GlasgowCruiser01

Of eight total ships, I'm fine with them having ONE Radiance or Vision in Florida year round (ideally Tampa) to do Caribbean itineraries, but the rest should go on longer/more exciting ones from other parts of the world. Otherwise it's a waste of what those ships can do.

All of the East Coast Florida ports really should be for Icon/Oasis Class in summer, with perhaps one or two Freedom/Voyager Class which are left over.

It feels like there is a misunderstanding between higher ups at Royal and the Southampton market. Many cruisers in the area do have fond memories of Indy, it did great for just over a decade in the area, arguably got many into cruising as it was one of the first real mega ships in the UK.

But can she compete as the sole ship in the market in 2025 when other cruise lines have stepped up their offerings? I just feel like the landscape is very different now to the early-mid 2010s.

I still think it's a market best served by 2 ships - which it had been from 2005-2019 (there were even 3 in 2013, 14 & 15). Why things seem to have fallen apart between Royal and the UK over the past 5 years is the question I'd want to know the answer to, especially when it's obvious that there is still plenty of interest in cruises from the UK. Even before the pandemic - they handled the 2020 Indy cancellations back in May 2019 absolutely appallingly.

I don't feel easy travelling to Israel or Dubai for that matter. Really wish they'd have Voyager out of Spain or Italy (obviously anything further north is a no-go at winter).

Had family onboard Symphony for the July 2nd sailing - Captain Angel was their captain. Not sure when the switch must have been.

Voyager year round in Europe? I'm interested.

I'd say Allure does the Europe season in Barcelona and maybe Icon 2 does a short set of taster cruises before going over to the States (whenever that is). Think they'll wait a little bit longer to have an Icon ship doing full seasons in Europe.

46 minutes ago, PG_Cruiser said:

With 270 days for the people doing the entire World Cruise, I'm pretty sure the CD will seem more like a warden* after a while LOL.   I think they should have 4-5 turnovers during the entire run.

*or a nursing home Activities Manager ha ha

I'd agree that they'd be better switching the CDs a few times, and they probably will (otherwise it would be a NINE month contract 😬) but Joff is good fun.

Captain Gus will be on Utopia.

Lucky people on the World Cruise! Though I imagine he won't do the entire run.

48 minutes ago, John&LaLa said:

Can you take a train to Amsterdam?

Yes and can take the train to Barcelona in a day as well - just have to change trains in Paris.

3 hours ago, md80fan said:

Just curious if anybody knows what happened to Tom Hopkins. He was our CD on Oasis at the beginning of the year. I did not really care for him but still curious as I have not seen his name pop back up. I believe he was nearing the end of his contract in January when we sailed on Oasis. 

Tom seem to be pursuing projects in the UK directing shows. I sailed with him as CD on Oasis over NYE and didn't think he was that into it (especially with Love & Marriage) so not surprised if he chose to move on.

Probably mid-August for Aysy to join Adventure, Kabir has said he'd be off mid Aug-mid Oct so she'll be his vacation fill.

22 minutes ago, PG_Cruiser said:

 
This just in… per Cory Rogers, he’s taking over on Harmony on June 17th

How long will he be there for? Sailing August 26th.

17 minutes ago, Tree_skier said:

So is the consensus that all we'll see out of Southhampton is Independence?  Where is Odyssey going after April 2025?

 Probably back in Civitavecchia.

I knew the moment they released details about Icon that she would never be going anywhere near Southampton. And to be fair, it's probably best off that she sticks to the bog-standard 7 night Caribbean runs from Miami, best place for a new ship to start and the ideal climate for the waterslides. Maybe at some point, an Icon Class will end up in Barcelona but that's it.

I like Indy and certainly if she were a 2nd ship in Southampton, that would be great. But if she is the only ship then it's a step backwards.

It's not 2010 any more, she's no longer new. And it does seem strange when other cruise lines seem to be upping their game in Southampton. Not to mention Europe as a whole, yes we get a few newer ships in Summer (Odyssey, Anthem & a rotating Oasis Class) but not even a Vision Class in Winter when other companies are trying year-round itineraries.

Royal have just got too obsessed with that bloody cash cow by the name of CocoCay...

I just can't see an Oasis Class being put on a World Cruise.

Perhaps Odyssey is staying in Rome? There doesn't appear to be an obvious replacement ship for that itinerary.

It's not too far to Rome or Barcelona for a bigger ship than Indy anyway so I'm not too fussed if Odyssey doesn't come to Southampton though it would be nice. I love both ships and I'm happy long as there is something doing 7 night Norwegian Fjords runs, want to do that in 2025 before the option is gone for good.

1 hour ago, Ethanol95 said:

Anyone knows what Adventure is doing? Can't find her 2024/2025 deployment.

Taking over for Mariner in Canaveral.

They're like chalk and cheese really, depends on where you come from and how you get there.

Miami is easier for me as a fly-in cruiser from abroad. Very near the city, fairly near the airport. Done Canaveral once and I got the impression it's the ideal port for those who are from the Southern states and can drive there. As someone from abroad, it wasn't really the right port for us, though I can see the appeal in people combining Orlando with a sailing from Canaveral.

2 minutes ago, FionaMG said:

I see Indy there on 19 May and 20 October 2025.

That would line up with Transatlantic cruises more than a Southampton season.

Interesting regarding Indy. I suppose now she's served her purpose doing the short runs for CocoCay and the big ships are moving onto those routes, they have to put her somewhere else so a Southampton return doesn't seem unrealistic? Ditto for a Voyager Class.

Radiance Class would work for Northern Europe runs from Southampton but Amsterdam probably has Jewel again and that might take up the market. I'd assume two of the others get Alaska, so there would only be one left anyway.

Perhaps Odyssey with a Voyager Class ship supplementing the market might work?

One for people who wanted something newer, and one for traditionalists

He's confirmed that there is no replacement and also liked this tweet - doesn't suggest a particularly amicable parting of ways. Seems like he was pushed:

Feels like yesterday that he joined. All the best to him!

Hoping Jason Liberty is next. Boy do I miss Fain.