Cruising doubles in a decade
BY LAURA GELDER Latest figures released by the
Passenger Shipping Association last month (March) show that Britons took a record 1.62 million cruises last year, a six per cent increase on 2009 and more than double the 2001 figure. The PSA is forecasting an increased
1.7 million passenger for 2011, with this hitting two million by 2014. Other stats showed that cruising now counts for 11.7 per cent of the overseas package holidays sector, compared to 10.6 per cent in 2001 and less than three per cent in 1997. Cruising from British ports has
increased by 10 per cent, whilst fly cruises rose just three per cent, and the Mediterranean continues to be the most popular cruise destination, with Northern Europe in second place. PSA Director William Gibbons said:
“Exceptional standards of quality and service are the key to our continued growth, along with the huge choice of
worldwide destinations and the wide range in styles of cruising.” Another survey, from CruiseBritain,
shows UK port visitors topping half a million for the first time, and a 14 per cent rise in people cruising from the UK. Kate O’Hara, chair of CruiseBritain commented: "Our ports are welcoming many new ships including Celebrity
Crystal’s city slicker land packages
Crystal is offering two new shore extensions for guests joining its Alaska and New England & Canada voyages – covering New York and San Francisco. The New York package can be added
pre- or post-cruise on New England & Canada voyages between New York and Montréal. It includes three nights at the new five-star boutique property, the Mondrian Soho, a Broadway artist encounter followed by show tickets with the best seats in the house, a designer shopping experience in the Garment District and a behind-the-scenes tour of Christies auction house with afternoon tea. The packages costs £594pp. For round-trip Alaska voyages from San
CRUISING IN BRIEF
Crystal go all-inclusive From Spring 2012 Crystal Cruises
is expanding its all-inclusive services, with Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity including free wines and premium spirits in all restaurants, open bar service in all lounges and pre-paid gratuities for housekeeping, bar and dining staff, including butler service.
www.crystalcruises.co.uk
Silver Shadow gets a makeover Having returned to service on March
19, Silver Shadow now echoes the contemporary designs and warm colours of Silversea's newest ship, Silver Spirit. Most soft furnishings were replaced and each suite has a new custom-made mattress. Larger suites now have a Bang & Olufsen audio system.
www.silversea.com
NCL staterooms for less Norwegian Cruise Line opened
sales for its 2012/13 European itineraries last month, with a ‘Best Stateroom for Less’ promotion and an online tool kit to help agents. Agents who book by June 14 can reward their clients with a free upgrade to the best available stateroom in their category. Download flyers and itineraries from:
www.ncl.co.uk/agents
Cruises’ Celebrity Eclipse, Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth and P&O Cruises’ Azura. In addition, Cruise & Maritime Voyages, Royal Caribbean International, Disney Cruise Line and Holland America have significantly increased their presence in the UK.”
www.discovercruises.co.uk www.cruisebritain.org
news to use NCL has a winner!
CRUISING Stephen Horton of Virgin Holidays
is the winner of Norwegian Cruise Lines' NCLU PHD@Sea competition, run in conjunction with Travel Uni. Stephen will be whisked away on a four-
day educational cruise aboard Norwegian Epic, leaving May 18 for a Mediterranean cruise from Barcelona. Once aboard Stephen will be subject to exclusive behind-the-scenes tours, Q&A sessions with experts, interactive training sessions and loads of fun activities. Stephen, from Manchester, said: "I'm so looking forward to this trip. It will be my first cruise so I'm eager to get onboard and discover what the ship has to offer! Hopefully it will give me all the knowledge I need to sell more cruise holidays. I've been completing lots of Travel Uni programmes over the past six months and I'll definitely continue to do so!" Look out for Stephen's video diary as he explores the Norwegian Epic and find out how you can learn more with NCLU.
www.nclu.co.uk
Around the world in 2012/13 with Costa Costa's 2012 programme will include
more than 250 destinations and over 130 itineraries with an average of seven shore excursions per port. A 100-day round-the-world cruise will
Francisco, a three-night land add-on costs £431pp and includes accommodation at five-star boutique hotel The Clift, a half- day city tour and Alcatraz trip, a full-day wine tasting to Napa and Sonoma and a Champagne dinner.
www.crystalcruises.co.uk
return onboard Costa Deliziosa, departing Savona Italy on January 6 2013, to Los Angeles via the Caribbean, Singapore via the Pacific and back to Italy via Asia and the Middle East. Costa will enter its sixth year of cruises
based around the UAE with new flagship Costa Favolosa based in Dubai throughout winter 2011/12. It will operate seven-day cruises. Costa will strengthen its presence in the Red Sea in 2012, deploying Costa Allegra
and Grand Voyager from December 2011 until March 2012 and Costa Marina from March until November 2012. For the first time, Costa Luminosa will pioneer seven-day wellness cruises in the Caribbean in winter 2011/12.
www.costacruises.co.uk
www.sellinglonghaul.com • April 2011 13
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