Royal Caribbean announces new ships - Will Carnival follow?

[Tapi]

Royal Caribbean just announced a totally new class of ship called the Sunshine project. These will be 158,000 tons and the first one will be delivered in 2014.

 

Will Carnival follow with a new class of ship after the Magic and the Breeze? I would love to see something truly innovative in the Carnival fleet.

[futaba951]

They will no doubt just add half a deck on the Dream class and 1000 more pax.

[Cruzman]

Actually no! Mr. Cahill has already addressed this question; nothing larger than the Dream Class for the foreseeable future. Actually, the RCCI behemoths are the reason I haven't cruised them in several years.

[Cruzaholic41]

Royal Caribbean just announced a totally new class of ship called the Sunshine project. These will be 158,000 tons and the first one will be delivered in 2014.

 

Will Carnival follow with a new class of ship after the Magic and the Breeze? I would love to see something truly innovative in the Carnival fleet.

 

Eventually, they will have to. It may be working for now, but with other lines coming out with completely new innovations, CCL can't hang on the same old design forever. In time, demand will dictate something new from CCL.

 

Actually, the RCCI behemoths are the reason I haven't cruised them in several years.

 

More than half their ships aren't behemoths. Sovereign, Vision, and Radiance Class are small by today's standards.

[golfadj]

With only two ships on order you can be sure Carnival is reviewing the economics of its next ships.

 

If they decided bigger is better you will see bigger. Just because the CEO said something in the past does not mean they cannot change their mind if their models change.

[Clt9488]

How big would the 'sunshine project' ship be in comparison to say the Carnival Magic or the Royal Allure? Sorry the tonnage doesn't mean a whole heck of a lot to me.

[tgr2387]

How big would the 'sunshine project' ship be in comparison to say the Carnival Magic or the Royal Allure? Sorry the tonnage doesn't mean a whole heck of a lot to me.

 

In comparison:

Allure of the Seas is 225,000 gross tons

Carnival Magic 128,000 gross tons

[Clt9488]

In comparison:

Allure of the Seas is 225,000 gross tons

Carnival Magic 128,000 gross tons

 

Hey thanks! I'm a little surprised that Royal Caribbean is taking a step back in terms of size. I have only ever sailed Carnival and didn't have much interest in trying Royal Caribbean but after seeing the Oasis when we were on the Dream - I must say I am intrigued to say the least! It just seems like every time I price out the two companies Carnival is always lower. :rolleyes:

[Sargent_Schultz]

That RCCL isn't building another Behemoth of the Seas and is downsizing tends to support Carnival's position/prediction that going that big was a mistake.

 

Or it could be that RCCL just can't afford to build another one. Carnival can certainly afford to build anything they want to. Carnival will decide when to come out with a new design - not RCCL and certainly not CC.

[Tapi]

That RCCL isn't building another Behemoth of the Seas and is downsizing tends to support Carnival's position/prediction that going that big was a mistake.

 

According to the article I read, the new Sunshine class ships will be a "right sized" version of the Oasis class. Apparently RCCL went "a bit" overboard with the Oasis class, which is why they are charging the outrageous prices they charge just to make them profitable.

 

The new ships will be built at a cost of $170,000 per berth. Oasis and Allure were built at a cost of $220,000 per berth so its easy to see that RCCL is looking at making ships that are more profitable. For comparison purposes, Carnival Dream was built at $158,000 per berth.

[dclark]

Eventually, they will have to. It may be working for now, but with other lines coming out with completely new innovations, CCL can't hang on the same old design forever. In time, demand will dictate something new from CCL.

 

Remember the Brady Bunch movie? Every one of Mr. Brady's designs looked identical, just with different landscaping. That's what CCL ships are like, except each new "class" adds an extra level of rooms for more people.

[Sargent_Schultz]

RCCL had to get the shipyard to help finance the last Behemoth or they never would have been able to take delivery. I'm not saying those figures are correct, but even if Royal could build a ship at the same per berth cost, they would have to charge more to pay for the financing.

 

Carnival stated they would not go bigger. There is no reason for them to do so. They didn't get to number one by chasing number two.

 

Joe Farcus will have very little to do with Carnival Breeze (just the theater and the casino) and that in and of itself will result in major changes. :)

[Sargent_Schultz]

According to the article I read, the new Sunshine class ships will be a "right sized" version of the Oasis class. Apparently RCCL went "a bit" overboard with the Oasis class, which is why they are charging the outrageous prices they charge just to make them profitable.

 

The new ships will be built at a cost of $170,000 per berth. Oasis and Allure were built at a cost of $220,000 per berth so its easy to see that RCCL is looking at making ships that are more profitable. For comparison purposes, Carnival Dream was built at $158,000 per berth.

 

Looks like the new Royal ships come in about $230,000+/- per berth. The 170,000 figure is Euros. I don't see that as more profitable.

 

One thing Carnival is doing is putting future ships on USD contracts so there won't be constant price fluctuations.

[S.S.Oceanlover]

Royal Caribbean just announced a totally new class of ship called the Sunshine project. These will be 158,000 tons and the first one will be delivered in 2014.

 

Will Carnival follow with a new class of ship after the Magic and the Breeze? I would love to see something truly innovative in the Carnival fleet.

 

I'm with you. CCL is my favorite line but I've been spreading my wings the last couple of years as I don't like the been there done that feeling.

 

I like something new when I cruise.

 

Bill

[TheTravelista]

Royal Caribbean just announced a totally new class of ship called the Sunshine project. These will be 158,000 tons and the first one will be delivered in 2014.

 

Will Carnival follow with a new class of ship after the Magic and the Breeze? I would love to see something truly innovative in the Carnival fleet.

 

I would be elated if Carnival did something truly innovative with their next class of ship but after seeing the "evolution" of Carnival ships since I first started sailing with them about 15 yrs ago...I won't hold my breath :rolleyes:;)

[Cruzaholic41]

I'm with you. CCL is my favorite line but I've been spreading my wings the last couple of years as I don't like the been there done that feeling.

 

That is exactly why, as a frequent cruiser, I cannot stick with CCL. It's always the same old thing. Other cruise lines, like RCI, have better variety among their own ship classes.

 

That RCCL isn't building another Behemoth of the Seas and is downsizing tends to support Carnival's position/prediction that going that big was a mistake.

 

Or it could be that RCCL just can't afford to build another one. Carnival can certainly afford to build anything they want to. Carnival will decide when to come out with a new design - not RCCL and certainly not CC.

 

Yet, those behemoths always sail completely full. They're priced the way they are because they can. People love those ships. You have to remember, RCI is a larger cruise line than CCL (the cruise line, not the parent company). They carry more passengers and their ships always sail full, so the new innovation thing certainly is a success.

[jimbo5544]

That is exactly why, as a frequent cruiser, I cannot stick with CCL. It's always the same old thing. Other cruise lines, like RCI, have better variety among their own ship classes.

 

 

 

Yet, those behemoths always sail completely full. They're priced the way they are because they can. People love those ships. You have to remember, RCI is a larger cruise line than CCL (the cruise line, not the parent company). They carry more passengers and their ships always sail full, so the new innovation thing certainly is a success.

 

My understanding is that while they have sailed full sometimes, the majority of time they in fact did not (holiday periods aside). Main reason was they would not discount the rooms to do so. Since both are now on service, they have dropped cabin prices some. When RCI moves most of their ships to the Med, they will def be full.

[Tyron]

My understanding is that while they have sailed full sometimes, the majority of time they in fact did not (holiday periods aside). Main reason was they would not discount the rooms to do so. Since both are now on service, they have dropped cabin prices some. When RCI moves most of their ships to the Med, they will def be full.

 

You were misinformed. Both the Oasis and Allure have been selling at double & full occupancy since their respective debuts. The only exceptions were their pre-inaugural sailings. Other than that both ships sail full week after week. :) :cool:

[cruisinfanatic]

They didn't get to number one by chasing number two.

 

no, they did it the old fashion way. They bought out other companies

[CruiserChloe]

Royal Caribbean just announced a totally new class of ship called the Sunshine project. These will be 158,000 tons and the first one will be delivered in 2014.

 

Will Carnival follow with a new class of ship after the Magic and the Breeze? I would love to see something truly innovative in the Carnival fleet.

 

I have been on 2 Carnival cruises, one of which was there 2nd newest ship. I had a good time on both cruises, but when I cruised on the brand new Celebrity Equinox and the brand new Oasis of the Seas, I was blown away. My 2 Carnival cruises were great, but in my opinion, great for 1st time cruisers. My repeat business will be going to the ships that, to this day, still have me in awe. I'll certainly cruise CCL again if the time and place are right, but to get long-term excited about another CCL cruise, they will have to come out with something new. JMHO. :o

[jimbo5544]

You were misinformed. Both the Oasis and Allure have been selling at double & full occupancy since their respective debuts. The only exceptions were their pre-inaugural sailings. Other than that both ships sail full week after week. :) :cool:

I will have to tell the RCCL CT rep that told me that;)

[cruisinfanatic]

I will have to tell the RCCL CT rep that told me that;)

As the previous poster said, you are wrong.

Went on the Oasis on October 16th, hardly a high demand week during off season. Was over 100% capacity that week.

[bguppies]

According to the article I read, the new Sunshine class ships will be a "right sized" version of the Oasis class. Apparently RCCL went "a bit" overboard with the Oasis class, which is why they are charging the outrageous prices they charge just to make them profitable.

 

The new ships will be built at a cost of $170,000 per berth. Oasis and Allure were built at a cost of $220,000 per berth so its easy to see that RCCL is looking at making ships that are more profitable. For comparison purposes, Carnival Dream was built at $158,000 per berth.

 

According to the USA Today article I read, the new class is slightly smaller than the Freedom class, but with more passengers....

http://travel.usatoday.com/cruises/post/2011/02/its-official-royal-caribbean-international-to-get-a-new-class-of-ship/142720/1?csp=34travel&utm_

 

Sunshine - 4,100-passenger, 158,000-ton ship

Freedom - 3,600-passenger, 160,000-ton ship

 

So slightly smaller, but cramming 500 more passengers onboard

 

Seems to me that RCCL has realized that for as many bells and whistles as they could cram on the two behemoths, there will always be extraordinarily limited places they can sail, due to their size.

 

I would love for Carnival to step back and build an updated version of the Spirit class with all the latest amenities......

 

Bigger is definitely NOT always better.

 

Bill

[jimbo5544]

According to the USA Today article I read, the new class is slightly smaller than the Freedom class, but with more passengers....

http://travel.usatoday.com/cruises/post/2011/02/its-official-royal-caribbean-international-to-get-a-new-class-of-ship/142720/1?csp=34travel&utm_

 

Sunshine - 4,100-passenger, 158,000-ton ship

Freedom - 3,600-passenger, 160,000-ton ship

 

So slightly smaller, but cramming 500 more passengers onboard

 

Seems to me that RCCL has realized that for as many bells and whistles as they could cram on the two behemoths, there will always be extraordinarily limited places they can sail, due to their size.

 

I would love for Carnival to step back and build an updated version of the Spirit class with all the latest amenities......

 

Bigger is definitely NOT always better.

 

Bill

I agree on all counts, smaller than Freedom class but more people, interesting plan :confused:. I, like you and many others would love to see a return to the Spirit class size of ships. That being said, I don't foresee that happening.

[Tyron]

I agree on all counts, smaller than Freedom class but more people, interesting plan :confused:. I, like you and many others would love to see a return to the Spirit class size of ships. That being said, I don't foresee that happening.

You again have been misinformed. The Freedom class ships GRT is 154,407 and the new class of ship is projected to weigh in @ 158,000....a slight difference but the reverse of what you and the other poster are relaying as facts.