China

[merlindog22]

Are RCCI putting to many of their eggs in the same basket,by putting several ships in and around China On watching the news tonight I see that the Chinese stock market has crashed, wiping million off. Unfortunately their crash has also affected other stock markets around the world, and things are not looking very clever whatso ever. Glad I have not booked anything for next year yet. Might get a bit cheaper.

 

This slip in the Chinese markets has been on the books for months and doesn't surprise me at all.

[Merion_Mom]

Are RCCI putting to many of their eggs in the same basket,by putting several ships in and around China On watching the news tonight I see that the Chinese stock market has crashed, wiping million off. Unfortunately their crash has also affected other stock markets around the world, and things are not looking very clever whatso ever. Glad I have not booked anything for next year yet. Might get a bit cheaper.

 

This slip in the Chinese markets has been on the books for months and doesn't surprise me at all.

 

Ships are portable.

[TheGinBoy]

I think it's probably one of those things they have to (or had to depending how it goes!) try out. It's a vast untapped market - and they'd not be running their company properly if they didn't try to exploit it.

 

That said, on a personal level, I am slightly annoyed to see all the new ships flying straight over there!

[didicruiser]

Ships are portable.

 

Love those!

[Beachammo]

Only 12% of the Chinese population participate in the stock market.....the US is much higher.

 

Also China has 4X the population.

[John&LaLa]

I think it's probably one of those things they have to (or had to depending how it goes!) try out. It's a vast untapped market - and they'd not be running their company properly if they didn't try to exploit it.

 

That said, on a personal level, I am slightly annoyed to see all the new ships flying straight over there!

 

Flying :what:, like in the Avengers movies. That would be so cool. :cool:

[John&LaLa]

Only 12% of the Chinese population participate in the stock market.....the US is much higher.

 

Also China has 4X the population.

 

China's 1% is 13 million people. :eek:

[sfaaa]

No worry. Corrupt officials in China have a lot of under the table money stashed away for R&R. It will be business as usual over there.

[Merion_Mom]

No worry. Corrupt officials in China have a lot of under the table money stashed away for R&R. It will be business as usual over there.

 

.....and there's that. ;)

[RealNorwegianCruiser]

No worry. Corrupt officials in China have a lot of under the table money stashed away for R&R. It will be business as usual over there.

 

Add in Russian officials as well, and we got a nice market in many ways..

Edited August 24, 2015 by RealNorwegianCruiser

[Ashland]

I sailed on the Mariner recently in Asia...loved the itinerary...but as far as what the ship had become and the asian demographics onboard... I knew what I was getting into but it was worse than ever expected....never again. JMHO

[TheGinBoy]

I sailed on the Mariner recently in Asia...loved the itinerary...but as far as what the ship had become and the asian demographics onboard... I knew what I was getting into but it was worse than ever expected....never again. JMHO

 

How so? What had they changed for the different market?

[Paul65]

Glad I have not booked anything for next year yet. Might get a bit cheaper.

 

I have a cruise booked for next year, and I'm glad I do. I booked it early for a good price, but if these market forces make it drop lower between now and the final payment that still months away, I'll simply have my TA lock in the lower price. :cool:

[John&LaLa]

How so? What had they changed for the different market?

 

Deck plans don't show a lot of difference. All I see off hand is a private casino room and added shopping across from Boleros.

[voyager70]

Deck plans don't show a lot of difference. All I see off hand is a private casino room and added shopping across from Boleros.

 

Believe he may be referring to the behavior of the Asian pax, based on other reviews I've read.

[FUN33]

1.4 BILLION (with a B) live in China, 370 Million live in the US. The question should be when will the cruise lines be moving MORE of their assets to Asia. Only 5% of the American public has ever set foot on a cruise ship. With every cruise line expanding their fleets it just makes sense to venture into new markets. Since moving a ship to Mars in the new future is out of the question, it would appear the cruise lines are just taking the next logical step to gaining a foothold in the remaining markets here on earth.

[voyager70]

1.4 BILLION (with a B) live in China, 370 Million live in the US. The question should be when will the cruise lines be moving MORE of their assets to Asia. Only 5% of the American public has ever set foot on a cruise ship. With every cruise line expanding their fleets it just makes sense to venture into new markets. Since moving a ship to Mars in the new future is out of the question, it would appear the cruise lines are just taking the next logical step to gaining a foothold in the remaining markets here on earth.

 

But how many of that 1.4 B (yes I know how much a billion is:rolleyes:) can actually afford a cruise? Not too many. I think there are more than enough ships based in Asia.

[Ashland]

How so? What had they changed for the different market?

The only things changed were most all of the Promenade now very "high end" shops no logo or general store and the pub was turned into a high end liquor sales (bottles).

 

But I guessed you missed my point it wasn't exactly these changes that were different (I knew they would be) but the general rudness of the asian passengers towards other cruisers, staff etc. :eek:

 

Yes RCI was making money in the "crowded" casino...but the shops and liquor sales areas were empty...but put those tables up in the promenade with the cheaper sale items and it was like a "Black Friday" mad rush with grabbing and shoving..unlike anything I have ever seen on board or even in my hometown stores..and this pushing shoving mentality happened many other places especially any place where common courtesy or a line up was common...buffet, elevator and getting on or off the ship. Not only my opinion but many of the English, Americans and Aussie's on board.

 

As I said "LOVED" the itinerary but not worth it.

[icat2000]

But how many of that 1.4 B (yes I know how much a billion is:rolleyes:) can actually afford a cruise? Not too many. I think there are more than enough ships based in Asia.

 

You would be surprised. 15 years ago there wasn't many Chinese travelling. But the rise of the middle class in China which has gained wealth thanks to the West buying cheap Chinese goods over the years and see a huge increase in the number of Chinese travelling both within their country and overseas.

[John&LaLa]

Believe he may be referring to the behavior of the Asian pax, based on other reviews I've read.

 

I know, but someone else was wondering what physical changes were made that might preclude her from returning to the states

[voyager70]

The only things changed were most all of the Promenade now very "high end" shops no logo or general store and the pub was turned into a high end liquor sales (bottles).

 

But I guessed you missed my point it wasn't exactly these changes that were different (I knew they would be) but the general rudness of the asian passengers towards other cruisers, staff etc. :eek:

 

Yes RCI was making money in the "crowded" casino...but the shops and liquor sales areas were empty...but put those tables up in the promenade with the cheaper sale items and it was like a "Black Friday" mad rush with grabbing and shoving..unlike anything I have ever seen on board or even in my hometown stores..and this pushing shoving mentality happened many other places especially any place where common courtesy or a line up was common...buffet, elevator and getting on or off the ship. Not only my opinion but many of the English, Americans and Aussie's on board.

 

As I said "LOVED" the itinerary but not worth it.

 

 

Have heard this many times over and has really put me off doing an Asian cruise, as much as I'd like to.

[voyager70]

You would be surprised. 15 years ago there wasn't many Chinese travelling. But the rise of the middle class in China which has gained wealth thanks to the West buying cheap Chinese goods over the years and see a huge increase in the number of Chinese travelling both within their country and overseas.

 

That wealth may be taking a bit of a hit in recent days, you think? I understand what you're saying but I stand by my comments that we don't need to send anymore ships to China. Rather send some more down your way :)

[setsail]

That wealth may be taking a bit of a hit in recent days, you think? I understand what you're saying but I stand by my comments that we don't need to send anymore ships to China. Rather send some more down your way :)

 

http://www.marinelink.com/news/industry-fortune-cruise388209.aspx

 

In just a few years china will be = to the USA in the cruise market

[voyager70]

http://www.marinelink.com/news/industry-fortune-cruise388209.aspx

 

In just a few years china will be = to the USA in the cruise market

 

May very well happen, but that article was written in March. We see what is happening with the Chinese economy now. We'll see what happens in the coming months.

[FUN33]

But how many of that 1.4 B (yes I know how much a billion is:rolleyes:) can actually afford a cruise? Not too many. I think there are more than enough ships based in Asia.

 

I would imagine the top 5% of Chinese could comfortable afford to cruise. 5% of 1.4 Billion is 70 million who could easily afford a cruise. Only 18.5 million people in the US have ever even been on a cruise.

 

China is a market most Americans cannot begin to comprehend. I once thought of China as a third world country until I spent a few weeks there. Sure we saw a lot of poverty but we also saw a LOT of RollsRoyce, Ferraris , Lamborghinis and thousands of magnificent condos, office buildings, apartments. We stayed in hotels that put most US hotels to shame. Cruise lines are not stupid, they know exactly what they are doing with their most valuable assets.