Will Allure be AMPED?

[zonacruiser25]

So many of us want nothing more than to hop on a ship and get away from the madness.  Unfortunately, if the panic we are seeing in the US right now is showing no signs of slowing down.  Logic and reason are being replaced by panic and fear.  I have no illusions that the cruise industry will bounce back quickly.  I want to cruise the Med and still look forward to doing so.  It is looking less likely it will happen in October

[Sherri914]

According to a certain blog on social media, Royal has confirmed today, 3/18/20, that planned amplifications of Allure and Explorer are on hold.  The response reads:  "In these unprecedented times, in addition to voluntarily suspending our global operations, port closures and travel restrictions have also affected the possibility of moving forward with our amplifications of Explorer of the Seas in Brest, France and Allure of the Seas in Cadiz, Spain this spring.  Both amplifications have been put on hold at this time.  With global developments rapidly evolving, we are reviewing all options to bring Explorer and Allure into dry dock this year and determining the extend of the enhancements we can implement."  

 

 

[ZiggaZagga17]

It would seem she's sailing towards Southampton and the reason for that maybe a little bizarre but may explain why she's heading there.

Now anyone who's boarded an Oasis class in Southampton knows it's chaos personified! The port is simply not capable of handling a ship of that size. 

So ..... maybe, and just maybe. Southampton have offered a berth to Allure to try and sway Rccl's future planning?

She's still only 2/3 days sail from Cadiz if things improve there and So'ton can call in their favour as n when they start touting for day calls on the regular crossings that the Oasis fleet are doing and will probably continue to do!

Wonder can't be far off being finished and isn't Oasis 6 on order?

Harmony is planned for next summer in the Med also iirc

[gatour]

We have our answer.  Not happening in the short term due unavailability of ports and contractors to actually perform the amping.

 

https://www.cruisecritic.com/news/5211/

[tcfc424]

The official term used by RCL was "on hold" versus "cancelled."  It is my understanding that these shipyards probably have schedules that are booked out at least a year.  Due to the delay in getting into port (due to closure) that has impacted their schedule.  Additionally, given the uncertainty of the anticipated cruise schedule (and port of call availability) this is a fluid situation.  

 

The best case scenario (for Allure cruisers) would be that the ship gets into Cadiz later than anticipated (with the shipyard simply bumping the schedule they have back) and the cancellation of several (if not all) Mediterranean cruises.

 

The worst case scenario would be that only the bare minimum be completed (five-year drydock stuff), perhaps at another shipyard that has availability.  

[Biker19]

1 minute ago, tcfc424 said:

The worst case scenario would be that only the bare minimum be completed (five-year drydock stuff), perhaps at another shipyard that has availability. 

I think is a given.

[pyrateslife4me84]

Obviously, the situation is fluid. I anticipate they will do as much as they can and offer any med cruises they are allowed to, based upon port openings. Much of the AMPing is paid for, so if the dry dock window shortens, they’ll quickly do what they can, for the least money. I bet we will still get the Abyss. It’s cheap, quick to put in, and flashy. If anything gets cut, it’ll be some of the interior spaces. As long as they clean it up, fix the azipod, and make some updates, they can sign off for another 5 years. It makes no sense to do nothing and have to cancel more cruises later. 
 

Now, if closures extend 2 months, all he’ll breaks loose world-wide. 

Edited March 18, 2020 by pyrateslife4me84

[gatour]

There is no reason to send the ship back to the states.  The big thing that has to be done is the five year inspection.  The only place to do that is in Europe.  The azipod thing can be dealt with.  A Princess cruise ship went two years or so with one inoperable pod.

 

For those asking about Freeport.  The dry dock is considered a total loss.  There are other dry dock(s) at Freeport but they smaller than the one they were used/trying to use for the other two Oasis ships.  I think I heard there were feelers about dredging/digging out a dry dock much like some of the dry dock in Europe.

[zonacruiser25]

Here is the good news 

[mouseRD]

We are booked on Celebrity Equinox next year 2021.

 

Celebrity Equinox only did a partial refit when they were in dry dock last year (had to go to Spain due to situation in Bahamas, so lost 2 weeks of time for refit due to travel across Atlantic and back).  Many of the cabins were not completely refitted - some reportedly were and others just received new bedding.  The new Suite Deck is minus a bar and jacuzzi that were in the original plans.

 

We were just on Allure in February 2020; some things looking a little worn/tired, but it was lovely and very clean and the staff is exceptional.  You will have a great time!

[Norwich Cruiser]

Allure is supposedly going to be docked in Southampton from 20th to the 25th March.

[astangenes]

2 hours ago, Norwich Cruiser said:

Allure is supposedly going to be docked in Southampton from 20th to the 25th March.

According to Port of Southampton she will leave for Cadiz on 25th March. Lets hope Cadiz will be open for that time.  

[Norwich Cruiser]

1 hour ago, astangenes said:

According to Port of Southampton she will leave for Cadiz on 25th March. Lets hope Cadiz will be open for that time.  

Yes it’s then booked in to go to Cadiz let’s hope things go to plan.

[steamboats]

The lock down in Spain is for 15 days only and currently is supposed to end March 29th. So leaving on March 25th would make sense to get her in time down to Cadiz.

 

steamboats

[Norwich Cruiser]

39 minutes ago, steamboats said:

The lock down in Spain is for 15 days only and currently is supposed to end March 29th. So leaving on March 25th would make sense to get her in time down to Cadiz.

 

steamboats

Probably having a lot of remedial work carried out whilst docked in Southampton also.

[so,ton saint]

22 minutes ago, Norwich Cruiser said:

Probably having a lot of remedial work carried out whilst docked in Southampton also.

 

22 minutes ago, Norwich Cruiser said:

Probably having a lot of remedial work carried out whilst docked in Southampton also.

 

Just watched her docked very eerie looks like a ghost ship no taxis or coaches milling around, P.&O have sent two of there ships to Dover for storage.

[Norwich Cruiser]

1 hour ago, so,ton saint said:

 

 

Just watched her docked very eerie looks like a ghost ship no taxis or coaches milling around, P.&O have sent two of there ships to Dover for storage.

Very eerie indeed thanks for the update.

[Pratique]

From FB

 

 

[so,ton saint]

24 minutes ago, Pratique said:

From FB

 

 

,

 

Nice photo looks like it has be taken from Mayflower park, fished down there many times as a kid

[smeck]

Allure amplification has been cancelled along with Explorer Of the Seas. 

[pyrateslife4me84]

 

40 minutes ago, smeck said:

Allure amplification has been cancelled along with Explorer Of the Seas. 

That’s not what they said. 

[grandgeezer]

28 minutes ago, pyrateslife4me84 said:

 

That’s not what they said. 

Yes it is.

[csnarpy]

It's postponed. Most of the parts are already at been purchased and are waiting at the drydock. They will just put those in storage until such time that when they plan to do it.  But that could be a few years....

Edited March 21, 2020 by csnarpy

[suizas]

12 minutes ago, csnarpy said:

It's postponed. Most of the parts are already at been purchased and are waiting at the drydock. They will just put those in storage until such time that when they plan to do it.  But that could be a few years....

So any thoughts as to those that booked Allure in the Med or on the TA expecting a newer “Amplified ” ship? Partial refund, or FCC??  Seems fair that as the product will be less than what was advertised and sold as, that perhaps there will be some sort of compensation.?

[cscurlock]

2 hours ago, smeck said:

Allure amplification has been cancelled along with Explorer Of the Seas. 

Makes sense.  Were heading into a Depression.  People wont have money to cruise soon.  They are just going to be trying to survive.  There's not really a reason to reno a ship when you probably won't be half full especially a ship that large.