Universal Cruise Line

[GAcoaster]

I just heard a rumor (not sure how valid) that Universal Destinations & Experiences is planning to enter the cruise business. There weren’t a lot of details, but the rumor is they are exploring partnering with an established player (like they did with Loews for hotels) to create their own cruise line.

Anyone else hear similar rumblings?

 

[mccgavin]

I just heard a rumor (not sure how valid) that Universal Destinations & Experiences is planning to enter the cruise business. There weren’t a lot of details, but the rumor is they are exploring partnering with an established player (like they did with Loews for hotels) to create their own cruise line.

Anyone else hear similar rumblings?

I would take any information from Universal Apex with a grain of salt. They don't have the most reliable track record...

 

[Viator]

I just heard a rumor (not sure how valid) that Universal Destinations & Experiences is planning to enter the cruise business. There weren’t a lot of details, but the rumor is they are exploring partnering with an established player (like they did with Loews for hotels) to create their own cruise line.

Anyone else hear similar rumblings?

Bringing this over here, but the port of Galveston seems to be getting a cruise liner that is tied heavy to NDA. It was talked about when they brought up Disney, so it might be possible Universals expanding their Texan foothold in a way like this.

 

[Fedic]

Bringing this over here, but the port of Galveston seems to be getting a cruise liner that is tied heavy to NDA. It was talked about when they brought up Disney, so it might be possible Universals expanding their Texan foothold in a way like this.

Margaritaville At Sea just announced the purchase of a third ship (from Costa) so that could also be the new Galveston addition.

If this rumor did turn out to be true, surely Universal's first ship would be home-ported at Port Canaveral though, right? I would think they would want the synergy of being able to sell Orlando theme park vacation packages with a cruise add-on.

 

[tyro]

If this rumor did turn out to be true, surely Universal's first ship would be home-ported at Port Canaveral though, right? I would think they would want the synergy of being able to sell Orlando theme park vacation packages with a cruise add-on.

Galveston is a much more local market, with the large majority of passengers driving to the port, due to this the cruises tend to be slightly cheaper. There is a reason why cruise lines typically don’t bring their newest ships there. If Universal really is going to start a cruise line, they would start in a FL port.

Even if this is true ship building takes so long the first sailing probably wouldn’t be until 2030 at the earliest.

I think RCL would be a good fit for universal to partner with, but all the cruise lines are printing money with no end in sight, so I don’t know if they would even be interested in a partnership at this time.

 

[UniversalRBLX]

I prefer for Universal to avoid the market entirely. Unless they have some sort of new & fresh concept, I just don't see the interest. RCL is well established and is on fire right now, just announced another Perfect Day area in Mexico. Disney does well since they have a large a fandom to draw from, which Universal doesn't really have. Norwegian & Carnival are doing just fine, I doubt they need Universal.

I'd love to be wrong, but the only thing Universal can do on a ship differently is a HHN house and a Butterbeer bar lol

I'd rather they stick to concepts like Kids & HHN, I think that's an untapped market they can dominate.

 

[OrlLover]

I prefer for Universal to avoid the market entirely. Unless they have some sort of new & fresh concept, I just don't see the interest. RCL is well established and is on fire right now, just announced another Perfect Day area in Mexico. Disney does well since they have a large a fandom to draw from, which Universal doesn't really have. Norwegian & Carnival are doing just fine, I doubt they need Universal.

I'd love to be wrong, but the only thing Universal can do on a ship differently is a HHN house and a Butterbeer bar lol

I'd rather they stick to concepts like Kids & HHN, I think that's an untapped market they can dominate.

While I largely agree with this I think the fandoms are starting to overlap especially in recent years.

If you’re a fan of one then you probably like the other.

 

[Disneyson1]

I wonder if a concept like this would have a casino. A ship would be a great location for more escape rooms, too.

Because of the more adult target crowd, the themed bar experiences would probably be truly phenomenal -- one could do Dom's Garage, an Amity Pool Deck bar, something like the Burning Blade, an in-theme Jurassic Park bar with break-out "moments". This could let them dip into some of their less park-friendly brands like Mamma Mia! or even The Notebook. Shows could include Back to the Future, Wicked, and Pitch Perfect, for sure, or something like Sing!, or even something like an E.T. musical. Definitely a Dreamworks area for kids...

 

[tidecat]

The creator No Pants Profits on YouTube has floated the idea that Universal may purchase Carnival Cruise Line. This would give Universal control of the newly opened Celebration Key on Grand Bahama Island, which is expected to see four million guests annually by 2028:

 

[oliverblackwood]

I wonder if a concept like this would have a casino. A ship would be a great location for more escape rooms, too.

Because of the more adult target crowd, the themed bar experiences would probably be truly phenomenal -- one could do Dom's Garage, an Amity Pool Deck bar, something like the Burning Blade, an in-theme Jurassic Park bar with break-out "moments". This could let them dip into some of their less park-friendly brands like Mamma Mia! or even The Notebook. Shows could include Back to the Future, Wicked, and Pitch Perfect, for sure, or something like Sing!, or even something like an E.T. musical. Definitely a Dreamworks area for kids...

I've heard about this too. It seems like a logical step given their successful track record with theme parks and hotels.