Editorial: Vibrant Growth Industry
These are clearly challenging times, but the cruise industry has a lot going for it, including huge market potential on a global scale. Hence, to quote Vicky Garcia of Cruise Planners/American Express, “this is not the time to stick your head in a hole but to get out there and shake hands and kiss babies….
Itinerary Planning: ‘Demand and Revenues’
While the cruise lines are following traditional deployment patterns in 2009, there may be more changes in store for 2010, pending how this year works out. More ships are expected back to the Caribbean, as limited and more costly airlift and the recession put long-distance travel out of reach of many Americans. At the same…
Destination Caribbean: Benefits of Cruise Tourism
Like the nations that supply their tourism dollars, the Caribbean islands were bowing under the weight of the global recession at press time, though officials were still expressing a measure of optimism and forging ahead with renovations or other projects, thinking of the long term. In Jamaica, William Tatham, vice president of cruise shipping and…
Company Profile: Celebrity Cruises: A Brand Transformed
“The Celebrity Solstice has been transformational for the brand,” said Dan Hanrahan, president and CEO of Celebrity Cruises. What sets the brand apart is its service, crew and hardware. Not only is the new Solstice getting rave reviews, the Millennium- and Century-classes of ships are also doing well, according to Hanrahan. He noted that Celebrity…
Orderbook: 38 New Ships for 2009 – 2012
There are 38 cruise ships on order and under construction (including one option) for deliveries in 2009 through 2012. With a building value of more than $20 billion, the ships will bring 85,480 new beds into the market for an estimated additional annual passenger capacity of about 4.2 million passengers by 2012. At press time,…
Filling the Ships
“We are filling the ships, although not quite with the yields we would like. But consumers are recognizing the value, and we are doing OK,” said Vicki Freed, senior vice president of sales and trade support for Royal Caribbean International. The ships are going out full, agreed Steve Hattem, vice president of marketing for CruiseOne…