Deployment 2024-25 booking season begins

[ONECRUISER]

11 minutes ago, Blue Eyed Belfast Belle said:

Id say that was fun with only 1 bathroom!! Lol

Wasnt too bad, compared to camping in a small Tent this was 5 star accommodations. The Kids Mother, Me with 2, 4, and 7yr olds. With 2 Pullmans and regular beds split was set up as 2 Bunkbeds. 2yr old slept in Moms Bed. 7yr old was Booked in Grand Parents Cabin but she was with us whole Cruise.

Edited February 23, 2023 by ONECRUISER

[Crism]

Everything looks bookable. Allure on the Miami 4/3 rotation, Freedom in FLL with Grandeur and Oasis. Serenade, Radiance, Enchantment in Tampa. Rhapsody in SJU. Brilliance in New Orleans. Explorer is a nice bump up on 10/11 from Miami from a Vision class ship. Mariner from Galveston.

 

Still nothing for Anthem, Ovation, Quantum, Spectrum which leads me to believe there may be a beautiful reposition of Anthem to Asia somewhere in the plans!

[ONECRUISER]

1 minute ago, little britain said:

Wow! Prices are double what the equivalent Jewel itinerary was when that opened last year!!!! Balconies starting at $3323!!! 

 I know, Wow! Also several other 10 and 11 nite Caribbeans same, way high some reason

[springaussie]

34 minutes ago, Crism said:

 

Still nothing for Anthem, Ovation, Quantum, Spectrum which leads me to believe there may be a beautiful reposition of Anthem to Asia somewhere in the plans!

I would assume Anthem would go to dry dock in Cadiz before leaving Europe if not returning for Summer 25. 

[toad455]

The prices for the 11 day Odyssey cruises are nice! I noticed they cut out a port and are only doing four ports.  They then have a 12 day at the end of January that has six ports which I think I'll consider.

[Jumping Cruiser]

2 hours ago, little britain said:

Now just bring her to Southampton please 🙏 for 2025! 

That looks to be the case! 🥳

Odyssey has currently got bookings on various Southampton routes for the summer 2025 season. I’ll post the all the current port bookings when the 2025/26 deployment thread opens later in the year. 

[GlasgowCruiser01]

Delighted that Odyssey appears to be in Southampton for 2025 - loved my cruise on her from Rome last August and would be great to sail her so near home.

[mets123]

2 hours ago, toad455 said:

The prices for the 11 day Odyssey cruises are nice! I noticed they cut out a port and are only doing four ports.  They then have a 12 day at the end of January that has six ports which I think I'll consider.

I booked both last night. Prices were very reasonable.

[DerekB]

Patiently waiting for the Oasis westbound 2024 TA to "really" open. It's there, but is only allowing guarantee bookings at the moment. 

[Tatka]

8 hours ago, sgmn said:

In cold weather cruises families with young children are normally allowed in the Solarium at certain times, say 8 to 10am and 4 to 6 pm. I presume it will only be for the cold days at the beginning and end of cruise.

 The hours are posted with a sign at the entrance and probably in the app/cruise compass as well 

 

There was never the case on ships we sailed. Allowed only to cafe part (Solarium bistro or Park cafe on Vision class)

 

And Solarium on Quantum class has pools not suited for kids.

Edited February 23, 2023 by Tatka

[Tatra603]

It's about time the UK got a change of ship as I've never really taken to Anthem.

 

Can anyone elaborate on the main differences between Anthem and Odyssey?

[Tatka]

4 ports for Odyssey on 11 dayers.

Also apparently unlike Anthem Odyssey has only 20% virtual balconies out of all inside cabins. On Anthem majority of insides had VB.

[rockmom]

1 hour ago, Tatka said:

4 ports for Odyssey on 11 dayers.

Also apparently unlike Anthem Odyssey has only 20% virtual balconies out of all inside cabins. On Anthem majority of insides had VB.

and four days of sailing in the cold with no indoor pool   😛  

[FionaMG]

So we're still missing the four Quantum class ships - Anthem, Ovation, Quantum and Spectrum.

Surely two for Australia and one for Singapore. Will the fourth go to China???

[Rusty_lock]

5 hours ago, GlasgowCruiser01 said:

Delighted that Odyssey appears to be in Southampton for 2025 - loved my cruise on her from Rome last August and would be great to sail her so near home.

I'll be looking forward to seeing that.  Odyssey was probably our favorite cruise so far and we plan to book her when those again when those itineraries come out.

Edited February 23, 2023 by Rusty_lock

[Jumping Cruiser]

1 hour ago, Tatra603 said:

It's about time the UK got a change of ship as I've never really taken to Anthem.

 

Can anyone elaborate on the main differences between Anthem and Odyssey?

 

• Two outdoor pools - No indoor family solarium like on Anthem, but still has the same 16+ forward solarium.
• Main Dining Room - One large dining room that spans deck 3/4, rather than the 4 individual restaurants on Anthem.
• Lime & Coconut - The Lime & Coconut bar and pool deck can be found on Odyssey, which is quite a bit more colourful than Anthems.
• Seaplex - This space has been much improved on Odyssey. Playmakers can be found on the upper level, while arcade/interactive games are scattered throughout. However, Odyssey does lack Seaplex Dog House, which can be found on Anthem.
• Skypad - Odyssey is one of two Quantum Class ships to have SkyPad, which is a VR trampoline experience.
• ZoneZero - An augmented reality experience, which can be found in the Seaplex on Odyssey, which isn’t an amenity on Anthem.
• El Loco Fresh - Odyssey has El Loco Fresh quick-service venue, as opposed to the extra-charge Johnny Rockets on Anthem. 
• Giovanni’s - Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar can be found on Odyssey, replacing Jamies Italian and Vintages on Anthem. 
• Teppanyaki - Teppanyaki can be found on Odyssey, not on Anthem 
• Starbucks - Odyssey has a full Starbucks location, rather than La Patisserie found on Anthem. 
• Shows - On Odyssey, the two70 show is The Book, whereas Anthem has Spectra’s Cabaret. Also, Odyssey does not have a Broadway musical, unlike WWRY on Anthem.
• Suite Sun Deck - Odyssey has the Suite Sun Deck in a different location, above the Lime & Coconut and by the forward pool.
• Social 180 - Outdoor patio on Odyssey, designed for teenagers.
• Aft Balconies - Odyssey does have a reduced number of loft suites, which means there are now Aft facing balconies, which cannot be found on Anthem.

 

That’s pretty much all of the differences I believe. Obviously, there will be small cosmetic and retail differences between both ships too.

Edited February 23, 2023 by Jumping Cruiser

[Tatka]

• Only 20% inside rooms have virtual balconies

 

What is a Showgirls show? Is this not Broadway show? Las Vegas?

[Jumping Cruiser]

Just now, Tatka said:

What is a Showgirls show? Is this not Broadway show? Las Vegas?

 

Not officially, it’s a Royal Caribbean production. 

[RosieRoo]

@Jumping Cruiser, thank you for that comparison. That’s very helpful. We have sailed Anthem, but never Odyssey. 

[rockmom]

7 minutes ago, Tatka said:

• Only 20% inside rooms have virtual balconies

 

What is a Showgirls show? Is this not Broadway show? Las Vegas?

I've seen it on both Odyssey and on Navigator.  It's a look through the years at how showgirls have evolved.  Things like the Roaring 20's, of course Vegas-style, current dancer/dance styles and so on. It's pretty good, or at least I enjoyed it. I have now seen it 3 times though, so I think I'm good.  

[GlasgowCruiser01]

I'll add in as well that for whatever reason, Odyssey just felt a much happier ship than Anthem. Granted people's experiences do differ but there was always something off about Anthem in that regard. Plus the Quantum Class product had a rocky start but they've learned lessons and refined it as more ships came out.

[Tatka]

5 minutes ago, GlasgowCruiser01 said:

I'll add in as well that for whatever reason, Odyssey just felt a much happier ship than Anthem. Granted people's experiences do differ but there was always something off about Anthem in that regard. Plus the Quantum Class product had a rocky start but they've learned lessons and refined it as more ships came out.

 

I am sure they did ... but looking at design Odyssey is clearly created for warmer sailing. Thankfully they left covered solarium, but removed family indoor pool.

[toad455]

Is Anthem due for a drydock? Maybe that's the need for a different ship. The ship does need some TLC in certain areas.

[Jumping Cruiser]

2 minutes ago, toad455 said:

Is Anthem due for a drydock? Maybe that's the need for a different ship. The ship does need some TLC in certain areas.

 I believe her last one was in 2020, so would expect one in 2025.

[springaussie]

1 hour ago, toad455 said:

Is Anthem due for a drydock? Maybe that's the need for a different ship. The ship does need some TLC in certain areas.

Anthem turns ten early 2025.

So she would be due for one before Northern Summer 2025.