Royal Caribbean to base ship in Asia
Royal Caribbean is to base a ship in Asia at the end of 2007.
Rhapsody of the Seas will initially run sailings from Singapore, with full details of itineraries due to be released next month.
The 2,435-passenger vessel will be based in Singapore from December 10, 2007, offering sailings to Malaysia and Thailand before moving onto Hong Kong for Taiwan, Japan and Hainan Island; then Shanghai to cover ports in Japan and Korea.
At 78,491 tons, Rhapsody of the Seas wil be one of the largest cruise ships to home port in Asia.
The line’s president Adam Goldstein said: “We are confident that the Asian market and the pan-Asia regions in general have tremendous growth potential and view this as a first step in a long-term plan that will define cruising in the region.
Iin addition, there has been an increased level of awareness and interest in travel to Asia from India, Australia, New Zealand and the Middle East which we predict will become strong secondary source markets.”
Report by Phil Davies
Phil Davies
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