Thread: Royal Caribbean will start sailing in ASIA, end of 2007

They are taking Rhapsody of the Seas from Galveston and moving it! It will arrive in Singapore on or before Dec. 10, 2007, when it will start cruising Southeast Asia and then head north along the Asian Pacific coast.

Read all about it here:
http://www.rclinvestor.com/phoenix.z...5669&highlight
Thank you for this link, eagle forest MCC.

That quashes the plan for Rhapsody to cruise out of New Orleans...

I doubt that Voyager will stay in Galveston year-round, so what will replace her in Galveston during the Summer?

P.S. - I couldn't get the link to work.

Royal Caribbean International to Expand Operations Into Asia in 2007
Thursday September 14, 9:01 PM EDT

MIAMI, Sept 14, 2006 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- Royal Caribbean International announces its return to Asia in December 2007, bringing the active cruising experience to the region. The Vision-class ship, featuring the line's signature rock-climbing wall and indoor glass walls providing exotic views of Asian landscapes, will offer a series of exciting cruises out of Singapore, Hong Kong and Shanghai, visiting exotic ports of call in Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Korea, Japan, and Taiwan.

"The introduction of Rhapsody of the Seas into Asia, together with our previously announced deployments of ships to South America and the Dominican Republic are all part of the company's strategy of international business development and expansion into emerging and high-growth markets," said Adam Goldstein, president of Royal Caribbean International. "We have had the pleasure of hosting thousands of satisfied Asian guests onboard our vessels over the past several years and intend to bring to Asia all of the elements and the characteristics of our style of cruising that have made our brand globally recognized as an award-winning vacation experience."

Rhapsody of the Seas will debut December 10, 2007, in Singapore offering a series of sailings that will call on Malaysia and Thailand. The ship's Asia tour continues on from Hong Kong, where she will arrive in time for the Chinese New Year holiday season, offering a series of itineraries calling at ports in Taiwan, Japan, and Sanya, Hainan Island. Then moving to Shanghai, China, Rhapsody will call on ports in Japan and Korea.
Additional details of Rhapsody's itineraries will be available by mid- October 2006.

"We are confident that the Asian market and the Pan Asia regions, in general, have tremendous growth potential, and view this as a first step in a long-term plan that will define cruising in the region. In addition, there has been an increased level of awareness and interest in travel to Asia from India, Australia, New Zealand and the Middle East which we predict will become strong secondary source markets," said Goldstein. "I would like to extend my gratitude to the various governmental authorities, port authorities and tourism boards in Singapore, Hong Kong and Shanghai for their encouragement that helped us to make this exciting decision."
Rhapsody of the Seas, at 78,491 tons and with a total guest capacity of 2,435, will be one of the largest cruise ships to homeport in Asia. In addition to the rock-climbing wall, she features the awe-inspiring Centrum, an open atrium with a shopping arcade; an outdoor pool; six whirlpools; an indoor/outdoor pool in a Solarium with a retractable roof; themed bars and lounges; the Adventure Ocean Youth program; the Shipshape Day Spa and Fitness Center; the Casino Royale; multi-level dining rooms with floor to ceiling windows; and Windjammer Cafe. The ship also has one main conference center with four smaller meeting rooms.

Royal Caribbean International is a global cruise brand with 20 ships currently in service and three under construction. The line also offers unique land-tour vacations in Alaska, Canada and Europe through its cruisetour division. For additional information, go to http://www.royalcaribbean.com or call (800) 327-6700.
SOURCE Royal Caribbean International

Garry

i think that its great that they are expanding to Asia. i know that its been the talk around RCI for a few years now.

I will be looking into it. It is an area we have been interested in seeing.

I certainly would be interested in taking a look into the itineraries and the prices.

My only concern with cruising Asia is that the majority of the cities are very far away from the ports, so travel time to the cities takes up a large chunk of the day. Also, the flights from the West Coast to Asia aren't cheap.

But having been to Asia many times myself, perhaps seeing it from a cruise ship will be a neat new experience

RCI is pursuing the Asian market, not looking for Americans to sail this itinerary. They are completely changing Rhapsody to appeal to the Asian cruiser with different cuisines, different color schemes and different onboard customs...The North American RCI cruiser might feel like a fish out of water...
just a thought.

interesting perspective.

where did you get this info?

Originally Posted by Lightshine

RCI is pursuing the Asian market, not looking for Americans to sail this itinerary. They are completely changing Rhapsody to appeal to the Asian cruiser with different cuisines, different color schemes and different onboard customs...The North American RCI cruiser might feel like a fish out of water...
just a thought.

I understand (from somewhere, not sure where) that Asian ships tend to have more connecting cabins, and cabins that accomodate more than two occupants...
Apparently, folks in that part fo the world do a lot more family ruising and extended-family cruising.
Maybe the Rhapsody is also in store for some cabin reconfigurations?

I am glad we are booked for our GROUP CRUISE** before the changes and redeployment are a done deal. It's a ship I've been wanting to sail!

** Group Pricing still available fothrough DAY AFTER TOMORROW.
See the link in my signature for details!

I just found this thread today.
This is an itinerary that I would LOVE to do! So many places that I want to see. I wonder what the prices will run?