It’s not quite Godzilla verses Destroyer but an almighty battle of the monoliths of the seas is about to break out.
The beautiful city of Barcelona is the setting for the latest showdown between cruise giants.
The Spanish city’s vast port facilities have made it the latest cruise company honeypot, with lines vying to deploy ships from there in 2011.
Yes, I know we’ve only just entered March 2010 and haven’t actually got around to thinking about what to do for this year’s summer holidays, but this is how far out the cruise industry must plan its ship deployment in order to properly market and sell cruises in advance to ensure the best level of return on their massive investments.
Many lines are still keeping their powder dry over plans for next year, but two are readying themselves for a battle royal from the Basque capital.
Putting the cruise version of the cat amongst the pigeons is Norwegian Cruise Line with the announcement that its newest and biggest ship, Norwegian Epic, is to sail in the Mediterranean from Barcelona in summer 2011.
Not to be outdone, rival Royal Caribbean International entered the ring by revealing that one of its monster Freedom-class ships – Liberty of the Seas – will also be plying the waters of the Med out of the same port at the same time.
NCL’s 4,200-passenger Norwegian Epic, one of three ships sailing in Europe for the line in summer 2011, will be up against 3,634-capacity Liberty of the Seas in its first European season.
Hard fought battle predicted
I predict a hard fought battle between the latest resort-style ship and one of the innovators of the seas, which entered service just three years ago.
Liberty of the Seas is matching Norwegian Epic by running seven-day cruises, so you don’t have to be Archimedes to work out the number of passengers needed every week between May and October to fill both ships – the figure is as enormous as the vessels themselves.
This leads me to predict, without the need for much crystal ball gazing, that fly-cruise prices from the UK for both mega ships will be amazingly competitive.
While we’ll just have to wait and see until later in the month when details are likely to be announced, you can bet that some amazing deals will be available.
The question is; will it be worth jumping on a plane to Spain to be amongst the first to experience all that’s big and brash in modern cruising?
My guess is that Brits will be keener to get on board Norwegian Epic as Liberty of the Seas’ sister ship Independence of the Seas has already been wowing passengers on a big scale on what will become year-round sailings from Southampton from this year.
That’s not to underplay the startling statistics surrounding Liberty of the Seas and its theme park at sea-type feel.
I just think Norwegian Epic, which has been undertaking sea trails in the Atlantic in advance of being delivered in June this year, is hugely anticipated due to the genuine breakthroughs on board.
An Epic encounter
The 153,000-ton newcomer is boasting a whole host of cruise ship “firsts” including new wave cabins with curved walls, the first ice bar at sea, Nickelodeon-themed family entertainment, an abseiling wall, a big top, tube slide an area dedicated to single cabins; the list is endless.
On that basis, I suspect the ship’s itinerary – to Florence/Pisa from Livorno, Rome from Civitavecchia, Pompeii from Naples and Palma in Majorca – will be the least of its attractions.
NCL obviously has European passengers in mind with its new ship as the line is bringing Norwegian Epic to the UK for a travel industry showcase in Southampton before setting off on June 24 for further inaugural celebrations in New York and Miami before entering service on Caribbean itineraries from Florida on July 10.
Meanwhile, Royal Caribbean is eyeing more sales from Spain for Liberty of the Seas, where passengers can choose from the FlowRider surfing simulator, rock-climbing wall and ice-skating rink, to a full service spa and huge casino.
Either way, if mega ships float your boat, then 2011 will be the year of boundless choice for UK cruisers.
Just start forming an orderly queue…….
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1 Comment
Mar 01 2010
20:27
Wow – they just keep getting bigger and bigger. Having cruised on both a 2,500 passenger ship, and a 500 passenger ship. I prefer the smaller ones, better customer service, less crowds, and the food tends to be better quality. Although if I were traveling with children or other family members I can see the benefits of the mega ships. Should be interesting to watch it all unfold.