Celebrity strives to get the Edge over its rivals

Ships across the Royal Caribbean Cruises fleet could see elements of Celebrity Edge added to them, the company’s chairman has hinted.

Speaking to TTG at the launch of Edge, Richard Fain said the environmental elements of the ship – including aluminium water bottles and reusable toiletry containers – could be rolled out onto Royal Caribbean, Azamara and Silversea ships.

Referencing the replacement of plastic water bottles with aluminium, Fain said: “It’s a first for the company. We’ve tried to eliminate where possible single-use plastic across
the ship, for example with cups, condiments not being dispensed individually and with shampoo bottles and lotions as well, which are now in refillable bottles. Nothing you touch will get thrown away.

“It will be rolled out across the fleet,” he confirmed but added that there was no time frame.

Meanwhile, Fain also suggested other new features such as the Infinite Veranda could also be put on new ships on other RCCL lines.

“I wouldn’t rule it out,” he said.

However, Fain vowed all the lines would remain unique. “We don’t believe that one size fits all. You can have different experiences on different brands. People want different things – different strokes for different folks.”

Elsewhere he insisted he was confident of the UK market remaining buoyant in spite of the uncertainty caused by Brexit. “We think the market is so receptive to what we are offering that we will do well there [in the UK] regardless of the way Brexit plays out,” he said, adding: “Brexit is one thing we think about, but Britain is not the only country that has sociopolitical issues.”

Asked about rival cruise lines, Fain acknowledged he was keeping an eye on Virgin Voyages. “We look at everything that is going on around us,” he said. “But our strength is doing what we do and doing it well.”

And quizzed as to whether he would ever consider following Norwegian Cruise Line in making ships all-inclusive for the UK market, he replied: “Our mantra is continuous improvement. We look at new and better ways of doing things. We don’t rule anything out – never say never.”