts. For a lot of people, myself included, airfare is just a fact of life if you want to have a vacation. You should be grateful for all the cruises you have taken and not had to factor in the cost of airfare. Now that the cheap (no airfare) cruises are no longer available year round you will be like most of us, if you want to cruise, you gotta pay to fly somewhere. Sorry, I find it hard to sympathize with someone like you who already lives in a vacation paradise :) ..

 

Hey! I resemble that remark! For my transatlantic from Barcelona to San Juan I HAD TO FLY to Barcelona and pay airfare!!! Five bucks in business class it cost me, I tell you! (with AAdvantage miles :D).

 

I'll admit I'm being a little selfish here.

[Loves_Dogs]

Hey! I resemble that remark! For my transatlantic from Barcelona to San Juan I HAD TO FLY to Barcelona and pay airfare!!! Five bucks in business class it cost me, I tell you! (with AAdvantage miles :D).

 

I'll admit I'm being a little selfish here.

 

LOL...OK, I'll cut ya some slack here.

I have to admit, I hate to see the changes too. 2 out of my whopping 5 cruises have been from San Juan and the Southern route is by FAR my favorite. Always try to go in early the day before my cruise so I can enjoy a whole day in San Juan. Kind of like a little mini vacation before my vacation. Not only do you have great weather and beautiful scenery but I absolutely love the coffee there. Ah well..maybe RCI will reconsider.

[Aviator of the Seas]

LOL...OK, I'll cut ya some slack here.

I have to admit, I hate to see the changes too. 2 out of my whopping 5 cruises have been from San Juan and the Southern route is by FAR my favorite. Always try to go in early the day before my cruise so I can enjoy a whole day in San Juan. Kind of like a little mini vacation before my vacation. Not only do you have great weather and beautiful scenery but I absolutely love the coffee there. Ah well..maybe RCI will reconsider.

 

I appreciate your comments about my hometown.

[nelblu]

If what you claim is accurate and it is the ship and not just the MDR that is always half empty, you can expect to see fewer Mediterranean cruises in the future. However, I don't think that is actually the case for most of their sailings and the fact that they are moving the bulk of their fleet to Europe for the summer months would seem to indicate that the cruiseline disagrees with your conclusions. Rest assured that, as far as the lines are concerned, they have an excellent handle on what is being spent onboard and off by their guests, and deploy their ships accordingly.:)

 

Certain itineraries do not always sell out. My Mediterranean cruise in August '10, there were 2 price drops amounting to some $1k for both of us. There was a further drop for a balcony cabin at $700 for 2, however, we could not take advantage of this because it was for new bookings--were we pi--ed.

 

As a I said what is being spent aboard is relative. On our recent Oasis cruise certain RCL staff claim that they do not make a lot of money on drinks, but on their of sales of jewelry and incidentals. I simply cannot believe this. Maybe most of the cruisers are D or above and get their fill gratis.

[absolutsixthree]

Very upsetting.

[barbie5401]

While I was not ready to do the Allure/Oasis yet -- I might. I checked the Serenade for April and it will cost me more money than doing the Allure in May. I was hoping for the Serenade in May but no such luck. What is the new date for releasing the Carib. schedule for May?

[Cuizer2]

This is beyond dissapointing. I can rarely travel outside of the summer and with RCI pulling out of San Juan I'll never get to Diamond. Maybe not even Emerald!

 

Out of Florida? - It does not make sense for us to fly to Florida to then sail back to the less desirable Caribbean ports. The Lesser Antilles and the ABC islands are far superior and genuinely Caribbean than Roatan, the Bahamas, Labadee, etc.

 

Europe? Been there done that for now.

 

You are complaining because you only have a ship seasonally. Well, there are no Royal Caribbean ships based anywhere in California at all, period. So don't expect any sympathy from the 30,000,000 plus residents of California.

[barbie5401]

No one likes changes that don't benefit themselves, we are still upset that there is no more 7 day out of Miami.

[Mark_K]

The weekly Caribbean Business has confirmed that RCI will homeport the Serenade in San Juan only during the winter/spring months. With the Adventure going to Europe also in the summers, that means no Royal Caribbean Southern Caribbean cruises during the summer/fall beginning next year.

 

http://www.caribbeanbusinesspr.com/cb_content/news02.php?nw_id=4962&ct_id=0&ct_name=1

I saw where the article said Serenade would not be there in the summer, I guess I missed the place where the article said Royal Caribbean confirmed no other ship(s) would be redeployed there for the summer of 2012.

[Cuizer2]

Foreign-flagged ships can't travel between two different US ports without making a distant foreign port stop.

 

As long as no US flagged ship has a route between the US mainland and Puerto Rico, foreign flagged ships can sail between the two without making a stop at a distant foreign port.

 

Check out the May 1, 2011 sailing of the Caribbean Princess for example ...

 

Ports of Call: San Juan, Puerto Rico; St. Thomas, USVI; Antigua; King's Wharf, Bermuda; Brooklyn, New York

[Mark_K]

If there were any truth in Advertising, Royal Caribbean Cruise Line should start calling themselves Royal European Cruise Line or Royal Florida Cruise Line. By abandoning the Southern itineraries, it has lost "Caribbean" as its middle name.

They're waiting until Norwegian Cruise Line changes theirs. ;)

[barbie5401]

Didn't realize that May was considered to be summer?