Known for its excellence in making huge cruise ships, the mass market liner Royal Caribbean International has again set a benchmark by rolling out yet another landmark vessel named ‘Oasis of the seas’. The ship is enormously huge and weighs 225,000 tons. With its gigantic looks and world class comforts the ship has become the ‘world’s biggest cruiseship’. The mega ship is truly a perfect holiday option with its number of entertainment measures and is equally blissful for the agents as it will augment their sale volumes.
The launch of the new ship is viewed differently by different travel agents. According to Jason Peters, sales director, Creative Cruises, Teddington said: “You can’t help but marvel at Oasis of the Seas, but whether it’s appropriate for an individual client is another matter. Agents have got to understand this is a big ship and very different from anything else. The nice thing is that it is big enough to allow clients to pick out and enjoy the parts that suit them. The only thing I don’t like is you have to be so organized and pre-book restaurants and entertainment.”
Going by what Clare Dudley, cruise development manager, Fred Olsen Group, Ipswich said on the launch of the ‘Oasis of the seas’, “I didn’t expect to like Oasis. I thought it would be too big, too corny and too over the top, but I love it. But it’s a floating resort more than a ship, so you have got to sell it to the right person. Families, couples, hen and stag groups, and a younger audience, or at least people who want lots of things to do. It’s not for people who want a cruise experience. My concern is that agents will mis-sell, it as it’s not even right for every past Royal Caribbean passenger.”
Another noteworthy and prominent bigwig of the travel fraternity, Phil Nuttall, managing director, the Cruise Village, Blackpool said “This is fantastic and if it’s sold correctly we could have a winner on our hands. My fear is that agents will sell it on the wow factor, but people will come away disappointed because they’ve not been able to see shows or eat in the specialty restaurants. They have to be organized and pre-book these things, like with Disney. It’s fine, but only if they understand that. I would prefer it if they limited people to pre-booking two shows and two restaurants. Then everyone gets a chance to experience what’s on offer.”