I posted this on another board--


I feel very encouraged by RSSC's recent announcements for several reasons.

Although "re-branding" is not the term I would use as this asssumes that "branding" had already previously occurred. (I think RSSC has been negligent in being able to articulate its value proposition for at least two years. If you can't articulate the brand's value proposition, you certainly can't have a brand strategy.) So I'm very happy that RSSC is defining its future market space aggressively. I think that RSSC sees Crystal as being well defined and positioned but sees a clear opportunity in the relative lack of differentiation between itself, Silversea and Seabourn. Clearly, RSSC appears serious in taking RSSC up a notch which I assume is best for the majority of us, although increasing costs down the road may affect some.

But I also believe (through several posters who heard Mark Conroy speak a few weeks ago) that RSSC believes its true competitors are the ultra-luxury land vacations. This view will no doubt shape their product offerings in the coming years.

I'm very upbeat about the stated direction. Kudos to RSSC's management!

Of course, the devil is in the details...but overall, this is great news at least for us.

Best regards--
Bill