kelitino

5 minutes ago, springaussie said:

I have the feeling in a few weeks the Media Section in Miami will come out bragging about an Anthem voyage from London to Dubai around Africa.

In the meantime cruisers who have been booked to go on the original cruise for a year will have made other arrangements. 
 

Sounds right. 

10 minutes ago, little britain said:

There is a fabulous Jewel repo in 8/24 from Amsterdam to Boston via Iceland and Greenland. There is also a new Arctic cruise prior to that which were added at very good prices. 

These are our cruises that they cancelled when they decided to move Jewel to Haifa for the remainder of 2024. 😫

5 hours ago, danv3 said:

 

The deployment schedule doesn't seem to reflect Europe being in two phases.

 

https://creative.rccl.com/Sales/Royal/Deployment/2025_2026/2025-2026_Deployment_Opening_Schedule.pdf

The deployment schedule is more like a carrot at the end of the rope. As soon as we get close, they move it. 😝

1 hour ago, twangster said:

 

Until it's offered for sale it is subject to change.  

And after it’s offered for sale, still subject to change 

22 hours ago, Ourusualbeach said:

Dear Travel Partner,

Our original plan for Jewel of the Seas was to offer sailings departing from Amsterdam, Netherlands through August 10^th, 2024. However, due to changes in our itinerary planning, Jewel of the Seas will now sail from Haifa, Israel beginning August 16^th, 2024. To accommodate the repositioning of the ship for our new Haifa season, your clients' upcoming Jewel of the Seas cruise has been cancelled.

We know how much time and effort go into planning your clients' vacation, and we're terribly sorry for the inconvenience. Their vacation is important to us, along with the flexibility to make the best decision for them and those in your party. Below, we've outlined their options along with a few additional details.

Option 1: Re-book one of the following 2024 itineraries onboard Jewel of the Seas departing from Amsterdam, Netherlands:

• 12-Night Iceland & Scotland Cruise on June 23^rd sailing to:
  • Reykjavik, Iceland | Isafjordur, Iceland | Seydisfjordur, Iceland | Akureyri, Iceland | Lerwick/Shetland, Scottland | Inverness/Loch Ness Scotland | and Edinburgh, Scotland
• 13-Night Arctic Circle Cruise on July 5^th sailing to:
  • Geiranger, Norway | Molde, Norway | Honningsvag, Norway | Tromso, Norway | Arctic Circle (cruising) | Flam, Norway | Alesund, Norway | and Bergen, Norway

What they'll receive:

• Their original stateroom category price will either be protected at their original cruise fare rate or reduced to the current cruise fare rate (whichever is lower). This excludes taxes, fees, gratuities, and other non-cruise fare items.
  • If their booking was already paid in full and their cruise fare rate decreases, we'll provide them with a refund for the difference. They can expect to receive their refund to their original form of payment within 14 business days after we move them. Kindly note, refund times may vary depending on their financial institution.
• Lastly, you'll receive protected commission.

Option 2: Re-book any other Royal Caribbean International sailing.

• If they prefer to re-book another sailing not included in Option 1, we'll waive any non-refundable deposit change fees.
• Please know, they'll be responsible for any difference in pricing for their cruise fare, taxes, fees, gratuities, and other non-cruise fare items.
  • If their booking was already paid in full and their cruise fare rate decreases, we'll provide them with a refund for the difference. They can expect to receive their refund to their original form of payment within 14 business days after we move them. Kindly note, refund times may vary depending on their financial institution.
• Lastly, your commission will be based on the revised cruise fare paid.

Option 3: If they can't find an itinerary that works for them and choose to cancel, we'll be sad to see them go. They'll receive:

• A full refund of any paid portion of their cruise fare (including non-refundable deposits) and any pre-paid amenities to the original form of payment within 14 business days - some international banking and financial institutions may have a processing time of approximately 30 business days.
  • If they used a Future Cruise Credit on this sailing, and they request a refund instead, we'll refund any NEW funds paid above the certificate amount, and we'll reinstate their original certificate.
• If they booked their airfare through Royal Caribbean International, it will be automatically refunded to them. However, if they booked on their own, please contact the service provider directly for their options.
• Please know, if they choose this option, we will not provide additional compensation.
• Lastly, you'll receive protected commission if the booking is paid in full only.

Please note, any unsold group space (inventory without names and full deposit) does not qualify for the alternate options provided.

It's important to us that your clients find the best cruise option. Please call us at 888-281-9344 by May 10^th, 2023 to let us know their decision. And please know, hold times may be longer than usual. If they decide to go with Option 3, there's no need to call us. If we haven't heard from you by May 10^th, 2023, their reservation will be cancelled.

If you have any questions, please contact us at:

• 1 888 281 9344 in the U.S.
• 1800 754 500 in Australia / 0800 102 123 in New Zealand
• In the UK only, by using our webchat service or by calling 0344 493 4005
• All other countries, please visit http://www.royalcaribbean.com/contactus for your local Royal Caribbean International office phone number.

Thank you for understanding and support. We hope your clients find another cruise with us. Whether they are celebrating a special occasion or looking to explore, relax, and recharge - we have no doubt their time with us will be nothing short of amazing.

Sincerely,

Aurora Yera-Rodriguez

AVP | Guest Experience

Royal Caribbean International

This made me so sad!  Our bucket list cruise!

Is there any expectation that Jewel with have a revenue, repositioning cruise from Amsterdam to Barcelona?  There is an 11 day break between sailings (7/29 - 8/8).

15 hours ago, Milhouse said:

Hi there.  Wondering if anyone can also help confirm/clarify what the transfer options are between Ravenna (not Venice) and the Porto Corsini port/terminal.  I thought I read that X provides (free??) shuttles from the Ravenna train station to the cruise terminal?  Wanted to confirm if that's still the case.  Also, does X provide shuttles in the reverse from the cruise terminal to Ravenna?  I've also read that a taxi is about 20E between the train station and the port??

I had a chance this morning to search my notes regarding transportation from hotel in Ravenna to the port.  This is the information someone in our cruise specific group posted.  The information was from their hotel.  This is from August 2022 so could have changed.  We used #3 and, in October, 2022, he charged 10Euro per person.  He arrived a bit early for the pickup and got us to the port very quickly.  I would use him again.  His phone number works via WhatsApp.

48 minutes ago, Milhouse said:

Hi there.  Wondering if anyone can also help confirm/clarify what the transfer options are between Ravenna (not Venice) and the Porto Corsini port/terminal.  I thought I read that X provides (free??) shuttles from the Ravenna train station to the cruise terminal?  Wanted to confirm if that's still the case.  Also, does X provide shuttles in the reverse from the cruise terminal to Ravenna?  I've also read that a taxi is about 20E between the train station and the port??

We were a group of 6 and I opted to schedule a private transfer from our BnB to the port. It was 10€ per person. Definitely best to book in advance. It seems that the hotels and BnBs all have a list of people they work with. 

1 hour ago, GenericBob said:

Do you think I can make a 12:30PM international flight out of Venice VCE if the Celebrity Constellation cruise ship disembarks that morning in Ravenna?

No

7 minutes ago, Blue Eyed Belfast Belle said:

What are the chances I could get off Voyager Repo in Barcelona on 24th Oct, fly over to Orlando and be on the Adventure TA from PC the next day on 25th Oct!!  A bit too risky for my auld heart!! Lol

This was an interesting idea so I had to look at it.  I'm seeing the repo getting into Barcelona on the 23rd.

52 minutes ago, barbeyg said:

Cruise lines are getting hopeful...and have a ton of debt to pay off.  I really understand and sympathize with them.  But, it's all supply and demand.  If people are willing to pay the prices, they will stay high.  But if passengers don't jump on these prices.....

 

I guess some of us will wait and see.  🙂

I am definitely in the wait and see group!  I also sympathize with them but my vacation dollars are limited!

5 minutes ago, barbeyg said:

Yeah, pricing on the cruises I've checked for NE are up as well.  A 9 night NE cruise, in a JS is right at $5k.  We sailed Anthem in 2019, in a GS, for $500 more.  I get that it is a few years later now, but I won't pay $5k for a JS to NE.  We will probably do a land vacation to the area, like we did last year.

Prices for all sailings seem to have gone up overnight!  I had a bucketful that I've been tracking and they all made a big jump.  Sigh...

1 hour ago, davekathy said:

 

Check out post #17... https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2821611-anyone-on-the-exploerer-of-the-seas-right-now/

Thanks!  

42 minutes ago, Splake said:

@zpdw484 we are scheduled to be on Explorer on 1/16 and I am following your comments closely to see what your take is being onboard now. I know that the cruise lines went through a rough spell with the Christmas and New Year's cruises, my thought was maybe the two weeks after would allow for recovery. We're going to make a call next week on whether we cancel our trip, but are still holding out hope.

I'm in the exact same boat and following the same thought process and plan.  Looking forward to hearing as much as possible from people currently on-board (good and bad).

27 minutes ago, Bfsroyal said:

Some departure drama. We called reception as we were informed the previous evening we would have to exit via the service elevator and there was a gate that had to be opened. I think this is as they have fully isolated the floor so other guests can’t access it.

 

Reception told us we couldn’t leave and had to stay in our room. My partner informed them that our isolation finished days ago and RC had emailed the hotel to confirm. Reception still were saying we were required to remain in our room and hung up.

 

We then decided we better try and leave as it might take a while if there was no access to lifts. We tried the normal elevators first as we thought there was going to be gates. They didn’t seem to be operational. The door to the service elevator was open so we went through to it and then down to the ground. There was a delivery in progress so the door and gate - not even sure if there was one - was open.

 

We ordered an uber and headed to the airport. We are currently at the airport waiting for our flight. There was no issues checking in.

 

Wow. You would think the hotel would want to get you out as soon as possible. The issue that jumped out at me is fire safety. Hotels are required to inform guests of the nearest escape routes. Hmmmm 

Does anyone know if there is a group similar to this for Celebrity cruises?  We have one (our first) cruise booked with them and would like some intel on whether that may be the next set of plans that get flipped for me!  

42 minutes ago, Ashland said:

I hope so I specifically booked the same OS category for this B2B....and hoping they don't change the ports around...I don't want to visit the same twice.

 

At least their not changing Freedom to Radiance !

We also have a B2B for sailings in January 2022.  When we did the L&S from Feb. 21, we ended up in January in order to have a nice B2B!  

I looked at cabins, it seems they could take the cabins we have and move them to Explorer no issue!  Same location, category and even cabin numbers!  Doesn't seem that would be true for the whole ship but it reduces my anxiety some.  Now I only worry about the itineraries!

We would have been happy with Radiance which is a ship we haven't been on.  But, I am actually more pleased with Explorer than Freedom and it seems they are going to give us $50 for the change!  Maybe this will be a win!

15 minutes ago, MindyJohn said:

Ditto.  I L&S'd five weeks from Enchantment to Freedom.  Got confirmations for 4 and the 5th is still pending.  Now I know why.  I'm also involved with Radiance being dropped in Brisbane.  I had b3b on her in March-April 2022.  Can't win for losing.

Oh my!  My head is spinning just thinking about organizing/reorganizing/re-reorganizing all those sailings!  I usually love planning and organizing all my trips but this is getting too much like work!

2 hours ago, internetwhiz said:

This is Likely why those are gone. This was sent to folks in Australia today. 
 

LOL.  I almost spit my drink out when I saw this!  I spent a fair amount of time a couple weeks ago lifting and shifting 4 reservations from Enchantment, February 2021 to Freedom, January 2022.  Three  on one sailing and then 1 on the following sailing.  Just got all the cabins exactly where I wanted them last week.  I guess I will get to start over again soon!  I just hope they keep the itineraries - at least close to the same.  

2 hours ago, pstone1 said:

I was able to get confirmation from RCL yesterday that both Vision and Rhapsody will be dry-docked in the gap before their 2021 fall TA’s.  We have the Vision TA booked but are now rethinking our choice.

That messes up my plans!  I was hoping for a 7 day Med on Rhapsody after she goes from Venice to Barcelona. Sigh...

I have been stalking Europe/TA/Repositioning cruises for the Oct - Dec 2021 time frame.  The posted cruises available for booking just dropped to 5!!  Hopefully they are about to drop a bunch more as well as change the itinerary for the Jewel "Azores" TA that didn't go to the Azores (but I would prefer it to go there!)

I would also like information

Royal Caribbean is putting Turkey back on 2019 cruise itineraries after suspending service for two years due to security concerns.

 

It joins several other lines that plan to return to the country. Most major cruise lines stopped visiting Turkey after a July 2016 attempted military coup to overthrow president Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

 

While the U.S. State Department still advises to "reconsider travel" to the nation, it notes risks are concentrated on the Syria border and a handful of provinces. Most cruises stick to Istanbul and Kusadasi, home of the ancient site of Ephesus.

 

Royal Caribbean will begin selling trips on April 23 for two 12-day itineraries from Rome (Civitavecchia) on Jewel of the Seas. The Oct. 30 and Nov. 11 sailings will both include stops in Ephesus (Kusadasi), says company spokeswoman Celia de la Llama. She notes that Crown & Anchor Society members will be able to book one day prior to the general opening date.

 

 

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I booked a cruise for Oct. 2018 last April. It included a stop in Ephesus. I was surprised to see it listed as an option but excited to get that port in! Last fall they switched the port to another one. Hope to get there someday.

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Just when you thought you knew all the best tips!

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