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Three is probably out
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| Adam Goldstein, Richard Fain, The Oasis |
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29 JAN 2010: From a product standpoint, Oasis of the Seas is delivering
pretty well as expected. Ratings are “already at a level with the
highest rated ships in the fleet” said Royal Caribbean International
president and CEO Adam Goldstein. Concerns that logistics onboard and
ashore would be problematical have not materialized, “People do not
face crowds or lines.” Said Goldstein. However, after the next
behemoth, Allure of the Seas, joins the fleet later this year, the
cruise line is unlikely to order any further mega-ships.
Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. chairman and CEO Richard Fain called Oasis “a special case, a special opportunity.’”
The company is keeping its options open on newbuild plans Fain said, but there is probably “less likelihood that we would have more Oasis ships than we already have.’”
Goldstein told analysts during an earnings call, which revealed that the cruise line beat the analysts predictions for the fourth quarter, that the product is getting pricing premiums over all Caribbean-based ships industry wide, and getting high ratings from guests.
He also noted that the ‘fabulous new Oasis Terminal at Port Everglades gets high ratings on every departure.
On-board spending on Oasis and Celebrity Cruises Solstice-class ships is is performing well likely said Fain, because of more opportunities for spending, better and larger facilities and better systems.
Royal Caribbean EVP and CFO Brian Rice warned against viewing the company as a ‘one-trick pony.’ The fleet of 39 ships contribute collectively to the year’s yield recovery.
Royal Caribbean currently has just four ships on order - one for the Royal Caribbean brand and three for Celebrity Cruises. The last of the vessels arrives early in 2012.
Fain was non-committal about future expansion plans, or any proposed newbuilds. After years of rapid growth, he said, the company was looking forward to a period of slower expansion.
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