Carnival Ship to be Built in China???

[chengkp75]

Perhaps. In days gone by, didn't NCL do the opposite and convert some Asian ships for the US Market?

 

With the Chinese government backing the initiative in China, they will likely have a new industry.

 

Carnival Spirit will be headed to dry dock in Singapore. Will it be that many years before they are scheduled in China instead?

 

One thing certain is that cruise ship building in the US is dead.

 

I don't recall any going from Asian market to US, but they did convert some from US/European to Asian (took out theaters and restaurants and increased casino in their place).

 

Whether the ships dry dock in Singapore or China should depend on the price and quality of work, being a balance of the two. Singapore does a far better job, but is probably more expensive. And as the Chinese standard of living gets better, their shipbuilding costs will rise, just as the Japanese and Koreans have found out.

[andy.capitan]

Sorry, this is a lesson Carnival hasn't learned in quite a few years. This is why the Splendor was found with a CO2 fire suppression system that couldn't work for the first year of its operation due to improperly installed check valves that would not allow the system to operate (from the USCG Report of Investigation on the Splendor). This system should have been tested in the shipyard before sea trials, or even before dock trials, and signed off by the shipyard, the class surveyor, the flag state (many times the class surveyor), and Carnival's representative. Sorry, but these two examples show me that Carnival has for years let things slip while building ships.

 

A Costa new build that was hastily converted to a Carnival ship. I'm not surprised some items were missed in the hand off from one company to another and we all know what schedule pressure can do.

[falkcor]

I think this would be a prime opportunity to transfer fantasy class ships to China. If they're looking to fill the budget model there as they have here, transfer tonnage long ago paid for and command value prices accordingly. And then replace them in the domestic market with ships which can compete beyond their currently very low price point

[chengkp75]

A Costa new build that was hastily converted to a Carnival ship. I'm not surprised some items were missed in the hand off from one company to another and we all know what schedule pressure can do.

 

Okay, Sarge, I give up. I know that everything that Carnival does is "brilliant", so I'll stop pointing out their shortcomings, since there is always an excuse somewhere. I will bow to your knowledge of shipbuilding.

Edited October 15, 2014 by chengkp75

[andy.capitan]

I don't recall any going from Asian market to US, but they did convert some from US/European to Asian (took out theaters and restaurants and increased casino in their place).

 

Whether the ships dry dock in Singapore or China should depend on the price and quality of work, being a balance of the two. Singapore does a far better job, but is probably more expensive. And as the Chinese standard of living gets better, their shipbuilding costs will rise, just as the Japanese and Koreans have found out.

 

Perhaps I was thinking of NCL Spirt in a former life. I guess SuperStar Virgo was never transformed. I had forgotten Spirit was built in Germany.

[chengkp75]

Perhaps I was thinking of NCL Spirt in a former life. I guess SuperStar Virgo was never transformed. I had forgotten Spirit was built in Germany.

 

The Virgo was never transformed, only relocated from Singapore/Hong Kong I believe to Oz for a short period. The Leo was changed to the Spirit with only minor changes (two weeks of shipyard). I forgot about that. The Sea, the Wind, and the Dream were sent to Asia with the major modifications that Star Cruises wants (big casinos).

[jimbo5544]

Are you saying the Carnival Sunshine's first few sailings weren't "brilliant" and some guests were disappointed with their onboard experience? Is this a result of their "expensive lesson" that you mentioned?

What it did was to opes eyes to is that their alliance to Fincantieri had/has consequences outside of their control. I have no conception to what the drivers to the Sunshine issues were, but I have seen nothing to point the finger at Carnival. They delayed sailings as much as they could, the rest is pretty much history. All that being said, I think the Sunshine is a success story. We can't wait to sail her in August.

[cjknox]

Actually, given Carnival's fixation with Asia, and pulling out of Europe, and fighting tooth and nail over the US ECA regulations to the last minute, what I see is just the opposite. They will build all their newbuilds in China, and send the older tonnage to the US. It is still cheaper to convert a ship to/from the Asian market to the US market than build a new one. I really see this as a Carnival focus on a new market to the possible detriment of their traditional market.

 

I think you are right we are starting to see a shift in cruise lines focus from the lackluster NA market to the thriving Chinese market. China is now where the NA market was in the 70's,80's,and 90's in terms of demand. Don't get me wrong NA still has a lot of untapped market potential but we will no longer be the main focus. RCI deciding to send Quantum is indicative of this new reality.

[andy.capitan]

 

I think you are right we are starting to see a shift in cruise lines focus from the lackluster NA market to the thriving Chinese market. China is now where the NA market was in the 70's,80's,and 90's in terms of demand. Don't get me wrong NA still has a lot of untapped market potential but we will no longer be the main focus. RCI deciding to send Quantum is indicative of this new reality.

 

I don't know that there is any evidence to suggest Quantum was built for the Chinese market. Only that RCL couldn't get the money they wanted/needed in New York.

 

OTOH, the Carnival deal is about making ships in China specifically for the Chinese market.

 

Carnival will have a longer lead time, but already has a large presence in China with other brands.

 

I think Carnival is destined to do well in that market. :)