Quantum Class to remain in Southampton for the foreseeable future!

With the brand new ship Quantum of the Seas arriving in to Southampton last week brings a huge change to the UK Market and Royal Caribbean have made by decision to base her sister – Anthem of the Seas in the UK next year. In the words of Royal Caribbean’s International Vice President Dominic Paul said in Southampton whilst on Quantum that this is a massive move for the cruise line.

Mr Paul also said, for Royal Caribbean to base a $1 billion ship in the UK is big news, and by bringing it to the UK, they are recognise how important the UK market is to Royal Caribbean and that this a strategic market for them.

He also went on to say that Royal Caribbean has been sailing out of Southampton for the past 10 years, with Independence of the Seas home porting here for the past few years she has been one of the most popular ships out of the UK.

He then said that, and this is what I think we have all been waiting for ‘The goal is to have a Quantum Class ship staying in the UK – we’re not just doing this for one season. We want Anthem to be seen as an Iconic UK ship, assuming that it is successful’ also added after this ‘I would think it would have a long successful future here in Southampton’

The prices on Anthem has steadily risen over the past couple of months and Royal Caribbean have been quick to defend the decision to up prices for Anthem. The demand for Anthem is still high despite the higher costs which they are asking for. Do you think this is right or is it just greed?

When Independence first came to the UK it was the biggest in the world at the time and there were concerns on fill her, but more recently we have seen Independence and Adventure both sail from Southampton and both on occasions completely fully booked. Independence has follows that will return time after time just to sail on her so hopefully Anthem will get the same type of cruisers enable the UK to keep what is said to be the most Modern and high Tech cruise ship in the World.

Paul did comment on the superliner that P&O are due to bring out at the same time as Anthem, saying that P&O Britannia was aiming to attract a different market to Anthem.

Once Anthem hits the seven seas in the Spring of next year we have Ovation of the Seas which will be the 3^rd Quantum Class ship to be released, after this there will be one final one, along with this Royal Caribbean have two Oasis Class ships on order and it has been said that the visit to Southampton with Oasis last month was also a trial to see if a ship of that size could be based in Southampton for a season.

It’s still yet to be announced where Ovation of the Seas will be based, Paul did say ‘It’s too early to predict – three years ago when we were still building Quantum, people wouldn’t have predicted that Quantum would go to China’ he said ‘Markets change – we don’t know yet where Ovation will be’

So how did you see this news that Anthem will most likely be in Southampton for the next couple of years at least?

Personally I would love to see one of more of the smaller ships in the fleet sail from Southampton doing more of the different destinations. Im not in to the bumper cars and bionic bars, it is not really what I look for when I cruise.

But that said this is fantastic news for the UK market showing just how important our business is the major cruise lines.

Plus with the new deals on Royal Caribbean giving you all inclusive drinks packages and free gratuities there really isn’t a better time to book your next Royal Caribbean cruise in Europe. Caribbean sailings currently have the savings on the prices for you.