Royal Caribbean International is hitting the Asian market hard with its groundbreaking decision to deploy its newest, most advanced ship in Shanghai.
Quantum of the Seas will reposition to China in May 2015 after its maiden winter season based in New York, bringing it one step closer to Australians.
Adam Goldstein, president and coo, RCCL said the move would set an entirely new standard for the world’s fastest growing cruise market.
“Consumers in China have grown to expect the best the world has to offer, and Quantum of the Seas meets that standard like no other ship,” he said.
“We are ready to accelerate the growth of this vital market with a ship that will capture the imagination of travelers looking for a one-of-a-kind vacation experience.”
Yet to be completed, Quantum will join Mariner of the Seas and Voyager of the Seas in Asia, increasing the company’s capacity in the region by 66%
“Every trend we are seeing in China tells us we can achieve real long-term competitive advantage and appealing returns on our investments in this fast-growing market by accelerating our presence there,” Goldstein said. “We will have to be nimble, but the ability to move fast is one of our strengths.”
Goldstein said the deployment was possible because its “new-ship pipeline” would also keep the US region supplied with top-rate ships as well.
“We are very mindful of the importance of New York, which is why we are bringing Liberty of the Seas and then Anthem of the Seas to this market.”
Quantum of the Seas is scheduled to debut in Nov 2014 and will spend its inaugural season sailing from Cape Liberty in Bayonne, New Jersey, near New York, to the Caribbean.
From June 2015, the ship will sail three- to eight-night itineraries year-round from Shanghai to Japan and Korea.
“Our mantra for the new Quantum class of ships is ‘this changes everything’ – and upping our game in these key markets achieves just that,” said Dominic Paul, vp international, RCI.