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Norwegian Joy


AusQueen
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It might not ever be...it was designed epecifically for the Asian market, so I don't see it ever leaving that area, at least not in the near future.

when it does leave the market, it will need major drydock work to make it suitable for the US guests

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Be happy that they are not sending the Encore to China also,,, which was the original plan.

 

Yes, I did hear that the Joy experiment in China did not really produce the results they wanted. The ship has not been at full capacity for awhile. I am glad they are rethinking their options. Glad Encore was taken off from the exclusive Chinese market too.

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As a starter:

one main pool for 4,000+ and few space for sun decks ... but, they can gut some of the green outdoors & shady area to convert

2 levels of expanded casino space (and, if I recall, a private/VIP lounge for high rollers) ... no idea how the smoke issues have/not been dealt with, since about/close to 1/2 of the China population smoke :rolleyes:

 

Small atrium is going to be a problem for indoor functions & gatherings

 

These are things that come to mind now.

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Please identify how this ship would have to be overhauled to be acceptable to western (“American”) tastes. For “adventurous” travelers, you sound like a bunch of xenophobes.

 

 

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That's not about xenophobia, but about common rules.

For example Solarium which we greatly enjoy on Quantum class of Royal is designated to suite passengers, not sure what else.

 

From what I've heard from my Chinese friends here in US Chinese cruisers in China are much more interested in casino, high end shopping, so cruises from China are more geared to their needs, which is completely understandable, but might not suite needs from other markets.

 

I am originally from USSR so I can see differences without being xenophobic.

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Please identify how this ship would have to be overhauled to be acceptable to western (“American”) tastes. For “adventurous” travelers, you sound like a bunch of xenophobes.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

 

Please take a look at the joy’s pool deck before you criticize me. You don’t know me at all to pass an incorrect judgement.

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Please identify how this ship would have to be overhauled to be acceptable to western (“American”) tastes. For “adventurous” travelers, you sound like a bunch of xenophobes.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

 

 

 

While on the surface the idea that it would need dry docked sounds bad, but after looking at the deck plans, it’s true. A vast majority of the public space is dedicated to 1. A large fake park, 2. A large virtual reality arcade area, 3. An oversized casino, and 4. An oversized area of shops. As others have said, this was customized to the Chinese market and won’t sell well to the American market where some of the top complaints I read are 1. Lack of deck chairs near pool (this ship has none) and 2. Casino too Smokey to use.

 

Acknowledging cultural differences isn’t racist. While the public areas on this ship are beautiful, some would have to be re-purposes to appeal to other markets.

 

 

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First of all, a (dry) dock will take care of the adjustments. So not a problem at all to Americanize the ship.

 

But does it make sense for NCL to leave the Chinese market? even if the ship does not sail at full capacity, I'm pretty sure they make it up in the casino!

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This is NCL's newest ship at sea (is the Bliss on the TA now? Maybe 2nd newest ship at sea.) Regardless, I think it's ridiculous to be discussing NCL sending it into dry dock for renovations at this point.

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This is NCL's newest ship at sea (is the Bliss on the TA now? Maybe 2nd newest ship at sea.) Regardless, I think it's ridiculous to be discussing NCL sending it into dry dock for renovations at this point.

 

Exactly my point!

 

I don't see that ship coming anytime soon to this part of the world.

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While on the surface the idea that it would need dry docked sounds bad, but after looking at the deck plans, it’s true. A vast majority of the public space is dedicated to 1. A large fake park, 2. A large virtual reality arcade area, 3. An oversized casino, and 4. An oversized area of shops. As others have said, this was customized to the Chinese market and won’t sell well to the American market where some of the top complaints I read are 1. Lack of deck chairs near pool (this ship has none) and 2. Casino too Smokey to use.

 

Acknowledging cultural differences isn’t racist. While the public areas on this ship are beautiful, some would have to be re-purposes to appeal to other markets.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

 

 

 

Wow... I missed absence of pool loungers! Asians don’t like tanning and even consider it to be not healthy (partially true)

This is one thing that completely won’t work here.

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This is NCL's newest ship at sea (is the Bliss on the TA now? Maybe 2nd newest ship at sea.) Regardless, I think it's ridiculous to be discussing NCL sending it into dry dock for renovations at this point.

 

Renovating it would be too costly. I don't think they have recouped their investment on this ship yet to spend more on it.

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Yes, I did hear that the Joy experiment in China did not really produce the results they wanted. The ship has not been at full capacity for awhile. I am glad they are rethinking their options. Glad Encore was taken off from the exclusive Chinese market too.

 

Hmmm this quote from an article on Seatrade Cruise News seems to say that the Joy has been a big success:

 

“The ship has the highest occupany of any in the fleet, Del Rio said, since Chinese often travel in family groups.”

 

 

http://www.seatrade-cruise.com/news/news-headlines/china-already-profitable-for-norwegian-company-gets-license-to-sell-direct.html

 

I’m thinking that they will be keeping the Joy in China for the foreseeable future and awaiting the return of the South Korean itineraries.

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Here’s another quote from Seatrade News stating:

 

“The NCLH executive called the introduction of Norwegian Joy to the China market last year ‘nothing short of astounding and profitable in year one, carrying 4,500 to 4,800 Chinese passengers every week.’”

 

 

The article goes on to say that Royal is also looking toward growth in the Chinese market once Korean ports open up and will be bringing their newest, Spectrum of the Seas, the first Quantum Ultra class ship to the Chinese market. The first steel was cut on this ship last August and is set to be completed by next spring.

 

 

http://www.seatrade-cruise.com/news/news-headlines/china-demise-exaggerated-japan-ports-step-up-asean-unites.html?highlight=Ik5vcndlZ2lhbiBqb3ki

Edited by Motegi
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Royal Caribbean is bringing Mariner back from China to be Americanized and then sent to Florida for the 3 and 4 day runs. Goes into dry dock 5/7/18 after unloading in Barcelona. That ship is 14 years old.

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I just want NCL to bring in newer ships to the area - Asia, Aus and Alaska. Princess is bringing in its newest ship - the Majestic for the next season. I think it believes in the potential of the region. While NCL only has the very old Jewel. When compared with the Joy, the interiors of the Jewel looks like a run down motel. I have said enough about our recent cruise at the Jewel on a separate thread. This is the reason why I am hoping for a better ship in the region.

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You have to think long term with this. The Chinese are getting very rich. They, like other people, want to enjoy time away from work and spend their hard earned money. Vacations are not just plug and play. All cultures have differences, as explained by many posters. NCL's cruise experiences, like most other large lines, are designed around American tastes. Not just the ship, the entire experience, ranging from how the crew interacts with the guests to how firm the mattresses are.

 

Any transition in how NCL designs cruise experiences is going to take time. There is only so much you can learn (as a company) from publications and consultants and market research. Eventually, you are going to have to put together an experience and just do it. Thats what NCL did with the Joy. Hypothetically, even if the Joy was sailing at half capacity and just breaking even, NCL is gaining valuable experience in how Chinese customers want their cruise vacations. As China continues to get richer and richer, and their market continues to grow, NCL is going to be in a very favorable position. Not only are they going to be an established player in the Chinese cruise market, they are going to have tons of practical experience in catering to Chinese guests.

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Well lucky for you NCLs newest ship, Bliss, will be sailing to Alaska every year! It receives some of the newer design features of the Joy but retains most of the things that the western market customers prefer.

 

Pam and I are excited to be on its inaugural Alaska cruise on June 2nd!

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