Quantum-class ship to remain in UK for future, Royal Caribbean chief confirms
Sophie Griffiths
The UK looks set to see a Quantum-class ship remaining in Southampton for the foreseeable future, Royal Caribbean International’s vice president confirmed to TTG.
Speaking onboard Quantum of the Seas last weekend, Dominic Paul admitted that positioning sister ship Anthem of the Seas out of Southampton was a “massive move” for the line.
“For us to place a brand new $1 billion ship in the UK is massive. By bringing it to the UK, we’re saying that we recognise this is a strategic market for us,” he said.
“We’ve been sailing out of the UK for 10 years [with Independence of the Seas] I think we’re ready for the next thing. The goal is to have a Quantum-class ship staying in the UK – we’re not just doing this for one season. We want Anthem to be seen as an iconic UK ship, assuming that it is successful.
“I would think it would have a long successful future here [in Southampton],” he added.
Meanwhile, Paul defended the decision to up prices for Anthem, insisting that demand remained strong for the ship, despite the higher cost. “It’s selling well – we’re seeing strong demand for 2015 in general, but in particular for Anthem – there seems to be a real desire to try the ship.”
He also said he was unconcerned by fears about the extra capacity being put into Southampton next year.
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"When Independence came to the UK people said it was a really big ship to fill, but it’s got a really strong following now"
“When [the 4,300-passenger ship] Independence came to the UK people said it was a really big ship to fill, but it’s got a really strong following now. People have sailed on it time and again – it’s been highly successful.”
Asked whether the line would hold its nerve and maintain the pricing, Paul replied: “We didn’t significantly discount this year – we had a very successful season in Europe.
“The Caribbean prices have been lower for 2014 though,” he admitted. “But we had more capacity to fill there.”
Paul also insisted that P&O’s Britannia was aiming to attract a different market to Anthem.
Meanwhile Paul remained close-lipped on where the third Quantum-class ship, Ovation of the Seas, would be positioned.
“It’s too early to predict – three years ago when we were still building Quantum, people wouldn’t have predicted that Quantum would go to China,” he said.
“Markets change – we don’t know yet where Ovation will be.”
Sophie Griffiths
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