Royal Caribbean boss hints at an Oasis-class ship in UK

Speaking to TTG onboard 6,680-passenger Symphony, president Michael Bayley said the UK market was looking “a lot more attractive” now that sterling had recovered.

Asked whether the line would consider bringing an Oasis-class ship to the UK, he added: “Yes, in the summer that would be very possible.

Work would have to be done on infrastructure because Oasis-class are bigger, longer ships which need more port structure to accommodate them, but absolutely.”

Bayley also revealed Royal had options for more of the vessels in addition to a previously announced – and unnamed – fifth Oasis-class ship coming in 2021.

He said the vessel would be “slightly larger” than Symphony, joking that the line had been “caught a little bit on our own loop” to make each new Oasis-class ship larger than its predecessor.

Asked if Royal would exercise its options for further ships, Bayley said: “It is possible. We are in constant dialogue and communication with the yard about slots and options.”

He said Oasis-class had “smashed it out of the park” for guest satisfaction, adding that he was “looking forward to seeing who would challenge [Symphony]” for quality.

Bayley also hinted to TTG that the first of the line’s two 5,000-passenger, LNG-powered, Icon-class ships due in 2022 may homeport in the Mediterranean during its inaugural season, depending on its delivery date.

“If it comes towards the end of the summer, then it will go to the Caribbean and if it comes in the spring, which it probably will, it will go into the Med for its first season,” he said.