Empress Returning to RCCL?

[sr71pav]

My parents are aboard Serenade right now, and the loyalty ambassador told them the news about Empress. She said (for what it's worth :rolleyes:) that the plan for Empress is Cuba and, possibly, Panama Canal. I don't know out of what port, but thought I would pass it on as at least partial confirmation of the speculation.

[Paulette3028]

My parents are aboard Serenade right now, and the loyalty ambassador told them the news about Empress. She said (for what it's worth :rolleyes:) that the plan for Empress is Cuba and, possibly, Panama Canal. I don't know out of what port, but thought I would pass it on as at least partial confirmation of the speculation.

 

Typically staff on board ships are the last to know the details of ship deployments, even the Loyalty Ambassadors. So I take this report from the LA with a large grain of salt.

 

When Royal puts out the itinerary, everyone will know. If is is for early 2016, it should be out soon.

[John&LaLa]

Typically staff on board ships are the last to know the details of ship deployments, even the Loyalty Ambassadors. So I take this report from the LA with a large grain of salt.

 

When Royal puts out the itinerary, everyone will know. If is is for early 2016, it should be out soon.

 

I'm surprised you don't know yet

[mjsshipboy]

Under the new regulations Royal Caribbean can sail to Cuba if it does People to People cruises.

 

As I said in the next paragraph, unless they do something along the lines of Fathom...

[LMaxwell]

My parents are aboard Serenade right now, and the loyalty ambassador told them the news about Empress. She said (for what it's worth :rolleyes:) that the plan for Empress is Cuba and, possibly, Panama Canal. I don't know out of what port, but thought I would pass it on as at least partial confirmation of the speculation.

I have relatives on the same cruise. I asked them to ask the LA about Empress. They did on Tuesday and got a resounding "huh?" as a response.

[John&LaLa]

Just off Enchantment. When I asked future cruise lady about Empress, she acted like she never heard of it. Then I said my wife heard on Freedom that she was going to be doing Cuba. Her face lit up and then said, well we were told it's not official, but that is the scuttlebutt around the company, but they were told to keep it to themselves

[FIRELT5]

Just off Enchantment. When I asked future cruise lady about Empress, she acted like she never heard of it. Then I said my wife heard on Freedom that she was going to be doing Cuba. Her face lit up and then said, well we were told it's not official, but that is the scuttlebutt around the company, but they were told to keep it to themselves

 

 

And the Concierge on the Liberty states it's going to Austraila & New Zealand ?? Lol. After 30+years of cruising with about 95 voyages completed, imho it all pure speculation at this point.

[John&LaLa]

They need to make some announcement if they want to have sailings next spring

[Saab4444]

Pullmantur now published a revised schedule on the Spanish website for summer 2016 with Monarch taking over the Norwegian Fjord cruises from Empress but also with some revised Baltic cruises still on Empress during the same time in June/July. Monarch can not do both, strange....

[redlobster]

Found this in my Royal book. Nordic Empress' MDR (Carmen Dining Room) in original configuration.

 

Looks very attractive:)

 

 

Thank you for the photo...looks very nice even at today's standards

[wwcruisers]

As someone who's been away from RC for a few years, I'm really hoping that this happens. We never got the chance to cruise on Empress, before she left the fleet. We were docked right next to her once -- in Cozumel. Compared to Navigator, she was tiny -- but elegant. I'm hoping that RC will put her to good use, maybe sailing some "boutique" itineraries, where the big ships just can't go. Will be watching for the release of her 2016 sailing information! :cool:

[redlobster]

I have a bias and that is spending part of each year in Los Angeles as a scaled down test of the West Coast market.

 

Cost of operating at a profit on this ship is lower than the biggies.

[wwcruisers]

I have a bias and that is spending part of each year in Los Angeles as a scaled down test of the West Coast market.

 

Cost of operating at a profit on this ship is lower than the biggies.

 

I would LOVE that! Especially if they included some north-bound Pacific Coastal routes in the summer -- and not just have her sailing to Mexico, year-round (like RC has done with past West-Coast home-ports). :cool:

Edited November 6, 2015 by wwcruisers

[cruisexlife]

I don't know what RCI is waiting for, if they don't release the Empress's schedule soon, not many will be sailing in "Spring 2016" like they are advertising.

[Charles4515]

I don't know what RCI is waiting for, if they don't release the Empress's schedule soon, not many will be sailing in "Spring 2016" like they are advertising.

 

If the plan is to do Cuba they have to get government approval. So that may be what they are waiting for.

[John&LaLa]

I have a bias and that is spending part of each year in Los Angeles as a scaled down test of the West Coast market.

 

Cost of operating at a profit on this ship is lower than the biggies.

 

Why would you think that? It has been mentioned several times that the bigger, newer ships have a much lower operating cost per passenger with considerable more revenue options.

[Paulette3028]

I don't know what RCI is waiting for, if they don't release the Empress's schedule soon, not many will be sailing in "Spring 2016" like they are advertising.

 

There are plenty of people who will book it even last minute at the right price.

[DarthGrady]

There are plenty of people who will book it even last minute at the right price.

I'll be one of those.

[Paulette3028]

I'll be one of those.

 

I believe it will be interesting to see where it is homeported and the itineraries it will have along with how they refurb it for the current cruiser that they are trying to attract. We just have to wait and see.

[wolfcathorse]

I don't think Empress will be sailing yet Spring 2016. I saw a press release where she will have an extensive dry dock beginning Spring 2016. So perhaps it will be May or June before she's ready for guests.

[OfTheSeasCruiser]

I'll be one of those.

 

Me too. Well actually only if the price is right and it sails out of FL or NJ on cruises of 7 nights or less.

[wolfcathorse]

oops double post

Edited November 7, 2015 by wolfcathorse

[OfTheSeasCruiser]

I don't think Empress will be sailing yet Spring 2016. I saw a press release where she will have an extensive dry dock beginning Spring 2016. So perhaps it will be May or June before she's ready for guests.

 

I don't think anything is really official yet, to be honest (I'm sure Royal knows, but the info I've seen is somewhat contradicting on the dates). I guess we'll find out soon enough.

 

I wouldn't be able to sail on her until Nov/Dec 2016 anyway, so I'm still excited! :)

Edited November 7, 2015 by OfTheSeasCruiser

[wolfcathorse]

 

 

I see my table! It did get a little rocky back there when seas were rough. A few guests couldn't finish their meal!

[cruisexlife]

There are plenty of people who will book it even last minute at the right price.

 

Yes, and those "many people" probably live near you in Florida, a short drive to the ship, and can take 2 days off of work and just go. Living in Maryland, I cannot do that. Many cannot do that. Unless you live within close distance of the port, it becomes impossible to book last minute, unless you have some sort of free flight rewards program, which again, the practical cruiser does not have.