Interview: Royal Caribbean International CEO on China and the High-Tech Future of Cruising
Photo Credit: Pictured from left to right are Captain Claus Andersen; Michael Bayley, President and CEO, Royal Caribbean International and Emma Wilby, Godmother Anthem of the Seas. Royal Caribbean International / Simon Brook-Webb Photography
Skift Take
By focusing on improving onboard experiences and connectivity, Royal Caribbean International is looking to attract the next generation of cruisers. It just so happens they expect those cruisers to come from China.
When Americans think of cruises, they're more likely to picture families huddled around buffet tables and gaudy concerts on the Lido deck than bespoke art and bumper cars.
With its classy sci-fi aesthetics and focus on high-touch technology, Royal Caribbean International's Quantum-class ships present a new fully-connected paradigm for the future of cruising.
Royal Caribbean International was also one of the first Western cruise brands to deploy in China, and now boasts the largest fleet of any individual brand serving Asia.
Royal Caribbean International president and CEO Michael Bayley has worked for Royal Caribbean in a variety of roles over the last 30 years, including stints rejuvenating Celebrity Cruises and building out the company's sales and marketing offices in Europe and Asia.
"We've got market opportunities like China that could be viewed as unlimited," Bayley told Skift onboard the Anthem of the Seas last week. "If you look at capacity overall in the total
