Quantum Alaska - Why so much cheaper than Ovation?

[Blakejen100]

So yesterday we booked the Quantum leaving on June 21, 2021.  We sailed on the Anthem to Bermuda and loved that ship, so we know we'll like the Quantum.

 

But what is confusing is the price difference. The Ovation cruise on June 18th was $1000+ more than the same cabin on the Ovation. 

 

Any ideas as to why?

[Chiliburn]

They are the same ship,The only thing I can think is quantum may have a stigma of being Asianised . They only serve rice .LOL

But both ships will be going to Australia and I think quantum is a little bit more expensive than Ovation.

We rolled a cruise over from this Christmas to next and quantum was 20%more expensive.

[newcruzer2]

We will be on Quantum in May 2021, my fear is the difference in price is because quantum is NOT actually coming to Alaska and rcl doesn't tell us , just to get or keep our money. It's the only reason I can see for SUCH a big price difference.

[wolfcathorse]

maybe because one is newer than the other? They always get a premium price for their newer ships.

[reallyitsmema]

35 minutes ago, newcruzer2 said:

We will be on Quantum in May 2021, my fear is the difference in price is because quantum is NOT actually coming to Alaska and rcl doesn't tell us , just to get or keep our money. It's the only reason I can see for SUCH a big price difference.

 

We are also on Quantum in May and I also think that Quantum is not coming to Alaska.  We are hoping that lift and shift is extended until when Alaska 2022 is released so we can move our booking.

[newcruzer2]

41 minutes ago, reallyitsmema said:

 

We are also on Quantum in May and I also think that Quantum is not coming to Alaska.  We are hoping that lift and shift is extended until when Alaska 2022 is released so we can move our booking.

Yes 😁

[Ourusualbeach]

2 hours ago, Blakejen100 said:

So yesterday we booked the Quantum leaving on June 21, 2021.  We sailed on the Anthem to Bermuda and loved that ship, so we know we'll like the Quantum.

 

But what is confusing is the price difference. The Ovation cruise on June 18th was $1000+ more than the same cabin on the Ovation. 

 

Any ideas as to why?

Quantum was released for Alaska well after Ovations itineraries were so she was behind in sales.  She is also older than Ovation.  Look at the price differences between Symphony and Oasis, even with the Oasis just having a major Drydock she is still a lot cheaper than Symphony.  People want the newest ship, doesn’t matter if they are basically the same ship.  

[Sunshine3601]

3 hours ago, Blakejen100 said:

So yesterday we booked the Quantum leaving on June 21, 2021.  We sailed on the Anthem to Bermuda and loved that ship, so we know we'll like the Quantum.

 

But what is confusing is the price difference. The Ovation cruise on June 18th was $1000+ more than the same cabin on the Ovation. 

 

Any ideas as to why?

Which one has more cabins available?  Sometimes that can impact the pricing.

[reallyitsmema]

29 minutes ago, newcruzer2 said:

Yes 😁

 

There is still the gap in the schedule where the TP used to be and no new TP has been scheduled.  Many have tried to get information to no avail.  Time will tell....

[whitshel]

Were also booked on the Quantum for June 21st, $1900 for a Balcony with CAS and Cali Resident discount.  Awesome deal!!  I think the only bad thing on this cruise is only 2 stops in Alaska.  Thats cool with us.  The better deal was San to Sea roundtrip air from Air to Sea, $448-First class.  Although Alaska direct is a lil cheaper, air thru Royal is refundable and changeable 🙂

[Aquahound]

4 hours ago, Blakejen100 said:

 

But what is confusing is the price difference. The Ovation cruise on June 18th was $1000+ more than the same cabin on the Ovation. 

 

Any ideas as to why?

 

I also noticed the difference and I'm not sure why.  The only thing I can come up with is Ovation is sailing the Inside Passage.   That's not common for Seattle cruises.  

 

2 hours ago, newcruzer2 said:

We will be on Quantum in May 2021, my fear is the difference in price is because quantum is NOT actually coming to Alaska and rcl doesn't tell us , just to get or keep our money. It's the only reason I can see for SUCH a big price difference.

 

2 hours ago, reallyitsmema said:

We are also on Quantum in May and I also think that Quantum is not coming to Alaska.  We are hoping that lift and shift is extended until when Alaska 2022 is released so we can move our booking.

 

Well crap, you two.  I'm also on Quantum in May.  I'm excited to get back on RCI after 6 years so I really hope it's not canceled.

 

Curious though....why do y'all think it's not coming?

Edited September 2, 2020 by Aquahound

[reallyitsmema]

4 minutes ago, Aquahound said:

 

I also noticed the difference and I'm not sure why.  The only thing I can come up with is Ovation is sailing the Inside Passage.   That's not common for Seattle cruises.  

 

 

 

Well crap, you two.  I'm also on Quantum in May.  I'm excited to get back on RCI after 6 years so I really hope it's not canceled.

 

Curious though....why do y'all think it's not coming?

 

The cruise line played around with a bunch of the Quantum sailings.  They cancelled some short Japan cruises and then added 10 day sailings for those dates.  There was a transpacific sailing that had lots booked and they cancelled it and have left a 15 day gap in the schedule prior to the first Seattle sailing.  Maybe they are going do a non revenue sailing and work on the ship for those 15 days instead, changing the noodle shop back to Johnny Rockets, removing a couple of casinos, SL and DL put back, etc.  It is just weird that there is a gap in the schedule where the transpacific needs to be.

 

I also am not confident that Canada is actually going to allow cruise ships as early as May or will Alaska be allowing ships the size of Quantum.  The cruise line might just leave the ship in the market that it is in, instead of converting it back to an "Americanized" ship.

 

With the cruise lines bumping their start dates out time and time again and the time it will take to actually get crew to those ships, I am not confident that this cruise will ever happen.

 

 

[twangster]

I'm not really sure but I'm taking advantage of it... two Alaska 2021 cruises booked on her and I might make one a B2B.  The rate for a JS in June was too good to pass up.

 

I'm a fan of Quantum class in general and the very few differences don't concern me.   Fish & Ships is okay but I might enjoy the Noodle venue more.  

[lovescats5]

We also booked Quantum instead of Ovation (we had Ovation booked for Sept but was cancelled) for 2021.  Found the Royal Loft for a great price.  Not sure, even after reading all the posts, why they might cancel Quantum sailings to Alaska. 

[Blakejen100]

1 hour ago, reallyitsmema said:

I also am not confident that Canada is actually going to allow cruise ships as early as May or will Alaska be allowing ships the size of Quantum.  The cruise line might just leave the ship in the market that it is in, instead of converting it back to an "Americanized" ship.

My only is with this is if they won't allow the Quantum, then they won't allow the Ovation either, right?

 

[twangster]

The TA for Quantum was cancelled before the pandemic hit so whatever caused that hasn't been resolved.

 

With Wonder delayed they may keep her in Asia longer but Alaska is a high margin region and Ovation did well there so they are likely in limbo waiting to see how a restart plays out both in Asia and in the US. 

 

I've cancelled all my overseas cruises for 2021 and plan to cruise closer to home.  If that becomes a popular trend and bookings continue to surge in Alaska they'll bring Quantum over.  That is unless Canada keeps ports closed then it's a moot point.   

 

If bookings between the two can just fill one ship at reduced capacity then they possibly keep one on the other side of the Pacific and move bookings to the other.  

 

With price protection that's a pretty good deal if it plays out that way - pay lower Quantum rates but sail Ovation.    

[reallyitsmema]

10 hours ago, Blakejen100 said:

My only is with this is if they won't allow the Quantum, then they won't allow the Ovation either, right?

 

 

Correct.  If they only open for smaller ships, neither of these will make it.

[snaefell]

We sailed Quantum's repo cruise October 2019,after months of sailings aimed at the Chinese market our repo had few Chinese,the passenger make up being almost entirely from USA,Europe & Australasia,apart from some signs in(I guess!) Mandarin,English was evident everywhere,she then underwent a revamp in Singapore,can't imagine she would have any problem fitting in anywhere in the Western world with the minimum of work,beautiful ship in almost as new condition IMO even before the refurb!

Edited September 2, 2020 by snaefell

[blakejen]

1 hour ago, snaefell said:

We sailed Quantum's repo cruise October 2019,after months of sailings aimed at the Chinese market our repo had few Chinese,the passenger make up being almost entirely from USA,Europe & Australasia,apart from some signs in(I guess!) Mandarin,English was evident everywhere,she then underwent a revamp in Singapore,can't imagine she would have any problem fitting in anywhere in the Western world with the minimum of work,beautiful ship in almost as new condition IMO even before the refurb!

 

Glad to hear this. The ship looks beautiful in the videos I saw from earlier this year. And even though she's about 19 months older than Ovation, I'll gladly accept the savings. 

 

[maranelloboy05]

Had Ovation booked since before Quantum was an option, I do see that the Quantum cruises don't list Inside Passage cruising on the itinerary. Is there maybe a max number of ships allowed through the inside passage each year and Quantum can't? Went ahead and stayed with Ovation due to that difference.

[Oceansaway17]

Regardless of price, I think Quantum is better itinerary because it does the stops at Sitka and Icy Strait Point.

 

These were favorites of the Ovation in 2019 and I am glad to see RCI go back to these two ports especially Icy Point

[twangster]

4 hours ago, Oceansaway17 said:

Regardless of price, I think Quantum is better itinerary because it does the stops at Sitka and Icy Strait Point.

 

These were favorites of the Ovation in 2019 and I am glad to see RCI go back to these two ports especially Icy Point

 

Agreed.  Many ships make the regular calls on the "standard" Alaska ports.  It was the itinerary that drew me to Quantum.  This new route diversity was needed for Royal in Alaska.  So happy to see it arrive.

 

Now if they can just figure out how to get Hubbard on the Seattle itinerary that would justify a premium in the other direction.

 

I also think Ovation has momentum in her favor so bookings were higher and prices are higher as cabins sell.  After a successful OV season I think many people like the convenience of a US home port and a newer, modern, larger ship even though some still like Radiance class with her great itinerary but one-way is tough on large families arranging flights.  Seattle is much easier for them. 

 

Ovation had a head start in this race and is the shoe-in to win the race only because she is the incumbent.  Fast forward a few years and the harmony of the two different itineraries should work well and have the making of a perfect side-to-side cruise opportunity with a night in a hotel between.   

[Crznut]

He everyone,

I booked b2b cruises for may 10 & 17. Great rates. Hoping covid is not an issue and the ship sails as planned.

[Oceansaway17]

1 hour ago, Crznut said:

He everyone,

I booked b2b cruises for may 10 & 17. Great rates. Hoping covid is not an issue and the ship sails as planned.

keeping fingers crossed for you.

 

I am doing B2B on Odyssey in July from Rome to Greece and hoping for the best. 

I also have B2B in Alaska but on two different ships.  NCL Encore and Princess Majestic end of Aug and beginning of Sept.

 

If neither sails then I will just have a good cry and cuss out anything and everything.