Ethanol95

On 1/3/2023 at 2:28 AM, renza said:

My son flew to Singapore and got on Spectrum yesterday. Omg he loves the ship more than all other royal ships he has been on. He has gone on Anthem but said the vibe is so different out of Asia. Lucky kid, he is 24 and did a Royal internship with Royal over summer and are letting him take cruises nearly free. Have fun. 

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.

1 hour ago, whattodo said:

Ethanol95, 

Please post menus and food pictures of Silver Dining Room if you have time. Appreciate it! Thank you. 

Sorry OP for hijacking your thread. 

 

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

3 hours ago, whattodo said:

Does Silver Dining Room (not Silver Lounge) have same or different menu as Main Dining for dinner, is it being served? Or is it a buffet all the time? I am confused. 

I am looking at a short cruise from Singapore while in Asia with my mom, celebrating her big birthday. She does not want me to spend money so she insisted on an inside room. I want to treat her to something nicer.  I see some junior suites available for around $400 more on a 4-day cruise. Do you think that's worth the splurge?  Thanks for sharing your experience. 

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. 

7 hours ago, Genevivev said:

Going on Spectrum OTS in April 5d4n with a toddler (2year old), what are your best tips and tricks? Port in phuket and Patong, have you been? What did you do?

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. 

1 hour ago, springaussie said:

Lelepa is opening.

But it is? 

Just a matter of time.

1 hour ago, DaniMSCRoyal_85 said:

https://twitter.com/RoyalCaribbean/status/1614310775505420290?s=20&t=7fSRD_lzHjl1OnE7LjAlgw

 

 

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

29 minutes ago, geoff2802 said:

All good points.  They will also get Japanese on board these longer cruises.  Might need the cost of airfares to fall before they see a lot of inbound from US, Australia, Europe, UK.  Hopefully it works out and we see more longer Asia itineraries from Royal.  Like many,  we have cruised with Princess (from Singapore) because Royal wasn’t offering interesting itineraries.  

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 👀

9 minutes ago, geoff2802 said:

You’re right and I wonder about Royal’s strategy for Asia.   Pre-pandemic they targeted new cruisers, sourced locally with mostly short cruises.  What is their strategy now?  Do they have one?  
 

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.

38 minutes ago, geoff2802 said:

Thanks for sharing.  I see this as a cautious re-entry to North Asia for Royal, requiring no re-deployment, no home porting commitment and minimal impact if it doesn’t work out.  
 

I still think there is an opportunity for Royal in Japan.  Maybe they are exploring this in a small low risk way.  

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.

6 hours ago, Chiliburn said:

The Singapore run is a bit repetitive and short.

Top tier would be a good revenue base and then there’s the Japanese market to tap into ,the 3rd largest economy.

They could always Have a seasonal voyager class in Singapore.

 

But looking at those itineraries only a couple aren’t Oasis capable, I think the Vietnam ones. Is there a container port they could use ?

It might be a test run for a Oasis class? Utopia?

 

 

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.

6 hours ago, springaussie said:

Looks that way Chilli. 

The Yokohama ones must be more revenue. 

IS this a sign that things are not too crash hot on the local Singapore cruises at this time of the year? 
But surely the Japan ones will a have a lot of high tier cruisers just using the free drink vouchers and cashing out the OBC in the casino. 


 

 

 

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 

3 minutes ago, springaussie said:

It looks like to me they are running another Singapore to Tokyo cruise on Spectrum calling Hong Kong both directions.

The demand in Oz has been very high for the original. 
 

 

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

4 minutes ago, Chiliburn said:

Yep ,South Hampton but what other ship ? I doubt they would down grade Singapore.

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.

1 minute ago, Chiliburn said:

There isn’t enough ports to support a Oasis class just yet so it would have to be a Quantum class.

Unless it’s Ovation or Quantum (which I doubt) it would have to be Anthem.

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. 

10 hours ago, Chiliburn said:

Have you ever tried emailing that Angie Stephens ? I have but she doesn’t answer. I was thinking because I’m in Australia. 

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. 

1 hour ago, Chiliburn said:

I don’t know if you have seen this article?

Angie Stephen mentions oasis class to Singapore and even Icon!
 

https://cruisepassenger.com.au/tips-advice/destinations/lines-like-celebrity-cruises-and-msc-return-to-asia-but-one-player-is-pulling-out-of-the-region/

 

 

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.

9 hours ago, geoff2802 said:

They’ve had a big reset on China of course (anyone with basic awareness of the developing geopolitical situation could see that coming, regardless of the pandemic).  So, no O-class for China any time soon.  

Singapore is the obvious home port to grow presence in Asia…. modern cruise terminal with spare capacity, great air hub with a big range of flights, stable, open, safe and the government is eager to grow tourism.  It’s a no brainer!  Would the ports that Spectrum currently calls at cater for O-class?  I think Penang was a pretty large commercial port.  But Langkawi?  
Royal would need a plan to replace Spectrum. 

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.

2 hours ago, Chiliburn said:

Sydney needs more capacity and the only way is a bigger ship.

The repo would be super popular.

5 minutes ago, Chiliburn said:

I don’t think OPT could handle check in of a Oasis , Quantum class is about it.

You mean more ships as opposed to bigger ships then?

2 minutes ago, geoff2802 said:

You mean 4 (Sydney - 2, Brisbane, Singapore)?  Yes, if Brilliance leaves Sydney, Anthem is the obvious available replacement.  They should be able to fill 2 Q-class from Sydney.  
Options for the Southern winter would include Alaska or year round Australia.  The former seems more likely.  
Wondering if Utopia could replace an O-class in Florida and an older one goes to Singapore.  

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

1 hour ago, Chiliburn said:

Sydney needs more capacity and the only way is a bigger ship.

The repo would be super popular.

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

11 minutes ago, Chiliburn said:

Year round in Hong Kong.

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

5 minutes ago, Chiliburn said:

Anthem  -Sydney/Singapore 

There's already Spectrum though.

2 minutes ago, woodscruise said:

Geoff, do you think 3 Quantum class in the Asia / Pacific for 24/25?

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