The Royal Caribbean Deploy Cruising in Asia’s Seas

Royal Caribbean is the Legent of the Seas. It will be dedicating one cruise liner - Legend of the Seas - for the Asia Pacific route from November next year. This is will be positive assign to Asia’s tourism. It has been one year since Royal Caribbean Cruises started creating waves in Asia, and with cruise passengers in the region seen hitting 1.5 million passengers in 2010, it is keen to tap into the growth.

The ship will be deployed from various homeports in the region, including Singapore, Shanghai and Hong Kong.

Cruising in the Asia Pacific region grew well in 2007, with 30,000 more passengers taking cruise holidays, the publication claims. "Passenger numbers in the Asia Pacific region grew by 111 percent in 2007 (compared to) 2008, and we project a growth of up to 66 per cent in 2008 over 2007," said Rama Rebbapragada, Managing Director (Asia Pacific), Royal Caribbean Cruises, Asia.

It is hoping to see more cruise terminals in the region that can accommodate bigger ships. It also added that more can be done to make cross-border travel in Asia seamless.

Adam Goldstein, President & CEO of Royal Caribbean International, said: "We are more focused today (compared to) a year or two ago when trying to facilitate the guest experience as much as possible as the ship crosses international borders.

"For example, when the ship was going between Korea, Japan and China, there were many visa requirements and long inspections in each country. Our goal is to work with the authorities."

North America accounts for 70 per cent of cruising worldwide. But according to some industry players, with new cruise terminals up in Asian countries like Singapore and Hong Kong, the region will contribute to the industry's stronger growth.
The deployment of Royal Caribbean International cruise ship Legend of the Seas in the Asia Pacific region, alongside Singapore’s investment in a new cruise terminal have been called "positive" signs.

According to Asiaone Travel, the region’s decision to invest in the cruise passenger depot is a crucially significant move and one which resulted in its basing of the 1,800-passenger cruise ship in the area.

"The positive response to our first season with Rhapsody of the Seas has been very encouraging and we are delighted to offer year-round choices to holidaymakers in the region," Asia-Pacific managing director of Royal Caribbean Cruises Rama Rebbapragada commented.

A member of the Vision family, Legend of the Seas boasts over two acres of glass canopies and floor-to-ceiling windows complete with fountains, a seven-storey atrium and a solarium with a retractable glass roof.