A Right Royal Kerfuffle!

It has been a right couple of weeks for passengers booked with Royal Caribbean. Firstly, there were some quite significant itinerary changes on one of Quantum’s voyages in the Far East meaning that the cruise completely missed out Japan, not Royal’s fault but passengers were not best pleased.

Hot on the heels of this came the shocking news that they were redeploying the UK’s favourite ship, Independence of the Seas to the Caribbean for the Summer 2020 season. She will now be sailing from Fort Lauderdale instead. The reason being the high interest in Royal Caribbean’s new private destination, Cococay, where you can experience ‘a perfect day’. Such is the demand that they felt they needed another ship out there for the season.

The ex-Southampton itineraries for 2020 had been on sale since last September with many of the voyages already almost sold out, especially during the school holidays so you can imagine the headache this has been for passengers and agents alike, trying to ind suitable alternatives, and as Royal are not replacing Independence with another ship this leaves just Anthem of the Seas from the Royal fleet offering UK departures in 2020.

Royal Caribbean are offering full refunds and a 25% Future Cruise Credits to all guest who are affected but many guests are still furious by what they see as greed on Royal Caribbean’s part and ‘not giving a hoot’ about loyal British guests.

I have one particular very loyal client who loves Independence of the Seas and books several cruises on her each year, however she is not a fan of the Quantum Class ships so I doubt she will be booking with Royal Caribbean next year.

On a brighter note, for guests booked on Explorer of the Seas this Summer, ex-Southampton, it has been announced that ex Pussycat Doll, Kimberley Wyatt will be on board 3 cruises hosting dance classes. Kimberley started her career back in 1999 as a dancer on Legend of the Seas and Explorer of the Seas. The classes are free of charge and are based on her Bring Your Heels dance workshops. Kimberley is very excited to be back where it all began and hopes to inspire the next generation of dancers. It all sounds like great fun I must say!

Well that’s it for now folks, I am hoping for a quieter couple of weeks ahead.

For now, happy cruising!