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In an obvious attempt to imitate Cunard's recent success in selling out QE2 for most of the next 17 months, this flyer is promoting the final sailings from Norfolk, Philadelphia, and San Juan.
Even with artificially created nostalgia and sense of history, I just don't think there will be quite the sentimental demand for the last sailings of this ship!
Rich
[ 06-29-2007: Message edited by: Jekyll ]
I am a bit shock how quickly and close together cruise companies are announcing the departure of these small-midsized ship from the US market.
Royal Caribbean International plans to transfer Empress of the Seas to Pullmantur, the Madrid-based cruise and tour operator that parent company, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. purchased in November 2006. "Empress of the Seas is a wonderful ship that has served our brand well," said Adam Goldstein, president, Royal Caribbean International. "Thistransfer will help to increase Pullmantur's capacity and meet demand for its distinctive style of cruise holidays in the European market." The last voyage of Empress as part of the Royal Caribbean International fleet will be March 7, 2008. Guests booked on all sailings after this date will be contacted by Royal Caribbean International representatives to transfer existing reservations to similar accommodations onboard other Royal Caribbean ships. Empress of the Seas joined the Royal Caribbean fleet in June 1990 and was built by Chantiers de l'Atlantique in St. Nazaire, France. She was refurbished in May 2004. The 48,563 gross ton ship has a double-occupancy guest capacity of 2,020. Cruisebusiness
Ernie
Rego007
quote:Originally posted by Rego007:Am I alone in thinking this could be bad news for Oceanic?Rego007
I think this is paving the way for her departure--she'll only have a couple of years of service left before SOLAS 2010, and in spite of her popularity, she's more expensive to operate than the newer ships, which are also larger and bring in more revenue.
It'll be purely a business decision, but I hope that decision is delayed as long as possible. I'm booked to sail on OCEANIC this November and I'm dreading the notice that my booking will be transferred to a newer ship in her place!
[ 07-02-2007: Message edited by: soundsailor ]
quote:Originally posted by mike sa:Pullmantur don't even change the name (with the exception of Oceanic II)
Mike,
well, with the exception of "Oceanic" and "Zenith" they did rename all of their ships.
Best,
Raoul
quote:Originally posted by soundsailor:[...] It will be sad to watch her leave a successful cruise line just to join a lesser but popular outfit. [...]
Why lesser?
Oceanic (former Premier/Home)Holiday Dream (former Star)Sky Wonder (former Princess/Sitmar)Zenith (former Celebrity)Pacific (former Princess)Empress of the Seas (former Royal Caribbean)Pacific Sun (former Carnival)
That has got to be the most ecclectic fleet in the industry. Its a dumping ground for older ships rivaled only by Alang.
With Carnival Corp moving into the Spanish market RCI has its work cut out for it with Pullmantur. They need a unified brand identity starting with consistant ship names, iconography, and onboard service.
quote:Originally posted by Fairsky:[...]That has got to be the most ecclectic fleet in the industry. Its a dumping ground for older ships rivaled only by Alang.[...]
That has got to be the most ecclectic fleet in the industry. Its a dumping ground for older ships rivaled only by Alang.[...]
Only rivaled by Alang? There are some quite nice ships in this fleet. Zenith and Holiday Dream ex Europa are not bad at all. Not the freshest ships - but e.g. the standard cabins of Holiday Dream are still amongst the best in the industry. (...beside that they do not have balconies...)
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