Ourusualbeach Posted May 6, 2015 #2476 Share Posted May 6, 2015 Hey MADflyer where do you get this information as I just looked and it is not on Royal's website, in fact they don't have any cruises past April 2016 loaded that I can see. Asking because we are very interested in doing Hawaii to Sydney again in Sept 2016. Thanks, Karen :( One source, http://www.cruisecal.com/portal/ItineraryLookup/tabid/2918/Default.aspx?sailID=RCIEX4/23/2016 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saab4444 Posted May 6, 2015 #2477 Share Posted May 6, 2015 When I read that German Hapag-Lloyd has increased their share in the English speaking market by 230% this year, I start to look at all the 'Mein Schiff' ships from RCL partner TUI. I am starting to wonder if RCL will start to market 'small' ship sailings on these four 97000 ton new builds that are already in the channel with one due every year from 2016 to 2019. They would just need to 'enhance' their relationship with TUI as RCL are the ship operator. I am also seeing RCI position themselves into three brands with Oasis and Quantum class having suite enhancements and premium attractions and dynamic dining, Voyager and Freedom class with enhanced features with additional cabins and reduced public space and then Radiance and Vision class for traditional cruising. I already suggested a while ago that "Mein Schiff 3" would be ideal for RCL as a future smaller size ship class. TUI Cruises sails fully booked and will have no problem to fill upcoming ships 4-6 as well. However, RCl could use this prototype and order additional ships for their brand to replace Vision classes. TUI Cruises ships are only operated on the technical side by RCL, crewing is handled by a third party agent (Sea Chefs). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sr4mjc Posted May 6, 2015 #2478 Share Posted May 6, 2015 So no South America sailings in early 2017? I'm currently booked on Celebrity but was open to switching if RC was less expensive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MADflyer Posted May 7, 2015 #2479 Share Posted May 7, 2015 I already suggested a while ago that "Mein Schiff 3" would be ideal for RCL as a future smaller size ship class. TUI Cruises sails fully booked and will have no problem to fill upcoming ships 4-6 as well. However, RCl could use this prototype and order additional ships for their brand to replace Vision classes. TUI Cruises ships are only operated on the technical side by RCL, crewing is handled by a third party agent (Sea Chefs). RCL still hold the option at Meyer Turku for Mein Schiff 7 and Mein Schiff 8 for 2018 and 2019, I believe. They picked them up last September 19th. There are rumors that those ships are 'for sale' but TUI has denied that this is the case. With all the Aida ships coming online that is a lot of ships targeting the narrow German speaking market if TUI will have 8 ships. Sea Chefs is one of the agents that crew the Europa 2 for Hapaag Lloyd as well and they have had to find an 'international' crew as that ship is being heavily marketed beyond the German market. RCL is in charge of the building of these ships and the marketing to fill them with passengers is done by TUI group. It just seems that RCI is leaving some markets over to Celebrity and Pullmantur Cruises at this point and they could start to do the same with TUI in the future if the ships were 'international' crewed. Under current market conditions, they will all sail full no matter how they decide to fill the ships. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MADflyer Posted May 7, 2015 #2480 Share Posted May 7, 2015 So no South America sailings in early 2017? I'm currently booked on Celebrity but was open to switching if RC was less expensive. RCI have currently pulled out of South America for next year. They pulled out of Colon, Panama last year. In press discussions they made some vague reference to not being satisfied with 'promises' for port improvements in the region not taking place. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
longhorn2004 Posted May 7, 2015 #2481 Share Posted May 7, 2015 It seems that RCL is upgauging its ships, I think the smallest ship will be Voyager size going forward. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
travelgoddess1 Posted May 7, 2015 #2482 Share Posted May 7, 2015 RCI have currently pulled out of South America for next year. They pulled out of Colon, Panama last year. In press discussions they made some vague reference to not being satisfied with 'promises' for port improvements in the region not taking place. I believe that Colon is still showing as a port of call on our October Panama Canal cruise. :confused: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoopster95 Posted May 7, 2015 #2483 Share Posted May 7, 2015 I believe that Colon is still showing as a port of call on our October Panama Canal cruise. :confused: MadFlyer was referring to the 7-day cruises of Grandeur and Vision up to 2013 where Colon was the home port, and the itinerary was Cartegena/Bonaire/Curacao/Aruba... back to home port Colon. It was a Spanish immersion cruise with most sailing approx 80-90% Spanish/Latin American influence. The Legend or any full transit Canal cruises on any cruise line seem to always include either Cartegena or Colon... or Aruba to satisfy PVSA I believe. And just wait until you get into Colon... DO NOT leave port by yourself. What a horrible city they've created there. You must have an excursion, private or otherwise, to take you into the beautiful countryside, Lorenzo fort, Gatun locks, or the Embrera Indian Village. The port area and inner city Colon is a major shame. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fish6 Posted May 8, 2015 #2484 Share Posted May 8, 2015 OK......so who is in the know? I see itineraries on Cruise Cal but nothing released on the Royal website for Hawaii....anyone? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare John&LaLa Posted May 8, 2015 #2485 Share Posted May 8, 2015 (edited) OK......so who is in the know? I see itineraries on Cruise Cal but nothing released on the Royal website for Hawaii....anyone? No one is in the know. Just a lot of speculation and hyperbole. ;) More fun that way Edited May 8, 2015 by John&LaLa Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fish6 Posted May 8, 2015 #2486 Share Posted May 8, 2015 No one is in the know. Just a lot of speculation and hyperbole. ;) More fun that way Ha Ha.......I guess it was wishful thinking on my part. I just thought Hawaii was usually released by now....thanks :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pumbaamd Posted May 8, 2015 #2487 Share Posted May 8, 2015 It seems that RCL is upgauging its ships, I think the smallest ship will be Voyager size going forward. Don't forget Project Edge, back on Post 2469. Rick and Deirdra Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MADflyer Posted May 8, 2015 #2488 Share Posted May 8, 2015 Ha Ha.......I guess it was wishful thinking on my part. I just thought Hawaii was usually released by now....thanks :) RCI have stated they will come with additional Alaska, New Zealand and Pacific Coastal cruises the week of May 11th. RCI have stated they will release Australia, New Zealand, South Pacific, Hawaii and winter Singapore the week of May 25th. China is listed only as Future deployment. I am not sure what they are indicating, but they also include Spring and Fall 2016 Transatlantic cruises are being re-released on the week of May 11th. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squadron Posted May 8, 2015 #2489 Share Posted May 8, 2015 MadFlyer was referring to the 7-day cruises of Grandeur and Vision up to 2013 where Colon was the home port, and the itinerary was Cartegena/Bonaire/Curacao/Aruba... back to home port Colon. It was a Spanish immersion cruise with most sailing approx 80-90% Spanish/Latin American influence. The Legend or any full transit Canal cruises on any cruise line seem to always include either Cartegena or Colon... or Aruba to satisfy PVSA I believe. And just wait until you get into Colon... DO NOT leave port by yourself. What a horrible city they've created there. You must have an excursion, private or otherwise, to take you into the beautiful countryside, Lorenzo fort, Gatun locks, or the Embrera Indian Village. The port area and inner city Colon is a major shame. Had one of the best excursions ever in Colon - extensive city tour, the old US Military housing area etc - wonderful guide. Had lunch at an upscale hotel on the causeway. Was a ship's tour. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MADflyer Posted May 8, 2015 #2490 Share Posted May 8, 2015 Had one of the best excursions ever in Colon - extensive city tour, the old US Military housing area etc - wonderful guide. Had lunch at an upscale hotel on the causeway. Was a ship's tour. You were leaving the ship in Colon and transferred to Panama City for that tour. Panama City is wonderful, Colon is a disaster. Panama is a great destination and I think the only place on the globe where they actually have comprehensive health insurance on all passengers and tourists while in the country with complete coverage. I find that a great idea. No one though should not heed Hoopster's recommendation to not leave the port area on your own at Colon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
travelgoddess1 Posted May 8, 2015 #2491 Share Posted May 8, 2015 MadFlyer was referring to the 7-day cruises of Grandeur and Vision up to 2013 where Colon was the home port, and the itinerary was Cartegena/Bonaire/Curacao/Aruba... back to home port Colon. It was a Spanish immersion cruise with most sailing approx 80-90% Spanish/Latin American influence. The Legend or any full transit Canal cruises on any cruise line seem to always include either Cartegena or Colon... or Aruba to satisfy PVSA I believe. And just wait until you get into Colon... DO NOT leave port by yourself. What a horrible city they've created there. You must have an excursion, private or otherwise, to take you into the beautiful countryside, Lorenzo fort, Gatun locks, or the Embrera Indian Village. The port area and inner city Colon is a major shame. We have been to Colon many times. We either take a shore excursion or stay within the fenced port area. Ha Ha.......I guess it was wishful thinking on my part. I just thought Hawaii was usually released by now....thanks :) Our Next Cruise Sales Manager here onboard Jewel is saying Hawaii will be released the week of May 26, but she also said to be on the lookout for a sooner release. Translation: keep checking. :rolleyes: :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ourusualbeach Posted May 8, 2015 #2492 Share Posted May 8, 2015 Our Next Cruise Sales Manager here onboard Jewel is saying Hawaii will be released the week of May 26, but she also said to be on the lookout for a sooner release. Translation: keep checking. :rolleyes: :) Other translation: They don't know either and we will probably know before they do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CRUISEBOY305 Posted May 8, 2015 #2493 Share Posted May 8, 2015 Other translation: They don't know either and we will probably know before they do. that's usually the case Ken ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squadron Posted May 8, 2015 #2494 Share Posted May 8, 2015 You were leaving the ship in Colon and transferred to Panama City for that tour. Panama City is wonderful, Colon is a disaster. Panama is a great destination and I think the only place on the globe where they actually have comprehensive health insurance on all passengers and tourists while in the country with complete coverage. I find that a great idea. No one though should not heed Hoopster's recommendation to not leave the port area on your own at Colon. My memory is failing! The tour that I said was wonderful was in Panama City! Sorry! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MADflyer Posted May 8, 2015 #2495 Share Posted May 8, 2015 My memory is failing! The tour that I said was wonderful was in Panama City! Sorry! No need to be sorry. I am happy you have fond memories of that tour, but just made that comment based on the fact that Colon Panama is not currently a city where anyone wants to venture off on their own. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bUU Posted May 9, 2015 #2496 Share Posted May 9, 2015 It seems that RCL is upgauging its ships, I think the smallest ship will be Voyager size going forward.Can Voyager doc at Seward AK? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spring Posted May 9, 2015 #2497 Share Posted May 9, 2015 RCI have stated they will come with additional Alaska, New Zealand and Pacific Coastal cruises the week of May 11th. RCI have stated they will release Australia, New Zealand, South Pacific, Hawaii and winter Singapore the week of May 25th. China is listed only as Future deployment. I am not sure what they are indicating, but they also include Spring and Fall 2016 Transatlantic cruises are being re-released on the week of May 11th. Well, Explorer Of The Seas will go Sydney to Seattle via Honolulu in April next year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nemomof3 Posted May 9, 2015 #2498 Share Posted May 9, 2015 For those looking to book Adventure out of San Juan for early 2017 Jan, Feb, and the rest of March are now online. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KarlS Posted May 10, 2015 #2499 Share Posted May 10, 2015 Not a fan of the switch from 7 nights to 5 nights for Grandeur to Bermuda. Agreed. :confused: Bermuda out of Baltimore is one of our favorite RCI itineraries. Last time we sailed to Bermuda on Enchantment in September 2012 we thought the time in Bermuda was short: only had one afternoon half-day (Sunday) upon arrival at Kings Wharf followed by one full day (Monday) followed by a (Tuesday) morning half-day on departure day. In 2016 any Grandeur itinerary that calls in Bermuda shows arrival after lunch and departure the next day at the same time. Has RCI been out-bid for 2016 Kings Wharf docking rights by NCL and Celebrity? YIKES! :eek: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flames Posted May 11, 2015 #2500 Share Posted May 11, 2015 Where can you find the Itinuery of all the ships if you don't know what cruise you would like to do?:confused: Carol:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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