Royal Caribbean has oversold yet another Allure of the Seas cruise, and is contacting guests just a week before embarkation with enticing offers to switch or cancel their sailing.

Allure of the Seas Oversold Again

Just a week after Allure of the Seas was oversold for its April 30, 2023 departure, Royal Caribbean International is once again reaching out to guests about another overbooked cruise – now the May 14, 2023 departure.

“We’re sorry to inform you that due to an unexpected inventory error, your scheduled Allure of the Seas May 14th, 2023 sailing is currently oversold,” the email reads.

The impacted cruise is a 7-night roundtrip Western Caribbean sailing from Galveston, calling on Roatan, Honduras, and Cozumel and Costa Maya in Mexico. This is the only itinerary Allure of the Seas is currently sailing, though the port order varies depending on the departure date.

Guests are being offered generous options for last-minute compensation, with three choices to consider. If guests prefer to remain booked as-is on the oversold sailing, they can disregard all offers. But which choice is best for which guests?

Different Cruise, Different Ship

The first option is for guests to move to Voyager of the Seas for a similar 5-night sailing departing either June 3 or June 17. Both sailings will visit Costa Maya and Cozumel, but not Roatan.

Travelers who choose this option will not only move to their selected Voyager of the Seas cruise, but will also receive a 100% refund of their Allure of the Seas fare, plus $300 (USD) of non-refundable onboard credit for Voyager of the Seas.

Whereas Allure of the Seas is an Oasis-class ship weighing in at 225,282 gross tons with a guest capacity of 5,492 at double occupancy, Voyager of the Seas is a much smaller Voyager-class ship at 138,194 gross tons and with a double-occupancy capacity of only 3,114. Measured by weight, Voyager of the Seas is 39% smaller than Allure of the Seas, and 43% smaller by guest capacity.

Same Cruise, Same Ship

The second option offered is to lift and shift the cruise to an identical but later Allure of the Seas sailing. Two departure dates are available for this option – July 16 and July 30. Because the new sailings are on the same ship, for the same cruise length, and with the same itinerary, no further compensation – refund or onboard credit – is offered with this option.

Cancellation and Refund

Guests on the oversold sailing can completely cancel their cruise to receive a 100% refund, as well as a 100% future cruise credit (FCC) valid for any upcoming Royal Caribbean sailing. The FCC will be valid for any cruise departing by May 15, 2024, giving guests a full year to plan a new getaway.

Which Option to Pick?

Ultimately, while each offer can be attractive, each guest’s choice will depend on their specific needs, vacation plans, and travel flexibility. The cruise line also insists that guests do not need to select any of the offers, and can instead keep their original booking as-is.

“This special offer is time-limited and subject to availability. If you’re happy to be excluded from the special offer, please disregard this email – no further action is required,” the email explains.

Staying on the same cruise with no changes will appeal most to guests with specific or complicated travel plans, such as for a honeymoon or large family getaway, when multiple staterooms may be involved, or arranging time off work for alternative dates may be challenging.

Furthermore, just because guests opt-in to one of the alternatives, they may not be selected for the special offer. Guests must first apply for the offer, then wait for updated confirmation.

“If you’re not contacted by us, you will remain booked on your existing Allure of the Seas sailing,” the email concludes. Which offer would you choose, or would you keep your original plans? Discuss your options in the Cruise Hive Boards!

The wildly anticipated new vessel from Royal Caribbean International, Icon of the Seas, is nearing a very critical milestone in its construction, one that will determine the overall functionality of the ship and its seaworthiness – the sea trials.

With these essential tests just over a month away, the excitement over the new ship is nearing a fever pitch.

Icon of the Seas to Begin Sea Trials in June

Icon of the Seas, which floated out into the water for the first time in January, is slated to begin sea trials in mid-June, according to a statement by Meyer Turku, the shipyard where the massive vessel is under construction.

“Icon is scheduled to start her sea trials in mid-June,” the statement said. “Sea trials are one of the most important milestones on a ship’s road to completion. The construction of the ship is progressing at a good pace and preparations for her sea trials have already started.”

As the most technologically advanced ship ever built, Icon of the Seas‘ sea trials will be especially critical. These tests put every engineering system on the ship to work, demonstrating whether the vessel performs as predicted.

Engine efficiency, braking, turning, navigation, noise, vibration, safety systems, and more are checked out to ensure optimum performance.

“As the world’s largest prototype ship, Icon’s early sea trials are important to ensure that all the ship’s main equipment such as propulsion equipment, main engines and power plant, thrusters and fin stabilizers are working as they should,” said Meyer Turku.

No exact date has been revealed for the sea trials to begin, and there is also no firm timeline for how long the tests will take. The complexity of Icon of the Seas, as well as the innovations the ship presents, make it likely that the tests will be longer than typical for a proven cruise ship design.

It is also possible that Icon of the Seas will undergo multiple rounds of sea trials, particularly if adjustments are made to enhance the ship’s operation after initial tests.

After the sea trials are successfully completed, additional detail work will be completed, such as finishing painting, interior décor, and other finishing items to complete the vessel.

When all is completed, Icon of the Seas will be officially delivered to Royal Caribbean International and become the property of the cruise line rather than the Meyer Turku shipyard.

Not Quite Ready to Sail

While no official date has yet been confirmed for the handover ceremony that will deliver Icon of the Seas to Royal Caribbean – it is always possible that some problem could be discovered during the sea trials that might require additional work – the ship will not yet be ready to welcome guests as soon as it joins the Royal Caribbean fleet.

After delivery, Royal Caribbean will begin provisioning the ship, including stocking retail spaces and loading supplies for both crew and guests.

At that time, crew members will also begin reporting to the ship to familiarize themselves with the new layout and operational idiosyncrasies of the new vessel.

It can take several weeks or months for a cruise ship to be ready to welcome passengers after the initial delivery, especially when the ship is as new and complex as Icon of the Seas.

Many of the ship’s brand new areas, for example, the very unique and distinctive AquaDome, will require specialized training and practice before crew members can confidently perform and deliver spectacular service for vacationing guests.

Crew members will also run frequent safety drills to ensure all operations run smoothly no matter what may happen aboard the massive new vessel, and it is important that all crew members are confident and comfortable in their duties before the first guests arrive in January 2024.

Record-Setting Bookings

Excitement for Icon of the Seas is already unprecedented, with the new ship shattering previous one-day booking records when the first sailings opened for reservations.

The new ship’s maiden voyage is scheduled to be a 7-night Eastern Caribbean cruise departing from Miami, Florida on January 27, 2024. That initial cruise will visit St. Kitts, St. Thomas, and CocoCay, Royal Caribbean’s private island destination in The Bahamas.

Icon of the Seas will remain homeported from Miami at least through April 2025, offering alternating Eastern Caribbean and Western Caribbean sailings. The Western Caribbean cruises will visit top ports such as Roatan, Costa Maya, and Cozumel, as well as CocoCay.

Stay tuned to Cruise Hive for further Icon of the Seas updates as the new ship’s debut draws closer!

A wave season running longer than usual, guests booking cruises much closer to sailing dates than usual, bookings at much higher pricing than in 2019, and an occupancy rate of over 100%. All factors that have ensured that Royal Caribbean Group beat its earnings guidance.

It does not mean Royal Caribbean Group is out of the red yet. The company posted a $47.9 million loss in its first-quarter earnings report, but expects to be profitable once again by the second quarter.

Royal Caribbean Bookings Looking Strong

Royal Caribbean Group’s Wave season has been very successful in the last four months. The period between January and March is traditionally when cruise lines’ pricing is at its best for consumers, making for much higher booking volumes than usual. 

However, it’s not just Wave season that has made a difference for the world’s second-largest cruise company. The positive first-quarter earnings report the company released today, May 4, shows that demand for cruises has been strong across the board.

It has lead to significantly higher occupancy levels compared to 2022 and more onboard spending.

An ever-growing market appears to have been tapped into by the Royal Caribbean cruise line, as thousands more holidaymakers than usual have made bookings for one of the 64 ships in its fleet.

With the addition of Icon of the Seas, Wonder of the Seas, and Celebrity Beyond, in the last year, Royal Caribbean Group’s bookings have gone, quite literally, through the roof.

“We knew that demand for our business was strong and strengthening, but we have been pleasantly surprised with how swiftly demand further accelerated well above historical trends and at higher rates,” said Jason T. Liberty, president and chief executive officer of Royal Caribbean Group. 

With the company operating above historical levels achieved in 2019, Royal Caribbean Group CEO Jason Liberty even increased the company’s full-year guidance. Liberty said he expects the Royal Caribbean Group to show a strong performance throughout 2023.

“Leisure travel continues to strengthen as consumer spend further shifts towards experiences. Demand for our brands is outpacing broader travel due to a strong rebound and an attractive value proposition. We are increasing full-year guidance, given the significant momentum in our business, and we are well on our way to achieve our Trifecta goals.”  

Royal Caribbean is also seeing a lot of bookings at higher prices than usual, especially from North America, where demand is strong. During the first three months of the year, which is typically a very busy time onboard, ships were sailing at over 102% capacity. A good sign for a successful 2023.

First Quarter 2023 Financials

Royal Caribbean Group generated total revenue of $2.9 billion across its three brands, Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea. While significant, it was not enough to run a profit. The company posted a net loss of $47.9 million, or $0.19 per share. 

However, it is likely the last time this year that there will be a loss. Earnings per share for the second quarter are expected to be in the range of $1.50 to $1.60 per share. For the full year, earnings are expected to range from $4.40 to $4.80 per share.

“First quarter results reflect continued strong demand for cruising and our teams’ focus on delivering the best vacation experiences that exceed guest expectations,” said Naftali Holtz, chief financial officer of Royal Caribbean Group. 

“We also benefited from favorable timing of operating expenses, as well as our continued focus on improving margins consistent with our Trifecta goals.”

Royal Caribbean Group expects that its ships will be operating at the same occupancy levels as they did before the global pause in operations by Spring. 

This would mean that the three cruise lines will then have fully recovered from the difficult last two years and bring the Royal Caribbean group back to being the highly profitable company it has always been.

This is despite much higher fuel pricing, the volatile global financial situation, and the problems surrounding Russia and Ukraine.

Royal Caribbean International is reaching out to many guests booked aboard Quantum of the Seas to inform them that one Alaskan port will no longer be accessible for the large ship, and therefore a substitute port of call is being used for 2023 sailings. Instead of Skagway, many sailings will instead be visiting Icy Strait Point.

Skagway Removed From Quantum of the Seas Itineraries

Royal Caribbean is notifying guests that many of the 2023 Quantum of the Seas Alaska sailings will not include a stop in Skagway, due to pier damage that occurred from multiple rockslides last summer.

“Last season, landslides in Skagway, Alaska impacted the pier where our ships dock. While repairs have been ongoing, they won’t be ready for two large ships visiting simultaneously,” the email explained. “So, to ensure we provide you with the best experience, we’ve replaced our visit with Icy Strait Point, Alaska.”

All Skagway shore tours booked through Royal Caribbean are being automatically refunded. Guests who have made independent tour arrangements will need to contact their tour operators for options.

Repair work is continuing on the forward berth of the White Pass Railroad Dock, but the berth is not yet suitable for the largest cruise ships. Weighing in at 168,666 gross tons, Quantum of the Seas is one of the largest ships to have been scheduled for Skagway this year.

Worth Reading: Royal Caribbean Amps Up Alaskan Adventures for 2027

For some impacted itineraries, Royal Caribbean is also lengthening the ship’s visit to Sitka by several hours, giving guests more opportunity to immerse themselves in Alaskan culture and beauty, despite missing out on Skagway.

For other itineraries, a visit to Ketchikan is being substituted for the now-cancelled call on Skagway. “We’re sorry for any inconvenience caused by this,” the email continued. “Nevertheless, we’re excited to sail away with you!”

Booked guests have reported multiple Quantum of the Seas sailings impacted by this change, including the following departures:

• May 15, 22
• June 12, 19
• July 10, 17, 24
• September 11

Additional sailing dates may also be impacted as the cruise line continues to reach out to guests with updated information, and more than likely, all Quantum of the Seas sailings will be adjusted. Any travelers booked on the ship for a 2023 Alaska cruise should stay in close contact with Royal Caribbean for any itinerary adjustments.

Quantum of the Seas will begin her Alaska season first from Vancouver, Canada, departing on a 7-night voyage on May 8, 2023. This unique sailing is a one-way journey that will visit Alaskan ports of call while repositioning the ship to Seattle, where she will remain homeported for the rest of the season.

The ship’s final Alaska sailing of 2023 will depart Seattle on September 25, 2023, again doing a one-way repositioning to Vancouver. After the Alaska season ends, the ship will sail first to Honolulu, Hawaii, before moving on to Brisbane, Australia, where it will remain homeported for the Austral summer season.

Comparing Skagway and Icy Strait Point

Skagway and Icy Strait Point are roughly 100 miles (160 kilometers) apart, but have very different characteristics and experiences.

Skagway is on the Alaskan mainland and was founded in 1897 during the Klondike gold rush. It has the rich, colorful history of a mining town, with extraordinary characters and appropriately tall tales.

It is also the southernmost terminus for the historic narrow gauge White Pass and Yukon Route railroad, which offers guests a scenic trip into Canada with great historical context and phenomenal views.

Icy Strait Point, on the other hand, is a privately owned destination outside of the island village of Hoonah. Owned and operated by the Huna Totem Corporation, Icy Strait Point has been developed specifically for cruise tourism, and offers glimpses into Alaska’s native history as well as the importance of the local cannery to the community’s history and economy.

Both ports of call offer unique and interesting opportunities for cruise guests, but because they are such different destinations, guests may be disappointed in the switch.

This is particularly true for travelers who had been booked on the White Pass and Yukon Railroad tour, which is one of the most popular excursions offered in Alaska and is only available in Skagway.

Have you visited Skagway or Icy Strait Point? Which port do you prefer? Share your experiences on the Cruise Hive boards!