Cruise line keen on local demand
Royal Caribbean I nternational has announced its largest and most revolutionary ship, Quantum of the Seas, will be back in Southeast Asia for a six-month “home porting” season in 2019 to 2020 — the cruise line’s longest ever deployment in the region for a Quantum Class ship.
The announcement reaffirms Royal Caribbean’s confidence in Southeast Asia as a source market and cruise destination, as well as its commitment to grow its cruise offerings in the region.
Over her 34 sailings during the six months from November 2019 to April 2020, Quantum of the Seas is expected to add some 150,000 guests to the Southeast Asia cruising scene. She will offer cruises ranging from 4-7 nights to Penang, Kuala Lumpur (Port Klang), Phuket, Laem Chabang, and Ho Chi Minh City (Phu My).
With this 18-deck high, 168,666-grossregistered-tonne ship that carries 4,905 guests at total capacity, the line will increase its capacity in the region by 30%.
There will be 24 sailings to Thai ports of call, including four-night cruises to Phuket; five-night cruises to Phuket, Kuala Lumpur (Port Klang) and Penang; one seven-night cruise to Phuket for an overnight, Kuala Lumpur (Port Klang) and Penang; and one seven-night cruise to Bangkok for an overnight and Ho Chi Minh City.
The ship is expected to bring around 105,000 guests to Thailand on these sailings.
Quantum of the Seas will also be revitalised prior to her return to Southeast Asia. The multi-million dollar project will see the ship refreshed and upgraded to provide the best next-generation cruise experience for guests in this region.
Michael Bayley, president and chief executive of Royal Caribbean International, said the commitment to bring in bigger and better ships like Quantum of the Seas demonstrates Royal Caribbean’s confidence in the region to continue experiencing recordbreaking growth.
“In response to strong demand from the region, we have decided to bring in longer cruises for Quantum of the Seas’ return. The season will feature the first ever seven-night round-trip cruises on a Quantum Class ship here,” he said.