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Maybe they would build it partly (or completely) at Aker France? But they are also very busy of course...
What is bizarre is when all around seem to be ordering new tonnage beyond expectation (I mean who would have thought 2/3 years ago the MSC would have ships of 133,00grt being built and NCL 150,000 ?) that Princess has dried up, once they deliver Ruby Princess that is it. Every other large Carnival company has orders in (and Seabourn) but nothing from Princess. I heard they were going to announce something big but that was some time ago.
quote:Originally posted by rd77:Where would Aker build it? Turku must be too busy with 2 Genesis vessels.Maybe they would build it partly (or completely) at Aker France? But they are also very busy of course...
Turku naturally, we squeeze it between two genesis!
The Genesis class is as big a leap in design as RCI has made since Voyager, which will have been 10 years in the past, when the first unit enters service. With such a leap, it may be wise to stretch-out the time between unit one and two.
First, it gives them time to adjust anything they learn isn’t well received, or needs adjustment, before the second unit is beyond change.
Second, the Genesis will be worth years of free PR. The arrival of the second in the class would dilute the marketing value, or at least you can argue that point. Especially since they know now, that nobody will be introducing a bigger ship anytime soon. At least, not within several years of Genesis entering service. So they are safe in not churning them out every year.
They’ll pick a name that sticks, let the inevitability wild media mania run wild, and squeeze every cent of value out of that. The buzz for Genesis will possibly drive demand for the RCI brand and the other Voyager family ships. So it’s a safe bet having another Freedom class coming online right afterwards. Then, just as the buzz from the first Genesis starts to ebb, they introduce the second mammoth unit, and start over.
Other considerations?
I’m not sure if they have the price of Genesis II locked in or not. Assuming they do, it may make sense to lock-in the price of a well received, highly capable Freedom class, before a perceived dip in the value of the dollar, or other factors.
It may also be a matter of locking Turku into building RCI ships, not another lines. RCI has had a very strong run in Turku. Unless I’m mistaken, that one specific set of docks, has been turning out Voyager class, Freedom class, and now Genesis class ships since about 1998/1997.
In the long-term, lets remember, Sovereign is about to leave the fleet. Monarch and Majesty are not likely far behind her. Then you have the entire Vision class to consider. With RCCL expanding its brand presence, they aren’t going to sell ships for sure. They have an entire fleet of ships to stock Pullmentur, Azamara, and the new French line.
So adding new, bigger ships isn’t illogical at all. Every Freedom class they add, takes the place of two Vision class ships. Every Sovereign or Vision class that goes to the other lines, bolsters RCCL’s bottom line, without having to build new. Every one of those ships which leaves the RCI fleet, makes the brand more consistent. The overall level of cabins could also bolster prices by effectively limiting supply, which saving from the economy of scale the bigger ships provide.
[ 11-01-2007: Message edited by: NWLB ]
quote:Originally posted by AKer builder:Turku naturally, we squeeze it between two genesis!
OK, so the second Genesis would then be delayed till 2011, or not???
quote:Originally posted by rd77:OK, so the second Genesis would then be delayed till 2011, or not???
Nothin sure yet, it's only rumor at this point
quote:Originally posted by NWLB:They’ll pick a name that sticks, let the inevitability wild media mania run wild, and squeeze every cent of value out of that.
I think RCI should drop the "...of the seas" suffix and should call the first two 'Genesis' and 'Revalations'. The marketing slogan should be "Let there be light...and it was good".
(Not too offensive, is it?)
[ 11-04-2007: Message edited by: Malcolm @ cruisepage ]
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