Why we are not likely to see Summer 2015 QOS deployments anytime soon

[MaritimeR&R]

One only has to review the ongoing Bermuda Channel Studies to see that we are will not see any future QOS deployments that include Bermuda until (at the earliest) summer of this year.

 

Currently, there are three remaining public town meetings to discuss the three options (one of which will be selected after all conservation, economic, and social impact studies are completed) for widening the channel and the impact of passenger flow/transportation from the port, etc. from additional larger cruise vessels such as the QOS scheduled: the first is scheduled for April 1, 2014; the second is scheduled for April 3rd, and the last is scheduled for mid April, a specific date has yet to be chosen.

 

In addition, the Heritage Wharf Impact Study Phase 2, Stage 1 is scheduled to be completed during the period April 2014-June 2014. Stage 2 of the Study has yet to be scheduled.

 

Once one of the three options has been selected and approved, dredging will likely take place during the time of year when marine life will be least affected by the sediment.

 

So what are RCI's options for Bayonne:

 

Eliminate Bermuda 2015 cruises from Bayonne (not likely)

 

Wait until mid-summer 2014 for all studies, approval, and dredging dates to have been selected (very risky)

 

Deploy another smaller vessel from Bayonne for that season (possibly)

 

In addition to Bahamas sailings, include 9 day sailings to Bermuda and Caribbean allowing them to (as per their entitlement) drop Bermuda from the itinerary

 

Publish the fall/winter 2015/2016 QOS deployments before the Summer 2015 deployments (very unorthodox)

 

Can you think of any other option?

Edited March 27, 2014 by MaritimeR&R

[CruisenLexie]

Interesting. I have been trying to get info on Quantum schedules for Fall 2015 for about a month. The info was going to be out a couple weeks ago and then nothing was available and there was no reason why. Thanks to your post I now know why. I hate when the representatives from the company say they don't know (and they very well may not have been told) and then people outside the company seem to have information.

 

Thanks for the post :)

[MaritimeR&R]

Interesting. I have been trying to get info on Quantum schedules for Fall 2015 for about a month. The info was going to be out a couple weeks ago and then nothing was available and there was no reason why. Thanks to your post I now know why. I hate when the representatives from the company say they don't know (and they very well may not have been told) and then people outside the company seem to have information.

 

Thanks for the post :)

 

Your welcome - FYI- To date the only porting for QOS is shown in St. Maarten port cruise ship schedule for Oct. 26, 2015 and November 13, 2015.

[The Grumpus]

I say if Bermuda isn't going to be ready, and they don't care to fast-track this process, then can Bermuda for a year. RCI would be crazy to wait till Summer for Bermuda to make up their mind on what direction they are going with this channel. And, who knows if they're even going to have a positive outcome after all these studied and community meetings??? RCI still has Grandeur sailing there and perhaps they can add a few Bermuda sailings from Port Canaveral to make up some of the difference.

 

If they're worried about high fuel cost doing the long Caribbean haul from NJ each week, then they should perhaps reconsider positioning the ship there.

Edited March 27, 2014 by The Grumpus

[gms5002]

One only has to review the ongoing Bermuda Channel Studies to see that we are will not see any future QOS deployments that include Bermuda until (at the earliest) summer of this year...

 

Thank you for laying all that out, it was far more informative than anything I've seen so far. I wish RCC would have just said "we are waiting to see what happens with the Bermuda project before finalizing our itineraries" instead of "Coming soon!".

[MaritimeR&R]

Thank you for laying all that out, it was far more informative than anything I've seen so far. I wish RCC would have just said "we are waiting to see what happens with the Bermuda project before finalizing our itineraries" instead of "Coming soon!".

 

You are very welcome.

[MaritimeR&R]

One only has to review the ongoing Bermuda Channel Studies to see that we are will not see any future QOS deployments that include Bermuda until (at the earliest) summer of this year.

 

Currently, there are three remaining public town meetings to discuss the three options (one of which will be selected after all conservation, economic, and social impact studies are completed) for widening the channel and the impact of passenger flow/transportation from the port, etc. from additional larger cruise vessels such as the QOS scheduled: the first is scheduled for April 1, 2014; the second is scheduled for April 3rd, and the last is scheduled for mid April, a specific date has yet to be chosen.

 

In addition, the Heritage Wharf Impact Study Phase 2, Stage 1 is scheduled to be completed during the period April 2014-June 2014. Stage 2 of the Study has yet to be scheduled.

 

Once one of the three options has been selected and approved, dredging will likely take place during the time of year when marine life will be least affected by the sediment.

 

So what are RCI's options for Bayonne:

 

Eliminate Bermuda 2015 cruises from Bayonne (not likely)

 

Wait until mid-summer 2014 for all studies, approval, and dredging dates to have been selected (very risky)

 

Deploy another smaller vessel from Bayonne for that season (possibly)

 

In addition to Bahamas sailings, include 9 day sailings to Bermuda and Caribbean allowing them to (as per their entitlement) drop Bermuda from the itinerary

 

Publish the fall/winter 2015/2016 QOS deployments before the Summer 2015 deployments (very unorthodox)

 

Can you think of any other option?

 

Here is the link for further reading: http://channelstudy.info/home.html

[Dave85]

If that's really the issue I agree they should just drop Bermuda for the year. The 5 nights would then become Canada cruises, but quite frankly, people would still book them up every single week to sail on the brand new Quantum.

 

EDIT: There's also the matter of Royal having gone to the trouble of revising its deployment schedule to announce that the remainder of summer Caribbean -- which I can only assume means Quantum and Galveston since they seem to be the only ones left -- would be announced this week. Why would they do that if they were realistically planning to wait until summer? Yes, they delay delay delay every year, but they seemed perfectly content giving us no information about further Quantum deployments until they updated their schedule a couple of weeks ago... odd. Someone who is doing the Google Hangout today, please ask this question.

Edited March 27, 2014 by Dave85

[MaritimeR&R]

If that's really the issue I agree they should just drop Bermuda for the year. The 5 nights would then become Canada cruises, but quite frankly, people would still book them up every single week to sail on the brand new Quantum.

 

EDIT: There's also the matter of Royal having gone to the trouble of revising its deployment schedule to announce that the remainder of summer Caribbean -- which I can only assume means Quantum and Galveston since they seem to be the only ones left -- would be announced this week. Why would they do that if they were realistically planning to wait until summer? Yes, they delay delay delay every year, but they seemed perfectly content giving us no information about further Quantum deployments until they updated their schedule a couple of weeks ago... odd. Someone who is doing the Google Hangout today, please ask this question.

 

I received an email to join the Hangout and plan to ask, however I think that it is likely that RC will confine its answers to questions about the new dining system/venues.

 

In addition, I started looking for more answers after being told by several C&A loyalty reps this week that despite the updated pdf showing the remaining summer schedule to be released this week,they had received no official word with regard to the Quantum being included in that. Two of the reps stated that they believed it would be some time during the summer.

 

Given the current state of affairs in Bermuda - the Labor Unions at odds; friction over closing the swing bridge to St. Georges and still on-going Study, then approval of the people/government, I think there is a strong argument as to the rationale for a further delay.

[shutterbug63]

One only has to review the ongoing Bermuda Channel Studies to see that we are will not see any future QOS deployments that include Bermuda until (at the earliest) summer of this year.

 

Currently, there are three remaining public town meetings to discuss the three options (one of which will be selected after all conservation, economic, and social impact studies are completed) for widening the channel and the impact of passenger flow/transportation from the port, etc. from additional larger cruise vessels such as the QOS scheduled: the first is scheduled for April 1, 2014; the second is scheduled for April 3rd, and the last is scheduled for mid April, a specific date has yet to be chosen.

 

In addition, the Heritage Wharf Impact Study Phase 2, Stage 1 is scheduled to be completed during the period April 2014-June 2014. Stage 2 of the Study has yet to be scheduled.

 

Once one of the three options has been selected and approved, dredging will likely take place during the time of year when marine life will be least affected by the sediment.

 

So what are RCI's options for Bayonne:

 

Eliminate Bermuda 2015 cruises from Bayonne (not likely)

 

Wait until mid-summer 2014 for all studies, approval, and dredging dates to have been selected (very risky)

 

Deploy another smaller vessel from Bayonne for that season (possibly)

 

In addition to Bahamas sailings, include 9 day sailings to Bermuda and Caribbean allowing them to (as per their entitlement) drop Bermuda from the itinerary

 

Publish the fall/winter 2015/2016 QOS deployments before the Summer 2015 deployments (very unorthodox)

 

Can you think of any other option?

 

Thanks for the info. Very informative and I tend to agree.

[FIRELT5]

I received an email to join the Hangout and plan to ask, however I think that it is likely that RC will confine its answers to questions about the new dining system/venues.

 

In addition, I started looking for more answers after being told by several C&A loyalty reps this week that despite the updated pdf showing the remaining summer schedule to be released this week,they had received no official word with regard to the Quantum being included in that. Two of the reps stated that they believed it would be some time during the summer.

 

Given the current state of affairs in Bermuda - the Labor Unions at odds; friction over closing the swing bridge to St. Georges and still on-going Study, then approval of the people/government, I think there is a strong argument as to the rationale for a further delay.

 

Labor issues have been present in Bermuda for the past 20yrs with job actions.

The local meetings with focus groups are just a formality.

Funds are already in placed and budgeted for the intended project.

(2014)

 

What does St.George and the swing Bridge and the future of the QOTS have in common??

Also keep in mind that the release of the 2015 Anthem (Fall Carrribean)was supposed to be released on 3/13/14 ?? What happened to this release date ??

 

Someone should Ask Adam about the delay of the QOS Summer 2015 season opening

[emmy]

Labor issues have been present in Bermuda for the past 20yrs with job actions.

The local meetings with focus groups are just a formality.

Funds are already in placed and budgeted for the intended project.

(2014)

 

What does St.George and the swing Bridge and the future of the QOTS have in common??

Also keep in mind that the release of the 2015 Anthem (Fall Carrribean)was supposed to be released on 3/13/14 ?? What happened to this release date ??

 

Someone should Ask Adam about the delay of the QOS Summer 2015 season opening

 

 

Hopefully Ken I will get that opportunity to ask in about 2 hours time :);)

[FIRELT5]

Hopefully Ken I will get that opportunity to ask in about 2 hours time :);)

 

Anthem 2015 Fall Itins which are also late, according to RCL Press Media release.

Good luck Emmy :):)

[emmy]

Anthem 2015 Fall Itins which are also late, according to RCL Press Media release.

Good luck Emmy :):)

 

 

thank you Ken ~ you know how much I am hoping for this ship to be able to go to Bermuda sooner rather than later :)

[FIRELT5]

thank you Ken ~ you know how much I am hoping for this ship to be able to go to Bermuda sooner rather than later :)

 

Government affairs are done and completed differently in BDA than stateside. Keep me informed as I am working today.

[MaritimeR&R]

Labor issues have been present in Bermuda for the past 20yrs with job actions.

The local meetings with focus groups are just a formality.

Funds are already in placed and budgeted for the intended project.

(2014)

 

What does St.George and the swing Bridge and the future of the QOTS have in common??

Also keep in mind that the release of the 2015 Anthem (Fall Carrribean)was supposed to be released on 3/13/14 ?? What happened to this release date ??

 

Someone should Ask Adam about the delay of the QOS Summer 2015 season opening

 

I am aware that the funding has already been allocated for the the project.

 

Given the island's political history, I can assure you that the OBA does not view the local meetings as a formality. Insofar as the other issues I raised: true, there has always been one form or another of labor disputes on the island, however, since the OBA came into power, the power of the unions to basically shut down the island's commerce, tourism and infrastructure has strengthened greatly. The swing bridge to St. George is just another issue having to do with the ferry and tourism.

 

The main point of this thread was share information that could serve as possible rationale for the delay in the publication of the future QOS 2015 itineraries.

[The Grumpus]

Hopefully Ken I will get that opportunity to ask in about 2 hours time :);)

Good question!:D I liked that. But the answer - weeks. Not days. Not years. Weeks. Ugh!

 

Could be one week, could be 51 weeks.:D

 

oh well, at least we heard it from the "horse's mouth"

[LMaxwell]

What is the possibility of running Explorer to Bermuda for the summer from Port Canaveral and leaving Quantum on Bahamas/Caribbean itinerary for the summer?

[MaritimeR&R]

Good question!:D I liked that. But the answer - weeks. Not days. Not years. Weeks. Ugh!

 

Could be one week, could be 51 weeks.:D

 

oh well, at least we heard it from the "horse's mouth"

 

As I suspected, nothing regarding QOS to Bermuda will be resolved until after the powers that be in Bermuda have reviewed the options and studies, gotten the residents input, decided on which option they will follow through with and set the dates (likely Dec thru Feb.) for the dredging to begin.

 

So, unless they decide not to do the Bermuda run with QOS, it will likely be at least until the end of June. He said "some weeks" not two, or a few. Even making the decision to run QOS that early will be risky for RCI as no one can foresee any issues that may come up (weather, etc) that would delay the completion of the project within the "do-no-harm" period to the marine flora and wildlife.

[MaritimeR&R]

What is the possibility of running Explorer to Bermuda for the summer from Port Canaveral and leaving Quantum on Bahamas/Caribbean itinerary for the summer?

 

It's my understanding that after refurbishment, she is slated to go to Asia. Given the Bermuda conundrum though, I guess they could bring her back up north for one season. Unlikely that she would do Bermuda from PC. RC makes a lot of money from their Bermuda runs out of Bayonne -- lots of parents taking kids on summer vacations. They won't give that revenue up easily.

[Dave85]

RC makes a lot of money from their Bermuda runs out of Bayonne -- lots of parents taking kids on summer vacations. They won't give that revenue up easily.

 

And also slot restrictions / considerations into Bermuda... RC isn't going to want to give up its slot.

[MaritimeR&R]

And also slot restrictions / considerations into Bermuda... RC isn't going to want to give up its slot.

 

Yes, Bermudians are considering land-based casinos. A new resort that has been approved for building also wants one.

 

But since RCI only had the 2013 and 2014 seasons to run their casino while in port, I don't think that will be a major issue.

[Dave85]

Yes, Bermudians are considering land-based casinos. A new resort that has been approved for building also wants one.

 

But since RCI only had the 2013 and 2014 seasons to run their casino while in port, I don't think that will be a major issue.

 

Haha no, my bad, I didn't mean slots like casinos... I meant docking slots. The limited number of ships that Bermuda allows to call in a given season. Royal wouldn't want to give up one of its coveted slots.

[FIRELT5]

As I suspected, nothing regarding QOS to Bermuda will be resolved until after the powers that be in Bermuda have reviewed the options and studies, gotten the residents input, decided on which option they will follow through with and set the dates (likely Dec thru Feb.) for the dredging to begin.

 

So, unless they decide not to do the Bermuda run with QOS, it will likely be at least until the end of June. He said "some weeks" not two, or a few. Even making the decision to run QOS that early will be risky for RCI as no one can foresee any issues that may come up (weather, etc) that would delay the completion of the project within the "do-no-harm" period to the marine flora and wildlife.

 

Again Pure Conjecture, Adam stated a decision will be made in weeks not only for the QOTS

but other ships including the Anthem,ie (Fall 2015) which was intended to be released on

March 12, 2014 according to the Media Press release PDF. What happened to the intended release of the Fall 2015 Carribean Itin ????

 

 

This is clearly stated at 15 mins into the video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDQOLrbxuBM&app=desktop

 

ROYAL CARIBBEAN’S ANTHEM OF THE SEAS TO OFFER MOST ADVANCED

CRUISE VACATION IN EUROPE AND CARIBBEAN DURING INAUGURAL YEAR

Adventure of the Seas, Serenade of the Seas and Brilliance of the Seas also offer Vacationers

Beautiful Destinations throughout Europe in Summer 2015

MIAMI, Feb. 10, 2014 – Royal Caribbean International today announced that the second ship in

the new and most advanced Quantum class of ships, Anthem of the Seas, will be joined by Adventure of

the Seas and Brilliance of the Seas in the U.K. as part of an unprecedented 2015 Europe season. As

previously announced in November 2013 at an exclusive event for media and special guests at

London’s iconic Heron Tower, the highly anticipated Anthem of the Seas will homeport at

Southampton, U.K. when it launches in April 2015. The ship will mark its inaugural Europe season

with 19 cruises to the Spanish, French and Italian rivieras, and the Canary Islands on three- to 16-

night itineraries, and then reposition in late-October 2015 to Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale,

Fla. and sail five-night short Caribbean, six-night Western Caribbean and eight-night Eastern

Caribbean itineraries through April 2016 for its first winter season.

Royal Caribbean’s Crown & Anchor Society loyalty members will have the exclusive

privilege to reserve their staterooms earlier than the general public on Anthem of the Seas inaugural

year sailings. Anthem of the Seas’ summer 2015 Europe cruises will be available for member bookings

starting Feb. 26, 2014 and the ship’s winter 2015-16 Caribbean cruises will be open for members

starting Mar. 12, 2014. Bookings for the general public on Anthem of the Seas’ summer 2015 Europe

cruises and winter 2015-16 Caribbean sailings will be opened on Mar. 3 and 20, 2014, respectively.

Serenade of the Seas also will join Anthem of the Seas, Adventure of the Seas and Brilliance of the Seas

in the North Sea in summer 2015, and offer a range of Scandinavia and Russia, as well as Norwegian

Fjords, sailings from Copenhagen, Denmark, and Stockholm, Sweden. Adventure of the Seas, Brilliance

of the Seas and Serenade of the Seas will open for booking on Feb. 26, 2014.

Adventure of the Seas will sail three- to 16-night, roundtrip itineraries to Northern Europe, the

Mediterranean, or Madeira, Azores and Canary Islands. The ship also will sail two trans-Atlantic

Ocean Voyages – a 12-night itinerary from San Juan, Puerto Rico, to Southampton on May 3, 2015,

and from Southampton to Port Canaveral, Fla. on a 15-night return itinerary on Oct. 16.

(more)

Royal Caribbean Announces 2015 Anthem of the Seas and Northern Europe Cruises – Page 2

Offering vacationer a second British port to embark on an unforgettable Royal Caribbean

Europe vacation, Brilliance of the Seas will reposition from Tampa, Fla. to its homeport of Harwich,

England, on a 14-night trans-Atlantic Ocean Voyage on May 4, 2015, and continue with 12-night

roundtrip Scandinavia and Russia sailings from mid-May through August. A July 29 sailing will take

guests on a special 12-night Norwegian Fjords and Iceland itinerary, featuring an overnight call at

Reykjavik, Iceland.

For its part, Serenade of the Seas also will offer vacationers seven- to 13-night Scandinavia,

Russia and Norwegian Fjord itineraries from May through August. The ship will sail from

Copenhagen from May through June and in the month of August, bookending sailings from

Stockholm from mid-June through July.

Vacationers also can choose four repositioning cruises on Serenade of the Seas. The April 11,

2015, sailing will take guests on a 13-night Caribbean itinerary from New Orleans, La., to Boston,

Mass., followed by a 15-night trans-Atlantic Ocean Voyage to Copenhagen via the North Sea.

Finally, a 16-night westbound trans-Atlantic Ocean Voyage from Copenhagen to Cape Liberty via

Iceland will depart on Aug. 30.

Along with its sister-ship Quantum of the Seas, the 4,180-guest, 167,800 gross tonnage Anthem

of the Seas – both currently under construction at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany

– will be a dramatic leap forward for the cruise industry and introduce more game-changing “firsts at

sea” such as a skydiving experience call RipCord by iFLY (http://*******/1h3lt5f), and the North Star

(http://*******/1c3qiFU), an engineering marvel featuring a jewel like capsule that extends 300 feet

above the ocean and over the sides of the ship to deliver 360-degree views for guests.

Cutting-edge transformative venues include SeaPlex (http://*******/1c3qiFU), the largest

indoor sports and entertainment complex at sea with bumper cars, roller skating and more; and the

cruise line’s largest and most advanced staterooms ever. These new, larger staterooms

(http://*******/1c3qLrC) enable innovation in design, storage and comfort including the industry’s

first virtual balconies.

(more)

Royal Caribbean Announces 2015 Anthem of the Seas and Northern Europe Cruises – Page 3

These innovations and advances follow Royal Caribbean International’s strong tradition of

introducing exciting guest experiences to the cruise line’s ships. Anthem of the Seas and sister-ship

Quantum of the Seas – which will debut in Oct. 2014 and sail out of New York Harbor from her

homeport of Cape Liberty – will be two of the most architecturally and technologically advanced

ships ever built. More information on Quantum class of ships is available at

RoyalCaribbean.com/QuantumoftheSeas. Media can find more details, images and videos online at

http://*******/17Qi6Gs.

Royal Caribbean International is an award-winning global cruise brand with a 40-year legacy

of innovation and introducing industry firsts never-before-seen at sea. The cruise line features an

expansive and unmatched array of features and amenities found only on Royal Caribbean including,

jaw-dropping, Broadway-style entertainment and industry-acclaimed programming that appeals to

families and adventurous vacationers alike. Owned by Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (NYSE/OSE:

RCL), the cruise line sails 21 of the world’s most innovative cruise ships to the most popular

destinations in the Caribbean, Europe, Alaska, South America, the Far East, and Australia and New

Zealand. World renowned for its friendly and engaging Gold Anchor Service, delivered by every

staff and crew member, Royal Caribbean has been voted “Best Cruise Line Overall” for 10

consecutive years in the Travel Weekly Reader’s Choice Awards.

Media can stay up-to-date by following @RoyalCaribPR on Twitter, and visiting

RoyalCaribbeanInternationalPR.tumblr.com and RoyalCaribbeanPressCenter.com. Travel

professionals should go to CruisingPower.com; or call (800) 327-2056; and follow

Facebook.com/VickiLovesTravelAgents. For additional information or to make reservations,

vacationers should call their travel agent; visit RoyalCaribbean.com; or call (800) ROYALCARIBBEAN.

Follow us on Facebook at Facebook.com/RoyalCaribbean or on Twitter

@RoyalCaribbean.

# #

 

Also keep in mind as Adam stated that things are being released in a stagered nature, Stay Tuned for future developments.

Edited March 27, 2014 by FIRELT5

[MaritimeR&R]

Given the events that have transpired and Mr. Goldstein's unspecific "some weeks, not days" statement (I don't need to watch the video; I heard it live), I tend to see the rationale I put out here as less conjecture and more hypothesis.

 

Unlike the few who post just to see their numbers inflate, I post when I feel I have come across something that might serve the interests of this group. Such was this initial posting. Food for thought, to be consumed or ignored, but definitely not for attack!