China is new home for royal caribbean international's quantum of the seas

[negc]

Could it be possible that Bermuda is the party most responsible for this sudden and unexpected change? It seems very possible that the island's reluctance to commit to the dredging of the harbor to accommodate larger cruise ships forced RCI to change its plans. If that is the case, it would explain RCI's original promotion of Quantum sailing out of Bayonne year-round and their dramatic turnaround today. Only time will tell whether this move is successful or a financial disaster. At the very least it is thought provoking and it will be interesting to see what, if any, reaction this move evokes in Hamilton, Ft.Lauderdale etc.

With all the talk about the necessity of changing the menus on Quantum to accommodate an Asian clientele, how is this matter handled on all of the other cruise ships of various lines which have been redeployed to Asia and why should it be any more of a problem on a ship not even sailing yet than it has been on ships already in service?:confused:

[emmy]

I would love to go on Liberty to Bermuda. When are those darn itineraries being released?

 

 

I am ready to book Liberty too :)

[Yorkvillain]

Well a few months in the dead of Winter from New Jersey. I'll pass.

 

But it was ok when it was the Quantum?

[Cruising89143]

The problem is Florida is over saturated with ships. They're a penny a dozen and not really making that much money compared to other places. The Caribbean has been soft for some time with no changes seen in the foreseeable future.

 

Moving the ship to China is going to be a money-maker I would say. Asians do like to gamble - they are big spenders.

 

RCCL has done what it has to do. You won't see Chinese screaming about paying a buck more for their cabin and whining about not being allowed the reductions after final payment.

 

There are a lot of reasons for moving to Asia - all of them connected with money.

 

I fully understand how cruising works. Been doing it for many years.

 

This was move was not about money. It's about Bermuda not being ready as planned. RCI probably had plans to enter Asia with a QN class ship but not this fast. Also don't be so fast to state that the Chinese will be spending so freely with their money.;)

[Cruising89143]

Could it be possible that Bermuda is the party most responsible for this sudden and unexpected change? It seems very possible that the island's reluctance to commit to the dredging of the harbor to accommodate larger cruise ships forced RCI to change its plans. If that is the case, it would explain RCI's original promotion of Quantum sailing out of Bayonne year-round and their dramatic turnaround today. Only time will tell whether this move is successful or a financial disaster. At the very least it is thought provoking and it will be interesting to see what, if any, reaction this move evokes in Hamilton, Ft.Lauderdale etc.

With all the talk about the necessity of changing the menus on Quantum to accommodate an Asian clientele, how is this matter handled on all of the other cruise ships of various lines which have been redeployed to Asia and why should it be any more of a problem on a ship not even sailing yet than it has been on ships already in service?:confused:

 

I agree Bill that this move was made due to Bermuda. I think RCI held out as long as possible and had to make a decision.

[Dave85]

[quote name='cruisingator2']I agree Bill that this move was made due to Bermuda. I think RCI held out as long as possible and had to make a decision.[/quote]

Yep, that's pretty much it. Just shuffling around the Quantum ships... Quantum 3 would have probably gone to China, now Quantum 1 goes to China and Quantum 3 will probably come stateside. Still, it's all shocking!

[Dukemstr]

[quote name='cruisingator2']I agree Bill that this move was made due to Bermuda. I think RCI held out as long as possible and had to make a decision.[/QUOTE]

What I don't understand is that Norwegian breakaway is perfectly capable to dock at Bermuda but QOS not? Is she so much bigger?

Are they no other destination than Bermuda ?

[workingonlytocruise]

[quote name='cruisingator2']I fully understand how cruising works. Been doing it for many years.

This was move was not about money. It's about Bermuda not being ready as planned. RCI probably had plans to enter Asia with a QN class ship but not this fast.[B] Also don't be so fast to state that the Chinese will be spending so freely with their money[/B].;)[/QUOTE]

They do when it comes to gambling. Even the casinos here are geared to the Asians. And gambling is almost free money.

I don't disagree that Bermuda had something to do with this, but it isn't the only thing.

[roe2ship]

[quote name='workingonlytocruise']They do when it comes to gambling. Even the casinos here are geared to the Asians. And gambling is almost free money.

[COLOR=red]I don't disagree that Bermuda had something to do with this, but it isn't the only thing[/COLOR].[/quote]I disagree....Bermuda is the only reason.

[A&L_Ont]

[quote name='Dave85']Yep, that's pretty much it. Just shuffling around the Quantum ships... Quantum 3 would have probably gone to China, now Quantum 1 goes to China and Quantum 3 will probably come stateside. Still, it's all shocking![/QUOTE]

It gives Royals's current promo sale "Going, Going, Gone!" a different meaning in relation to Quantum in Bayonne and Anthem to Port Everglades.

We might not get that cruise together out of Banyonne for a while. :(

[eroller]

[quote name='cruisingator2']

This was move was not about money. It's about Bermuda not being ready as planned. RCI probably had plans to enter Asia with a QN class ship but not this fast. Also don't be so fast to state that the Chinese will be spending so freely with their money.;)[/QUOTE]



Gordon,
I have no doubt that you are 100% correct about this. I just can't imagine Royal Caribbean spending all the $$ they did to promote the ship in North America only to have her go to China for year round cruising. Knowing they might have been somewhat forced into this decision certainly makes it easier for me digest. I do hope they are forthcoming and transparent and explain their decision. I know they are not obligated to do this but it would be a nice gesture to their home base of customers that were very excited about the ship.

Do you think it was entirely because of Bermuda, or perhaps because their plans for Cape Liberty are getting stalled as well? Curious about that.

[Pushka]

It's an unusual decision but the market in China is like nothing else in the world. And if the Casino is a good one the ship will make a lot of money.

I was on QM2 in late March (3 weeks ago) and fog closed the Port for several hours and we had to anchor several hours out. Finally we were given clearance to berth but travelling from the channel entrance to the berth took another four hours during which time the Yangtze River had to be closed to all other craft. And the Port is another hour's drive from Shanghai proper. Our port time was reduced by several hours and it wasn't a great stop unfortunately. Edited April 17, 2014 by Pushka

[BugsyCruiser]

[quote name='eroller']Gordon,
I have no doubt that you are 100% correct about this. I just can't imagine Royal Caribbean spending all the $$ they did to promote the ship in North America only to have her go to China for year round cruising. Knowing they might have been somewhat forced into this decision certainly makes it easier for me digest. I do hope they are forthcoming and transparent and explain their decision. I know they are not obligated to do this but it would be a nice gesture to their home base of customers that were very excited about the ship.

Do you think it was entirely because of Bermuda, or perhaps because their plans for Cape Liberty are getting stalled as well? Curious about that.[/QUOTE]

I'm not Gordon, but I'd say it's both. I agree that hopefully they will explain the decision to ease the confusion we're all having about this decision. Something tells both Bermuda and Cape Liberty may have forced them to abruptly change plans with the Quantum class ships

[Dave85]

[quote name='A&L_Ont']It gives Royals's current promo sale "Going, Going, Gone!" a different meaning in relation to Quantum in Bayonne and Anthem to Port Everglades.

We might not get that cruise together out of Banyonne for a while. :([/quote]

Yeah :(

I just spoke to everyone in my party for next May and the decision is unanimous to do a Liberty 9 night out of Bayonne. I think we'll do Anthem right when she gets over to Bayonne late November - early December 2015... not sure if you guys are available that time of year, we will have to discuss!

[Cruising89143]

[quote name='eroller']Gordon,
I have no doubt that you are 100% correct about this. I just can't imagine Royal Caribbean spending all the $$ they did to promote the ship in North America only to have her go to China for year round cruising. Knowing they might have been somewhat forced into this decision certainly makes it easier for me digest. I do hope they are forthcoming and transparent and explain their decision. I know they are not obligated to do this but it would be a nice gesture to their home base of customers that were very excited about the ship.

Do you think it was entirely because of Bermuda, or perhaps because their plans for Cape Liberty are getting stalled as well? Curious about that.[/QUOTE]

Ernie I think the terminal not being ready could have played into this decision. I just don't think the Asian market has had time to develop fully to support not only three very large RCI ships but also competition from the other lines. I think RCI will struggle at first to fill the three large ships unless they are discounting. I do feel that this was a last moment forced decision as RCI had to get bookings open.

[Dave85]

[quote name='cruisingator2']Ernie I think the terminal not being ready could have played into this decision. I just don't think the Asian market has had time to develop fully to support not only three very large RCI ships but also competition from the other lines.[B] I think RCI will struggle at first to fill the three large ships unless they are discounting[/B]. I do feel that this was a last moment forced decision as RCI had to get bookings open.[/quote]

Makes me wonder if they will reconsider sending one of the other ships over to Asia and will instead add a ship to So.Fla. to replace Anthem.

[Overtyme]

[quote name='Lloyd555']It will, thank goodness. Until I got to the last part of the paragraph below, I was thinking 'What about Cape Liberty?!!'

RCI WOWed me for sure, as in WOW! Didn't see that coming!

Guess we'll have to wait to see if the third Quantum-class ship will make its home port in Cape Liberty? Or elsewhere.


[I]Quantum of the Seas will debut in November 2014, and will spend its inaugural season sailing from Cape Liberty in Bayonne, N.J., before repositioning to China in May 2015. Beginning late June 2015, the ship will sail three- to eight-night itineraries year-round from Shanghai to Japan and Korea. Liberty of the Seas will then arrive to Cape Liberty to sail to Bermuda, the Caribbean, and Canada and New England for the 2015 summer and autumn seasons. The Freedom-class ship will be the company’s newest and largest ship to offer cruises to Bermuda from the New York-metropolitan area. Finally, [B][COLOR="Navy"]Quantum of the Seas’ sister ship, Anthem of the Seas, which launches in April 2015, will complete her inaugural Europe season from London (Southampton), U.K., before arriving to Cape Liberty in November 2015 to continue Quantum-class cruising to the Bahamas and Caribbean for the winter 2015-16 season.[/I] [/COLOR][/B][/QUOTE]

I'm kind of happy about this in some way. I mean, I live not to far from Cape Liberty, and I won't be able to take my next cruise until 2016.
So for completely selfish reasons, that means that I'll be going on a slightly newer ship (not much newer, but slightly newer).

I do feel back for the UK market though. What are they going to get to replace their lost ship?
Maybe the new Oasis Class? The third Quantum Class?

[Irene7]

[quote name='DrD']Yes, the economic center of gravity of the world is shifting towards Asia.[/QUOTE]

Mainly China.

[Tetromibi]

We are not happy about how this played out. All the marketing and talk about being based in Bayonne. I've been checking daily for Quantum for several weeks for our May 2015 cruise.

We will now be cruising with Carnival for that vacation. We might check back in 2016 to see if a Spring/Summer Quantum class cruise is available stateside.

(I get the business decision, but it's still a huge disappointment.) Edited April 17, 2014 by Tetromibi

[Royalty X]

It's disappointing reading some of the comments on here. I have nothing against North America, but some people act like it's the only civilised place in the world. This is great news for Australians and New Zealanders! The newest ship we've had access to (without having to travel for over 24 hours to get to) is the Celebrity Solstice (which has just turned 5 y/o). We've never had easy access to Freedom or Oasis class ships. Why is it so unreasonable of RCI to send a new ship out this way...?

[Irene7]

[quote name='gstewart']You'll still be able to cruise Anthem from the US though will you not? I have a feeling that the next ship for Asia could be Oasis with the new Oasis replacing her in Florida.


Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app[/QUOTE]

Don't be surprised if they send the new Oasis ship to Asia. If Asia is a success,then we on the West will have to get used to not being #1 anymore when it comes to the new ships. Edited April 17, 2014 by Irene7

[Overtyme]

[quote name='Royalty X']It's disappointing reading some of the comments on here. I have nothing against North America, but some people act like it's the only civilised place in the world. This is great news for Australians and New Zealanders! The newest ship we've had access to (without having to travel for over 24 hours to get to) is the Celebrity Solstice (which has just turned 5 y/o). We've never had easy access to Freedom or Oasis class ships. Why is it so unreasonable of RCI to send a new ship out this way...?[/QUOTE]

I don't think that it's unreasonable at all. I think that the issue that you're seeing on the boards is that people feel like they've been mis-led.
FLL was told that they were going to get a ship and now they're not.
I also feel for the UK folks, as they were excited that they were going to get a new ship, and now that looks to be only temporary.

[Yorkvillain]

[quote name='Royalty X']It's disappointing reading some of the comments on here. I have nothing against North America, but some people act like it's the only civilised place in the world. This is great news for Australians and New Zealanders! The newest ship we've had access to (without having to travel for over 24 hours to get to) is the Celebrity Solstice (which has just turned 5 y/o). We've never had easy access to Freedom or Oasis class ships. Why is it so unreasonable of RCI to send a new ship out this way...?[/QUOTE]

People just love to complain.

[Cruising89143]

[quote name='Royalty X']It's disappointing reading some of the comments on here. I have nothing against North America, but some people act like it's the only civilised place in the world. This is great news for Australians and New Zealanders! The newest ship we've had access to (without having to travel for over 24 hours to get to) is the Celebrity Solstice (which has just turned 5 y/o). We've never had easy access to Freedom or Oasis class ships. Why is it so unreasonable of RCI to send a new ship out this way...?[/QUOTE]

I think you're missing the point. It's not the fact that the ship is being relocated. It's how it was handled. It's clear that this was not RCI's original intent to place this ship in China. Many people were waiting for bookings to open as RCI had announced that they would be opening up soon for both QN and AN FLL. I have seen no one comment that the U.S or North America is the only civilized place in the world. What I see are people disappointed after being told something else. Edited April 17, 2014 by cruisingator2

[Irene7]

[quote name='Royalty X']It's disappointing reading some of the comments on here. I have nothing against North America, but some people act like it's the only civilised place in the world. This is great news for Australians and New Zealanders! The newest ship we've had access to (without having to travel for over 24 hours to get to) is the Celebrity Solstice (which has just turned 5 y/o). We've never had easy access to Freedom or Oasis class ships. Why is it so unreasonable of RCI to send a new ship out this way...?[/QUOTE]

I don't believe that there is a problem sending a new ship your way. It's just the way that RCCL handled it. Saying one thing and then doing another. Just some disappointment for a lot of us.