Deployment 2018-19 booking season begins

[travelgoddess1]

This is OLD, from several weeks ago and therefore potentially out of date (since they changed the release date to revise things) but this is what was shared previously regarding the Australia cruise release 2018-2019:

https://secure.royalcaribbean.com.au/media/pdf/reports/RCI_201819_ProgrammeRelease_FA_Final.pdf

 

I wish they had added on the Hawaii sail dates before and after the Australia itineraries, so I could at least tell how many days the cruises are going to be. But thanks for the information. :)

[Hoopster95]

We just got off Explorer 4 nt. Best of BC and we are on the April/18 Transpacific Sydney to Seattle. We were told by a few of the crew that ours will be the last spring Transpacific for Explorer, they will have a fall Seattle to Sydney and Explorer will be going to San Juan. We were told that another ship will be replacing Explorer.

 

I spoke to sunset seekers and her DH (met them previously as well, can't remember which cruise) on board EoS last week. They were told they were 2nd to book to the 2018 fall TP Seattle to Sydney, corner aft deck 10. Very experienced RCL cruisers, no reason to share embelished info. They were told by an officer that EoS was not coming back to Alaska after 2018. We all know that staff/officers are sometimes incorrect, or true info today may change tomorrow, However many times we have discovered with officer "rumors" where there's smoke there's fire (ie. Liberty to SJ).. We'll see.

 

In that case why would she return to Sydney if they can send her to SJ via the Panama Canal?

 

What we know:

• Sunset seekers are booked fall 2018 Seattle to Sydney
  
• SprindAussie sees EoS on the Newcastle port schedule for Feb 2019
  
• Bridge of Americas 201 feet tall, Voyager Class 206 feet tall.
  
• After many Panama Canal threads with industry professionals ChengP and BiilB48 here on CC, they feel there's an extremely minimal chance at the very best and extreme circumstances at the lowest tides that maybe, just maybe, Voyager Class would squeak under. Would the canal authority allow it? How would you book it? What happens if booked over a year in advance the weather/tides/other factors make it impossible for EoS to get under the bridge because they were not predicted correctly a year before?
  

If EoS is being redeployed to the Caribbean:

• Seattle to Caribbean via Panama Canal.... extremely not likely, can't get under the Bridge of Americas on the Pacific side of the canal.
  
• Caribbean via the Suez/Europe/.TA just like Mariner is doing and all other RCL ships have done every year this past decade (Quantum, Ovation, Legend, Vision, Splendour, Voyager, Rhapsody, Mariner) very likely
  

Like Travelgoddess says, it'll be fun to see shortly when RCL makes the official itinerary announcements

[Blue Eyed Belfast Belle]

If EoS is being redeployed to the Caribbean:

 

 

• Caribbean via the Suez/Europe/.TA just like Mariner is doing and all other RCL ships have done every year this past decade (Quantum, Ovation, Legend, Vision, Splendour, Voyager, Rhapsody, Mariner) very likely
  

Like Travelgoddess says, it'll be fun to see shortly when RCL makes the official itinerary announcements

 

I wish, unlike Mariner, that if Explorer is doing this that she will spend some time in Europe. As much as I like Navigator, she has been out of Southamptom 3 years in a row!

[sunset seekers]

I spoke to sunset seekers and her DH (met them previously as well, can't remember which cruise) on board EoS last week. They were told they were 2nd to book to the 2018 fall TP Seattle to Sydney, corner aft deck 10. Very experienced RCL cruisers, no reason to share embelished info. They were told by an officer that EoS was not coming back to Alaska after 2018. We all know that staff/officers are sometimes incorrect, or true info today may change tomorrow, However many times we have discovered with officer "rumors" where there's smoke there's fire (ie. Liberty to SJ).. We'll see.

 

 

 

What we know:

• Sunset seekers are booked fall 2018 Seattle to Sydney
  
• SprindAussie sees EoS on the Newcastle port schedule for Feb 2019
  
• Bridge of Americas 201 feet tall, Voyager Class 206 feet tall.
  
• After many Panama Canal threads with industry professionals ChengP and BiilB48 here on CC, they feel there's an extremely minimal chance at the very best and extreme circumstances at the lowest tides that maybe, just maybe, Voyager Class would squeak under. Would the canal authority allow it? How would you book it? What happens if booked over a year in advance the weather/tides/other factors make it impossible for EoS to get under the bridge because they were not predicted correctly a year before?
  

If EoS is being redeployed to the Caribbean:

• Seattle to Caribbean via Panama Canal.... extremely not likely, can't get under the Bridge of Americas on the Pacific side of the canal.
  
• Caribbean via the Suez/Europe/.TA just like Mariner is doing and all other RCL ships have done every year this past decade (Quantum, Ovation, Legend, Vision, Splendour, Voyager, Rhapsody, Mariner) very likely
  

Like Travelgoddess says, it'll be fun to see shortly when RCL makes the official itinerary announcements

 

Hi Hoopster, Just a correction (not that it really matters) but we are booked on the April/2018 TP on Explorer, the fall 2018 I believe is not out yet. It will be interesting to see what ship we get next if there is going to be a change.

[yj_eugene]

While I would love to see 3 ships in SJU I just don't see that happening.

 

It would make much more sense for Explorer to return to Port Canaveral instead and replace Majesty.

[Hoopster95]

Hi Hoopster, Just a correction (not that it really matters) but we are booked on the April/2018 TP on Explorer, the fall 2018 I believe is not out yet. It will be interesting to see what ship we get next if there is going to be a change.

 

Hey Rose! :D

Ah.... you're on the spring TP Sydney to here? OK, gotcha. Just to confirm, you were told the fall TP too Sydney was the last EoS TP?

[springaussie]

Hey Rose! :D

 

Ah.... you're on the spring TP Sydney to here? OK, gotcha. Just to confirm, you were told the fall TP too Sydney was the last EoS TP?

 

 

 

No Explorer cruises leave Seattle or Sydney in Spring they are both Fall or Autumn cruises from the departing port.

 

 

 

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[Biker19]

^ but spring for the arriving port.

[Hoopster95]

No Explorer cruises leave Seattle or Sydney in Spring they are both Fall or Autumn cruises from the departing port.

 

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

Hi Spirngaussie. I'm confused with your post...

my perspective is from North America, where the TP from Seattle to Sydney.is only in fall. Is that what you mean?

[Clarea]

It would make much more sense for Explorer to return to Port Canaveral instead and replace Majesty.

That would be a real treat!

[sunset seekers]

Hey Rose! :D

Ah.... you're on the spring TP Sydney to here? OK, gotcha. Just to confirm, you were told the fall TP too Sydney was the last EoS TP?

 

Yes that's what we were told. As we mentioned we were really hoping that it would go back around the horn. But I am wondering if that time of year would not be the best? Looking forward to June to see what happens.

[Ocean Dancer]

Yes that's what we were told. As we mentioned we were really hoping that it would go back around the horn. But I am wondering if that time of year would not be the best? Looking forward to June to see what happens.

Maybe this option is on the table and they are getting their ducks in a row causing the delay?

 

Either or, any rumors of what ship, if any will replace Explorer's TP in Apr 2019? Voyager?

 

We can bat the ball all day and night......June can't come fast enough!:')

[BillB48]

 

 

What we know:

• Bridge of Americas 201 feet tall, Voyager Class 206 feet tall.
  
• After many Panama Canal threads with industry professionals ChengP and BiilB48 here on CC, they feel there's an extremely minimal chance at the very best and extreme circumstances at the lowest tides that maybe, just maybe, Voyager Class would squeak under. Would the canal authority allow it? How would you book it? What happens if booked over a year in advance the weather/tides/other factors make it impossible for EoS to get under the bridge because they were not predicted correctly a year before?
  

• Caribbean via the Suez/Europe/.TA just like Mariner is doing and all other RCL ships have done every year this past decade (Quantum, Ovation, Legend, Vision, Splendour, Voyager, Rhapsody, Mariner) very likely
  

Like Travelgoddess says, it'll be fun to see shortly when RCL makes the official itinerary announcements

 

Can't have a BoA clearance discussion without attracting my attention:D! I'll put 2 cents in and who knows maybe there will be some change!! Current air draft limits for the Bridge is 205'... so the air draft of the Explorer are not that far out of published limits. Just for a comparison the Canal limits the beam at the old locks to 106', however they have permitted a beam of 108' to transit. There would be a great deal more flexibility with the air draft figure.

 

Predicting the tide times and level is easy. For example the tides on July 4 2019 will be a high of 16' with a low of 0'. That would provide 203' at high tide and 219' clearance at slack water.

 

Having said all that I think there is a greater chance the Explorer will use the other Canal since that would be the same route they used many times before... no new ground to cover.

 

Waiting with some degree of anticipation!

[bigeck]

If Ex is doing the same run as Mariner that might open the door for Quantum to Alaska

 

Sent from my E5823 using Forums mobile app

[Ocean Dancer]

If Ex is doing the same run as Mariner that might open the door for Quantum to Alaska

 

Sent from my E5823 using Forums mobile app

But wouldn't that require an Americanization of the ship thus costing more with more delays, or would they do that during the TP?:confused:

[Hoopster95]

Predicting the tide times and level is easy. For example the tides on July 4 2019 will be a high of 16' with a low of 0'. That would provide 203' at high tide and 219' clearance at slack water.

 

Having said all that I think there is a greater chance the Explorer will use the other Canal since that would be the same route they used many times before... no new ground to cover.

 

Waiting with some degree of anticipation!

 

Hey Bill.... I was really hoping you or Cheng would reply to my post... you never mentioned those tide figures before, especially the 219' clearance at slack.... that shocked me here considering our previous discussions

So the possibilities of EoS going under the bridge is not that out of whack after all? Cheng had mentioned sailing under there with a 5-6 foot clearance, and it was a super special occasion he didn't think would be replicated.

 

I've gotta put you on the spot Bill ;).... using the new locks, can Voyager Class comfortably get under the BOA or no?

[Hoopster95]

If Ex is doing the same run as Mariner that might open the door for Quantum to Alaska

 

Sent from my E5823 using Forums mobile app

But wouldn't that require an Americanization of the ship thus costing more with more delays, or would they do that during the TP?:confused:

 

How about Pulse or Passion?

[Biker19]

How about Pulse or Passion?

Passion is already slated for Asia and I have a feeling it will be Asianized from the factory. I think de-Asianizing Quantum for Alaska makes the most sense, during her 2019 dry dock.

[Hoopster95]

Passion is already slated for Asia and I have a feeling it will be Asianized from the factory. I think de-Asianizing Quantum for Alaska makes the most sense, during her 2019 dry dock.

 

Aha... right. Perfect timing and I'm guessing pretty easy to fix up the Music Hall and surrounding area from casino back to entertainment venue.

[Ocean Dancer]

Shall we all send job resumes to RCCI?:cool:

[bigeck]

Passion is already slated for Asia and I have a feeling it will be Asianized from the factory. I think de-Asianizing Quantum for Alaska makes the most sense, during her 2019 dry dock.

Looks like the solution.

[Biker19]

But whatever happens with Passion/Ovation/Quantum will be after the end of the current deployment season so we won't know for another year.

[BillB48]

Hey Bill.... I was really hoping you or Cheng would reply to my post... you never mentioned those tide figures before, especially the 219' clearance at slack.... that shocked me here considering our previous discussions

So the possibilities of EoS going under the bridge is not that out of whack after all? Cheng had mentioned sailing under there with a 5-6 foot clearance, and it was a super special occasion he didn't think would be replicated.

 

I've gotta put you on the spot Bill ;).... using the new locks, can Voyager Class comfortably get under the BOA or no?

 

I of course think it can clear comfortably, but then again not my boat, not my bridge!! Seriously since the amount the Explorer exceeds the published limits is on the low end, I don't see that as a show stopper. No doubt the Canal would require some sort of additional precautions, extra tugs, special pilot assignments etc. read additional cost. I also think that having to clear the bridge at whatever height of tide they determine suitable at the beginning of the transit (since it would be Pacific to Atlantic) is preferable than being the last event of the transit would be a good thing too. Perhaps RCI could trim the excess in some way as X did with the Solstice had to do to clear the Lions Gate Bridge in Vancouver. That may not be that easy since the Solstice installed a collapsible mast (antennae?) where I believe the Explorer's offending appendages are in the area of the funnel. Not as simple of a fix. Don't know if they could ballast down enough to provide anything useful??

 

 

Judging by the way the Vision's cabins flew out the door recently for a November 2018 transit, I don't think there would be an issue filling the ship.

[springaussie]

Voyager of the Seas cruises are showing sold out from September 2018.

So is Voyager using the 19 September 2018 port booking in Darwin and returning to Oz?

That would leave the option open to put Anthem or Oasis class in Singapore.

[Ocean Dancer]

Is it June yet??:eek: