Reckon RCI will ever go bigger than Oasis class?

[pfm18]

Seems strange that their newest class will actually be a size down from oasis, bridging the gap between Freedom and Oasis, rather than the one company arms race of the past decade.

 

 

Will we ever see a ship bigger than Oasis class?

[yogimax]

Who knows? It will all come down to supply and demand and the economic realities of the day. The numbers guys and gals at RCCL will have to compute the cost per occupant of building ships of various sizes and then factoring in theoretical load factors. It's far beyond what you or I can imagine!

[Clarea]

Seems strange that their newest class will actually be a size down from oasis, bridging the gap between Freedom and Oasis, rather than the one company arms race of the past decade.

 

 

Will we ever see a ship bigger than Oasis class?

Actually, Quantum is just slightly larger than Freedom, with about 500 more guests.

 

Sure, I think they will go bigger. Oasis 3 is supposed to be a bit larger than Oasis/Allure. Who knows what will come in the next 10 years. I'm thinking they really like the economy of scale thing they have going with Oasis class.

Edited July 7, 2014 by clarea

[CRUISEFAN0001]

Seems strange that their newest class will actually be a size down from oasis, bridging the gap between Freedom and Oasis, rather than the one company arms race of the past decade.

 

 

Will we ever see a ship bigger than Oasis class?

Reckon not....anytime soon.

 

With 2 more Oasis class ships in the pipeline the next few years...and several smaller but formidable Quantum class also on order...RCI will significantly have increased their passenger capacity.

[jules815]

And here I thought Quantum was larger than Oasis class.

[leaveitallbehind]

And here I thought Quantum was larger than Oasis class.

 

For comparison:

 

Oasis class: 225,282 gross tons, 1,186.5' long, 6,300 pax.

Quantum class: 167,800 gross tons, 1,141' long, 4,200 pax.

Freedom class: 160,000 gross tons, 1,112' long, 3,600 pax

Edited July 7, 2014 by leaveitallbehind

[pfm18]

And here I thought Quantum was larger than Oasis class.

 

Nah the Quantum class is a step down in size from Oasis, slightly bigger than Freedom.

 

 

The real beauty of those ships is that they're "bad weather" ships. More indoor activities and technology to prevent rough sea affecting them.

[leaveitallbehind]

Nah the Quantum class is a step down in size from Oasis, slightly bigger than Freedom.

 

 

The real beauty of those ships is that they're "bad weather" ships. More indoor activities and technology to prevent rough sea affecting them.

 

Curious - what new technology are you referring to other than stabilization that is currently on all RCI ships?

 

True they have more indoor facilities for year round operations out of colder weather ports, such as Bayonne. But not clear what is in place for "bad weather" that isn't already in use on other ships?

[AntiCat]

Edit: I droped the my numbers as they were wrong

 

The Beam of Quantum is much smaller as Oasis / Freedom.

They have only 2 rows of Cabines in Contrast to Freedom/Oasis with 4.

Edited July 7, 2014 by AntiCat

[loubetti]

The issue of going larger starts with a ship yard big enough to build it, bridges tall enough for it to sail under, ports big enough to handle it docking.

That's just the start too.

[loubetti]

Nah the Quantum class is a step down in size from Oasis, slightly bigger than Freedom.

 

 

The real beauty of those ships is that they're "bad weather" ships. More indoor activities and technology to prevent rough sea affecting them.

 

 

Bad weather? Ever been in force 12 conditions and see how these ships performed? I haven't, but I'd be curious to know, as I've been in force 12 conditions on itty bitty ships, like QE2 (70,000 tons) and QM2 (150,000 tons).

 

Actually, I love bad weather as it sends most folks to their cabins to hug the toilet!

[Beardface]

Bad weather? Ever been in force 12 conditions and see how these ships performed? I haven't, but I'd be curious to know, as I've been in force 12 conditions on itty bitty ships, like QE2 (70,000 tons) and QM2 (150,000 tons).

 

Actually, I love bad weather as it sends most folks to their cabins to hug the toilet!

 

The Oasis is incredibly stable. Did the All-Access tour and they said the worst seas they've ever been in was 9 meters, and the ship never rolled more than 5 degrees. You could have a glass of water on a table, and it wouldn't move. They said on most other ships in the fleet, they would roll upwards of 20 degrees in similar conditions.

[LMaxwell]

There will be larger ships. Ports are becoming less important; PAX capacity and operational efficiency is where it is at. As long as a handful of ports can accept bigger ships they will be built.

[davy jones]

The issue of going larger starts with a ship yard big enough to build it, bridges tall enough for it to sail under, ports big enough to handle it docking.

That's just the start too.

 

Infrastructure could indeed be the limiting factor for a long time.

[davy jones]

Bad weather? Ever been in force 12 conditions and see how these ships performed? I haven't, but I'd be curious to know, as I've been in force 12 conditions on itty bitty ships, like QE2 (70,000 tons) and QM2 (150,000 tons).

 

Actually, I love bad weather as it sends most folks to their cabins to hug the toilet!

 

I was on the Explorer (137,300 tons) when it sailed through Hurricane Sandy. The ship handled the conditions as well as could be expected.

 

A lot depends on the direction of sailing relative to the wind. In our case, the wind was trailing most of the time. A head wind or side wind will be worse. There was a short period where the wind shifted and the ride became considerably worse.

[MichaelCMTX]

Infrastructure could indeed be the limiting factor for a long time.

 

This is important. With tender ports pretty much "off the menu" in a ship that large.

 

But also, I think it's crucial that no competitors have felt the need to step up to that size of ship. Had anyone reacted it would at least be under construction at this point.

 

Once Boeing introduced the 747 it was a L-O-N-G time before any other plane of that size or capacity emerged on the scene.

[Beardface]

This is important. With tender ports pretty much "off the menu" in a ship that large.

 

But also, I think it's crucial that no competitors have felt the need to step up to that size of ship. Had anyone reacted it would at least be under construction at this point.

 

Once Boeing introduced the 747 it was a L-O-N-G time before any other plane of that size or capacity emerged on the scene.

 

Not only that, but its not like its a regular step up in class from the Freedom/Quantum to the Oasis. You're talking about a 46% increase in GT (154,407 for the Freedom to 225,282 for Oasis) over the next smallest ship in Royal Caribbean's fleet. There is a massive gap that RCI is probably going to look to fill before they begin to even think about going larger. Even industry-wide, the next largest ship behind the Oasis is the Norwegian Epic at 155,873 GT. RCI shot for the moon and hit with the Oasis class, but I'm not sure the demand is there right now for anything bigger.

 

What MichaelCMTX said about the 747 is very appropriate. Boeing designed that plane right after the 727 and 737. There was a HUGE gap that needed to be filled before the market could bear another plane larger. Hence, you saw the development of the 757, 767, 777, A300, A320, A330, and A340 before they came out with the A380.

 

Will we eventually see ships bigger than the Oasis class? Sure... but I wouldn't expect it for another 20 years, when the Oasis class is getting near EOL (the Oasis is expected to last 30 years with RCI).

[m*u*g*]

Not sure I would want to be on one that's much larger.

 

The Freedom class size seems ideal. Kind of a medium sized version of the Oasis class. Similar features, just smaller. (Pool area on sea days is where it's smaller size shows up)

 

My first cruise on Allure was a bit of a shock due to the size. On Oasis, it grew on me to now it's my ideal size ship. Never an issue finding a chair at the pool, even on sea days.

 

But larger is hard to imagine. Bring it, we'll try it though.

[Tall-Cruiser]

I think ships bigger than Oasis Class will be coming as the other competitors within the cruise industry try to compete with RCI. There are rumors currently about NCL possibly building two 200,000 GRT ship at STX Turku, Finland if Meyer Werft does indeed purchase the yard. While still smaller than Oasis Class, it could be the signal of whats to come.

 

http://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/11283-meyer-closes-in-on-turku-plus-norwegian-and-royalcelebrity-orders.html

[MichaelCMTX]

I also get the sense some of the competition doesn't want to "go there" because bringing that much capacity to the market will cause prices to drop. Puts more pressure on them to make up for it elsewhere in the bar, specialty dining, casino, spa, etc.

[Thetrail]

Seems strange that their newest class will actually be a size down from oasis, bridging the gap between Freedom and Oasis, rather than the one company arms race of the past decade.

 

 

Will we ever see a ship bigger than Oasis class?

My vote goes for "Reckon" not....;)