How far would I go to sell a cruise? How about Miami to Hong Kong to Shanghai to Singapore to Brisbane to Melbourne to Sydney before returning home?
A trip such as this is actually about much more than selling cruises. It’s an opportunity for me to support and leverage the efforts of my far-flung colleagues to build our brand and help fulfill our strategic aspirations. My one or two days in each location is a blend of media interviews, discussions with top travel agents, port visits, updates from governmental authorities and of course interactions with my team. A lot of the attention is on selling and operating Legend of the Seas and Rhapsody of the Seas because of their programs in Asia and Australia, respectively. And, of course, on Oasis of the Seas, because there is excitement everywhere in the world about her approaching delivery.
I wrote about my Hong Kong stop in a previous entry. In Shanghai, we celebrated our move to new offices in a building owned by Shanghai International Port Group (SIPG), the same group that built and operates the new cruise terminal on the Bund in central Shanghai. Although I have been in Shanghai a number of times in recent years, this was my first visit since we hired Dr. Zinan Liu as our Managing Director for China. He has a young and enthusiastic team that is eager to take on the challenge of building distribution and sales in Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou and elsewhere in China. The government seems keen to develop what it calls the “cruise economy.”
In Singapore, we celebrated the conclusion of a successful two year stint by our Associate VP of International, Rama Rebbapragada, who will return to Miami from where he will oversee our continued development in countries where we sell and market through International Representatives – about 40 markets. Michael Bayley and I were joined by colleagues from throughout the Asia Pacific region for a wonderful evening in Rama’s honor. We also announced that Jennifer Yap would succeed Rama as Managing Director in Singapore. Then it was time for me to move on to Australia and let Michael and his senior team focus on 2010 as well as long-term planning.
My Australia visit was my first in about seven years. Our Managing Director of Australia, Gavin Smith, and his team, like their counterparts in China, are highly focused on building our competitive position in this market. Australia has a great tradition of receiving visits from ocean liners. The modern cruise industry is gaining momentum quickly now. In order for the country to realize its potential there will have to be additional infrastructure development especially in Sydney.
A trip like this one is enjoyable but exhausting. All of the 21st century communications technologies cannot substitute for me presenting myself to the wonderful people on the other side of the world and reinforcing the importance of their markets to our present and future.
Hi Adam,
Great conclusion to this entry. I own an internet marketing company and basically, all we do all day is build relationships online between our clients and their potential clients. After all is said and done though, it is the personal interaction which certainly matters most. Its sorta like a cruise vacation
. Some videos and pictures online can sell you on the idea, but actually going on the cruise is an experience you can’t pass up. =).
Hi all’ my wife ,myself and family members have crusied with RC and celebrity for twelve years most of our crusies have been fantastic some not so. Ifeel you guys do a great. I’ve heard people complain that did not have a good time’ that’s there fault it is all in what you make it. The pics are overpriced but no is forceing you to buy them. As for the surgharge why not put it in with the price. My biggest complaint is the recent useage in cell phones. I go to get away from them. thanks for listening. John s. Welsh
I booked my cruise with air fare. For some reason I was given the most inconvenient flight schedule. The flight schedule basically destroys my limited vacation time. I am trying to fix it or adjust it but royal Caribbean staffers are super unhelpful with my need. I think royal Caribbean needs to honest and transparent with air fare (time, how long it will take it). If you are trying to book cruise with air fare do not do it because you will be assigned the most inconvenient flights available.
Mr. Goldstein,
The last cruise I took on R.C. was on the Monarch back in March of this past year. You can see my review on cruisecritic.com under jaxcruiser. Just a couple of questions for you, sir:
1. Do you feel that the quality of food has gone down? Clearly on the Monarch, I thought the level of quality should be higher.
2. The people of the Monarch just seemed tired and worn out.
3. All of the toilets backed up 30 minutes before we left the ship.
My question is, are you addressing these problems?
Thanks..
Scott Lara
Jacksonville, Florida
Hi Adam,
I was on the 9th January sailing of Legend of the Seas in Singapore. Just to say that it was absolutely fantastic and I look forward to travelling with ROyal Caribbean again. Good job.
I was wondering if RCCL has considered the option of offering an adults only cruise at least a few times a season? I realize your line does have tremendous appeal to family travel and should continue that on a majority of itineraries. But there are many empty nesters or young professionals out there who would enjoy the option of traveling without children. Thanks,
Rita Hajer
We have our 16th RC cruise coming up Jan 3, 2010 celebraging my retirement. We will be sailing on Freedom of The Seas. I would like to know where I could go and get comments from others that have sailed on this beautiful Ship.
Thank you
I cruise on Royal at least once a year and a total of twice per year. One of the things I notice is the cutbacks on certain items. The waiters are definitly be stretched to the max on service. I question the number that wait on a table. It used to be two waiters and wine steward per table.
The other item is doing away with the chocolate banq. night.
I see the quality of the service on the line dropping.
Fred
First off, I have to say that I LOVE cruise ships.
I spent over 12 years working on them as a Scuba Instructor,
Shore Excursion Manager and an IT Officer.
For 2 years I also worked shoreside in Miami as a database IT guy.
During my years on ships, I have to stay that many things happened
and that life is definately stranger than fiction on cruise ships.
Many people have asked me to share the stories I have collected over
the years, so I am complying with their request.
My site is: http://www.cruiseshipstories.com
If you had any stories of your own to add, please
send them to me and I will be happy to add them.
Sean B. Halliday
http://www.cruiseshipstories.com