China in your hands

Royal Caribbean announced that the new Quantum of the Seas ship will be based in Shanghai , China from next summer. Cruise operators have traditionally sent older vessels to developing countries while saving their most advanced ships for U.S. and European customers. But surging growth in China means it’s a market operators can no longer ignore. I think that Cruise lines have realised that China has a massive potential for business with the largest population in the world and Cruise lines have not explored this market as yet.

Unlike American or European cruise passengers, who tend to be older and have the time to take two week journeys, Chinese cruise travelers are younger and have less vacation time. That limits the possible itineraries and presents a challenge in cultivating repeat travelers. Cruise operators have traditionally sent older vessels to developing countries while saving their most advanced ships for U.S. and European customers. But surging growth in China means it’s a market operators can no longer ignore. I think that Cruise lines have realised that China has a massive potential for business with the largest population in the world and Cruise lines have not explored this market as yet. The Asian Cruise Association estimated last year that the overall Asian market, which totaled 1.3 million passengers in 2012, could nearly triple to 3.8 million in 2020, including 1.6 million from China. So this market is fast growing.I would love to go on the Quantum and it will be interesting how the Chinese cruisers will take it. What do you think?