xxHadleyxx

The ship is marketed primarily to the Chinese market. The menus are different to reflect more Chinese tastes. Etc. But sure, go ahead and believe it's the exact same product marketed exactly the same way as the ships sailing to Western destinations. Doesn't bother me. Just don't be a jerk to crew if you ever take one of those sailings and don't enjoy the less western food offerings, some main stage entertainment not being in English at all, etc. Personally, I loved the changed experience and am sad to have missed sailing from Shanghai on RCI again this year.

Cruises leaving from US ports cannot be cruises to nowhere, as noted above. Cruises to nowhere leaving from other countries could be an option as the industry restarts

There's a river cruise currently underway in Germany. A French line is selling iteneraries From France (mostly only French ports, but I think one UK as well) from next month. Tui is looking at German ports only cruises for later in summer. etc I have a feeling Royal will also start with similar things....Asia cruises that only port in China, EU cruises with only one nation or only certain sets of nations with all good control and monitoring of covid-19, etc. We are currently booked to sail Jewel from Copenhagen to Barcelona mid August. I doubt that itene

That's not surprising at all. The Celebrity brand is marketed primarily to a western audience regardless of where it sails. Royal sailings from China are marketed towards the Chinese and many things onboard are changed specifically to appeal to that market.

I guess that's one of the great things about Royal...there are ships and sailings for everyone. Me? I much prefer a more diverse group of cruisers. Meeting a variety of people and getting out of my own little bubble is one of the things I most enjoy about cruising

You do realize that RCI has regular sailing from Shanghai and a strong Chinese customer base, regardless of the Olympics, correct? We sailed from Shanghai in March 2019 and had b2b sailings from Shanghai booked for this March (a trip which was obviously cancelled). These are sailings geared towards the Chinese market with few westerners onboard.

About ninety percent of their passengers on most sailings from Shanghai were Chinese anyway. I can see reduced capacity, only Chinese nationals sailings happening. Possibly with no stops outside China Things appear to be far more under control there than in the US at this point.

Here is the article I saw which mentiosn China sailings as of 1 July and Europe and Asia likely to start before the US: https://www.trvltrend.com/cruise/royal-caribbean-to-resume-sailing-on-august-1/

I want to say that the same interview said they are likely to start with cruises in Asia and Europe. No mention was made of when the US might start up---but I think the line needs to know things are controlled enough to not lead to terrible press again. I even think there might be some cruises out of Shanghai in July? I don't recall where I read that though--sadly. Anyway--yes, I can imagine having a couple of ships sailing in Europe by August 1, and do not think that is totally unrealistic at all. Many places in Europe have multiple weeks of declining or steadily v

RCI's policy is that ships embarking in Europe have a drinking age of 18. Perhaps you were on a different line?

They're allowed anywhere the other adults are, they just can't drink (I think on some iteneraries they are not allowed in the casino either?). Sailings which originate in Europe they can also drink. So, basically, if your kid is only happy hanging out with others their own age, it might be less fun for them on the cruise---as it might be harder to find/meet those people (and on some sailings, there are not a lot of peopel in taht age bracket at all). On the other hand, if they enjoy going to the club, pool, etc and hanging out with adults of all ages they should be fine. My kids

I don't know. Royal has far more presence in Europe, and a much bigger European passenger base while here than HAL or Princess. Several ships are already on this side of the Atlantic. I'll be surprised if RCI cancels the entire European season. It might happen, but I doubt that it will I expect there may be something like only Schengen residents and sailings only stop in the zone,. Or all Spanish ports, etc. But I'm thinking at least something by midsummer is likely. Maybe it's just wishful thinking in my part though. I've got a late August sailing booked from Copenhagen.

in the context that the line should not count on the lure of status as enough to keep their most loyal cruisers loyal, if they have policies like this with the deposits on "replacement" cruises ( let's face it, far more people willing to take the FCC and rebook are giong to be experienced cruisers than brand new ones, who are likely to be more concerned about safety AND more likely to change plans to a land based vacation). goodness you seem bothered by someone mentioning status though---it wasn't meant as a brag---I am sure you and many others have lots of nice things which I d

I like how you acuse me of wanting special policies becuase of status, I explain that it is not at all what i meant when you pulled that quote out, and you do not even aknowledge it now. Geez. OK then. Anyway, about the deposits IMO, until we are inside the date by which the line will no longer consider cancelling a cruise in order to sell it as a charter, there should at least be an option for a refundable deposit booking. If we have to agree to a FIRM commitment to sail, non refundable, then the line should agree to an equally firm commitment to offer the sailing if weather

No. That is not at all what I meant. I think everyone should have the option of a refundable deposit or at the very least the FCC they get for a cancelled crusie should be able to be applied to all of the base fare, deposit included, on a replacement cruise. I meant that having status perks is not enough of a draw to keep me with the line if I am enough opposed to the new booking policy, partially because I have status perks elsewhere (on lines which still allow refundable deposits----and from which FCCs issued by the lines for cruises they cancelled are good for the ENTIRE base