Royal Caribbean International has just revealed that Spectrum of the Seas, the first in the line’s new Quantum Plus-class ship, will not be coming to the UK as expected next year.
The line has stated that they are “still looking at options to increase ex-UK deployment in 2019”.
One of the nine ships already sailing in Europe is likely to be moved to the UK for “a partial season” next year, in addition to Independence and Navigator of the Seas. Anthem of the Seas will then return to Southampton in 2020.
President and chief executive, Michael Bayley, said things were “looking encouraging for the UK” in regards to Spectrum of the Seas in the summer however the situation now differs: “We have changed our mind. We have made a different decision.”
He cited the UK’s decision to leave the EU for the change of heart: “The big thing for us is the value of sterling. We are an American company. All of our revenues have to come back to us in dollars. When Brexit hit, that was a 15% cut. The UK is a big side of our business.”
Although the UK will not be receiving Spectrum like planned, vice-president EMEA Stuart Leven has insisted: “The UK is flying and leading Europe, so it’s very attractive for adding more ex-UK capacity. So at worse we’ll have the same as this year, but at best we’ll move another ship here.”
Anthem of the Seas, which launched in 2015, will sail ex-UK in 2020 following a dry-dock.
When challenged that the UK was no longer earmarked for a brand-new ship, Bouldin stated: “We would classify Quantum class and up as ‘new’ hardware.”
Royal announced back in August 2017 that construction had officially begun on Spectrum with the confirmation that the ship will launch in 2019.
What do you think of the news that Brexit has affected whether Spectrum of the Seas will come to the UK or not? Did you expect this to have an impact? Are you disappointed or does it make no difference to you? Will you still plan to sail with her come 2019? Leave us your comments…
Construction Officially Begins on Spectrum of the Seas, First In Quantum Plus Class “We are now one step closer to delighting our guests in Asia Pacific with this remarkable ship. Spectrum will be another giant leap…
