Royal Caribbean International’s Oasis of the Seas has sailed into Southampton for the first time
The world’s largest cruise ship, which launched in 2009, arrived on its first call to the UK a little more than two weeks before the launch of Quantum of the Seas.
Stuart Leven, Royal Caribbean International managing director, UK and Ireland, said: “By 2016 Royal Caribbean International - the leisure business that has delivered holiday firsts such as ice skating, rock climbing and zip lining at sea - will be the largest cruise line in the world in terms of fleet capacity.”
“We are at a very exciting time in our history and European market share, a milestone that is thanks to the hard work of our agent partners in raising awareness of the appeal of holidays at sea.
“As part of our ongoing investment in supporting agents, we are welcoming over 100 agents on board Oasis of the Seas to aid them in selling Allure of the Seas’ 2015 holidays.”
Agents who visited the ship praised a new tour format from Royal, which saw them split into teams and tackle tasks and quizzes in Oasis’s seven zones.
“It was outstanding compared to other tours - interactive, fun, and really representative of RCCL’s brand” said Iglu.com sales team leader Tracy Jordon.
“We’re definitely learning more,” added her colleague James Turner. “Normally you’d tour the Adventure Ocean areas but you wouldn’t be playing the games or trying experiments.”
Rebecca Ostridge, a travel consultant at the new Thomas Cook cruise concept store in Maidenhead, called it “a really informative day.”
“I’ve only worked for Cook for a year, so it’s a whole new experience,” she said. “I’ve only ever seen a Cunard ship, and it’s great to see something that is so different to that.
“This felt like a great way to do a ship tour. It was so fun, and to all be involved as a team as well - you get to feel like you’re experiencing it as a passenger.”
The cruise operator currently has five new ships on order, including two which will be the same size as Oasis of the Seas.
Their forthcoming launches will add a 6.9% capacity increase for the global cruise market in 2015 alone while Anthem of the Seas will launch in Southampton next year.
Leven said: “Anthem of the Seas is the most technologically advanced holiday resort in the world and it is hugely exciting that this new ship will be sailing from the UK.
“It brings so many opportunities for agents who can truly show off a ship that challenges the expectations of travellers when it comes to holidays at sea.
“We hope that our extensive investments into new ships, new technology and new ideas are making it easier than ever to sell a cruise.”
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