4 December 2009
This morning I was looking at the internet story about the first revenue sailing of the world’s largest cruise ship, Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas on Saturday. For some reason they wanted to make comparisons to the Titanic—even though the Oasis if four times larger and packed with 21st century safety equipment.
There’s little doubt the Oasis will have it fans and its detractors. Fans included those who were enamored about the ship’s seven different neighborhoods, it’s full length zip line, its open air aqua theatre and its indoor balconies. The detractors just couldn’t get over its size. They didn’t think it looked attractive, and they were aghast at having to rub shoulders with 6,000 other passengers. However, from the general tone, these were folks who don’t like cruising even if they ever took one!
Remember the introduction of the first 747 when no airport was thought to be able to handle them, nor could they deal with the more than 300 passengers the giant jet could carry. Somehow it all worked out and travel by 747 or its even larger airbus competitor is now routine. The same can be said for the Oasis, because Royal Caribbean has spent more than a billion dollar in building and planning for the ship’s entry into service. Sure they may have a few hiccups, but their plan looks like a good one for handling any potential problem.
Welcome to the Oasis, we’ll be getting a first hand report on introduction activities at the Cruise Holidays of Woodinville store at 6PM on December 8th by the Pacific Northwest Regional Sales director for RCI, Vikki Knudsen. Space is still available for this event.
Showing posts with label new ships. Show all posts
Showing posts with label new ships. Show all posts
Friday, December 4, 2009
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Post Thanksgiving Day Thoughts
28 November 2009
Yesterday the games store in our shopping complex was open bright and early to take advantage of “Black Friday” They had all of their Christmas decorations up and even had a few door-buster specials to lure in their customers. And, it looked to me like quite a few customers could be seen in the parking lot with new games under their arms.
It’s funny how the concept of pre-dawn sales has become so much of a magnet in our society. I guess the lure of a 50 inch plasma television, or a 2 karat diamond—or the latest computer game release has appeal to a certain group of consumers. In this economy, value shopping has become king.
In the cruise and vacation business we often find kind of the counter-culture consumer who is more interested in getting away from shopping madness and finding the perfect getaway. All of us need a little recharging from time to time and these folks relish the thought of a sanity break on a fabulous cruise ship or a wonderful beach resort. And, some like to combine shopping with their break, and they have lots of choices to accomplish their mission either onboard or in markets in places far from their local mall.
It’s great to have the Christmas season officially underway—everyone seems to have more twinkles in their attitude, and we like that.
Yesterday the games store in our shopping complex was open bright and early to take advantage of “Black Friday” They had all of their Christmas decorations up and even had a few door-buster specials to lure in their customers. And, it looked to me like quite a few customers could be seen in the parking lot with new games under their arms.
It’s funny how the concept of pre-dawn sales has become so much of a magnet in our society. I guess the lure of a 50 inch plasma television, or a 2 karat diamond—or the latest computer game release has appeal to a certain group of consumers. In this economy, value shopping has become king.
In the cruise and vacation business we often find kind of the counter-culture consumer who is more interested in getting away from shopping madness and finding the perfect getaway. All of us need a little recharging from time to time and these folks relish the thought of a sanity break on a fabulous cruise ship or a wonderful beach resort. And, some like to combine shopping with their break, and they have lots of choices to accomplish their mission either onboard or in markets in places far from their local mall.
It’s great to have the Christmas season officially underway—everyone seems to have more twinkles in their attitude, and we like that.
Optimism Abounds as Cruise Industry Adds Two
24 November 2009
Maybe you caught the hoopla surrounding the arrival of the world’s largest cruise ship, Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas. Holding more than 5,000 passengers this 220,000 ton megaship has seven neighborhoods instead of mundane decks. So far the reviews have been over the top in praise for this innovative new ship.
Royal’s biggest competitor, Carnival also brought its newest ship, the Dream into operation with a New York arrival. And, early reports sound very good about what this ship features for cruise vacationers.
Between them, they represent more than 8,000 passengers a week. The two biggest cruise companies are confident they can fill their new additions. That’s good news for consumers because prices should remain at their current value levels for the foreseeable future.
Maybe you caught the hoopla surrounding the arrival of the world’s largest cruise ship, Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas. Holding more than 5,000 passengers this 220,000 ton megaship has seven neighborhoods instead of mundane decks. So far the reviews have been over the top in praise for this innovative new ship.
Royal’s biggest competitor, Carnival also brought its newest ship, the Dream into operation with a New York arrival. And, early reports sound very good about what this ship features for cruise vacationers.
Between them, they represent more than 8,000 passengers a week. The two biggest cruise companies are confident they can fill their new additions. That’s good news for consumers because prices should remain at their current value levels for the foreseeable future.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Water Slides, Zip Lines, Outdoor Aqua Theatres and Rooms for Five
18 November 2009
The new Carnival Dream has a 300 foot long waterslide in its onboard Aqua Park, the world’s largest cruise ship, Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas features both a bow to stern zip line along the top of the ship and the first outdoor performance aqua theatre in cruise history. But, even with these amazing bells and whistles, more mundane improvements such as staterooms holding five people and two bathroom staterooms may have a bigger impact on customer preference for the future.
Ever since Ted Arison, founder of Carnival Cruise Line pioneered the “build it and they will come” theory of cruise line expansion in the 1980s, the industry has invested billions of dollars in new and exciting ships, as well as a slightly lesser amount in the retrofitting of older ships with updates and improvements. And, while the big boys like Carnival and Royal Caribbean are bringing out their latest mega-ships, top-end luxury cruise lines such as Silversea Cruises and Seabourn Cruises have also upped the ante with new and exciting additions to their own fleets.
Bottom line is that the consumer today has more choice and value than ever before and the cruising industry is banking on that strategy for the long-term. What’s next, who can say, but it will probably be pretty exciting if the past is any indication.
Anybody in the Woodinville home area of Cruise Holidays of Woodinville is invited to hear more about Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas debut in a special story event on December 8th from 6-7:30 PM. Vikki Knudsen, regional sales manager for Royal Caribbean will bring her first-hand account of the inaugural activities for the world’s largest cruise ship. Please RSVP if you’d like to attend.
The new Carnival Dream has a 300 foot long waterslide in its onboard Aqua Park, the world’s largest cruise ship, Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas features both a bow to stern zip line along the top of the ship and the first outdoor performance aqua theatre in cruise history. But, even with these amazing bells and whistles, more mundane improvements such as staterooms holding five people and two bathroom staterooms may have a bigger impact on customer preference for the future.
Ever since Ted Arison, founder of Carnival Cruise Line pioneered the “build it and they will come” theory of cruise line expansion in the 1980s, the industry has invested billions of dollars in new and exciting ships, as well as a slightly lesser amount in the retrofitting of older ships with updates and improvements. And, while the big boys like Carnival and Royal Caribbean are bringing out their latest mega-ships, top-end luxury cruise lines such as Silversea Cruises and Seabourn Cruises have also upped the ante with new and exciting additions to their own fleets.
Bottom line is that the consumer today has more choice and value than ever before and the cruising industry is banking on that strategy for the long-term. What’s next, who can say, but it will probably be pretty exciting if the past is any indication.
Anybody in the Woodinville home area of Cruise Holidays of Woodinville is invited to hear more about Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas debut in a special story event on December 8th from 6-7:30 PM. Vikki Knudsen, regional sales manager for Royal Caribbean will bring her first-hand account of the inaugural activities for the world’s largest cruise ship. Please RSVP if you’d like to attend.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
