Deployment Schedule 2016-2017. Let the guessing begin

[OfTheSeasCruiser]

I know this isn't all that relevant, but I would love the Quantum to do 7 night Bermuda trips, rather than the 5/9 night schedule. After looking into the 9 night itinerary, I realized the time in Bermuda is short, as are the port times in St. Maarten and San Juan. IMO, I'd rather see whatever ship sailing from Baltimore do the 5/9 night itineraries.

 

Just thought I'd put that out there :):p

[Hoopster95]

Hey everyone, great posts so far. Because I am not sleuthing the port schedules like some of you, I think some of you are getting a way clearer picture than I. Can one of you do a recap post (as of today for example) itemizing which ship is where according to current port schedules. Of course, next week if things change around you can update. I was interested in the Oasis post above regarding the 3 placeholders in St Maarten, so all 3 Oasis ships in Florida at least for 2016. Plus now with Vision on many Europe ports, doesn't look like Oz.

 

So something like this:

Oasis: in port schedules St Maarten, etc etc --- home port FLL

Allure: in port schedules Barcelona, et etc --- home port Barcelona summer, FLL winter

and so on down the line with all the various RCI ships. This would be excellent! :D

 

Regarding the changes of Q for the Asian market, Vancouver now has the second largest Chinese community in North America (I believe San Fran still #1 but not by much), and I believe I have read Vancouver now has the largest overall Asian nationally occupancy of any city outside of Asia in the world. We have a ton of casino hotels everywhere in every suburb. Seattle-Quantum sailing would be just fine... and Q is only approx 100ft longer (same width) than Celebrity Solstice which currently sails from Seattle. Juneau and Skagway can very easily accommodate Quantum size/length imo. Q would totally destroy the competition up here with North Star, Two70, and more glass to look outward than Radiance Class. It would also keep the ship at a higher price in both Asia/Oz and Alaska rather than keeping the ship in one spot (ie. locals getting board with the ship, same itineraries, discounted cabins, etc). Just my 2 cents, no proof of the above, but I don't think my thoughts are off base if this actually happens. As far as relocating back to Asia through Hawaii, Q can't fit under the Lion's Gate bridge in Vancouver so she would have to load up in Victoria for PVSA rules.... totally doable as Solstice/Legend/etc do exactly this same thing in Ensenada with transfers from San Diego for cruisers.

[MADflyer]

My guess is that Ovation sails from Southampton from 2016 - Meyer Werft states, it is planned to deliver the ship in spring 2016: http://www.meyerwerft.de/en/meyerwerft_de/medien/presseticker/pressemitteilung_detail_18433.jsp

in 2016??

 

It is interesting that the exact same day that Meyer posted that on their website RCI went out with their press release stating Fall 2016.

 

Travel trade news articles in the USA are all using the Fall 2016 probably based on this. Another thing for us to remember is that delivery does not mean sailing date. Interiors are completed following delivery along with the entertainment department gaining access to the ship. You can not sail a ship directly after delivery.

 

This article discusses how Port Canaveral is really trying to land Ovation of the Seas from fall 2016.

 

http://www.travelpulse.com/news/cruise/port-canaveral-wants-a-big-royal-caribbean-ship.html

[MADflyer]

 

Vision for Venice? Why do you all think so? Is there any possibility to get access to the expected calls for Dubrovnik in 2016??

 

http://www.portdubrovnik.hr/girica1.php

 

You have to choose the year and then month. Check from 05 - Svibanj

 

This appeared last week and then the Riviera ports single booking showed up showing Vision in the MED.

 

Gibraltar and Funchal have not done an update yet, so no evidence of TA sailings showing yet.

[MADflyer]

Plus now with Vision on many Europe ports, doesn't look like Oz.

.

 

When Explorer was deployed to Europe for last season, the reason for the single season deployment was for movement later to Asia/Pacific. This pattern could be followed or not.

 

The ports that give TA indicators have not been updated this week.

[Ourusualbeach]

It is interesting that the exact same day that Meyer posted that on their website RCI went out with their press release stating Fall 2016.

 

Travel trade news articles in the USA are all using the Fall 2016 probably based on this. Another thing for us to remember is that delivery does not mean sailing date. Interiors are completed following delivery along with the entertainment department gaining access to the ship. You can not sail a ship directly after delivery.

 

This article discusses how Port Canaveral is really trying to land Ovation of the Seas from fall 2016.

 

http://www.travelpulse.com/news/cruise/port-canaveral-wants-a-big-royal-caribbean-ship.html

 

Delivery date and sailing date are in fact very close together and would not account for this discrepancy of months. Quantum's delivery date was Oct 28 and I believe she sailed with guests 2 days later and had her maiden voyage Nov. 2

[OfTheSeasCruiser]

Hey everyone, great posts so far. Because I am not sleuthing the port schedules like some of you, I think some of you are getting a way clearer picture than I. Can one of you do a recap post (as of today for example) itemizing which ship is where according to current port schedules. Of course, next week if things change around you can update. I was interested in the Oasis post above regarding the 3 placeholders in St Maarten, so all 3 Oasis ships in Florida at least for 2016. Plus now with Vision on many Europe ports, doesn't look like Oz.

 

So something like this:

Oasis: in port schedules St Maarten, etc etc --- home port FLL

Allure: in port schedules Barcelona, et etc --- home port Barcelona summer, FLL winter

and so on down the line with all the various RCI ships. This would be excellent! :D

 

Regarding the changes of Q for the Asian market, Vancouver now has the second largest Chinese community in North America (I believe San Fran still #1 but not by much), and I believe I have read Vancouver now has the largest overall Asian nationally occupancy of any city outside of Asia in the world. We have a ton of casino hotels everywhere in every suburb. Seattle-Quantum sailing would be just fine... and Q is only approx 100ft longer (same width) than Celebrity Solstice which currently sails from Seattle. Juneau and Skagway can very easily accommodate Quantum size/length imo. Q would totally destroy the competition up here with North Star, Two70, and more glass to look outward than Radiance Class. It would also keep the ship at a higher price in both Asia/Oz and Alaska rather than keeping the ship in one spot (ie. locals getting board with the ship, same itineraries, discounted cabins, etc). Just my 2 cents, no proof of the above, but I don't think my thoughts are off base if this actually happens. As far as relocating back to Asia through Hawaii, Q can't fit under the Lion's Gate bridge in Vancouver so she would have to load up in Victoria for PVSA rules.... totally doable as Solstice/Legend/etc do exactly this same thing in Ensenada with transfers from San Diego for cruisers.

 

I'll start with my guesses:

 

Oasis - Year round Port Everglades (St. Maarten Port Schedules)

Allure - Winter in Port Everglades, Summer in Barcelona (St. Maarten Port Schedules)

Oasis III - Year round Port Canaveral (St. Maarten Port Schedules)

 

(I'm not sure of which Oasis Class is which though...)

 

Ovation - 6/8 night itineraries from Port Everglades in the Winter, Europe in the Summer? (St. Maarten Schedule)

Anthem - Year round from Cape Liberty, NJ

Freedom - Year round from San Juan (Monday calls at St. Maarten)

Indy - takes over summer Saturday sailings from PE for whatever ship goes to Barcelona (St. Maarten Schedule) 4/5 night sailing in the winter (like this upcoming year..thats a guess)

 

And now for my wishful thinking:

A different ship in Baltimore to replace Grandeur and do the Bermuda runs!

Edited February 6, 2015 by OfTheSeasCruiser

[MADflyer]

Delivery date and sailing date are in fact very close together and would not account for this discrepancy of months. Quantum's delivery date was Oct 28 and I believe she sailed with guests 2 days later and had her maiden voyage Nov. 2

 

Yes. I was on the November 2, 2014 sailing of Quantum. This has not traditionally been the norm for the industry nor for RCI. I think it has to do with the changes in the timetable over time.

 

I was on the Norwegian Getaway on her maiden voyage as well and she was delivered early so those sailings were added, while Quantum was delivered late and just made their scheduled sailings.

 

I always like to watch this document to give me perspective as it is even longer range in scope.

 

http://www.amem.at/pdf/AMEM_Cruise-Ships-on-Order.pdf

 

On the luxury side for instance, the Viking Star completed sea trials yesterday and has the first sailing in late April.

 

When talking to staff and crew, many were on board Quantum for the conveyance from late September 2014. It was really interesting discussing their experience of taking out a new ship.

[DragonOfTheSeas]

And now for my wishful thinking:

A different ship in Baltimore to replace Grandeur and do the Bermuda runs!

 

I have my fingers crossed. :D

[MADflyer]

Reykjavik has posted calls for 2016 and they do not show any RCI mid-season Iceland sailings in 2016.

 

Brilliance and Serenade are both still listed as making overnight calls in early September 2016 at this time.

 

http://www.faxafloahafnir.is/wp-content/uploads/Skip-2016_ensk9.pdf

 

If they still deploy a ship to Harwich in 2016 the early TA sometimes has great offers. If Brilliance bookings hold in the MED, she would need to be switched out.

 

I snagged such a good deal that I just did half the TA and disembarked at Reykjavik after the overnight of Legend last September. This was a great way to see the North Atlantic ports.

[John&LaLa]

Delivery date and sailing date are in fact very close together and would not account for this discrepancy of months. Quantum's delivery date was Oct 28 and I believe she sailed with guests 2 days later and had her maiden voyage Nov. 2

 

And that went real well. :rolleyes:

[shipfriend_max]

My next guesses are:

-Navigator otS - summer from Southampton (Le Havre cruise schedule), than transfer to Far East/Australia (Singapore cruise schedule)

-Serenade otS - summer from Copenhagen and Stockholm (Copenhagen cruise schedule), Canada/NE from Boston fall

-Jewel otS - summer from Harwich, fall Canada/NE between Cape Lib. and Quebec, winter Caribbean from SJU (St. Maarten cruise schedule), or Alaska from/to Seattle

--> guess Jewel otS will sail from Harwich since Brilliance might switch to Barcelona

-Brilliance otS - summer from Barcelona (cruise schedule Rome, Villefranche/Cannes, Funchal), winter Caribbean from Tampa - OR staying on Harwich route and Jewel sailing from Barcelona

-Radiance otS - Alaska between Seward and Vancouver

-Vision otS -7 night runs from Venice (Dubrovnik cruise schedule)

-Rhapsody otS - 12 night runs from Barcelona, or longer runs from Venice (Dubrovnik cruise schedule)

 

BTW: Thanks for the link to Dubrovnik cruise list! This implies that Vision will not sail Alaska, as I expected before!

And for Rhapsody, maybe new itineraries from Venice will be created, or she will do the longer runs from Barcelona in 2016, as Vision is doing in 2015...

[shipfriend_max]

Reykjavik has posted calls for 2016 and they do not show any RCI mid-season Iceland sailings in 2016.

 

Brilliance and Serenade are both still listed as making overnight calls in early September 2016 at this time.

 

http://www.faxafloahafnir.is/wp-content/uploads/Skip-2016_ensk9.pdf

 

If they still deploy a ship to Harwich in 2016 the early TA sometimes has great offers. If Brilliance bookings hold in the MED, she would need to be switched out.

 

I snagged such a good deal that I just did half the TA and disembarked at Reykjavik after the overnight of Legend last September. This was a great way to see the North Atlantic ports.

 

Aaah yes, thank you! That's a schedule I use very often!

In fact, one other ship is needed for Harwich - but I perosnally could imagine that Brilliance is just a placeholder in the Med ports - it might well be that Rhapsody will do the 12 night runs from Barcelona, and Vision the 7 night runs from Venice.

That Serenade will sail from Harwich and the Copenhagen sailings get dropped down I personally cannot imagine...

Or Adventure either sails from Harwich or Barcelona...

[MADflyer]

Rome has not updated, so it is hard to guess. I had thought Rhapsody would be Rome based. They have Rhapsody in some periods on every Sunday from Civitavecchia.

 

The every Sunday pattern at Dubrovnik suggests they might continue with combinations of 8night, 6 night and then 7 night sailings from Venice with Vision.

[shipfriend_max]

Rome has not updated, so it is hard to guess. I had thought Rhapsody would be Rome based. They have Rhapsody in some periods on every Sunday from Civitavecchia.

 

The every Sunday pattern at Dubrovnik suggests they might continue with combinations of 8night, 6 night and then 7 night sailings from Venice with Vision.

 

Than the question for me is - what is Splendour going to do, if she will be replaced by Vision out of Venice???

I cannot believe that she is going to do the 12 night runs from Barcelona??

At least one can book a cruise on her from Dubai to Venice, starting the 4th of April, 2016...

[cruisinderek]

Does anyone know why Royal does not do a Partial Panama cruise like Princess, NCL, and Celebrity? I would think that if those guys can make money than RCI would. I would love to do a 10 day Panama trip with RCI.

[Heyref]

These 'educated guesses' are entertaining, but when will the schedule and rates be posted? Some other lines (NCL, Celebrity) are up and running for the period ending April 2017.

[MADflyer]

These 'educated guesses' are entertaining, but when will the schedule and rates be posted? Some other lines (NCL, Celebrity) are up and running for the period ending April 2017.

 

RCL have seemed to develop a strategy of releasing their Celebrity sailings and watching booking patterns first and then following this by several months for their RCI deployments.

 

This delayed strategy is what resulted in this speculative thread last year and it is mainly for entertainment.

 

RCI always do press releases for their actual deployments, which this year should be out in March.

[MADflyer]

Does anyone know why Royal does not do a Partial Panama cruise like Princess, NCL, and Celebrity? I would think that if those guys can make money than RCI would. I would love to do a 10 day Panama trip with RCI.

 

RCI pulled out of the Panama market and have focused on other areas. As you stated in your question, RCL have their Celebrity brand represented in the area.

 

RCI also have a Pullmantur brand which is focusing on the Latin and South American markets.

 

The only real answer to any question of deployment is that they have to make the best use of the limited ships they have available for deployment.

[SaintL]

I really would wish that someone did already a Bermuda trip from Port Caneveral during summer. Floridians need other options.

 

I saw MSC did one cruise only from Miami to Bermuda that was interesting.

 

Ittins to the Bahamas and Caribbean are getting pretty stale.

[MADflyer]

Than the question for me is - what is Splendour going to do, if she will be replaced by Vision out of Venice???

I cannot believe that she is going to do the 12 night runs from Barcelona??

At least one can book a cruise on her from Dubai to Venice, starting the 4th of April, 2016...

 

The funny thing about Slendour is that there is no sign of her following that arrival in Venice.

 

I somewhat thought that could indicate a quick dry dock or something and then possible transfer to Miami or elsewhere.

[shipfriend_max]

The funny thing about Slendour is that there is no sign of her following that arrival in Venice.

 

I somewhat thought that could indicate a quick dry dock or something and then possible transfer to Miami or elsewhere.

 

Could well be - she might be the replacement for Majesty, but who knows??

Or this cruise is going to be cancelled soon, and Splendour will be deployed elsewhere...

[Galaxy]

Welcome Independence,Navigator and Ovation :)

[MADflyer]

I really would wish that someone did already a Bermuda trip from Port Caneveral during summer. Floridians need other options.

 

I saw MSC did one cruise only from Miami to Bermuda that was interesting.

 

Ittins to the Bahamas and Caribbean are getting pretty stale.

 

Vision did two 10 night sailings from Port Everglades last June and August.

 

They ended up being very heavily discounted though due to lack of booking and I am not sure what that means as far a future deployment.

[JKrise]

Alaska cruise to Adak and Attu islands. (Just dreaming ).

 

 

JKrise