Jumping Cruiser

Yes, I believe so.

According to this post from CLIA (Cruise Lines International Association), reports regarding Amsterdam terminal closure are incorrect and there are already plans to install shore-power facilities to reduce the long-term impact on the environment. Check out this link for the full statement. Plus, as already mentioned, there are very limited ports that could handle Oasis Class along Southampton routes, so the chance of OC having a UK deployment would be very very slim in my opinion.

Take this year for example, but it may change slightly. Year-round Caribbean deployment opened in December, while Winter/Spring Caribbean opened in February.

It depends on which itineraries you are looking for, but all will be released either late this year (Nov/Dec) or early next year (Jan/Feb).

I don’t think Icon was ever planned to be home-ported from Southampton. Michael Bayley was very selective with his words when it was announced, saying that the UK will be the first market that Icon sails to. This was likely just going to be some TA previews and possibly a couple of shorter ‘taster’ sailings for guests, but far from a full deployment I believe.

You’re right, it just doesn’t make sense. I suppose at least it’s a newer Quantum Class, rather than a Freedom Class. There would be even less to do in the cold then!

I don’t get how Celebrity can have the view that the UK is the best performing market outside of the US and keep bringing new ships either to launch briefly or homeport in Southampton, but Royal are downgrading their offering! It is the same leaders and directors at the end of the day, who you would think have the same visions for each company and market, but obviously not. I would really like a word with those who have the final say on deployment, just to see exactly what they’re thinking, as I can’t quite get my head around it all. 🤔 I don’t want to turn this into a #wehateindy thread, but it is frustrating.

Me and @little britain really need to get a petition started! I really don’t feel like ‘We are the Champions’ anymore and ‘Grease’ can definitely stop being ‘the word that I heard’. 😂

Agreed! I don’t see why it’s so difficult to give us a different ship, even if it is a freedom class, but just don’t make it Indy. I think we all would like to see something different!

Recently off a 14-night Mediterranean Cruise on Anthem and we had a different menu every night, although some dishes were repeated on different menus. 1. Welcome Aboard 2. A Taste of Royal History 3. A Taste of the Classics 4. A Taste of the World 5. A Taste of the Caribbean 6. A Taste of Mexico 7. A Taste of the USA 8. A Taste of the UK 9. A Taste of France 10. A Taste of Italy 11. A Taste of Asia 12. A Taste of the Mediterranean 13. Royal Night 14. Bon Voyage

I have to say, Quantum Class is actually my favourite out the fleet, but I think I am in the minority. I love the modern design of the ship and two70 is one of my favourite venues, it’s perfect to relax and unwind. Also, they are perfect for cold weather cruises, such as Norway, so you don’t have to compromise on the fun if the weather isn’t the best. Many brits have a special place in their heart for Indy, but I really just don’t see what’s so special. There will be people who are thrilled by her return, but in my opinion the majority will think that this is a major step backwards from Royal. Compared to QC, the whole ship looks aged (especially cabins) and lacks the tech and thrills of the newer ships. This will definitely entice more people into med fly-cruises, but is disappointing for guests who sail ex-UK, especially when other lines are improving their Southampton hardware.

It was expected based on other port bookings that have been showing up recently. I don’t believe she is actually due a dry dock, as her last was early this year. Originally, all port bookings for Southampton cruises pointed to Odyssey being home-ported, but these have since changed to Indy. 😔

Just to confirm, Joff Eaton is now on Ovation.

Quite often ships aren’t fully ready when they leave the shipyard. It is common for Royal employees to board and act as test passengers while the final finishing touches are made on the journey across the pond.

it’s not unusual. When Indy and other ships were based in UK in the past the TA was always from the previous homeport. This has just happened to be Cape Liberty over the past few years, with Anthem being the ship deployed from Southampton.

Ponta Delgada, Azores - Port Bookings (Correct as of 14/07/23) Quite a few ships booked in Ponta Delgada, likely stops on TAs. I have a feeling that a couple of these bookings may change though, such as the ones for Odyssey and Jewel. 24th April 2025 - Brilliance OTS 27th April 2025 - Jewel OTS 6th May 2025 - Independence OTS 29th October 2025 - Odyssey OTS

Port bookings will be made by RCI on various ports websites, which gives us an idea of the ships that will call at each port throughout 2025. The actual itineraries won’t be released by Royal until around Nov/Dec.

I am really intrigued to see what these itineraries will be, especially with Explorer calling in Lisbon. Hopefully some more bookings will start to appear soon to give us an idea. 🤞🏻

Port bookings will be made by RCI on various ports websites, which gives us an idea of the ships that will call at each port throughout 2025. The actual itineraries won’t be released by Royal until around Nov/Dec.

St Maarten, Caribbean - Port Schedule (Correct as of 14/07/23) A handful of ships booked throughout Summer 2025, which include: Wonder, Liberty, Icon, Rhapsody and Oasis, with both Jewel and Harmony appearing as we get towards autumn. However, I can’t help but wonder if Harmony could be a placeholder for ‘Icon 2’ similar to how it was for Icon OTS, as bookings start to appear around the time we expect her to debut. Although, would they really have Icon and Icon 2 sailing to the same ports in the Caribbean? May 2025: 1st May - Vision OTS 1st May - Wonder OTS 5th May - Symphony OTS 5th May - Liberty OTS 6th May - Icon OTS 7th May - Oasis OTS 14th May - Wonder OTS 27th May - Rhapsody OTS 28th May - Wonder OTS June 2025: 2nd June - Liberty OTS 3rd June - Icon OTS 4th June - Oasis OTS 11th June - Rhapsody OTS 12th June - Wonder OTS 18th June - Rhapsody OTS 25th June - Rhapsody OTS 26th June - Wonder OTS 30th June - Liberty OTS July 2025: 3rd July - Oasis OTS 9th July - Rhapsody OTS 15th July - Icon OTS 16th July - Rhapsody OTS 23rd July - Rhapsody OTS 28th July - Liberty OTS 30th July - Oasis OTS August 2025: 6th August - Rhapsody OTS 7th August - Harmony OTS 13th August - Rhapsody OTS 20th August - Rhapsody OTS 25th August - Liberty OTS 26th August - Icon OTS 27th August - Oasis OTS 28th August - Harmony OTS September 2025: 3rd September - Rhapsody OTS 6th September - Jewel OTS 10th September - Rhapsody OTS 17th September - Rhapsody OTS 18th September - Harmony OTS 24th September - Oasis OTS October 2025: 1st October - Rhapsody OTS 7th October - Icon OTS 8th October - Rhapsody OTS 9th October - Harmony OTS 15th October - Rhapsody OTS 22nd October - Oasis OTS 29th October - Rhapsody OTS 30th October - Harmony OTS November 2025: 9th November - Odyssey OTS

Correct! More will begin to show over the coming weeks. 😊

Amsterdam, Netherlands - Port Schedule (Correct as of 14/07/23) Brilliance currently booked in quite frequently throughout the 2025 season, so will likely replace Jewel. Also, one call for Independence. 17th May 2025 - Brilliance OTS 26th May 2025 - Brilliance OTS 7th June 2025 - Brilliance OTS 19th June 2025 - Brilliance OTS 27th June 2025 - Independence OTS 1st July 2025 - Brilliance OTS 13th July 2025 - Brilliance OTS

Sorry, wrong schedule! You are correct, so I have just updated my post. I must have about 50 tabs open and copy & paste isn’t working in my favour 😂

Holyhead, Wales UK - Port Bookings (Correct as of 14/07/23) Brilliance currently has a few bookings throughout the Summer, likely for British Isles and Iceland & Ireland itineraries. 10th May 2025 - Brilliance OTS 22nd May 2025 - Brilliance OTS 11th June 2025 - Brilliance OTS 20th July 2025 - Brilliance OTS 25th August 2025 - Brilliance OTS

Leixoes, Portugal - Port Bookings (Correct as of 14/07/23) Only Brilliance booked in here at the moment, likely a stop on her TA. 27th April 2025 - Brilliance OTS