Despite short-term headwinds, Carnival UK bosses believe 2020 is looking bright for the cruise sector. Robin Searle reports
A 16
group of leading cruise executives has sounded a positive note for the year
ahead, despite significant challenges including the ongoing coronavirus outbreak that has affected sailings across Asia. Speaking at a Travel Weekly
round-table ahead of Carnival’s UK Cruise Awards on February 6, bosses of P&O Cruises, Cunard, Princess Cruises, Seabourn, Holland America Line and Carnival Cruise Line said sales in the wave period had been strong at the start of a
20 FEBRUARY 2020
“game-changing” year for the sector. However, they admitted the scale
of media and social media coverage of the coronavirus outbreak had posed a greater challenge than previous crises such as Sars and 9/11. Tony Roberts, Princess Cruises
vice-president UK & Europe, said the line had used social media as a key tool to relay information after Diamond Princess was held in quarantine in Japan, with guests, for the most part, “understanding and supportive”. He said: “Our guests’ perception
is not that there’s a problem with the cruise industry but that the cruise
industry has become a victim of a global problem. “Things happen all of the time
within travel, and it’s how you respond and deal with them that sets you apart.” P&O Cruises sales and marketing
vice-president, Alex Delamere-White, said: “If you look back over the past 12 to 18 months, there’s been unprecedented events every month – from Brexit to disruption in Dubai, Thomas Cook and now coronavirus. “This is the new norm, so it’s
all about how we respond. There should be a huge level of reassurance
The long-term
indicators are strong but, as usual, there are some short-term headwinds to deal with
from the quality of the teams behind the scenes.”
Positive wave Lynn Narraway, UK managing director for Seabourn and Holland America Line, said business was up
travelweekly.co.uk
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