Was yesterday's shocking news of the demise of Ocean Village really such a surprise?
One of my blogs two days ago reported they were giving away Caribbean cruises. What kind of message does that send out?
Rather than going overnight, the line will be phased out (to give Carnival UK a chance to change its mind if things suddenly recover maybe?). Ocean Village Two will join P&O Australia in autumn 2009, while Ocean Village the original will go a year later.
It's sad news. Ocean Village seemed to have built up a following among people who don't do cruises, converting them into people who do do cruises. And understandably. I cruised with them twice and had a great time. They did what they did very well. It was casual, fun, relaxed; great for kids and adults alike.
But it can't support more than two ships and that, officially, is why it has to go.
It's interesting that this is the second casual brand to go in less than two months. Island Cruises is to be wound up next year, following TUI's decision to buy the outstanding 50% share of the line. It has said it will set up a new casual brand, but so far there have been no more details.
The end of Ocean Village means another major loss in capacity for the UK market. QE2 leaves the Cunard fleet in less than two weeks and next year Island Star, Black Prince and Saga Rose will also go.
In return, in 2010 P&O Cruises gets new ship Azura, while Cunard gets the new Queen Elizabeth.
Jane Archer
Comments (2)
Closing down OV without alot of notice will upset and anger the cruise line's loyal following...those who do not want to do traditional cruising.
The loss of Island Cruises and now OV leaves very little choice in regards to British non-formal cruise availability.
However, if OV was not classed as having growth potential, then perhaps the powers at be in CCL should slip their other casual brand into OV's place, open that one up to a wider catchment, afterall the company has 5 ships plus one about to be floated out, one just started to be built and 2 still to come. The company concerned has a superb reputation and offers some of the most unusual itineraries along with the normal ones in Northern Europe, Med & Caribbean.
The company that CCL own is a sister to Costa....it's AIDA. German speaking, aimed at the German market, but could easily be broadened into the full European/US markets. Their ships are out of this world and after all is said and done OV was modelled on AIDA to begin with...so why not go for it CCL....I want to sail with AIDA but it's almost impossible at present, so CCL now have the perfect opportunity to replace OV with a reputable brand with purpose built casual cruise ships that offer great itineraries and exceptional service. Above all else AIDA's growth potential is second to none and would increase significantly if opened up to the greater marketplace.
Posted by Ally Jones | October 31, 2008 12:57 PM
Posted on October 31, 2008 12:57
It is such a real shame to lose both Island Cruises and Ocean Village. Who would have thought it this time last year?
However, putting all sentimentality to one side, it is the case that the cruise lines do rely on a significant amount of on-board spend and the reality is that the customers of these two cruise lines do not spend enough money on-board. If they did; this would not be happening.
I also do not think that this is the last time we will hear the "giving away" message. Whether or not a ship (and the charter flight going to the ship) is full; the holiday will go ahead. The cruise lines rightly reason that they may as well fill the ship in order to at least earn money on-board.
Harley Van Straten
http://www.cruisepricescompared.com
Posted by harley van straten | October 31, 2008 2:59 PM
Posted on October 31, 2008 14:59