Voyager Of The Seas Returns to Oz 25/26?

[Chiliburn]

25 minutes ago, springaussie said:

Voyager was in  Brisbane until 21 April 2026 when the Voyager bookings first appeared in Brisbane Ports. 
Singapore is my pick Chilli Northern Summer 2026. 
 

Singapore?

Has Singapore got a navy,I think they would sink it or cut it up for scrap .
It could make sense with the emissions and their short haul cruises but hasn’t Royal got a agreement to have newer ships there.

 

[arxcards]

36 minutes ago, springaussie said:

Voyager was in  Brisbane until 21 April 2026 when the Voyager bookings first appeared in Brisbane Ports. 
Singapore is my pick Chilli Northern Summer 2026. 
 

With Quantum displaced out of Brisbane, where is she likely to be headed? 

[arxcards]

6 minutes ago, Chiliburn said:

Singapore?

Has Singapore got a navy,I think they would sink it or cut it up for scrap .
It could make sense with the emissions and their short haul cruises but hasn’t Royal got a agreement to have newer ships there.

 

A point that isn't lost on me. All the talk is about P&O Australia having old hand-me downs. With Voyager of the Seas in Brisbane, Pacific Encounter isn't the old ship in town.

 

Voyager and Quantum are different, and I don't mind that. But it is also 15 years different, and Royal must have a cunning plan hidden somewhere. Maybe it is that the Voyager class are being displaced by Freedom & above, yet Voyager doesn't fit into places that would squeeze a vision class ship into retirement. In this case though, Voyager isn't squeezing an older and smaller ship.

 

If there isn't a cunning plan, it is a downgrade. Previously, they pulled the pin when they prematurely withdrew Legend from Brisbane, citing poor bookings.

[Chiliburn]

12 hours ago, arxcards said:

A point that isn't lost on me. All the talk is about P&O Australia having old hand-me downs. With Voyager of the Seas in Brisbane, Pacific Encounter isn't the old ship in town.

 

Voyager and Quantum are different, and I don't mind that. But it is also 15 years different, and Royal must have a cunning plan hidden somewhere. Maybe it is that the Voyager class are being displaced by Freedom & above, yet Voyager doesn't fit into places that would squeeze a vision class ship into retirement. In this case though, Voyager isn't squeezing an older and smaller ship.

 

If there isn't a cunning plan, it is a downgrade. Previously, they pulled the pin when they prematurely withdrew Legend from Brisbane, citing poor bookings.

Voyager will be 26 years old by then and with the push to reduce emissions it’s going to be hard to deploy large old ships like that. They will have to find short runs with lots of port days until it’s not viable anymore.

Ravenna will have a new Royal Caribbean terminal then ,so I think Quantum and /or Ovation may go there . Europe is bringing in some tough environmental laws and they have to comply. 

[springaussie]

13 hours ago, arxcards said:

With Quantum displaced out of Brisbane, where is she likely to be headed? 

Speaking of Quantum I see a new port booking in Hong Kong for 23 October 2024 on the run which is apparently no passengers 0700 to 1900. 

Its certainly looks like Royal has some plan A, Plan B and plan Cs in place for the Pacific starting October 2024. 

[ScottishRobbie]

23 minutes ago, springaussie said:

Speaking of Quantum I see a new port booking in Hong Kong for 23 October 2024 on the run which is apparently no passengers 0700 to 1900. 

Its certainly looks like Royal has some plan A, Plan B and plan Cs in place for the Pacific starting October 2024. 

Quantum's repo from Alaska is due into Hawaii on 13/10/24, then positioning to Singapore for Dry Dock until 19/11/24. She may well be stopping into Hong Kong to pick up stuff for dry dock while on the way to Singapore.

[MicCanberra]

I am starting a rumour that it is chartered for a world nude cruise.

[Chiliburn]

2 hours ago, springaussie said:

Speaking of Quantum I see a new port booking in Hong Kong for 23 October 2024 on the run which is apparently no passengers 0700 to 1900. 

Its certainly looks like Royal has some plan A, Plan B and plan Cs in place for the Pacific starting October 2024. 

Hong Kong would be suitable for Voyager, just floating around .

Thats  as long as the casino is open.

[arxcards]

1 hour ago, ScottishRobbie said:

Quantum's repo from Alaska is due into Hawaii on 13/10/24, then positioning to Singapore for Dry Dock until 19/11/24. She may well be stopping into Hong Kong to pick up stuff for dry dock while on the way to Singapore.

Not a usual thing. Also possible to drop off non-essential staff to head into rotation holidays a few days early. 

[arxcards]

1 minute ago, arxcards said:

Not a usual thing. Also possible to drop off non-essential staff to head into rotation holidays a few days early. 

Actually, scrub that thought - would only be an extra day or two, and both are suitable transit hubs. 

 

No idea, just speculation 🤣

[MMDown Under]

On 11/17/2023 at 3:00 PM, Chiliburn said:

Yeah those Rhino beetles are in the back of everyone’s mind ,run don’t walk.

 

A fellow I was talking to showed me a screenshot of a private cabana on Cocoa island.

It was for up to 10 people I think he said but the price is pretty eye watering  for 4-5 hours!!

 

Thanks for the laugh.  I'm more relaxed now. 

[SuitesRbest]

Love the Voyager, my favourite ship we have sailed on out of Australia.

Edited November 20, 2023 by SuitesRbest

[jonesboy]

I have just arrived back from an 8 night cruise on Quantum...our 7th trip on a ship of this class and without a doubt trumps any other ship for quality in terms of facilities, decor and features for those home ported out of Brisbane. Of course more people/busy and you do need to look for your quiet spaces but they are around and need to be organised to get off for port days. IF you like a smaller ship built last century with poorer layouts, cheaper cabin decor ( eg nothing like green laminate bathrooms to inspire modern styling !! ) and lower activity options and food then by all means try Billiance, PO Encounter/Explorer or Luminosa. I have been on similar ships over the years and welcomed a more modern quality ship to Brisbane. It looks that from 2025-26 Brisbane will be given the backwash of older ships and we will be forced to suck it up. While Voyager would be a step above the others it is still 20+ years old and cannot match the style of the newer ships. Every time we have gone on Quantum from Brisbane it has been very full indeed so I would need some hard data around not being able to fill the ship. Our latest cruise had no discounts as I tracked prices monthly post booking almost 2 years earlier to see if I could jag a lower price. Our particular extended balcony cabin went up 60% by the week before sailing. Overall it would be nice to at least have the choice between smaller older ships and the style of a Quantum class. Just my opinion but not loving RC, Carnival and PO for thinking Brisbane not worthy of newer ships. Maybe too many local decision makers live in eastern Sydney !!

[ceeceeDee]

On 11/19/2023 at 10:01 AM, MicCanberra said:

I am starting a rumour that it is chartered for a world nude cruise.

Quell horreur!!!😯 Mind you, I'd like to see how they get on in Antartica!🤣 🎵Am I blue? Am I blue. Aren't these tears in my eyes telling you🎵

[mr walker]

1 hour ago, jonesboy said:

...... Every time we have gone on Quantum from Brisbane it has been very full indeed so I would need some hard data around not being able to fill the ship. Our latest cruise had no discounts as I tracked prices monthly post booking almost 2 years earlier to see if I could jag a lower price. Our particular extended balcony cabin went up 60% by the week before sailing. 

Almost every ship sails 'full' or close to it. When people talk about filling the ship, they are talking about selling it out at 'full' price. Unsold cabins are filled by discounting, some of which is not visible to all. TA's have clients who can sail at short notice at the right price and this fills unsold cabins.

An old rule of thumb is that 80% of cabins sold at regular prices meets the costs of the cruise, the other 20% can be filled below 'cost' as those passengers will drink, take excursions etc which provides the all important revenue.

I have been receiving emails from RC once or twice a week for months offering special deals - they are always for Quantam out of Brisbane, not for Ovation out of Sydney. 

[MicCanberra]

50 minutes ago, ceeceeDee said:

Quell horreur!!!😯 Mind you, I'd like to see how they get on in Antartica!🤣 🎵Am I blue? Am I blue. Aren't these tears in my eyes telling you🎵

The ships have heating but I agree, a nude cruise would be a horror show.

[MicCanberra]

8 minutes ago, mr walker said:

Almost every ship sails 'full' or close to it. When people talk about filling the ship, they are talking about selling it out at 'full' price. Unsold cabins are filled by discounting, some of which is not visible to all. TA's have clients who can sail at short notice at the right price and this fills unsold cabins.

An old rule of thumb is that 80% of cabins sold at regular prices meets the costs of the cruise, the other 20% can be filled below 'cost' as those passengers will drink, take excursions etc which provides the all important revenue.

I have been receiving emails from RC once or twice a week for months offering special deals - they are always for Quantam out of Brisbane, not for Ovation out of Sydney. 

Yep, no trouble filling shops out of Sydney.

[jonesboy]

If anybody pays brochure price for a cruise I would think they either live under a rock or are too wealthy to care.

We have been RC Diamond for years now and have never paid brochure prices nor even close and have never received weekly emails with special deals from Miami for Quantum out of Brisbane...What's the secret to get these emails ? Care to share ?? If you track prices as I do, then they do fluctuate but trend upwards closer to sailing. You may get a last minute deal if you can pack'n'go but few people have this luxury if working. We jagged one deal like this on NCL Getaway out of Miami when on holidays off a random phone query when in town with 3 days to sailing and got a great deal. That was pure luck and ability to alter plans on the spot.

Voyager capacity is not that much less...

Passengers (double occupancy)

3,602

4,180

                                                      Voyager V Quantum

If selling capacity is the issue then a 15 % drop is not that much. Other things at play, maybe the ability to fit at island docks to avoid tendering or fitting into places like Isle of Pines.

Quantum just visits 3 islands + Qld coast and NZ. Maybe Voyager, if coming, can expand ports of call. PO certainly does and this is why we are sailing to PNG in August and Fiji in 2025. Encounter had a nice makeover but still shows its age, but no choice. Would love it if Quantum/RC followed PO port destinations.

[Deb-and-Matt]

5 hours ago, jonesboy said:

Every time we have gone on Quantum from Brisbane it has been very full indeed so I would need some hard data around not being able to fill the ship

There have actually been industry articles recently showing Quantum has carried more than Ovation out of Sydney. But they have also had Brilliance there this season.

 

We were on the Easter cruise too. We just posted a video on our YouTube channel while on board that pretty much confirmed Voyager for Brisbane, Anthem for Sydney and a big update on Lelepa too.

Edited April 5 by Deb-and-Matt

[Deb-and-Matt]

On 11/15/2023 at 3:04 PM, MicCanberra said:

I wonder if Lelepa Island will be taking visitors by then, it is scheduled to be ready.

Highly likely, we got some information from staff on the most recent cruise who visited Lelepa while Quantum was in Port Villa last weekend.

[MicCanberra]

4 minutes ago, Deb-and-Matt said:

Highly likely, we got some information from staff on the most recent cruise who visited Lelepa while Quantum was in Port Villa last weekend.

Welcome to Cruise Critic,  I hope there has been progress at least.

[Chiliburn]

2 hours ago, Deb-and-Matt said:

There have actually been industry articles recently showing Quantum has carried more than Ovation out of Sydney. But they have also had Brilliance there this season.

 

We were on the Easter cruise too. We just posted a video on our YouTube channel while on board that pretty much confirmed Voyager for Brisbane, Anthem for Sydney and a big update on Lelepa too.

Welcome to CC ,you might want to read the terms and conditions about posting on here.

I have been trawling Vanuatu’s media and construction tenders for years.
The only thing I have found about Royal Caribbean and the island of Lelepa resently was a donation of furniture things to the school. (Strangle a charity also claims they donated it )

If they are building the resort,they are keeping it a fantastic secret from the rest of Vanuatu.

[Deb-and-Matt]

Just now, Chiliburn said:

Welcome to CC ,you might want to read the terms and conditions about posting on here.

I have been trawling Vanuatu’s media and construction tenders for years.
The only thing I have found about Royal Caribbean and the island of Lelepa resently was a donation of furniture things to the school. (Strangle a charity also claims they donated it )

If they are building the resort,they are keeping it a fantastic secret from the rest of Vanuatu.

Have been lurking on the CC forums for many years, but will re look at the Ts&Cs again.

 

Not really a secret though (Lelepa) when staff are discussing their visit to the island and tour options they are exploring & testing with local providers, with passengers on board a cruise. And the fact numerous Vanuatu immigration and tourism staff were on the ship at Mystery Island.

[Chiliburn]

35 minutes ago, Deb-and-Matt said:

Have been lurking on the CC forums for many years, but will re look at the Ts&Cs again.

 

Not really a secret though (Lelepa) when staff are discussing their visit to the island and tour options they are exploring & testing with local providers, with passengers on board a cruise. And the fact numerous Vanuatu immigration and tourism staff were on the ship at Mystery Island.

I’ve been hearing rumours and confirmation from staff also ,they even have it on their Next cruise channel on the ships.

Vanuatu is a small place,you would think something as big as a multinational throwing millions around would be on the news. Some of the articles in the local paper are as trivial as a road being done up ,someone missing and even a cow got out.

 

It wouldn’t be the first time I’ve been wrong but I can’t see how it would be viable to invest in a private resort to be served by 3-4 ships for 6 months of the year.

[Deb-and-Matt]

4 minutes ago, Chiliburn said:

I can’t see how it would be viable to invest in a private resort to be served by 3-4 ships for 6 months of the year.

That's why we believe, from what we discussed with some staff that at the very least, full year cruising is also likely to be announced from 2026. It would make sense. Inspections now, 18 months-2 years to develop and refine the outputs and construction.

 

It's not like they are starting from a completely blank slate, this was originally supposed to happen by 2022 and then Covid happened. 

 

But the fact the staff from Quantum were actually visiting the island to provide feedback on tour options and inspect infrastructure is a big step. 

 

We have also noticed the increase in Vanuatu promotion o  the RCTV channel on board and most recently the Vanuatu representatives on board.