Nettee

If you compare from 2024 prices (as of today with similar dates/itinerary/cabins) the 2025 prices are so much lower.  I think they can only go up.

I can’t believe there won’t be some sort of big reveal for 14 nights from the UK on another ship.  It’s too different.  Voyager has the best itineraries again.  I was very excited when I thought Allure might be doing some of them.

I quite like the option of a shorter cruise - they haven’t been available for years from the UK - or at least very few.  I did one with the kids in 2016 (also on Independence) but haven’t seen the option much since. With all our annual leave we can squeeze in a long weekend here are there as well as our longer holidays - maybe a girls trip.  Much more likely to do this from Southampton than fly somewhere for it.  I am tempted - although haven’t been on Anthem before so would be more tempted by that.

I look at the Anthem options each year but it seems to be two weeks or nothing, especially in the summer holidays, so I don’t book it.

But for those people who want their usual two week summer holiday on Royal Caribbean from Southampton this will be a bit of a shock to the system.

It seems strange with the shows being fixed on each ship that they don’t rotate them more each year. Why doesn’t Southampton have Freedom or Liberty instead for example?  Or Odyssey as it sounds like was planned   Maybe it’s the tea making facilities all set up already for us brits. That would be too expensive to move around? 😉

On 7/14/2023 at 9:16 PM, Jumping Cruiser said:

Gibraltar, United Kingdom - Port Bookings (Correct as of 14/07/2023)

Only Independence currently booked into Gibraltar, suggesting a Southampton homeport, as expected.

 

9th July 2025 - Independence OTS

10th July 2025 - Independence OTS

17th July 2025 - Independence OTS

30th July 2025 - Independence OTS 

Why was this expected?  Is Independence due a dry dock?

Never been on Anthem but I can’t seem to get excited about the layout and cabins.

I have done the family ocean view (Radiance class) and panaromic ocean view (Freedom class - corner cabin) and loved them both.  Panoramic more so I think although the space in the FOV was fantastic.  Next time we are trying a junior suite with an interior across the corridor for the kids.  Hope we will enjoy our balcony but I can imagine the view being better from the panoramic ocean view because you don't have the balcony between you and view when you are in the room.  

The 20th October is now available for sale but only two to a room.  Also need to work on my husband to get on board with this idea.  I think its a rare opportunity for a shortish cruise in school holidays from Southampton.  Maybe by the time I persuade my husband they will have relented on the room capacity thing.  Lots of bigger rooms available for two people occupation.

September can be ok for weather with a bit of luck.  In October half term I wouldn't be there for the sunbeds!  Anthem is quite an indoor sort of ship isn't she?

There are now British Isles cruises for sale through September and October on the UK website.  Looks like there are some gaps though.  

7 nights from 5th September (to 12th)

gap

7 nights from 19th September ( to 26th)

6 nights from 26th September (to 2nd Ocotober)

7 nights from 2nd October (to 9th)

gap

5 nights from 15th October (to 20th)

gap

5 nights from 25th October (to 30th)

I have my eye on 20th-25th October - Do you think something will appear?

Thank you for posting this.  It is something that is very difficult to find out in advance and if the water slide is the main draw for the holiday (which it would be in my family’s case). It is worth knowing before booking whether the children will be allowed on.

Yes, safety first but let us have the information to decide what to book.

If you book now then there is much more choice of special and quirky and good value cabins on Independence.  Aft balcony, forward balcony with forward view, ultra spacious interior or ocean view, promenade view, panoramic ocean view (1864 especially).

Anthem doesn’t seem to have much of this except for the spacious ocean views at the front and the loft suites at the back.

I think we should be able to have a UK/Southampton deployment 2020 thread especially if we now have the itineries. There are multiple threads on drinks packages for example and whether they are worth while.  Also there is a deployment in 2020 from Bayonne thread still going strong.  

Thanks for for the info - I would also love to know where you found it but suspect you can’t say.

The Itineraries have not yet been officially released.  It should appear next week.  Someone found these on another website.

Anyone spot any itineraries they fancy?  I am a bit dissapointed there are no short (3 or 4 night) cruises in the summer and none on Anthem.

There are quite a few overnights scattered through the itineraries, which appeals to me.

I saw 3 centrum arial shows on a 12 night Serenade cruise in 2013.  Sad to hear they have stopped them.

What has happened to the ‘ordinary’ ocean views on the Radiance Alaska sailings?  They do not seem to be selling them on the UK website.

I would be worried about the lifeboat covers in those cabins on deck 7.  And the noise from the centrum.  Personally I would go forward for a balcony on Radiance class if I couldn’t go to the aft.  It would probably cost even less.

5 hours ago, Cruisingcouple22 said:

We headed to the windjammer for breakfast and it was packed! No seats inside at 0950, but there were plenty outside and it was a nice morning

Is there outside seating for the Windjammer on Rhapsody?  Would love to see a picture if so.  Great review. 

But the 7 night Pacific coastal is £883 each or £1766 for 2.  Strange.

Just Alaska so far

Did the itineries appear anywhere else first apart from the Royal Caribbean website?  I love the look of Serenade’s passages to Alaska.  They are not available for booking on the UK website but the itineries are there ( including the Saturday returns for Ovation ~ hope they fix that quickly).  

Does this mean Europe will be a ship down for summer 2020?  I guess we will find out in due course. So exciting!

I have stayed in one of these on Serenade.  We loved the space as a family of five and the view.   It would be great for three adults too.  Double check that it is cheaper than two cabins though because it isn’t always and if you have two cabins you have two bathrooms.  Probably will be with three people.  There is quite a lot of walking to do but I think it is worth it.  The other thing to consider is the movement,  we were fine, different ship though, but it may not be the best choice if sea sickness is a problem for you.

Here is a quote from the Allure after Harmony thread:

Is she starting to show her age?  We sailed Explorer this summer, and she definitely was!

There is not massive choice in December 19 if you want 9 nights.  You could look at the newer cabins on deck 12 at the front if you want less wear and tear in the cabin itself but you would have more space in your 2 bedroom suite.

There is a good review of a suite like this on a recent review of Explorer:

https://www.cruisecritic.co.uk/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=636463

Although this is from 2014.

I think the price sounds good for 9 nights in a grand suite especially over Christmas.  But I’m not really very experienced.

Do you look out for spots of rust and get annoyed by them?  If not then you will probably find the ship is well maintained, if so go for something newer but I suspect the price will be higher.

I just couldn’t get over my luck to be honest.  Best value room ever.  Book it quick before someone else does.

Both were fine although we were in the English Channel in August so it wasn’t rough.  I have read complaints about noise from the mini golf above but I didn’t hear anything.