IF NCL goes to Asia, would you go?

[jaydeemdm2015]

Correct me if I am wrong. But I don't think Australia and NZ are considered part of Asia.

 

I'll correct you, you're half right. Australia is often grouped together in terms such as Oceania and Australasia mostly due to lack of population playing a factor as well as lack of separate countries such as in the other continents. Its not that important really though what term get used to doesn't. The important thing is if cruises go there then I shall follow.....

[SteveH2508]

Hey, we're Americans. We can barely find Canada, eh?

 

Like your self-deprecating sense of humour;).

[ronandannette]

Never. There's no part of Asia I'm interested in seeing either by cruise ship or any other way. (Not that you asked, but the same goes double for Africa and the Middle East.)

Edited March 8, 2015 by ronandannette

[Katesowner]

Yes, yes, yes. We've traveled lots in Asia but would really like to do a cruise in that area w/NCL.

[sfaaa]

Hey, we're Americans. We can barely find Canada, eh?

 

For the record, I am sure Justin Bieber has no clue either.

[Solararc]

I think most of this discussion is based on apples and oranges. There is a huge difference between ships that travel to Asia from other parts of the world, and ships that are based in Asia in order to serve the Asian market.

 

Many cruise lines already cruise to Asia. Oceania and Regent do it regularly. Someone mentioned RCCL and Celebrity, and there are others. None of those cruises are 7 days, as it takes longer to get there, spend some time and get to the next area. Cruise lines like Oceania will, for example, start in Athens and cruise 35 days to Singapore, then cruise around Asia, then cruise on to Cape Town. I'm booked on the ultimate Asian cruise next January, 180 days on Oceania Insignia from Miami to Miami, around the world, with stops in Singapore, China, Korea, Japan and the Philippines on the way to Australia, New Zealand and Tahiti.

 

Placing a ship in China to serve the Chinese market, however, is a vastly different thing. The food will be adjusted to Chinese tastes. The language on board will be Chinese. The decor will be unfamiliar to Western tastes. Unless one is of Chinese descent and already speaks Chinese, I seriously doubt any Westerners will be comfortable aboard such a ship.

 

It's for the Chinese market that cruises may be 7 days. When NCL talks about "sending a ship to Asia", they're talking about breaking into the Asian market.

 

There would be very little concern about competition from Star or any other cruise line, owned by the same company or not, if NCL decided to place a ship in China for the Chinese market. Each cruise line serves it's own niche. Saying that NCL would not go where Star already operates is like saying that Carnival, Princess and Holland America can't locate in the same country.

 

 

Sounds like an amazing trip coming up for you, 180 days would be pure magic for us, hope you check in and report for us

 

 

*Living large one week at a time*

[4774Papa]

Good points on the Asian market. We loved our Celebrity Solstice Australian (also Bali) cruise and when Celebrity announced an Around Japan cruise, we jumped on it.

 

That cruise was cancelled, since the Century was sold and we transferred to the Century's next to last cruise, Singapore to Dubai with stops in India and Oman.

 

Then more Around Japan cruises were announced for later in 2015. We jumped on one in September, only to find the cruise was chartered, so we transferred to the Millenium's Japan and China cruise that goes to five Japanese ports as well as Taiwan, Shanghai and Hong Kong.

 

Also, I researched Japan cruises and Princess has two every year, but they are in the Summer. I was advised not to go to Japan in the Summer due to the heat.

 

We are very excited about our Asian cruises. The prices were excellent and itineraries special.

The one from Japan is going to be great.

 

We did a three week tour of China with four day Yangtze River cruise with Vantage two years ago. It was one of our best trips ever. There is so much to see in Asia.

 

I have felt for a long time that NCL needed to expand, but I understand they are the third largest cruise line with Carnival (owns Princess) and Royal Caribbean (owns Celebrity) as larger.

 

If NCL is going to compete, it needs to expand and that would include Asia. Celebrity, Princess and HAL cater more to European, ANZUS and North American passengers and English is the language. Most don't station a ship there all the time, but reposition every year.

[DEL67]

Absolutely as long as the crew speaks English and safety announcements are made in English. In fact we are taking a 10 night RCCl cruise from Hong Kong to Singapore in Auguat

[cassie55]

Let me get this straight. Some are worried about heat, humidity, and bugs in parts of Asia, yet you'll cruise from south Florida to Central America. Now that is funny. And for the record, the food in Thailand, Singapore, Hong Kong, et al, is some of the best you'll find anywhere. Hey, whatever floats your boat, er cruise ship. Not a flame, just an observation.

 

Absolutely this!

 

I'm in Hong Kong every couple of months for work and we go to Thailand on holiday as often as possible. The food in both these places is amazing and we try to avoid western food as much as possibly when we're there.

 

I'd love to cruise NCL around Asia. Especially from Hong Kong (but that's mainly for convenience reasons) but any Asian port would be great.

[Scotchick]

We did a back to back cruise with Princess to Asia and loved it. It was out of Singapore and 95% of the passengers were caucasian. The crew were made up of the usual mixed bunch of people from all corners of the world and all the announcements were made in English. I don't know why anyone would think any different. It was our best cruise ever. So interesting - Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand, Bali and many more interesting ports. Don't understand all these preconceived biases. :confused::confused::confused:

[sfaaa]

Don't understand all these preconceived biases. :confused::confused::confused:

 

Of course you wouldn't understand given you live in Richmond BC. :D

[Scotchick]

All I have to say is "you have no idea what you are missing". :):):)

[FreestyleNovice]

I think a NCL product, as we know it, won't be the same product when homeported in Asia.

 

With the low(er) prices NCL will quickly draw the attention of the new middle class there. Especially when they send one of the newer ships, which was a smart move of Royal because of the new middle class and upper class hunger for status and Western quality.

 

Royal is refitting Quantum for Shanghai with a reason; more shopping, a larger casino to accommodate their new customers. And I think it will be a whole different type of cruise when >75% of the passengers is Chinese. :D

 

Star Cruises should bring in a newbuild themselves but I think NCL will, eventually, to counter Royal's upcoming succes..

[dalgirl]

We leave in 3 weeks for a 3 week cruise in Asia on celebrity . I would have loved to have sailed with NCL but they haven't branched out to that part of the world . I had booked south America on RCL until ncl added SA to their schedule . So I changed to ncl. If you truly want to sail the world , you will have to branch out to other lines unless ncl begins to moves into other markets like Asia . We have all of our documents in order , all excursions booked , and start packing this week . What an adventure !

[Scotchick]

We leave in 3 weeks for a 3 week cruise in Asia on celebrity . I would have loved to have sailed with NCL but they haven't branched out to that part of the world . I had booked south America on RCL until ncl added SA to their schedule . So I changed to ncl. If you truly want to sail the world , you will have to branch out to other lines unless ncl begins to moves into other markets like Asia . We have all of our documents in order , all excursions booked , and start packing this week . What an adventure ![/quote

 

We sailed to Asia with Princess. Two Back to Backs - so interesting and varied, loved it. Have a good one.

[karoo]

Correct me if I am wrong. But I don't think Australia and NZ are considered part of Asia.

 

 

Correct-Australia is definite not part of Asia. We are our own country and continent!

[barnacle_boy]

 

Especially when they send one of the newer ships, which was a smart move of Royal because of the new middle class and upper class hunger for status and Western quality.

 

 

RCI moving Quantum to China was largely a result of Bermuda being unable to finish their dredging project on schedule. China is more of "making lemonade out of lemons" situation. The initial plan was to homeport her year round in Bayonne, a role that Anthem will now fulfill. Anthem was supposed to replace Independence and alternate summers in Europe and winters in the Caribbean. Now that Anthem will handle Quantum's original itineraries (assuming Bermuda can get its act together) Independence will go back to Southampton.

 

Moving Quantum to China is certainly a gamble, and it's important to remember that this was not what RCI initially intended. It remains to be seen what the best method for China will be. Both Carnival and RCI are experimenting with partnerships with local operators and creating new subsidiaries in addition to deploying ships from their core American brands.