RCCL Ships in Alaska

[jbjarko]

Hello,

 

What are the chances of RC bringing another, newer ship up to the Alaska region?

 

Thanks,

 

Josh

[Mugga]

Hello,

 

What are the chances of RC bringing another, newer ship up to the Alaska region?

 

Thanks,

 

Josh

 

Just my observation after two cruises to Alaska.

The cruise lines make most of their money on the onboard sales, Drinks, casinos, etc, not the fares. On the two cruises I have taken to Alaska the bars and the casino are not crowded at all. We walked through the Schooner bar on the Serenade many times and there was no one in there. I also spent a few nights in the casino with maybe 20 people.

I think that is the number one reason they are leaving. People cruising to Alaska are there for one thing, the scenery, not the bars or the casino.

Bottom line they are losing money there.

[jbjarko]

Thanks for the reply. It's a shame none of the lines are putting a bit newer ships up there. I drink the same amount regardless of where I am, haha. I'd love to have a Freedom class ship in Alaska.

 

Thanks again,

 

Josh

[Mugga]

Thanks for the reply. It's a shame none of the lines are putting a bit newer ships up there. I drink the same amount regardless of where I am, haha. I'd love to have a Freedom class ship in Alaska.

 

Thanks again,

 

Josh

My set sail bill is usually about the same and I agree a freedom class would be great but if they are losing money on the smaller ships it is probably not going to happen.

We have also sailed the Carnival Spirit and it was a great ship and great experience, but one way north or south not round trip into the same port.

[bluecookies]

With the great rates Alaska has right now, it appears that demand is down for Alaska. I'm guessing if anything they cut back sailings.

[GeorgiaGuys]

Plus it's not easy to get a Voyager/Freedom class to the West Coast.

[elleluv]

I'd say slim to none in the near future... The Alaska market has been very soft the last 2 seasons and some of the cruise lines, including RCI, are reducing their number of ships there next season....

[negc]

I'd say slim to none in the near future... The Alaska market has been very soft the last 2 seasons and some of the cruise lines, including RCI, are reducing their number of ships there next season....

I agree. They, and other lines as well, have already decided to reduce the number of their ships in Alaska in 2010, both because of a lessening in demand and due to what they feel are confiscatory fees recently imposed on them by Alaska. It would hardly make sense to add or substitute a ship with even more capacity if they are having to run fire sales to fill their current complement of vessels. Couple that with the possibility that the newer and larger capacity ships might have problems accessing the more popular ports and anyone suggesting such a move is unlikely to find a receptive audience in the RCI executive offices. The current ships sailing in Alaska seem ideally suited for this itinerary. The uncovered solaria on Voyager and Freedom class ships and the design of those ships which tends to draw passengers deep inside the ships and limit their views of the spectacular Alaskan scenery are really not suited for this venue. If you want to sail on the newer and bigger ships there are a number of itineraries better suited to them and your still have a large number of options.