Royal Caribbean International president and chief executive Michael Bayley reaffirmed the brand’s commitment to the trade during a press conference on new ship Utopia of the Seas.
Asked whether debts within the cruise industry had the effect of hampering investment in the trade, Bayley said Royal Caribbean International was “always willing to invest”.
“We’ve been steady all along with our commitment to the trade – we’ve never walked away from that,” he added, giving the example of support issued during the pandemic.
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Interest-free loans totalling $75 million were distributed to trade partners to help them through that period, he said, despite Royal Caribbean International’s lack of revenue and high expenses.
All of the loans have since been paid back, he added, signalling the strength of the relationship with the trade.
Giving his review of Utopia of the Seas, Bayley said: “We feel this product is perfect for families – particularly young families – and I feel it’s going to do a great job.”
He highlighted Royal Caribbean International’s private island in the Bahamas as among the most significant features of Utopia of the Seas sailings.
“Once you’ve been to Perfect Day, you’re going to be sold on the experience,” he said.
The cruise line has been successful at growing the number of multigenerational families coming on board, Bayley said, while ‘new to cruise’ customers are viewed as especially likely to be attracted to the line’s new ship.
“It’s giant for new to cruise. The percentage of new to cruise that will sail on Utopia is fantastic,” said Bayley.
He added that Utopia of the Seas was the first Oasis Class ship to be entered into the short-break market, which has traditionally been the preserve of older vessels.
Giving customers the chance to sail on a three or four-night trip is likely to prove popular with those who are more time-pressured, Bayley suggested.
“It’s no big deal to hop on a cruise on a Friday and be back in the office on Monday morning,” he said.
He anticipated that families would be interested in adding Utopia of the Seas sailings to holidays incorporating trips to Orlando-based theme parks.
“You can go to Disney, Universal, Perfect Day and Utopia,” he said. “What kid wouldn’t be happy with that?”
Looking to the future, Bayley said the development of Discovery Class ships was “really exciting” but he was unable to give further details at the moment.
Asked about cleaner fuels and other emissions-related initiatives, he said the line was committed to further investment.
As with Utopia of the Seas, all new ships would have hybrid capacity allowing them to run on liquefied natural gas, he said, while the line also supports efforts to allow for shoreside power connections.