Deployment schedule: let the guessing begin!

[joandian]

From Seatrade Insider

 

http://www.seatrade-insider.com/news/news-headlines/bold-quantum-move-has-strategic-sizzle-in-china-sparks-doubts-in-us.html

 

 

 

To align Quantum of the Seas for Asians, the company will make minor modifications during the ship's 15-night repositioning cruise to Shanghai next spring. These include changes to retail, gaming and, in order to slightly modify menus, the galleys.

 

 

15 days!! That is going to be a quick trip with minimal port stops. Wonder if she will relocate empty to do the modifications or do you think that is a mistake?

 

Jo

[marci22]

From Seatrade Insider

 

http://www.seatrade-insider.com/news/news-headlines/bold-quantum-move-has-strategic-sizzle-in-china-sparks-doubts-in-us.html

 

China's emerging cruise market has been energized by the Quantum of the Seas news, but in the US Royal Caribbean officials were put on the defensive by media who questioned if the line is turning away from its base and sacrificing yields. Some see South Florida, New York and even California as losing out.

 

It would have been nice, after they decided to move Quantum to China, if they had given us Liberty at reasonable prices. People would have gotten over it pretty quickly.

 

I think it's irritating that they are giving us an 8 year old ship at Quantum pricing. Not really interested in that.

[Tall-Cruiser]

Hello Tall-Cruiser,

 

Thanks for the information. :)

Let's hope that RCI will keep enough ships for the US and for the European waters.

I would be bothered if half of the fleet switched to Asia!!! :mad:

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

 

Max - You are welcome.

 

I think some of the media is starting to ask relevant questions about these deployment changes. As most people have noted in various threads, it is how the whole thing was handled. I am not a TA and don’t live in the NY/NJ area, so I am not sure given the several post on CC about that the mess in the deployment plan that the enthusiasm is shared by cruisers in the NY/NJ area the same way Vickie Freed says the TAs feel.

 

“And Freed maintained travel agents in the Greater New York area are enthusiastic about the succession of three new Royal Caribbean ships they'll be getting.”

 

“New York-area agents 'feel like they're getting a trifecta—three of the best ships,' Freed said. She insisted the Northeast US feedback has been 'very positive."

 

Again, I cannot speak for all the loyal RCI cruisers in the NY/NJ area but my sense is some of the enthusiasm has been deflated because of the change compared to when they knew (or thought) they would have Quantum full time.

[pspercy]

What happens with liberty between arriving in Galveston on Nov 12, 2015 and the first cruise listed on RC website on Nov 22, 2015?

 

There's a 9nt cruise to most of the ports visited on cruises out of Galveston, nothing really new, rather disappointing.

[Dave85]

Now we can move on. Enjoy whatever trip(s) you end up taking on the Quantum/Liberty/Anthem.

 

Thank you, and I hope you enjoy your upcoming cruises as well. I just put my money where my mouth is and booked Oasis instead, which is appropriately priced IMHO.

[Friend100]

15 days!! That is going to be a quick trip with minimal port stops. Wonder if she will relocate empty to do the modifications or do you think that is a mistake?

 

Jo

 

I can't think of how a repo from New York to Shanghai can be done in 15 days .... through conventional means. Maybe they imply the repo is not going to depart from New York? Maybe Royal Caribbean is going to WOW everyone once again!

[Dave85]

I can't think of how a repo from New York to Shanghai can be done in 15 days .... through conventional means. Maybe they imply the repo is not going to depart from New York? Maybe Royal Caribbean is going to WOW everyone once again!

 

 

I would not be surprised if there's some sort of non-rev component towards the end to retrofit the ship as they described.

Perhaps they will just run a 15 day repo leg, plus a non-rev leg...?

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Cruise Critic Forums mobile app

[S.O.C.I.O.C.A.T.s]

All you guys seem to be experts and in the know. Can anyone provide me with hints on whether the 2015 Fall Radiance of the Seas itinerary will be similar to that in 2014 (that is Transpacific followed by 2 circumnavigate australia cruises). Or does RCI in fact going to change a winning combination once again. Any advice or insights would be appreciated.

PAH

[CRUISEBOY305]

All you guys seem to be experts and in the know. Can anyone provide me with hints on whether the 2015 Fall Radiance of the Seas itinerary will be similar to that in 2014 (that is Transpacific followed by 2 circumnavigate australia cruises). Or does RCI in fact going to change a winning combination once again. Any advice or insights would be appreciated.

PAH

 

I haven't heard anything to the contrary. the dates all seem to be the same. They'll be open for booking on April 29th according to Royal. But that can change. Seems to be allot of that going around.

[springaussie]

All you guys seem to be experts and in the know. Can anyone provide me with hints on whether the 2015 Fall Radiance of the Seas itinerary will be similar to that in 2014 (that is Transpacific followed by 2 circumnavigate australia cruises). Or does RCI in fact going to change a winning combination once again. Any advice or insights would be appreciated.

PAH

 

Royal have said Radiance will be on a circumnavigate Australia cruises 15/16. Radiance is on music charters in between to the South Pacific in October 2015 now on sale from Sydney. From port bookings it appears 17 November 2015 and 26 March 2016 Radiance will be in the Fremantle (Perth).

[springaussie]

Any thoughts on Quantum destinations during the northern winter? The press release only mentions cruises to Korea and Japan, but both are very cold in winter. Maybe some cruises to Vietnam and Singapore? Or doesn't the weather matter when everyone is in the casino anyway?

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

Geoff that is a great question.

I have been asking myself the same thing. The media statement says based in Shanghai year round. Quantum is a cold weather ship. The casino will still be ok.

MAYBE

Quantum could easily be put onto Explorer of the Seas cruises from Singapore in 2015 and come to Australia. Royal have said nothing about in between Southampton and Singapore for Explorer.

Explorer is on New Zealand cruises in 2015/16 according to press reports. That would suit Quantum.

Voyager meeting Explorer on the 28 November 2015 in Sydney is a big event but imagine what Royal Caribbean could do to Cunard with Quantum of the Seas in Sydney Harbour instead of Explorer of the Seas.

The USA would have another cruise ship by sending Explorer to New Orleans or Port Canaveral possibly.

Quantum of the Seas coming to Australia would be another big announcement for Royal Caribbean. It makes sense they did not put in the Australia in the China announcement a few days ago if that is Royal's plans.

[CruiseEatRelax]

Repo from NY to TX on Liberty is now showing in the system, but don't see the 9-nighter that follows yet.

 

 

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

[SA Traveler]

Repo from NY to TX on Liberty is now showing in the system, but don't see the 9-nighter that follows yet.

 

 

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

 

Someone posted on the Galveston thread that the 9 night is a travel agent cruise. They booked the repo and wanted to book the following 9 night cruise and couldn't.

[Beachammo]

On RCCL site.....but not available to book??

 

LIBERTY OF THE SEAS

 

Day Port *** Arrive Depart Activity

 

01-Nov Cape Liberty, New Jersey 4:00 PM

 

02-Nov Cruising

 

03-Nov Cruising

 

04-Nov San Juan, Puerto Rico 4:00 PM 11:00 PM Docked

 

05-Nov Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas 8:00 AM 5:00 PM Docked

 

06-Nov Philipsburg, St. Maarten 7:00 AM 5:00 PM Docked

 

07-Nov Cruising

 

08-Nov Willemstad, Curacao 7:00 AM 3:30 PM Docked

 

09-Nov Cruising

 

10-Nov George Town, Grand Cayman 10:00 AM 6:00 PM Tendered

 

11-Nov Cruising

 

12-Nov Cruising

 

13-Nov Galveston, Texas 7:00 AM

[SA Traveler]

On RCCL site.....but not available to book??

 

LIBERTY OF THE SEAS

 

Day Port *** Arrive Depart Activity

 

01-Nov Cape Liberty, New Jersey 4:00 PM

 

02-Nov Cruising

 

03-Nov Cruising

 

04-Nov San Juan, Puerto Rico 4:00 PM 11:00 PM Docked

 

05-Nov Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas 8:00 AM 5:00 PM Docked

 

06-Nov Philipsburg, St. Maarten 7:00 AM 5:00 PM Docked

 

07-Nov Cruising

 

08-Nov Willemstad, Curacao 7:00 AM 3:30 PM Docked

 

09-Nov Cruising

 

10-Nov George Town, Grand Cayman 10:00 AM 6:00 PM Tendered

 

11-Nov Cruising

 

12-Nov Cruising

 

13-Nov Galveston, Texas 7:00 AM

 

My TA was able to book it for me this morning.

[Beachammo]

My TA was able to book it for me this morning.

 

How were the prices??

[Galveston Cruiser]

How were the prices??

 

High!! Booked anyway, hope for prices to drop. D2 is almost $5,000:eek:

The following 9 night is not open for booking as it is scheduled to be a travel agent cruise introducing the largest ship that has ever docked at the port of Galveston.

This from the Crown & Anchor desk.

[SA Traveler]

How were the prices??

 

Same as Galveston Cruiser said. We booked a D1 and it was $4616 for the two of us before gratuities or insurance. Have no idea about the other categories.

[Beachammo]

high!! Booked anyway, hope for prices to drop. D2 is almost $5,000:eek:

The following 9 night is not open for booking as it is scheduled to be a travel agent cruise introducing the largest ship that has ever docked at the port of galveston.

This from the crown & anchor desk.

 

same as galveston cruiser said. We booked a d1 and it was $4616 for the two of us before gratuities or insurance. Have no idea about the other categories.

 

OUCH!

 

You should get double points......and a Robe! LOL

 

My Russia Cruise was $8000 for a 14 night D1.....But the price has come down to 6k.

 

Shelton

Edited April 18, 2014 by Beachammo

[negc]

Someone posted on the Galveston thread that the 9 night is a travel agent cruise. They booked the repo and wanted to book the following 9 night cruise and couldn't.

 

Perhaps they misunderstood and heard that it was now showing on Cruisingpower.com which is an RCI site where travel agents, but not the general public, can access information about Royal Caribbean ships, cruise schedules and order collateral materials.

[Case1096]

Perhaps they misunderstood and heard that it was now showing on Cruisingpower.com which is an RCI site where travel agents, but not the general public, can access information about Royal Caribbean ships, cruise schedules and order collateral materials.

 

The booking after the repo is not even listed in Cruising Power, so it is likely a charter. And perhaps it is a travel agent cruise.

[Galveston Cruiser]

The booking after the repo is not even listed in Cruising Power, so it is likely a charter. And perhaps it is a travel agent cruise.

 

See post 2494 - travel agent cruise

[Case1096]

See post 2494 - travel agent cruise

 

The C&A desk says a lot of things, but you have to filter because typically only half of it is true.

[Galveston Cruiser]

The C&A desk says a lot of things, but you have to filter because typically only half of it is true.

 

Never have had an issue with C&A. Also confirmed 9 day with ta friend

[rclibertygirl5]

Same as Galveston Cruiser said. We booked a D1 and it was $4616 for the two of us before gratuities or insurance. Have no idea about the other categories.

 

I booked Quantum today for Easter week 2015 in Balcony connecting (BC) cabins for $2,840 for 2 people. The Liberty rates in NJ and Galveston are completely ridiculous!! And the Quantum is a brand new ship...I have no idea what RCI is thinking. I will never pay rates that high to cruise.