p04-07 Cruise_market_focus 20/3/09 17:15 Page 7
sector report Cruise
Ship talk
The UK
market is
holding its own but the
US market is holding
back and sailing closer
to home. Britain is Above: Staterooms overlooking the Boardwalk on Royal Caribbean’s soon-to-be-launched Oasis of the Seas
currently our best-
performing market, but the market is
very competitive and we are having to THE EVER-GROWING FLEET LIFE ONBOARD
work harder.” This year sees 14 new ships make their debut, Gone are the days where cruises revolved
Trudy Redfern, UK sales and marketing including Royal Caribbean’s ground-breaking around staid activities such as deck quoits
vice-president, Silversea Cruises Oasis of the Seas, which will take the title as and bridge games. The rise of “mega-ships”
the world’s largest ship, with a capacity of has seen the vessels become floating resorts,
We are 5,400 passengers and an array of spectacular with novel diversions such as bowling alleys,
seeing the features: think aqua theatre, two FlowRiders, giant movie screens, climbing walls and
bookings coming in zip wire, “Central Park” and more. even ice-skating rinks.
and we had a record In fact, 44 new ships worth more than £12 Entertainment has become more varied,
January, but billion and with total capacity of more than with West End-style productions, comedy
customers are 100,000 passengers are setting sail between clubs and ambitious deck shows.
cautious. Our sales 2008 and 2012. Cruises have always been famous for their
are up and we are seeing double-digit After 2012 this unprecedented growth is food and this has marked the growth in
growth week on week. Long-haul has been expected to slow down massively, especially speciality restaurants (though many carry an
disappointing as we anticipated strong sales in view of the current economic climate extra charge), some of which operate under
for the Caribbean and Alaska, but it is which has curtailed new ship orders. the stewardship of a celebrity chef.
becoming a later-booking market.” Regent Seven Seas Cruises claims to be the
Stephen Park, UK general manager, CRUISERS GETTING YOUNGER only cruise line to offer Cordon Bleu cuisine
Norwegian Cruise Line Customers have never had so much choice at sea, while Crystal Cruises has teamed up
and this is wooing more first-time cruisers with chefs Wolfgang Puck and Nobu
January has than ever before, who account for around Matsuhisa for its onboard restaurants.
been very 40% of the total market. Some P&O ships feature Gary Rhodes and
good for us and, until As the number of passengers continues to Marco Pierre White restaurants. On its new
now, we are more than rise, the average age of cruisers, traditionally ship Azura, launching in 2010, P&O has
15% up year-on-year at pensioner level, is steadily falling and teamed up with Michelin-starred chef Atul
across the brands. currently sits at 53. Kochhar to create onboard Indian fine dining.
Cruising is now on On less traditional cruise lines, such as Like most travel sectors, cruise product
people’s radar as a potential Ocean Village which is famous for its casual rarely stands still, with lines constantly
main holiday. The school holidays are very approach, the average age is even lower. unveiling eye-catching new features. Another
strong and we sold out quicker for this The growth in the number of families area of development has been wellness
summer than we did for summer 2008.” taking a cruise has also helped to bring the facilities. These days no self-respecting cruise
Jo Rzymowska, associate vice-president, age range down, especially as more ships are line would be seen without the obligatory
Royal Caribbean International increasingly catering for this market with an spa offering the latest cutting-edge treatments
impressive array of kids’ clubs and facilities. in superlative surroundings.
TTG Knowledge – March 2009
7
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