Do you think RCI should build smaller ships?

[JKrise]

Absolutely no desire to cruise on the big ships...and will not.

DW and I enjoy the smaller sized ships. Once RCI does away with their small ships we will part ways with RCI.

[Paul65]

Probably not. I think it would be kind of cool, but from a business standpoint, I don't think that they "should" build small ships for the RCI brand. I do think there may come a time that the RCCL parent company may need to build small ships for brands like Azamara, though, rather than just using ships refurbished and transferred from other lines.

[Daveintb]

One of the things a big offers is something for everyone. Small ships, do not offer something for everyone. So they become restricted to those that only want to use the casino, and are happy with one or two bars. It's very restrictive.

 

 

 

I personally know a person that loves to sit on a balcony "in private" all day and is perfectly happy. She can achieve that on Monarch or Allure.

 

 

 

However, both myself and wife enjoy going out in the evening, and enjoy the different activities, such all the shows and entertainment/bars being offered. I played adult dodge ball, used the rock climbing wall and tried unsuccessfully flow riding. I found the zip line a little boring.

 

 

 

My friend can go with us, enjoy sitting on the balcony while the rest of us go a little crazy. Big ships achieve this mix, but the little ships, are limited to who will get on them.

 

 

 

I completely see why RCCL would continue making ships a destination instead of just a means of island hopping.

 

 

This is exactly how the DW and I feel. Love the variety the Oasis class ships give us.

[John&LaLa]

I don't see them moving forward with anything less than 3,000 PAX

[KiwiGal117]

We've only sailed Legend and Splendour - but we will be on Harmony this summer. I'm excited but think I'll miss the outward facing views that the non- Oasis class ships have. We booked an ocean view balcony for this reason. We could have done a similar itinerary on Jewel (I think? Going by memory here) but as we are traveling with my 12 year old son I think the bells and whistles will really resonate with him. If it were just DH and I traveling we would go smaller - as an earlier poster said we are happy with a pool a bar and some good music. Oasis class definitely geared for families so once DS isn't traveling with us anymore we'll go smaller. But RCI should be able to manage more than one target market.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[psupa]

I would hope that Royal will build a newer, smaller ship that will fit under the bridges in Baltimore. I'm just guessing that the Brilliance class is too big for Baltimore. Love the Grandeur but if Royal is selling off the Vision class eventually she will be gone too. How about it Royal you can build a smaller ship with some of the amenities from the larger ships

[Clarea]

I don't see them moving forward with anything less than 3,000 PAX

I'm thinking minimum 4000.

[George C]

I LOVE the Voyager class sized ships...well designed, comfortable...not too big...not too small...just right!

 

I agree, love having different dinning choices and ice show without the larger crowds.

[CRUISEFAN0001]

i'm thinking minimum 4000.

+1 :)

[OfTheSeasCruiser]

When I say small, I mean Radiance to Voyager Class size. I won't be getting my hopes up for anything as small as Radiance Class, but I do truly hope for something along the lines of Celebrity EDGE Class. They're listed at about 2900 passengers, so I'm thinking that Royal could expand that to 3500ish, but still have a "smaller ship". The size would start to approach the GT of Voyager Class.

[KGSB11]

I think that it has to do much with trying to attract a new generation of cruisers that are looking for lots of activities. It would be hard, if not impossible, to have all the bells and whistles and newest technology on a smaller ship.

 

There is definitely a market for the smaller ships, it shows by just simply reading these boards; however, RCCL is really marketing themselves as the innovative all-age cruise line. I think long term, the small ships in their fleet will be the Voyager class with the "smaller" ones relegated to either Azamara or even Celebrity; both of which are geared to a more laid-back style of cruising.

[bigque]

I am going on Oasis Class (Oasis) for the first time next year. We have not done a cruise on this class in the past because of cost of the type of cabin we like to cruise in but now Oasis has finally gotten to a price range that I can live with.

 

The only thing I would say that I would have a problem with as far as the "Big" ships are concerned is itineraries. I like every place we have been in the Caribbean, especially the Southern Caribbean and I don't think I would want to keep on sailing on the Biggies to the same Eastern & Western over and over again so I know we will sail on the smalls again. The only ship that I didn't really care for but I enjoyed the cruise was Enchantment. I wouldn't even book a ship like Empress however! This is coming from a person who really enjoyed Sovereign Of The Seas as a first cruise! :cool:

[ryano]

Otherwise, why spend $50million on updating a 26 year old ship which hasn't been part of the fleet for 8 years?

.

 

Cuba. Thats why. If Cuba wasnt about to happen, Royal sends Empress to the scrapyard where she belongs IMO. :cool::eek: Or pawns it off to some other really small cruise line.

Edited June 3, 2016 by ryano

[BillB48]

I don't see them moving forward with anything less than 3,000 PAX

 

I'm thinking minimum 4000.

 

 

How about a compromise... say 3500?;) Seriously whatever number they gravitate towards, I really don't think the 2000-2200 passenger size is in their business model as new builds.

Edited June 3, 2016 by BillB48

[Clarea]

How about a compromise... say 3500?;) Seriously whatever number they gravitate towards, I really don't think the 2000-2200 passenger size is in their business model as new builds.

I agree, unless they are building a ship for Azamara.

[WrittenOnYourHeart]

One of the things a big offers is something for everyone. Small ships, do not offer something for everyone. So they become restricted to those that only want to use the casino, and are happy with one or two bars. It's very restrictive.

 

I personally know a person that loves to sit on a balcony "in private" all day and is perfectly happy. She can achieve that on Monarch or Allure.

 

However, both myself and wife enjoy going out in the evening, and enjoy the different activities, such all the shows and entertainment/bars being offered. I played adult dodge ball, used the rock climbing wall and tried unsuccessfully flow riding. I found the zip line a little boring.

 

My friend can go with us, enjoy sitting on the balcony while the rest of us go a little crazy. Big ships achieve this mix, but the little ships, are limited to who will get on them.

 

I completely see why RCCL would continue making ships a destination instead of just a means of island hopping.

 

But all that stuff comes at a price - those bells and whistles cost and even if not extra pay, the cabins generally cost more.

 

It's great that your friend doesn't mind supplementing everything that she will never use. I'm not willing to do so. I accept that as someone without kids and who literally gets hives at casinos I do pay for some things I don't use when I cruise - but I shouldn't have to pay to supplement shows, malls, activities, etc. that I will never use.

[Pratique]

If the ship is the destination then the ship should be large and the port stops short.

 

If the ports are the destination then the ship can be small and the port stops long.

 

Most Caribbean ports are not interesting enough to most people for long stays, and thus the ship needs to be large enough to make the rest of the voyage entertaining. Most Americans want to cruise the Caribbean because it is warm, has nice beaches, and is easy to get to. If that is RCI's biggest market, then they will build large ships to accommodate it.

 

Small ships make more sense in the Med or southeast Asia where the ports are large cities where there is much more to do and see than in the Caribbean, IMO.

[Thetrail]

YES! I would like to see them build some smaller ships... but not that small.

 

Around the 90,000-100,000 mark would be nice (Radiance class or a tad larger)

 

Vision Class range from 1995-1998 - so 18-21 years old

Radiance Class ships range from 2001-2004, so 12-15 years old.

 

Some ports have restricted clearances due to bridges (Baltimore/Tampa) and it would be nice to keep some newer ships into those popular ports.

 

Also, as much as I like the larger ships, the smaller ships are fun as well. I think it is easier to get to know other cruisers and crew on the smaller ships than the bigger ships. Also for those with mobility problems, the smaller ships seem to be better for them.

 

A lot of the smaller ships don't have the "bells and whistles" of the larger ships, however as long as there is a bar and a pool many people would be more than happy.

Radiance and Voyager for sure, Vision class I would love to see a new "type" of Vision class also! They would fill up just as fast, but will RCL build one, nobody on these boards knows that answer....K.O.:(

[pspercy]

i love the voyager class sized ships...well designed, comfortable...not too big...not too small...just right!

 

:) :d :):)

[mek]

No - I think there should be a distinct difference between cruise lines. IMHO, RCI should be about big ships with all the bells and whistles. People looking for something else should cruise on another line.

[Desert Cruizers]

I agree with several that said Radiance Class or a tad larger and add a little more to them. One doesn't need a lot of Bells & Whistles to enjoy a cruise, since not everyone can do flow rider, climb Walls. I do think other things could be added however. Even when we were young enough to enjoy a flow rider if they had them out in 2002, we cruise more for the places to see and people we meet.

[CincinnatiGal]

I prefer the Radiance class and I would hope they make more of these ships so the itineraries of many stops in a cruise can happen because of the size of these ships being able to get into more places to dock. I do not want to go on vacation with the masses. I want good dining experiences, good rooms and less waiting on elevators. I want staff to not be frazzled by too many travelers to care for each day. Making people who take the smaller ships pay more is NOT A SMART BUSINESS MOVE. I am tired of trying to find cruises on RCCL website with smaller size options and places to go that are unique because the company is caring way too much on those big ships they are manufacturing and need to fill.

 

Yes, there is a huge market for smaller ships filled up with people that enjoy sailing on the smaller ships. I want to see the cruise lines work with some areas of the world to open up more ports of call actually than build more huge ships.

[Desert Cruizers]

CincinnatiGal, we have only cruised 1 Freedom Class, 1 Brilliance, 1 Serenade of the Seas and 4 on the Radiance of the Seas, we enjoyed them all for what each offered my husband & I. Our most memorable cruises came from the Radiance of the Seas and our trip home from Australia.