Mercury No Longer Doing Austrailia in 2008/2009

[twopats]

Was surprised to learn that Celebrity is pulling out the Mercury from the Australia/New Zeeland market after 2007/2008. Does anyone know whether they are replacing that ship with another one or just abandoning the market? Prefer Celebrity or RCCL to Princess but we just may have to change our loyalty as want to do this itinerary in 2009. Trish

[rcicruiser]

I hear they are replacing the Mercury with the Millenium

[Andy]

Was surprised to learn that Celebrity is pulling out the Mercury from the Australia/New Zeeland market after 2007/2008. Does anyone know whether they are replacing that ship with another one or just abandoning the market? Prefer Celebrity or RCCL to Princess but we just may have to change our loyalty as want to do this itinerary in 2009. Trish

 

Hi Twopats !

 

They arent pulling out of the market. Millennium is headed there instead of Mercury. So, its actually good news, as a newer/larger ship will be in the region.

[chessbriar]

The Mercury sold so well, they had to send a larger ship. It's all good

[Moeve]

The Mercury has almost be sold out for almost a year prior to sailing so the bigger ship is good news.

[Sheik]

I hope the Mercury will sail the Mexican Riviera again.

[leoandhugh]

She may sail the Mexican Riviera again, but this has been a tough market for X. The Mercury had a lot of adverse publicity with 3 or 4 consecutive trips with Code Red, and the competition from HAL with Oosterdam has been tough also. Then we also have Ryndam here alternating Mexican Riviera with Sea of Cortez and Carnival Spirit is here every week in the winter. Now that Osdm has her new pod and will be able to resume full speed when she returns here in October, I assume she will be sailing at or near capacity each Saturday and with the new pier at Puerta Vallarta, she no longer has to tender there.

[Sheik]

Thanks for the information leoandhugh :)

[chessbriar]

Mercury will be doing Hawaii and Panama Canal. No Mexico

[Lois R]

and don't forget...the Pacific Northwest too:D ;)

[TraceyB]

Anyone know when the new itineraries will be out for the Millenium 2008-09. Keep checking but the web site only shows the Millenium up to October 2008.

Thanks for any info.

Tracey

[Kathie44]

The Mercury is not doing the MR like before, but will stop at some of the ports on the way to the Panama Canal.

We were lucky enough to sail her on the 1/29/07 11-night MR cruise and are very glad to be sailing her again 1/20/08 to Aust./NZ. Evidently the Millenium prices for Aust/NZ will be higher.

The first thread about this topic appeared 2-3 weeks ago, answering the question as to why X was using a smaller ship for the new itin. Speculation was that Mercury was the "guinea pig" so to speak and it seems to be true. The enormous response has spoken for itself.

If you are interested in going in '08 book now before all the sailings are sold out. I can tell you that the price for our OV cabin has gone up $330 since we booked on our MR cruise Jan. 30. Suites and verandahs sold out almost immediately last fall.

If you decide to wait for the Millie, book as soon as it opens.

[hcat]

Glad to hear Mecury will be back someplace close by. 'Til the pods are 100% she will remain our favorite. Century is just a bit too old even with the refurb....Good newsfor all those who are heading for Australia that there will be more cabins available for booking on X.

[Phamer55]

Too bad there won't be any MR cruises anymore.

[florisdekort]

Anyone know when the new itineraries will be out for the Millenium 2008-09. Keep checking but the web site only shows the Millenium up to October 2008.

Thanks for any info.

Tracey

 

Australia/New Zealand 2008/2009 on Millennium will go on sale Wednesday May 16.

 

Best Regards,

Floris

[TraceyB]

Thanks so much.

That is what I needed.

I have held the Mercury but would prefer to do later in the year.

Cruised on the Millenium on a transatlantic, loved the ship.

Tracey

[Undercover Cruiser]

The main reason why the Mercury is no longer doing Austrailia is because of money. There are less Balconies on the Mercury then on the Millenium. This caused an oversold problem, especially for group business.

[Moeve]

Under Cover the Mercury is just not big enough to acommodated all passengers who want to sail. The down under cruises were still over a year away and most cabins were sold out!!

[Undercover Cruiser]

Moeve

 

the revenue manager for the Mercury had tons of Inside staterooms. trust me, I was there when they were looking at at. The Mercury was used to see if there was a big demand for the sailing to begin with. The sailing was very successful but the biggest problem they were having was turning back people who wanted to book balconies and there were none. And then when you offered inside staerooms they did not want them. So, Celebrity did the right thing and put the Millenium since it has more balconies staerooms and it's a newer ship.