News

Royal Caribbean reports strong sales for Independence of the Seas

Video below 

Sales for newly refurbished ship Independence of the Seas are ahead of last year with no availability left until August.

Royal Caribbean International UK and Ireland managing director Ben Bouldin said: “We are on track to have our best ever year and the UK is absolutely playing its role in that performance.

“Since last year the currency is more buoyant and a lot better than it was. The high street, especially the multiples, were slow to get going at the beginning of the year but they have performed well since and we are continuing to be able to charge more for our holidays.

“Independence has sold better than at this time last year. We’re sold out until the end of July.”

Independence, which has undergone a multi-million pound refresh with a host of new features added, will be based out of Southampton again next summer.

Bouldin said at least two ships would be based out of the UK in 2020. “It’s likely to be Indy and I am actively fighting to get a Quantum class ship here. The UK market is doing well enough that we have a very good chance.”

Bouldin said the fact the UK had performed so well this year suggested TV turn-of-year advertising was not always necessary.

The line decided to focus on digital, radio and on demand video marketing instead of a traditional TV advert over Christmas. “TV is consumed in so many ways now that airing an ad at a certain time isn’t always going to give you the biggest impact,” he said.

Bouldin said no decision had been made about whether it would run a TV turn-of year campaign this year.

Share article

View Comments

Jacobs Media is honoured to be the recipient of the 2020 Queen's Award for Enterprise.

The highest official awards for UK businesses since being established by royal warrant in 1965. Read more.