Deployment Schedule 2016-2017. Let the guessing begin

[sr4mjc]

So no South America sailings in early 2017? I'm currently booked on Celebrity but was open to switching if RC was less expensive.

[MADflyer]

I already suggested a while ago that "Mein Schiff 3" would be ideal for RCL as a future smaller size ship class.

 

TUI Cruises sails fully booked and will have no problem to fill upcoming ships 4-6 as well. However, RCl could use this prototype and order additional ships for their brand to replace Vision classes.

 

TUI Cruises ships are only operated on the technical side by RCL, crewing is handled by a third party agent (Sea Chefs).

 

RCL still hold the option at Meyer Turku for Mein Schiff 7 and Mein Schiff 8 for 2018 and 2019, I believe. They picked them up last September 19th. There are rumors that those ships are 'for sale' but TUI has denied that this is the case.

 

With all the Aida ships coming online that is a lot of ships targeting the narrow German speaking market if TUI will have 8 ships.

 

Sea Chefs is one of the agents that crew the Europa 2 for Hapaag Lloyd as well and they have had to find an 'international' crew as that ship is being heavily marketed beyond the German market.

 

RCL is in charge of the building of these ships and the marketing to fill them with passengers is done by TUI group.

 

It just seems that RCI is leaving some markets over to Celebrity and Pullmantur Cruises at this point and they could start to do the same with TUI in the future if the ships were 'international' crewed.

 

Under current market conditions, they will all sail full no matter how they decide to fill the ships.

[MADflyer]

So no South America sailings in early 2017? I'm currently booked on Celebrity but was open to switching if RC was less expensive.

 

RCI have currently pulled out of South America for next year. They pulled out of Colon, Panama last year. In press discussions they made some vague reference to not being satisfied with 'promises' for port improvements in the region not taking place.

[longhorn2004]

It seems that RCL is upgauging its ships, I think the smallest ship will be Voyager size going forward.

[travelgoddess1]

RCI have currently pulled out of South America for next year. They pulled out of Colon, Panama last year. In press discussions they made some vague reference to not being satisfied with 'promises' for port improvements in the region not taking place.

 

I believe that Colon is still showing as a port of call on our October Panama Canal cruise. :confused:

[Hoopster95]

I believe that Colon is still showing as a port of call on our October Panama Canal cruise. :confused:

 

MadFlyer was referring to the 7-day cruises of Grandeur and Vision up to 2013 where Colon was the home port, and the itinerary was Cartegena/Bonaire/Curacao/Aruba... back to home port Colon. It was a Spanish immersion cruise with most sailing approx 80-90% Spanish/Latin American influence. The Legend or any full transit Canal cruises on any cruise line seem to always include either Cartegena or Colon... or Aruba to satisfy PVSA I believe.

 

And just wait until you get into Colon... DO NOT leave port by yourself. What a horrible city they've created there. You must have an excursion, private or otherwise, to take you into the beautiful countryside, Lorenzo fort, Gatun locks, or the Embrera Indian Village. The port area and inner city Colon is a major shame.

[fish6]

OK......so who is in the know? I see itineraries on Cruise Cal but nothing released on the Royal website for Hawaii....anyone?

[John&LaLa]

OK......so who is in the know? I see itineraries on Cruise Cal but nothing released on the Royal website for Hawaii....anyone?

 

No one is in the know. Just a lot of speculation and hyperbole. ;)

 

More fun that way

Edited May 8, 2015 by John&LaLa

[fish6]

No one is in the know. Just a lot of speculation and hyperbole. ;)

 

More fun that way

 

Ha Ha.......I guess it was wishful thinking on my part. I just thought Hawaii was usually released by now....thanks :)

[Pumbaamd]

It seems that RCL is upgauging its ships, I think the smallest ship will be Voyager size going forward.

 

Don't forget Project Edge, back on Post 2469.

Rick and Deirdra

[MADflyer]

Ha Ha.......I guess it was wishful thinking on my part. I just thought Hawaii was usually released by now....thanks :)

 

RCI have stated they will come with additional Alaska, New Zealand and Pacific Coastal cruises the week of May 11th.

 

RCI have stated they will release Australia, New Zealand, South Pacific, Hawaii and winter Singapore the week of May 25th.

 

China is listed only as Future deployment.

 

I am not sure what they are indicating, but they also include Spring and Fall 2016 Transatlantic cruises are being re-released on the week of May 11th.

[squadron]

MadFlyer was referring to the 7-day cruises of Grandeur and Vision up to 2013 where Colon was the home port, and the itinerary was Cartegena/Bonaire/Curacao/Aruba... back to home port Colon. It was a Spanish immersion cruise with most sailing approx 80-90% Spanish/Latin American influence. The Legend or any full transit Canal cruises on any cruise line seem to always include either Cartegena or Colon... or Aruba to satisfy PVSA I believe.

 

And just wait until you get into Colon... DO NOT leave port by yourself. What a horrible city they've created there. You must have an excursion, private or otherwise, to take you into the beautiful countryside, Lorenzo fort, Gatun locks, or the Embrera Indian Village. The port area and inner city Colon is a major shame.

 

Had one of the best excursions ever in Colon - extensive city tour, the old US Military housing area etc - wonderful guide. Had lunch at an upscale hotel on the causeway. Was a ship's tour.

[MADflyer]

Had one of the best excursions ever in Colon - extensive city tour, the old US Military housing area etc - wonderful guide. Had lunch at an upscale hotel on the causeway. Was a ship's tour.

 

You were leaving the ship in Colon and transferred to Panama City for that tour. Panama City is wonderful, Colon is a disaster.

 

Panama is a great destination and I think the only place on the globe where they actually have comprehensive health insurance on all passengers and tourists while in the country with complete coverage. I find that a great idea.

 

No one though should not heed Hoopster's recommendation to not leave the port area on your own at Colon.

[travelgoddess1]

MadFlyer was referring to the 7-day cruises of Grandeur and Vision up to 2013 where Colon was the home port, and the itinerary was Cartegena/Bonaire/Curacao/Aruba... back to home port Colon. It was a Spanish immersion cruise with most sailing approx 80-90% Spanish/Latin American influence. The Legend or any full transit Canal cruises on any cruise line seem to always include either Cartegena or Colon... or Aruba to satisfy PVSA I believe.

 

And just wait until you get into Colon... DO NOT leave port by yourself. What a horrible city they've created there. You must have an excursion, private or otherwise, to take you into the beautiful countryside, Lorenzo fort, Gatun locks, or the Embrera Indian Village. The port area and inner city Colon is a major shame.

 

We have been to Colon many times. We either take a shore excursion or stay within the fenced port area.

 

Ha Ha.......I guess it was wishful thinking on my part. I just thought Hawaii was usually released by now....thanks :)

 

Our Next Cruise Sales Manager here onboard Jewel is saying Hawaii will be released the week of May 26, but she also said to be on the lookout for a sooner release. Translation: keep checking. :rolleyes: :)

[Ourusualbeach]

 

 

 

Our Next Cruise Sales Manager here onboard Jewel is saying Hawaii will be released the week of May 26, but she also said to be on the lookout for a sooner release. Translation: keep checking. :rolleyes: :)

 

Other translation: They don't know either and we will probably know before they do.

[CRUISEBOY305]

Other translation: They don't know either and we will probably know before they do.

 

that's usually the case Ken ;)

[squadron]

You were leaving the ship in Colon and transferred to Panama City for that tour. Panama City is wonderful, Colon is a disaster.

 

Panama is a great destination and I think the only place on the globe where they actually have comprehensive health insurance on all passengers and tourists while in the country with complete coverage. I find that a great idea.

 

No one though should not heed Hoopster's recommendation to not leave the port area on your own at Colon.

 

My memory is failing! The tour that I said was wonderful was in Panama City! Sorry!

[MADflyer]

My memory is failing! The tour that I said was wonderful was in Panama City! Sorry!

 

No need to be sorry. I am happy you have fond memories of that tour, but just made that comment based on the fact that Colon Panama is not currently a city where anyone wants to venture off on their own.

[bUU]

It seems that RCL is upgauging its ships, I think the smallest ship will be Voyager size going forward.

Can Voyager doc at Seward AK?

[Spring]

RCI have stated they will come with additional Alaska, New Zealand and Pacific Coastal cruises the week of May 11th.

 

RCI have stated they will release Australia, New Zealand, South Pacific, Hawaii and winter Singapore the week of May 25th.

 

China is listed only as Future deployment.

 

I am not sure what they are indicating, but they also include Spring and Fall 2016 Transatlantic cruises are being re-released on the week of May 11th.

 

 

Well, Explorer Of The Seas will go Sydney to Seattle via Honolulu in April next year.

[Nemomof3]

For those looking to book Adventure out of San Juan for early 2017 Jan, Feb, and the rest of March are now online.

[KarlS]

Not a fan of the switch from 7 nights to 5 nights for Grandeur to Bermuda.

 

Agreed. :confused:

 

Bermuda out of Baltimore is one of our favorite RCI itineraries. Last time we sailed to Bermuda on Enchantment in September 2012 we thought the time in Bermuda was short: only had one afternoon half-day (Sunday) upon arrival at Kings Wharf followed by one full day (Monday) followed by a (Tuesday) morning half-day on departure day.

 

In 2016 any Grandeur itinerary that calls in Bermuda shows arrival after lunch and departure the next day at the same time.

 

Has RCI been out-bid for 2016 Kings Wharf docking rights by NCL and Celebrity? YIKES! :eek:

[flames]

Where can you find the Itinuery of all the ships if you don't know what cruise you would like to do?:confused:

 

Carol:)

[Clarea]

Where can you find the Itinuery of all the ships if you don't know what cruise you would like to do?:confused:

 

Carol:)

Royal used to have a way to see specific deployment areas by ship, but they removed that in the latest update. Now you can only search by general area, such as Transatlantic, Europe, Alaska, etc.

[RSLeesburg]

Agreed. :confused:

 

Bermuda out of Baltimore is one of our favorite RCI itineraries. Last time we sailed to Bermuda on Enchantment in September 2012 we thought the time in Bermuda was short: only had one afternoon half-day (Sunday) upon arrival at Kings Wharf followed by one full day (Monday) followed by a (Tuesday) morning half-day on departure day.

 

In 2016 any Grandeur itinerary that calls in Bermuda shows arrival after lunch and departure the next day at the same time.

 

Has RCI been out-bid for 2016 Kings Wharf docking rights by NCL and Celebrity? YIKES! :eek:

 

When I first heard that they were going to change Grandeur to 5 night Bermuda cruises, I assumed they were going to swap so that Anthem could do 7 day cruises to Bermuda, but it looks like it will also continue to do 5 day, so maybe they are trying to free up days for more one day Bermuda stops from FL?