Royal Caribbean's decision to order fourth Oasis-class ship. Should they or not?

[Jason]

Last December, Royal Caribbean made headlines when it ordered a third Oasis-class cruise ship and then went on to order 3 Quantum-class cruise ships. It turns out Royal Caribbean might not be done ordering new cruise ships.

UBS Investment Research cruise industry financial analyst Robin Farley says Royal Caribbean currently has an option for a fourth Oasis-class order. If ordered, that fourth Oasis-class ship would be delivered in mid-2018.

Royal Caribbean must decide relatively soon, as the option for the fourth Oasis-class ship expires in December.

Farley feels lower prices to build new ships, thanks to lack of new ship builds recently, are what may compel Royal Caribbean to consider yet another new cruise ship order.

By Royal Caribbean Blog

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[Mach]

Wow... 5 new ships by 2018? Makes one wonder if the capacity can be met by demand or will the capacity drive down the price point of a cruise on these ships markedly.

Is RCCL considering retiring some of their older fleet? If the answer is yes an additional newbuild or two would make sense. If not... I hope they have a real good crystal ball in their HQ...

[WeCruiseToo]

With the cruise lines taking such a global view of the industry, I wouldn’t be surprised to see more ships moved to the emerging Asian market – even Oasis-class as many Caribbean ports will never be able to accommodate them.

[Mach]

With the cruise lines taking such a global view of the industry, I wouldn’t be surprised to see more ships moved to the emerging Asian market – even Oasis-class as many Caribbean ports will never be able to accommodate them.

Excellent point... makes me wonder about complications resulting from such wide flung operations. I know that the industry is about 50 years old but despite that is it mature enough to handle a truly global reach?

[Swath]

Interesting

Maybe This Fourth Oasis Class Should do the Transatlantic as part of its routes

[jacketwatch]

With the cruise lines taking such a global view of the industry, I wouldn’t be surprised to see more ships moved to the emerging Asian market – even Oasis-class as many Caribbean ports will never be able to accommodate them.

Excellent point... makes me wonder about complications resulting from such wide flung operations. I know that the industry is about 50 years old but despite that is it mature enough to handle a truly global reach?

I hope they do as we would like an Asian cruise someday and if there are more choices available all the better. As it is we are looking at the Sapphire Princess which has an itinerary we like.

Personally I've always liked RCI's ship design from the Voyager class onwards. We saw the Liberty of the Seas in port last yr. in Naples I think. Wow! Gorgeous ship.

[DebbieandJerry]

Ships along the lines of Oasis have a huge following. I have a feeling that this will become standard in the not too distant future.

I have stated this before, but I am not fond of the mega-ships. But if this is the only offering, it certainly won't keep me from cruising.

As for another ship in the RCL fleet, if they build it, they will come!