SS Future Re-Open Plan: Timing, Testing Needs??!!

[TLCOhio]

On 10/27/2022 at 4:27 PM, rkacruiser said:

Very good advice!  There have been numerous recounts on a variety of CC message boards about those who have contracted Covid during a cruise.  One couple last Winter was on a multiple back to back cruises.  One of them became positive, put in quarantine, and when the ship returned to Port Everglades they were transferred to a hotel and in quarantine until the ship returned from its next cruise.  Testing negative, they rejoined the ship and continued their series of cruises without issue.  Because of this, and they are now on a long cruise, they avoid groups of any size and do not socialize with other guests as usual.  For me, that would not be a mind-set/situation that I would enjoy.  

 

Appreciate this great follow-up from our SW Ohio neighbor.  Agree that we would not like the strategy of avoiding all cruise ship groups and not socializing with other guests.  That might lessen the Covid risks/dangers, but where is the fun and full travel experience?  

 

From this below-connected news story earlier this week, they had this headline: “Fact or Fiction: World's biggest cruise ship sells out before it sets sail?” with these highlights: “You may have heard the debut of the world's biggest cruise ship has sold out more than a year before it sets sail.  It's true.  The first sailing of Royal Caribbean's ‘Icon of the Seas’ is scheduled for January 27, 2024 out of Miami.  Reservations opened October 24th. and they were all booked by the next day.  The ‘Icon of the Seas’ has 20 decks and the ability to accommodate 7,600 guests and a total of 10,000 people including crew.”  

 

Selling it out quickly is a good sign for Royal Caribbean? Maybe?

 

Big?  That's a super giant ship.  Too large for me.  Personally, I like the smaller, more "personal" size that Silversea offers.  You get to know the other passengers and crew in a better manner.  More interesting and enjoyable.  Right or wrong?  For us, our top priority is still the itinerary!!  Where are we going that is exciting, unique and interesting??

 

But with Royal Caribbean focused on these new, big, MASSIVE ships and filling up their existing, more mass-market-focused ships, is Silversea getting the right attention, staffing, money and focus?  Very good questions are on another thread on this SS CC board as to whether and if Silversea is still able to deliver the level of quality we have experienced in the past?  Reactions and comments?

 

Full story at:

https://www.10news.com/news/fact-or-fiction/fact-or-fiction-worlds-biggest-cruise-ship-sells-out-before-it-sets-sail

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Athens & Greece: Visuals, details from two visits in a city and nearby with great history, culture and architecture.  Now at 47,085 views.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1101008

[rkacruiser]

7 hours ago, TLCOhio said:

Selling it out quickly is a good sign for Royal Caribbean?

 

And, then, how many will cancel prior to the final payment date for the cruise?

 

7 hours ago, TLCOhio said:

That's a super giant ship.  Too large for me.

 

Me too.  And, I remain concerned, if an evacuation of such a ship needs to take place, are these monsters of the seas going to be a reason for a monster catastrophic loss of life that will negatively impact the cruise industry?  

 

7 hours ago, TLCOhio said:

For us, our top priority is still the itinerary!!  

 

Important for me as well, but.....

 

7 hours ago, TLCOhio said:

whether and if Silversea is still able to deliver the level of quality we have experienced in the past?

 

....the onboard experience is, at this point of my life, maybe the overriding factor as to whether I would book a cruise or not.  

[TLCOhio]

15 hours ago, rkacruiser said:

And, then, how many will cancel prior to the final payment date for the cruise?

Me too.  And, I remain concerned, if an evacuation of such a ship needs to take place, are these monsters of the seas going to be a reason for a monster catastrophic loss of life that will negatively impact the cruise industry?  

 

Great point and question above by our SW Ohio neighbor about the serious challenges as to if and how to evacuate such a super LARGE ship with 10,000 people on it.  WOW!!  That would require some serious disciple and organization to make that exercise happen promptly and efficiently.  

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

[TLCOhio]

From Miami Herald, MSN News, etc., in the past couple of days, they had this headline: “Carnival Cruise Line, Virgin Make Big Change Passengers Will Like” with these highlights: “Royal Caribbean has not followed its rivals yet (and passengers may not be happy).  Covid has not actually gone away. The disease has seemingly become less deadly as vaccines and treatments have become more readily available, but the pandemic hasn't ended, it has just moved into a new stage where people worry less about getting sick and take fewer precautions.  With hospitals having room to treat the most severe cases, covid has become a little closer to the flu -- at least in how we treat it as a society. That means that most areas of American life have dropped any pretense of being worried about covid.”

 

Interesting summary as to how this whole approach for Covid has evolved and changed.  Right?  Here is more in this summary: "Social distancing has become a thing of the past as have mask requirements and mandatory testing. The travel industry held onto those rules longer than other parts of society, but hotels, airlines, theme parks, and casinos have all dropped all covid rules and precautions."

 

This report gives more details as to which cruise lines have dropped and/or modified their various rules and requirements.  Good news?

 

Full story at:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/news/carnival-cruise-line-virgin-make-big-change-passengers-will-like/ar-AA13w6zu

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio   

 

Lisbon, NWSpain, Bordeaux/Brittany: Live/blog, June 2017 from Portugal to France along scenic Atlantic Coast on the Silver Spirit.  Now at 32,651 views.  Many pictures, details for history, food, culture, etc.:

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2511358

[TLCOhio]

 From the Associated Press/AP newswire and ABC-TV News over this past weekend, they had this headline: “Ahead of harsh winter, tourism roars back in Mediterranean" with this sub-headline: "Tourism is making a stronger comeback from the coronavirus pandemic.”

 

Here are some of their reporting highlights: “Tourism around the Mediterranean has been booming. Helped by a strong U.S. dollar and Europeans’ pent-up demand to find a beach after years of COVID-19 travel restrictions, it’s been a stronger comeback from the pandemic slump than many expected, which led to long lines, canceled flights and lost luggage this summer at many European airports — though not in Greece.”

 

Here is more from their story: "Greece is on course to beat its annual record revenue haul from tourism. Portugal also is eyeing a full recovery, while late-summer data suggested Spain, Italy and Cyprus will end the year just shy of pre-pandemic visitor levels.  A blessing for Europe’s southern economies, the rebound is also easing the continent’s tilt toward recession brought on by rocketing energy prices, the war in Ukraine and enduring disruptions caused by the pandemic."

 

Good news?  Reactions?

 

Full story at:

https://abcnews.go.com/Lifestyle/wireStory/ahead-harsh-winter-tourism-roars-back-mediterranean-92333578

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Panama Canal? Early 2017, Fort Lauderdale to San Francisco adventure through Panama Canal.  Our first stops in Colombia, Central America and Mexico, plus added time in the great Golden Gate City. Now at 31,559 views.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2465580

[TLCOhio]

From a cruise news website this morning, they had this headline: “Cruise Line Returns to Asia Beginning December 2022" with this sub-headline: "Silversea Cruises is making a comeback to Asia with four ships scheduled to sail in the region between December 2022 and May 2023.”

 

Here are some of their story highlights: “For the first time in more than two years, luxury line Silversea Cruises will be returning to Asia in December 2022 to destinations such as Sri Lanka, Hong Kong, and Vietnam.  Between December 2022 and May 2023, the cruise line will sail throughout the continent, with 596-passenger Silver Muse as the first ship to sail in Asia since March 2020.  Silversea’s upcoming winter cruise season will include calls in India, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Vietnam, and more.”

 

Yes, things continue for getting back to "normal" for re-opening all over the world.  As I understand, stops in mainland China are still a "no-no".  Right?  Not sure when China will re-open.  China is on our future "to-do" list, but then there are other "issues" happening now as to that country and its access/safety, political positioning, etc.  

 

Full story at:

https://www.cruisehive.com/cruise-line-returns-to-asia-beginning-december-2022/86446

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

From late 2018, see “Holy Lands, Egypt, Jordan, Oman, Dubai, Greece, etc.”, with many visuals, details and ideas for the historic and scenic Middle East. Now at 21,308 views.  Connect at:

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2607054-livenautica-greece-holy-lands-egypt-dubai-terrypix’s/

[silkismom]

Hummm, doesn't mention Japan, the "new" brochure we got the other day does show our Apr cruise.

[TLCOhio]

On 11/3/2022 at 12:56 PM, silkismom said:

Hummm, doesn't mention Japan, the "new" brochure we got the other day does show our Apr cruise.

 

Appreciate this above follow-up.  YES, there are a wide range of questions and uncertainty for many part of Asia, including for Japan and China.  And what about for Australia??  

 

From CNN, the cable news network, this morning, they had this headline: “Cruise ship with 800 Covid-positive passengers docks in Sydney” with these highlights: “A cruise ship with hundreds of Covid-positive passengers docked in Sydney, Australia, after being hit by a wave of infections.  The Majestic Princess cruise ship was about halfway through a 12-day voyage when an outbreak of cases was noticed.  The ship had 4,600 passengers and crew on board After mass testing 3,300 passengers, around 800 tested positive for Covid-19, as did a small number of crew.  'All positive cases were mildly symptomatic or asymptomatic, and those guests isolated in their staterooms and then separated from non-impacted guests,' parent company Princess Cruises representative Briana Latter told CNN.”

 

Being "mild" is generally good.  BUT??  Is this cruise now over?  What happens to all of these passengers who did not test for having Covid?  Who pays?  Any refunds?  Many questions!!!  If from the USA, being in Australia, that leaves you a long way from home.  Right?  This article noted those testing positive were allowed off of the ship.  This story also reported: "Australia has seen an uptick in Covid cases recently, leading to more caution from within the government." 

 

Full story at:

https://www.cnn.com/2022/11/13/australia/australia-covid-majestic-princess-cruise-passengers-intl-hnk/index.html

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Summer 2019 Calgary, Jasper/Banff National Parks, Western Canada Rocky Mountaineer rail adventure, Vancouver, sailing up to Alaska on Silver Muse, post-cruise excursion to Denali, etc.  Many visuals and details from our first in these scenic areas!  Live/blog: 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2682584-live-terryohio-silver-muse-alaska-canadarockies-pix’s/

[TLCOhio]

On 11/3/2022 at 12:56 PM, silkismom said:

Hummm, doesn't mention Japan, the "new" brochure we got the other day does show our Apr cruise.

 

Not sure if this below article totally answers all of the questions for future Japan sailing, but it seems that some aspects are starting to move in the right direction.  Correct?  

 

From the Associated Press/AP newswire today, they had this headline: “Japan to reopen to cruise ships after 2 1/2-year ban” with these highlights: “Japan will lift a more than 2 1/2-year ban on international cruise ships that was imposed following a deadly coronavirus outbreak on the cruise ship Diamond Princess at the beginning of the pandemic, transport officials said Tuesday.  The Transport Ministry said cruise ship operators and port authorities’ associations have adopted anti-virus guidelines and that Japan is now ready to resume its international cruise operations while receiving foreign ships at its ports.”

 

Here is more background from their reporting: "Cruise ship operators are expected to discuss with local authorities further details about their port entry plans. Japan’s resumption of international cruise liners comes more than a year after they returned to the United States and Europe.  Under the new guidelines, all crew members must have three received three coronavirus vaccine shots while most passengers must be vaccinated at least twice."

 

Has Japan been too slow and careful?  Or, handling it just about right?

 

Full story at:

https://www.wpri.com/news/us-and-world/japan-to-reopen-to-cruise-ships-after-2-1-2-year-ban/

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Early 2020, many visuals and details from New Zealand/South Pacific in going from Auckland to French Polynesia.  This includes Bora Bora, Fiji, NZ experiences, etc:  Live/blog;

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2735732-live-terryohio-“new”-regatta-south-pacificnz-pix’s/

Edited November 16, 2022 by TLCOhio

[TLCOhio]

Is bigger always better?  And, is bigger where the cruise business is headed?  Many of us like the smaller, more personal size/style with Silversea, etc.  While it is not exactly Covid-related, I thought this below article of interest as to the future of cruising.  

 

From former USA Today travel expert Gene Sloan, his web cruise news site had this headline: “Disney Cruise Line will soon own one of the world’s biggest cruise ships after surprise purchase” with these highlights: “Disney Cruise Line will soon own one of the world’s largest cruise ships — in what could be a play at breaking into the fast-growing Asian travel market.  The Florida-based cruising arm of tourism giant Disney announced late Wednesday that it was buying a massive, half-finished ship that was until recently under construction for Asia-based Dream Cruises.”

 

This move ties in with what was to be called "Global Dream", whose construction was halted  after China-focused Dream Cruises financially went into the toilet along with sister brands Star Cruises and Crystal Cruises.  Remember Crystal and their sinking?  Disney is working with ship-builder Meyer Werft shipyard in Germany to complete this massive vessel.  Disney is modifying the plan to shift it from holding 9,000 passenger down to only having 6,000 on board.  This revised ship will be built with specific venues designed to appeal to Asian families and having the various Disney touches and design connections.

 

Interesting that Disney is continuing to be moving more "world-wide" with their sales audiences and operations.  The big companies do seem to be getting bigger!!  How will consumers and the market ultimately respond?

 

Full story at:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/news/disney-cruise-line-will-soon-own-one-of-the-worlds-biggest-cruise-ships-after-surprise-purchase/ar-AA14cgMd

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio   

 

Barcelona/Med: June 2011, with stops in Villefranche, ports near Pisa and Rome, Naples, Kotor, Venice and Dubrovnik. Great visuals with key highlights, tips, etc. Live/blog now at 255,498 views.

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1426474

[TLCOhio]

From the Wall Street Journal this morning, they had this headline: “Airports Where Delays and Long Lines Are Worst" with this sub-headline: "New York-area airports struggled in the WSJ rankings. They weren’t the only ones with problems.”

 

Here are a few of their reporting highlights: “Some airports perform objectively worse than others, according to the WSJ airport rankings, which tracked performance at the 50 busiest in the U.S. Newark Liberty International was the worst-ranked among the 20 busiest airports, while New York’s LaGuardia took the bottom spot for the midsize group. Other airports had their lowlights. Dallas Love Field posted the worst record for flights that depart on time, with 66% leaving on schedule. Denver International Airport had the longest wait to get through security screening among large airports, a hair worse than John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York. The rankings evaluate airports on 19 factors, including delays and cancellations over the 18 months to June 2022, as well as security wait times, the cost of airport parking and the cost of a bottle of water—a proxy for concession prices.”

 

If you are doing a cruise, in most cases, you will need to fly and navigate through one or more airports.  Clearly, flying these days is not exactly cheaper and/or easier, including for parking, dealing with security, tarmac delays, etc.  Some airports are in the middle of major construction, such as at NYC's LaGuardia.  Is hope on the way?

 

Among the highest/best scoring larger airports, in order from the top, were: San Francisco. Atlanta, Minneapolis, Detroit and Phoenix.  Among the mid-sized airports, the highest/best in order, from the top, were: Sacramento, San Diego, San Jose, San Antonio and Portland. Need more data as to how your airport ranked?  

 

Full story at:

https://www.wsj.com/articles/worst-airports-newark-laguardia-denver-11668715569?mod=life_work_lead_story

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Norway Coast/Fjords/Arctic Circle cruise from Copenhagen, July 2010, to the top of Europe. Scenic visuals with key tips. Live/blog at 245,412 views.

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1227923

[TLCOhio]

Are those masks going to be back and required on cruise ships?

 

From a cruise industry news website this morning, they had this headline: “Carnival Cruise Line Reintroduces Masks for Some Sailings" with this sub-headline: "Carnival Cruise Line is now requiring all guests and crew to wear masks aboard two vessels, and other cruise lines are doing the same.”

 

Here are some of their story highlights: “Carnival Cruise Line has reintroduced mandatory mask wearing policies for the cruise line’s sailings in Australia.  Masks will now be required in all indoor public spaces or in any crowded venue, indoors or outdoors, regardless of vaccination status. This policy only impacts Carnival cruises in Australia, and masks are not required on any Carnival ships in other regions.”

 

Here is more from their reporting: "Those indoor spaces include all lounges, corridors, elevators, theaters, casinos, and other spaces, unless guests are eating or drinking. Guests do not need to wear masks in their staterooms.  Masks are also now required in outdoors for any large crowded events where guests cannot appropriately distance, such as during deck parties, as well as while on shore tour buses or tenders, or while indoors on any shore excursion. Guests must also wear masks during the entire embarkation and debarkation processes."

 

Sound like fun?  Cause you to pause as to whether these cruise conditions would be attractive and satisfying?  Other reactions/questions?

 

Full story at:

https://www.cruisehive.com/carnival-cruise-line-reintroduces-masks-for-some-sailings/88147

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Sydney to NZ/Auckland Adventure, live/blog 2014 sampling/details with many exciting visuals and key highlights.  On page 23, post #571, see a complete index for all of the pictures, postings.  Now at 239,116 views.

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1974139

[cruiseej]

3 hours ago, TLCOhio said:

Are those masks going to be back and required on cruise ships?

 

Unless there's a huge worldwide surge in Covid cases, it's likely to remain a country-by-country issue, where the cruise lines must abide by any regulations of the county(ies) being visited. Otherwise, no, I don't think required masking will be reinstated.

[sanne]

2 hours ago, cruiseej said:

 

Unless there's a huge worldwide surge in Covid cases, it's likely to remain a country-by-country issue, where the cruise lines must abide by any regulations of the county(ies) being visited. Otherwise, no, I don't think required masking will be reinstated.

There’s no regulation currently in any state in Australia to wear masks. 

[cruiseej]

6 hours ago, sanne said:

There’s no regulation currently in any state in Australia to wear masks. 

 

Ah, I see. It was a proactive, voluntary move made by one of the largest cruise conglomerates, 

 

Following a coronavirus surge in Australia, Carnival reintroduced mask mandates on all seven of its brands operating in Australia and the region. They are Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, P&O Cruises Australia, P&O Cruises World Cruising, Cunard, Holland America Line and Seabourn. Passengers and crew must wear masks at all times when indoors (except when eating and drinking) and outdoors when they cannot socially distance and when on company transfers.

 

I'm sure they're trying to avoid future government action which could result in shutting down the cruise industry again. 

[RetiredandTravel]

News from Friday on the new booster and BQ.1.1.

 

https://www.cnbc.com/2022/11/18/covid-pfizer-says-omicron-booster-is-better-against-new-subvariants-like-bqpoint1point1.html

[Stumblefoot]

5 hours ago, RetiredandTravel said:

News from Friday on the new booster…

Thx.  I would hope the new booster triggered more antibodies against omicron sublineages compared with a fourth dose of the original vaccine. Would be really bad if it didn’t.

[TLCOhio]

On 11/20/2022 at 1:24 PM, Stumblefoot said:

Thx.  I would hope the new booster triggered more antibodies against omicron sublineages compared with a fourth dose of the original vaccine. Would be really bad if it didn’t.

 

YES, we hope these newer boosters do more and are highly effective.  BUT, that is not totally clear now as things change and evolve.  Right or wrong?  Excellent comments and follow-ups.  Keep it coming!  

 

From former USA Today cruise guru Gene Sloan yesterday, they had this headline: “Is the era of amazing cruise deals coming to an end?” with these highlights: “Are we in the waning days of the era of amazing cruise deals?   Some industry watchers are suggesting as much as the cruise industry's rebound from a nearly three-year-long, COVID-19 pandemic-related downturn.  After a prolonged period that saw some cruise lines discount heavily to fill ships, several Wall Street analysts have noted in recent weeks that rising occupancies on vessels have finally allowed cruise lines to begin raising average pricing above levels seen before the pandemic.  The fourth quarter of 2022 'is the first quarter where we expect pricing to be up vs. 2019 levels,' Truist lodging and leisure analyst Patrick Scholes wrote in a research report this week. 'Looking forward into 2023, barring unforeseen circumstances, we expect pricing to continue to accelerate vs. 2019’s comparable levels.' ”

 

We want the cruise lines to survive financially, but we do not want prices going up, UP too much.  Right?  How to strike the right and best balance for customers and the businesses?

 

Full story at:

https://thepointsguy.com/news/2023-cruise-ship-fares-rising/

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Venice: Loving It & Why??!!  Is one of your future desires or past favorites? See these many visual samples for its great history and architecture.  This posting is now at 98,553 views.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1278226

 

[TLCOhio]

From the Wall Street Journal two days ago, they had this headline: “Cruise Deals Surface Early With More Travelers Ready to Set Sail" with this sub-headline:  "People are less hesitant vacationing at sea, so sales are popping up months earlier than usual. But discounts may not offset rising cruise prices.”

 

Here are some of their reporting highlights: “The typical post-New Year deals on cruise vacations have arrived more than a month ahead of schedule.  Over the past few weeks, many cruise lines have rolled out discounts and free add-ons meant to entice bookings. Cruise lines have continued to roll out new ships this year and want to fill staterooms that were long empty during the pandemic. With interest in setting sail returning to pre-Covid levels, cruise lines are using promotions to market their trips and compete with other segments of the travel industry that advertise special offers during the holidays.”

 

Sound like good news?   But, here is more from this story: "These deals offer opportunities to hunt for savings as cruise prices get more expensive. How long the offers last depends on how quickly spots fill up.  Discounting is likely to continue throughout the holiday season and into the traditional wave season, says John Padgett, president of Carnival Corp. subsidiary Princess Cruises."

 

Full story at:

https://www.wsj.com/articles/cruise-deals-vacation-sales-wave-season-11669683518?mod=life_work_lead_pos3

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio   

 

Amazon River-Caribbean 2015 adventure live/blog starting in Barbados. Many visuals from this amazing river and Caribbean Islands (Dutch ABC's, St. Barts, Dominica, Grenada, San Juan, etc.).  Now at 70,652 views:

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2157696

[TLCOhio]

From a financial news site and MSN News this morning, they had this headline: “Royal Caribbean's CEO on How the Cruise Line Got Through Covid” that focuses on the period for the cruise industry from March 2020 through July 2021.  Was it challenging?

 

Here are some of their reporting highlights: “Royal Caribbean CEO and President Michael Bayley shared his thoughts on the industry's shutdown.  'It was a dark, terrible period,' he said. 'And you know, the shutdown of our operations and trying to repatriate 50,000 crew to 100 countries was unbelievably challenging.'  The biggest challenge, Bayley explained, was dealing with governments all around the world, many of which did not have answers. 'We dealt with so many different government groups who were 'yes, no, no, no, yes.' It was truly a nightmare shutting down operations and then not knowing anything,' ”

 

Interesting background as now we often forget about ALL of the unknowns and difficulties that the cruise industry faced in dealing with shutting down, getting staff back home, paying out refunds, gathering up cash to fund operations, etc.  And then waiting and waiting to know when the crisis would end and operations could resume.  In this story, one of his key summary quotes was: "it was a long journey through two years of very difficult times."

 

And, it is still not over as places such as Japan are only now re-opening.  Plus, China is still totally shut-down, etc.  

 

Full story at:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/news/royal-caribbeans-ceo-on-how-the-cruise-line-got-through-covid/ar-AA14RDc0

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

AFRICA?!!?: Fun, interesting visuals, plus travel details from this early 2016 live/blog. At 53,443 views. Featuring Cape Town, South Africa’s coast, Mozambique, Victoria Falls/Zambia and Botswana's famed Okavango Delta.

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2310337

[highplanesdrifters]

On 10/29/2022 at 8:32 AM, TLCOhio said:

.  The ‘Icon of the Seas’ has 20 decks and the ability to accommodate 7,600 guests and a total of 10,000 people including crew.”  

I'm a little late to the conversation but all I have to say is..... 🤯  Nooooooooo!

[RetiredandTravel]

2 hours ago, highplanesdrifters said:

I'm a little late to the conversation but all I have to say is..... 🤯  Nooooooooo!

 

 

What a beast.  Not for us but some people love them.

 

6 water slides, 7 pools

 

https://www.royalcaribbean.com/icon-of-the-seas/site/

 

 

Edited December 4, 2022 by RetiredandTravel

[highplanesdrifters]

21 hours ago, RetiredandTravel said:

 

 

What a beast.  Not for us but some people love them.

 

6 water slides, 7 pools

 

https://www.royalcaribbean.com/icon-of-the-seas/site/

 

 

SIX water slides? Well gee maybe I was a tad too hasty.  One of our guilty TV pleasures is Mighty Cruise Ships. I find myself mesmerized by the monsters. The sheer logistics of it all. I'd like to take a tour. Even thought of trying 2 days on one to satisfy my deer in the headlights fascination that they even exist. But SO snapped me back to reality and put the kibosh on those thoughts. 🤣

[RetiredandTravel]

46 minutes ago, highplanesdrifters said:

SIX water slides? Well gee maybe I was a tad too hasty.  One of our guilty TV pleasures is Mighty Cruise Ships. I find myself mesmerized by the monsters. The sheer logistics of it all. I'd like to take a tour. Even thought of trying 2 days on one to satisfy my deer in the headlights fascination that they even exist. But SO snapped me back to reality and put the kibosh on those thoughts. 🤣

 

 

Definitely not for us either.  Our next vacation the resort has 30 rooms and I'm not sure I've ever been on a water slide.  Some people love the big ships, God bless them, hope they have fun.

 

I totally agree on the logistics, what must be involved in  just feeding 7600 people.  It would be interesting to see how the whole thing works.  Found this youtube.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2vXbFp5C9o

 

[highplanesdrifters]

9 minutes ago, RetiredandTravel said:

 

 

Definitely not for us either.  Our next vacation the resort has 30 rooms and I'm not sure I've ever been on a water slide.  Some people love the big ships, God bless them, hope they have fun.

 

I totally agree on the logistics, what must be involved in  just feeding 7600 people.  It would be interesting to see how the whole thing works.  Found this youtube.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2vXbFp5C9o

 

Just watched half of the video. 🤯🤯🤯