Ethanol95

Your son is so lucky. I'm just around his age as well, and would kill for an opportunity like that. But now its pay to cruise for me 😛

Deck 10 is always a safe bet, in between decks of balcony cabins but also provides unblocked balcony views. Midship should be best as there are FWD and AFT elevators so can decided which side is better for you.

Here it is. The same for all 4 nights of the sailing.

Silver Dining offers a fixed menu for dinner that does not change from day to day, in then morning and afternoon, there is a small section for buffet/snacks, but not a very large selection from what I've heard. Be aware that upgrading to a JS doesn't mean you have silver perks as mentioned by others. Only Silver Junior Suites have (SJS). Alternatively, if you are Diamond status, the Silver Dining is the lounge for Diamond members as well. I will be on Spectrum the day after tmr and can do a live report/check in on silver dining for you if you'd find it helpful.

I'm going next week on the same itinerary. I don't have a toddler so can't help much there. I would guess just the general tips of making sure that you book your reservations for activities that your 2 year old might want to do onboard. Adventure ocean is always a great place to leave them if you need some time to yourselves. In Phuket, we plan to spend our day going to get a massage at one of the better spas on the Eastern side of the Island and hang around there, before going for the weekend night market to grab dinner and then head back to the ship. Its about a one hour car ride from Patong beach to the Eastern side, but there is more to do there, especially if you've visited Patong beach and Phuket before.

Just a matter of time.

Again, lacking creativity in the most creative part of building a ship...

I've always been for 7n length of cruises, but i know with 7n for sure they can't reach Japan from SG, which is a shame cause it would do so well. Unless spectrum can suddenly one day do 35knts 👀

I think it's pretty undefined as of yet, they are only sticking with 3/4 nights because they took a gamble and it seems to have paid off for them. Now testing this 12 nights, i'm sure they would be breaking down segments of the market, and looking how Singapore local cruisers deem this itinerary. Though I have to point out, a Japanese itinerary for Singaporeans is like Honey for bees. Again, the only thing being tested here is length. Asian's are generally hard workers or are forced to work long hours/less offs etc. culturally so to have a relatively high demand for this 12 night cruise just from Singaporeans alone will be of a lot of interest. Albeit, if they can time the seasonal deployments to major school holidays, you might have a winning combination for the survival and longevity of longer cruises in and around the SEA/North Asia region.

But it's still a fly cruise into Japan or Singapore. Unlikely it will be testing out China/HK demand, as it is only a port of call there. If the Chinese market can now fly anywhere, why fly to one of those places for a cruise in their backyard when they can go further? Catering to a Japan target market will be interesting cause before the pandemic, i believe only Princess had a large presence and market share there. So if coming back post-pandemic and Princess is late to the game, it might be the perfect window of opportunity for Royal to introduce themselves and build market share to become the majority shareholder of the Asia cruising industry.

I don't think an O class would run 12 nights from SG, if anything, it is way too long for the average local cruiser in SG market to consider if offered regularly. But it could be finding a new purpose for a quantum class ship which could be added seasonally, in addition to a O class based out of SG.

You can't compare the 2 different itineraries. It's like comparing oranges and apples. Both target to capture different markets. 12n - international/North asia/South Asia cruises, 4/3N - SEA cruises + international

Then shouldn't it be 24 nights instead of 37 nights blocked out?

I do know that the tourism board had an agreement for a 5 year contract of at least a Quantum class ship in SG. I think that was signed in 2017, which means it could be the end of the contract, or there are just no sailings from Singapore for that period because it is chartered and blocked out.

Yes i definitely don't think it'll happen so soon. Doesn't Anthem have ports scheduled already this year?

Some interesting Developments happening in Asia right now. Rumours have it 37 nights of sailings in Sept 2023 out of Singapore has been cancelled thus far from the website, but not officially announced. Either could be a series of charters or perhaps, Spectrum is leaving SG and going back to HK earlier than planned. This opens the doors to questions of what ship will replace Spectrum in Singapore.

From what i've witnessed she's not very responsive to public customer feedback. Maybe liked a few facebook posts which concerns her duties when they are featured. Although i know of a friend who did manage to get through to her via email before.

Thanks for that. I actually don't think Icon is the right kind of ship for the SEA market. Icon screams spring break vibes and this is definitely not strong in Asia. Based off the first Icon, yes it is fun, but it is also loud which i'm not sure matches the current market culture especially if they're trying to attract a new generation of teenagers from the region for future customer relationship growth and loyalty. With Icon you're looking at capturing a demographic of between 13-21, whereas the growth of the local cruise industry is coming mostly from 20's - 30's, might be a mismatch, unless they can market it such that Icon appeals to the young adults and adults generation more specifically. Oasis class and wonder particularly offers both a better balance of fun and maturity and longevity for the region, similar to the past ships homeported in SG. IE. Legend, Mariner, Voyager, Quantum.

That is why Royal should be looking to seriously expand in the 2023-2024 season, but as it stands, they are pretty slow at doing so. SG gov has pushed for the return of cruising during covid and that should be enough to open the doors for an O class in 2024-2025 season. So if they fail to do so with this year of deployments, it will be surprising. Likely to see a replacement than an addition. Langkawi is definitely a no go for O class. I don't even think Quantum can fit there without ease. Penang still works as their pier takes the length of 2 cruise ships on frequent occasions. Phuket might be out because of tendering O class which would be a headache for 6000 guests. Unless a new pier is built elsewhere on the Island.

You mean more ships as opposed to bigger ships then?

Is this finally the year? 😂 After countless years of counting down till when Oasis class finally makes it way to APAC...

Isn't the OTP restricting in size? Ovation is already the same size as Anthem.

Anthem would be a treat, completing the trifecta of Quantum class!

There's already Spectrum though.

1 - Singapore, 1 - Brisbane, 1 - Sydney?