Why are Quantum and Ovation in Asia?

[GUT2407]

This is simply a curiousity of mine...

 

Does anyone know why Royal put Quantum and Ovation in Asia? It seems so weird that they marketed these ships so heavily, to only put one in North America. It so weird to me that they directed these towards the Asian market...I don't think I even heard anything at all about Ovation!

 

I know Asia is a growing market, but it is it really that in demand that Royal puts some of it's newest ships there with no exposure to the US market? Personally, I'd like one in FL to do Caribbean cruises. Anthem's basic Bahamas/Florida itineraries from NY seem boring.

 

Probably to make money.

 

Sheesh.... that was hard to figure out

[The_Big_M]

This is probably wishful thinking :)

 

Very!

 

What you won't hear at Head office discussion: "We made a good decision deploying to Asia. Now we can cut profits and our bonuses by reducing fares in the US."

[sea shepherd]

If you remember when this class of ship was announced, it was also announced that the Chinese government paid for 3 ships to be built. With the stipulation they will all be based in china. As for the next 2 Quantium class ships . They will not be part of that arrangement.

 

 

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[gatour]

I don't remember, so please include links that reference the stipulation.

 

If you remember when this class of ship was announced, it was also announced that the Chinese government paid for 3 ships to be built. With the stipulation they will all be based in china. As for the next 2 Quantium class ships . They will not be part of that arrangement.

 

 

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[sea shepherd]

I don't remember, so please include links that reference the stipulation.

Sorry I'm not your secretary. You will have to do your own research. It's out there.

 

 

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[opmet]

Also, with regard specifically to Quantum class in China, I believe they change the Music Hall into some sort of gaming venue. So they have a very large capacity ship with more space for gaming.

 

 

I was on the Ovation early this November.

 

The Music Hall on Ovation is still a Music Hall. People were dancing YMCA , napkin folding and band show at night. The casino on Ovation is small but it does not get crowded most of the time.

 

[off-topic]

 

The lack of mahjong room makes people played mahjong in the solarium, schooner bar, turning bar table into mahjong table.

 

I and my mom were having lunch in the windjammer and we were sitting in the outdoor area enjoying our meal and suddenly interrupted by a man who were trying to find a "not so windy spot" for playing mahjong. He was interested in the table we were sitting, "Our table is the perfect spot!" he said.

He did not ask us to leave for the spot he wanted, he and his friend play mahjong at the table next to us instead.

It was the "trapped in the corner with 8 people playing mahjong" approach.

I was angry and frustrated but I don' t want a little thing ruin my day so we finished our lunch and leave. ( I hate confrontation )

 

 

* I hope you understand the above as I don' t speak/write in English on a daily basis. ( Yes I am an Asian )

 

 

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[Aggravation]

This is simply a curiousity of mine...

 

Does anyone know why Royal put Quantum and Ovation in Asia? It seems so weird that they marketed these ships so heavily, to only put one in North America. It so weird to me that they directed these towards the Asian market...I don't think I even heard anything at all about Ovation!

 

 

Having invested billions in these ships, RCI clearly knows why they're in Asia, but without the facts we can only amuse ourselves with idle speculation, so I'll offer a different scenario.

 

The Quantum Class ships were purpose built to be a great solution for cold weather ports, while introducing RCI's new Dynamic Dining concept. Sailing from Bayonne, the ship was praised for the former but arbitrarily and incessantly trashed for the latter. Why bother if you're RCI?

 

Asia, the fastest growing cruise market in the world, is unhindered by pre-conceptions of an MDR experience complete with formal nights, and so the ships are being received for what they are - not scorned for what they aren't. That actually works from a management perspective.

 

Anthem remains in Bayonne - at least until April 2018 - but then what? DD officially dies today but will those who fought against it be as enthusiastic about their victory when they sail it again? Reality will set in after spending 10 nights consigned to Silk, with a golden elephant watching you eat. Sure, you'll have the same waiter, but you'll also have the same venue, night after night, and none of it will measure up to the benchmark MDR experience in an elegant, soaring venue. I expect rough seas ahead for Anthem when the old diamonds come out from under the ether and see what they're left with.

[Paulxyz2004]

Having invested billions in these ships, RCI clearly knows why they're in Asia, but without the facts we can only amuse ourselves with idle speculation, so I'll offer a different scenario.

 

The Quantum Class ships were purpose built to be a great solution for cold weather ports, while introducing RCI's new Dynamic Dining concept. Sailing from Bayonne, the ship was praised for the former but arbitrarily and incessantly trashed for the latter. Why bother if you're RCI?

 

Asia, the fastest growing cruise market in the world, is unhindered by pre-conceptions of an MDR experience complete with formal nights, and so the ships are being received for what they are - not scorned for what they aren't. That actually works from a management perspective.

 

Anthem remains in Bayonne - at least until April 2018 - but then what? DD officially dies today but will those who fought against it be as enthusiastic about their victory when they sail it again? Reality will set in after spending 10 nights consigned to Silk, with a golden elephant watching you eat. Sure, you'll have the same waiter, but you'll also have the same venue, night after night, and none of it will measure up to the benchmark MDR experience in an elegant, soaring venue. I expect rough seas ahead for Anthem when the old diamonds come out from under the ether and see what they're left with.

 

Well DD obviousy has not worked in the Asian - as you say "unhindered By preconception" - market either.

 

IMO DD is a wholy failed concept and even aside from DD the Quantum class ships are not the prime, innovative shipbuilding concepts I´m used to from RCI. To me they are just one big failure, but yes they might improve a bit with the Elimination of DD. I´d rather have a golden elephant watching me eat, when I get good Quality, tasty Food with a new menu each night, instead of foregoing the elephant but being served the crap I got in DD on Ovation.:eek:

[eldridchapman]

This is simply a curiousity of mine...

 

Does anyone know why Royal put Quantum and Ovation in Asia? It seems so weird that they marketed these ships so heavily, to only put one in North America. It so weird to me that they directed these towards the Asian market...I don't think I even heard anything at all about Ovation!

 

I know Asia is a growing market, but it is it really that in demand that Royal puts some of it's newest ships there with no exposure to the US market? Personally, I'd like one in FL to do Caribbean cruises. Anthem's basic Bahamas/Florida itineraries from NY seem boring.

 

Ovation is technically doing part time in Asia - winter months she'll sail down to Oceania for the Australian market.

 

Dont worry about Quantum class ship - Royal's flagship Oasis class are exclusive to East Coast USA market. European and asians alike will have to fly to US to experience the Oasis :D

[cruisegoal100]

The answer is simple...in the US market the annual percent of the cruising population increases in the single digits while in the Asian market, especially China it is a double digit increase. Simply said a greater profit opportunity!

[CarnieAddict]

Pretty sure I read somewhere that there are plans for 3 more Quantum class ships to be built. I'm sure at least one more will be coming to North America.

[Baron Barracuda]

Never understood the abruptness of Quantum's China move. Big beautiful new ship had to be remodeled at likely high cost during transit. Royal could have left her in NJ and instead built Anthem to China specs as she was completed only six months later.

 

As for profitability, pricing on Quantum in NJ was very high as befits new class of ship. Sailings on her replacement, Liberty, were much cheaper. Hopefully for Royal, rates on Quantum in China were high enough to offset this

[Clarea]

Never understood the abruptness of Quantum's China move. Big beautiful new ship had to be remodeled at likely high cost during transit. Royal could have left her in NJ and instead built Anthem to China specs as she was completed only six months later.

 

As for profitability, pricing on Quantum in NJ was very high as befits new class of ship. Sailings on her replacement, Liberty, were much cheaper. Hopefully for Royal, rates on Quantum in China were high enough to offset this

At the time, Quantum was not able to do the summer Bermuda cruises because Bermuda had not modified their channel.

[Baron Barracuda]

At the time, Quantum was not able to do the summer Bermuda cruises because Bermuda had not modified their channel.

 

Heard that at the time, but Royal has been sailing year-round out of NJ for many years with Bermuda only on the schedule from late April through early October. The rest of the year they substitute a Caribbean port, recall it was usually St. Thomas. Were those summer 5 night Bermuda sailings really that important to them?

[Clarea]

Heard that at the time, but Royal has been sailing year-round out of NJ for many years with Bermuda only on the schedule from late April through early October. The rest of the year they substitute a Caribbean port, recall it was usually St. Thomas. Were those summer 5 night Bermuda sailings really that important to them?

Apparently, they moved Liberty up to NJ to do them.

[OceansOfTravels]

Heard that at the time, but Royal has been sailing year-round out of NJ for many years with Bermuda only on the schedule from late April through early October. The rest of the year they substitute a Caribbean port, recall it was usually St. Thomas. Were those summer 5 night Bermuda sailings really that important to them?

 

Could also have to do with Carnival using every opening possible to cruise to Bermuda. If Royal hadn't brought Liberty up to do Bermuda cruises in the summer, Carnival would've had one week for every two where a spot was open Monday, Tuesday, and Saturday. And if Carnival didn't seize it, NCL could've.

 

Cape Liberty always promises a good market.

[norcalemt02]

Mark my word ovation will eventually do New Zealand/Alaska market.

 

 

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[kwazi07]

Could also have to do with Carnival using every opening possible to cruise to Bermuda. If Royal hadn't brought Liberty up to do Bermuda cruises in the summer, Carnival would've had one week for every two where a spot was open Monday, Tuesday, and Saturday. And if Carnival didn't seize it, NCL could've.

 

Cape Liberty always promises a good market.

Carnival is really strong in Bermuda. The two markets I belive Carnival has a better hold onto than Royal is the West Coast/Mexico (Royal has nothing) and Bermuda.

 

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[OceansOfTravels]

Carnival is really strong in Bermuda. The two markets I belive Carnival has a better hold onto than Royal is the West Coast/Mexico (Royal has nothing) and Bermuda.

 

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I disagree. The only calls Carnival makes to Bermuda are when a slot opens, and a few whole cruises in September/October due to ship drydocks/ships like Anthem doing fall foliage cruises and giving Carnival a spot. Royal has both the Grandeur and Anthem sailing in the summer, plus the Celebrity Summit in the brand, making regular, scheduled calls. Carnival does not have any, and the only other regular calling is the Veendam, who will make between 6 cruises from Boston between May and July, calling at Hamilton. Still very inconsistent. NCL and Royal has a good grasp on King's Wharf. Carnival has 6 total cruises next year that include a stop in Bermuda, Royal Caribbean has more than that within any given month from May-October.

Edited November 28, 2016 by OceansOfTravels

[The_Big_M]

Mark my word ovation will eventually do New Zealand/Alaska market.

 

 

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Ovation heading to Alaska? Don't see that. The split China/Au thing works due to being low season in China which is the primary market. And Ovation was chosen to go there as Quantum has been more than viable.

Edited November 28, 2016 by The_Big_M

[kwazi07]

I disagree. The only calls Carnival makes to Bermuda are when a slot opens, and a few whole cruises in September/October. Royal has both the Grandeur and Anthem sailing in the summer, plus the Celebrity Summit in the brand, making regular, scheduled calls. Carnival does not have any, and the only other regular calling is the Veendam, who will make a few cruises in the summer. Still very inconsistent. NCL and Royal has a good grasp on King's Wharf. Carnival has 6 total cruises next year that include a stop in Bermuda, Royal Caribbean has more than that within any given month from May-October.

Sorry, I made a mistake. I remembered Carnival doing lots of sailings to Bermuda on Pride a few years ago, but things must have changed. Thanks for the info!

 

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[gatour]

You were the one that originally stated that the China gov't required the first three ships be based in China. I just asked you to provide links. If "It's out there" it should only take you a few minutes for you to provide the links esp. since you are aware of this knowledge.

 

Sorry I'm not your secretary. You will have to do your own research. It's out there.

 

 

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Edited November 28, 2016 by gatour

[OceansOfTravels]

Sorry, I made a mistake. I remembered Carnival doing lots of sailings to Bermuda on Pride a few years ago, but things must have changed. Thanks for the info!

 

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Anytime! I have been wanting to cruise to Bermuda for a while now, so I have done my research ;)

[kwazi07]

Anytime! I have been wanting to cruise to Bermuda for a while now, so I have done my research ;)

Bermuda has always been something I've wanted to do but in the back burner. I wish I would have done a Bermuda cruise when I lived in Baltimore...but now I'm in Tampa.

 

Actually, when thinking about it, the cruise options are very limited in both Tampa and Baltimore for the same reason--a bridge. We even have the same classes of ships...Tampa used to have Legend, and we have Rhapsody this winter I belive...meanwhile Baltimore has Pride and Grandeur. But we do have a Carnival Fantasy class...why doesn't Baltimore?

 

Okay sorry for my little off topic realization...[emoji23]

 

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[OceansOfTravels]

Bermuda has always been something I've wanted to do but in the back burner. I wish I would have done a Bermuda cruise when I lived in Baltimore...but now I'm in Tampa.

 

Actually, when thinking about it, the cruise options are very limited in both Tampa and Baltimore for the same reason--a bridge. We even have the same classes of ships...Tampa used to have Legend, and we have Rhapsody this winter I belive...meanwhile Baltimore has Pride and Grandeur. But we do have a Carnival Fantasy class...why doesn't Baltimore?

 

Okay sorry for my little off topic realization...[emoji23]

 

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I'm glad you mentioned living in Baltimore, I live in Anne Arundel! :D

 

It has to do with distance. For a 5 night cruise to Nassau and Freeport, The ship would have to arrive in Nassau at 1PM depart at night, and depart Freeport at 1PM like Pride does to get back in. 4 night cruises are simply not possible, so a set schedule would be hard to work out. In the winter, it doesn't have a pool, so it would practically be useless. We have Norfolk on the Sunshine for a few cruises in May/June and October/November of every year, but if we want some short cruise options, we have to drive down to Charleston, take the 5 night Grandeur or Anthem to Bermuda, or drive up to New York to go to Canada.