UPDATES on the dates for 2006/2007 Product Openings!

[Phamer55]

Gee, am I surprised? It's May 17th, and I don't see the Empress Of The Seas available for Summer 2006.

[CuseJeff44]

We're looking for a Canada/New England cruise for next summer, and I still can't find a Canada/NE single itinerary for 2006.

 

This is weird, because we booked our honeymoon nearly at least 18 months in advance, if I remember correctly, a few years back...

 

Ugh.

[Guest nhrich]

Phamer55 - Empress is now showing a May 31 release date for summer '06 and May 24 release date for winter '06-'07.

 

jlabramo - Doesn't look like they're doing any Canada/NE cruises next year, unfortunately. :(

 

Rich, ACC

Carefree Vacations

[CuseJeff44]

Rich, so they're taking that itinerary completely out? Damn, I just thought they were late in getting them up.

 

Thats a shame. :(

[Pumbaamd]

Rich, any idea when Grandeur repo from Balt.-NOLA in Fall '06 would be available for booking?

[PAGA]

Rich, any idea when Grandeur repo from Balt.-NOLA in Fall '06 would be available for booking?

 

 

As of last week - according to Ella2 -- Empress (philly), Explorer (Cape Liberty) and Grandeur were all scheduled to open today for Summer '06.

 

I was able to book Explorer for June '06 around 10:30 am today (but it wasn't available at 8am). There is nothing on the web site, but I was able to book by phone direct with RCCL.

 

Not sure if the Baltimore to NOLA repo is considered summer or winter, but I'd try to give RCCL a call...

[terri23]

Phamer55 - Empress is now showing a May 31 release date for summer '06 and May 24 release date for winter '06-'07.

 

Rich, ACC

Carefree Vacations

 

Hi Rich,

Is that a typo (summer 2006 released after winter 06/07 for Empress?)

thanks for all the help!

[Guest nhrich]

Jlabramo - That's what it appears. No Canada/NE at all.

Pumbaamd - Nothing official, but I'd have to guess May 24, as that's when the winter cruises will be out.

terri123 - If it's a typo, it's not on my part (this time anyway). I think when they pushed the summer date out, they didn't change the winter date. Time will tell.

 

Rich, ACC

Carefree Vacations

[Merion_Mom]

I could SWEAR that last night there were Enchantment sailings to Canada/NE out of Bayonne for summer of 2006, but they're gone now.

 

Carol

[mohavemommy]

when will the fall 06 sailings be in?

[Phamer55]

Of course, the ONLY sailings that RCI has not published yet is the Empress Of The Seas to Bermuda out of Philly during Summer '06. They even Empress sailings in the Fall of '06. Argh!!

[Merion_Mom]

Phamer: I am SO sick of being jerked around like this by RCI! First it was mid-may, then May 31............still, nothing. The only reason that I know about Empress going out of Philadelphia is from an article in the travel section of the Philadelphia Inquirer.

 

And you said, "they even have Empress sailings in the Fall of '06"????? Heck, they even have January '07 posted!

 

BUT NOT NEXT SUMMER.

 

But you know the real tragedy? I got so impatient waiting that I HAD to book Explorer out of Bayonne, when my favorite cabin popped up as available. If and when Empress bookings open, I may switch, BUT THEN AGAIN I MAY NOT.

 

It's sad, isn't it? Forced onto a 9-day western caribbean on the Explorer of the Seas. <sigh> Such a sacrifice. :D

 

Carol

[Pumbaamd]

I booked the Grandeur Balt.-NOLA 11/19/06 repo cruise Tuesday evening on the phone with RCL. It took two more days until it appeared on RCL's on line page. Travelocity soon picked it up, some on line agencies still don't have it. I was fortunate to get aft JS 8088 because I called early. Don't wait for your favorite cruise to appear on line. Don't be bashful . . . call RCL often. Most of the time I get a very knowlegable and helpful "travel specialist".

[Merion_Mom]

Pumbaa, old friend: :) I called "my" George at RC today, and vented my frustration. He said that he'd call me on Monday. (he has been VERY good about calling me EVERY TIME I call him, even sometimes when I don't. :D) I think that the implication is that bookings for Empress will be available then, even if it's not on the website. He couldn't say that straight out, I think.

 

Carol

[Pumbaamd]

MM, Let's hope George comes thru for you. We did the Empress Christmas cruise in 1994. They took the window washing machine that cleans the windows in the Centrum, and decorated it as Santa's sleigh. On Christmas Eve, they slowly lowered it from high above with Santa in it. It was way cool! Again, good luck with George.

Rick

[tinsel57]

I don't know why, I asked but never got an answer, but a lot of the cruisings seem to be 'coming out' late this year.

 

If you work with a TA they usually get the advance list on what's opening up when. They also can usually book before it hits the public waves. Most but not all do not charge extra for their services.

 

The smaller agencies have the capabilities to watch for your desired booking and they have a darn good chance of getting the cabin of your choice or close to it!

 

But I don't know why RC is so slow this year. Took me forever to be able to book Hawaii for 06.

[Merion_Mom]

During that phone conversation with George, I asked him if the holdup in opening the bookings for Empress next summer was that the contracts hadn't been signed yet with the Port of Philadelphia. He sort of laughed, and glossed over that. I think that's it.

 

JMO.

 

Carol

[Jimbo]

Guess George was wrong... :(

 

 

 

Jimbo:)