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Navigating the route to recovery
This is set to be a record-breaking year with an expected 31 vessels due to be delivered
How cruise fleet deployment fell in 2020
Plus, an interview with Steve Wellmeier from Poseidon Expeditions
Windstar can carry its guests to the remote destinations that won’t accept bigger vessels
The line had previous suspended operations until the end of March
The Gateway to Alaska
Plus, Stuart Byron from Royal Caribbean talks about their 2022 summer season
The latest industry offers and appointments
This voyage from Plymouth to Edinburgh is your chance to discover some of the British Isles’ most wildlife-rich destination
From river to ocean, small-ship to mega-vessels, this is our comprehensive list of cruise line cancellation policies and suspension dates
Princess’s Tony Roberts on new developments in the cruise sector and Saga’s Iain Powell on the the impact on the older generation
Royal Caribbean’s Ben Bouldin on innovation and Scenic’s Joseph Grimley on the draw of the small ship
AmaWaterways’ Jamie Loizou on river cruise and Seabourn’s Lynn Narraway on the returning luxury traveller
The latest Clia report reveals the majority of cruise passengers are happy to take a cruise in the next year
About two-thirds of regular cruise passengers are willing to take a cruise in the next year, while 58 per cent of non-cruisers are willing to try it in the coming years, according to the latest report by Clia.
The 2021 State of the Cruise Industry Outlook report outlined that there is a positive story going into 2021, with 27 Clia member cruise ships due to launch next year – taking Clia’s global fleet to 270 vessels.
Kelly Craighead, Clia president and chief executive, said: “For the cruise community, there is no denying that 2020 was not the year we anticipated. Still, the industry wasted no time adjusting course to address the challenges before us.
“Clia’s 2021 report highlights the extraordinary steps the cruise community took to develop and implement enhanced public health protocols to keep putting people first, while continuing to focus on innovation and responsible tourism practices that make cruising the best way to experience the world.”
The report also found that passengers spent $385 in port cities before boarding a cruise and $100 in each port during a cruise. The full 2021 State of the Cruise Industry Outlook report can be viewed here.
As we reported in December, the UK government has published its full Global Travel Taskforce report, which explores the return of cruise.
However, the report reveals that it has been proposed by Public Health England that it may be appropriate to resume cruises when the national alert level is at level 3 and when a move to level 2 is being considered by the Chief Medical Officer.
The report says: “It is critical that we proceed cautiously and are mindful of the public health risks as we consider when it is safe to restart cruises, and whether it is safe to move between stages.
“The protection of public health must come first, while enabling economic recovery and the growth of the sector. We need to ensure that there are clear public health measures so that we can increase demand for cruises safely.
“However, it is also vital that we provide clarity on the conditions for cruise restart to enable the sector to undertake effective financial forecasting for their businesses (and ensure financial viability); communicate with clarity to their crew, supporting travel supply chain and customers; secure future bookings for 2021 and beyond; and plan for operational restart.”
It also notes that FCDO travel advice on cruises is kept under continuous review and that the transition between each phase would be subject to agreement by the Department for Transport, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA), Public Health England, the Foreign Office and other bodies. See more here.
Only 12 of 22 planned cruise ships were delivered in 2020 as Covid-19 disrupted a year when the industry’s exponential growth was set to continue.
As a result, 2021 is set to be a record-breaking year with an expected 31 vessels due to be delivered, worth a staggering $13.6 billion in total, according to Vessels Value, which monitors shipping data.
The current cruise order book sits at 104 vessels, worth an aggregated value of $60.3 billion, accounting for 34 per cent of the overall global shipping order book.
After ordering activity between 2014 and 2018, last year was due to the following the record-breaking 2019 for delivery of vessels.
However, as the infographic on the next page shows, deployment fell as demand plummeted record lows due to restrictions brought about by Covid-19.
Ordering has slowed significantly, according to the company, with delays introduced.
Major operators chose to remove their older, less efficient vessels from their fleets meaning that, in 2020, the balance between removals and deliveries was more aligned for the first time in many years.
Guy Cooper, cargo analyst at VesselsValue, said: “Going forward, cruise companies and shipbuilders must now be cautious not to oversupply the market without the increase in demand to match. By 2028 the fleet is projected to increase in size by 28 per cent, with the ability to carry over 925,000 passengers at any given time.
“Hopefully the Covid-19 vaccine will be the catalyst that propels the cruise industry back onto its previous positive trajectory. The stock market is already starting to reflect this with share prices for the major cruise lines over double what they were back in April.”
Viking Octantis takes to the water in Norway; it is set to debut in January 2022
Viking Cruises has officially floated out Viking Octantis, its first expedition vessel. The ship, which is set to debut in January 2022, has now touched the water for the first time – marking a key construction milestone in its development.
The 378-guest ship is being built at the Fincantieri Vard shipyard in Norway and it will now move to a nearby outfitting dock for further construction and interior build out. It will spend its maiden season in Antarctica and North America’s Great Lakes. A second expedition ship, Viking Polaris, will launch in summer 2022.
Viking has also developed a series of short videos about the new expedition voyages, ship design and prestigious scientific partnerships, which can be found on its website here.
“Working with Fincantieri over the last eight years, we have built the world’s most beautiful ocean ships. We are pleased to continue our partnership with Fincantieri’s Vard and celebrate this important milestone in the construction of our first expedition vessel,” said Viking chairman Torstein Hagen.
“In creating ‘the thinking person’s expedition’, we are perfecting polar expedition cruising, and we will usher in a new era of comfortable exploration in the heart of North America.
Viking Octantis and her sister ship, Viking Polaris, will allow our guests to explore further – to the ends of the earth as well as closer to home. I would like to thank our partners at Vard and everyone working at the yard for the hard work and dedication on the building of Viking Octantis; we look forward to welcoming her to our fleet in early 2022.”
When you think of sailing the paradise waters of the Caribbean or the azure seas of the Mediterranean, what springs to mind? Beautiful food, great company and the chance to wander around the charming streets of a Greek village – or grab a beer at a beach bar in some far-flung corner of the West Indies? Few cruise lines can compete with Windstar when it comes to avoiding the crowds in these cruise hotspots. The company operates six small ships that exemplify a relaxed, personal service – that call at ports too small for bigger ships. Whether that’s on board the company’s 342-guest flagship, Wind Surf, the world’s largest sailing ship; or the 312-guest Star Legend, a ship that was built for ultra-luxury clients and is currently undergoing a massive renovation as part of the $250 million Star Plus programme.
While all of Windstar’s ships have their own characters, they all share one common theme: they are small ships operating in a market where vessels are only getting bigger. The diminutive proportions mean that Windstar can carry its guests to the remote destinations that won’t accept bigger vessels. Destinations such as Tahiti, where in 2022 Star Breeze will call at Mo’orea, Raiatea and Tahaa – beautiful French Polynesian islands that lie dotted across the Pacific Ocean. Guests will learn about local cultures, eat incredible seafood and use the ship’s water sports platform to swim, kayak or even water ski.
Star Legend and Wind Star in the Caribbean
In the Mediterranean – a region full of famous destinations – Windstar manages to marry the major hubs, like Barcelona and Athens (perfect for connectivity out of the UK) with less visited towns like Messina, Argostoli and Delphi – and a cruise down the narrow Corinth Canal. An example of the intimate shore excursions offered include a trip to the Robola Winery in Kefalonia where you can sample the local drop and visit Kourkoumelata, a village that was destroyed by an earthquake in 1953 and then rebuilt by a wealthy local – entirely in neo-classical style.
To attain perfection is a never ending task but Windstar has made massive investments in its fleet with the Star Plus initiative. The company will spend $250 million on three of its ships – Star Breeze, Star Legend and Star Pride – to offer more comfort in-suite and more delight on deck. This is no normal renovation – it involves ships being cut in half and extended, upgrading engines to make them more environmentally-friendly and adding new dining venues that suit their salubrious surroundings. The Star Plus programme is one of the most complex ship projects ever undertaken – and will be completed in summer 2021.
There is no doubt that 2020 has been one of the most challenging years our industry has ever faced. However, as we look to the future, it’s important to remember that we will sail again. And, if your clients want to experience small ship sailing, in a luxurious but informal setting, then there are few companies more equipped to host them than Windstar.
The line had previously suspended Caribbean, European and US cruises until the end of March
Princess Cruises has extended its global suspension until May 14, 2021. It had previously suspended sailings until the end of March. The new pause includes all Caribbean, European and US cruises.
“We appreciate the patience from our loyal guests and travel agents as we work to meet the health and safety requirements for our return to service,” said Jan Swartz, president of Princess Cruises.
“We continue to prepare our ships for our return to service and we are eager to see our guests back onboard to create summertime memories.”
Guests currently booked on these cancelled voyages will have the option to receive a refundable future cruise credit equivalent to 100 per cent of the cruise fare paid, plus an additional non-refundable bonus FCC equal to 25 per cent of the cruise fare paid.
To receive the above FCCs, no action is required by the guest or their travel agent. The future cruise credits can be used on any cruises booked by May 1, 2022 and sailing by December 31, 2022.
Princess will protect travel agent commission on bookings for cancelled cruises that were paid in full. The most current information and instructions for booked guests affected by these cancellations, and more information on FCCs and refunds, can be found on the Princess website here.
Virgin Voyages has revealed offers including cruise savings, onboard credit and a bonus bar tab as part of its Wave campaign. It has also launched a new online learning platform for agents called Seacademy. The new platform will serve as a one-stop shop for all things Virgin Voyages for agents, which Virgin calls First Mates.
MSC Cruises has launched its Wave promotion which will see a Premium Drinks Package included on all bookings made on the ‘Fantastica Experience’. The promotion is available for all bookings made until midnight on April 30, and includes all summer 2021 and winter 2021/2022 itineraries.
Regent Seven Seas Cruises has launched Upgrade Your Horizon, where guests can enjoy a two-category suite upgrade, up to a Penthouse Suite, on all published cruises when booked between now and February 28.
Royal Caribbean Group is to make a $40 million available to loan to travel agents as part of its RCL Cares programme. The loan initiative is called Pay it Forward. The loans will be for up to $250,000 for qualifying travel agents – although the company said “businesses still need financial wherewithal during this intervening period of slower-than-usual business”. The loans will for three years and will be interest-free.
Norwegian Cruise Line has launched Norwegian Central, a new trade portal which it says will help agents learn, market and sell NCL holidays more easily. Here agents gain direct single log-in access to NCL’s agent booking engine Seaweb, as well to a complete relaunch of NCL’s training platform NCL University (NCLU). It has also launched NCL Air – a platform for fly-cruise bookings which is now available in the UK and continental Europe.
Princess Cruises has extended its 2021 ex-UK season for Sky Princess as part of its Dream With Us sale. The ship, one of the newest in the Princess fleet, will now sail six extra cruises out of Southampton. Prices start from £499 for a seven-night sailing.
It has also introduced a new Princess Promise, reassuring guests that Princess will “make it right” for any onboard service that did not meet their expectations. This may include, but is not limited to, onboard credits, future cruise credits or refunds.
Cunard is offering onboard spend and accommodation upgrades on select voyages as part of its Wave campaign. The offers are available on cruises up to 2023.
Azamara, Royal Caribbean’s destination focused cruise line, has revealed its Wave offer, which will see guests able to take advantage of 40 per cent fare reductions for sailings between March 20, 2021 and May 13, 2022.
P&O Cruises has increased agent commission by one per cent and will give away an additional 100,000 Shine points during the peak booking period until March as a reward for support shown by agents in 2020.
Fred Olsen Cruise Lines is offering guests up to £600 to spend on board or a free drinks package as part of its annual Cruise Sale. The offer runs until February 2 and includes more than 120 cruises in 2021 and 2022.
Intrepid Travel has launched an incentive giving agents the chance to win a trip to Antarctica. Agents can enter the Race to the Pole incentive by selling an Intrepid trip or joining one of the company’s webinars. Those who make an Antarctica booking will receive five entries into the competition, which runs until February 28. The prize includes flights, transfers, pre/post-departure accommodation and a single berth in a twin window cabin on Ocean Endeavour in the 2022/23 season.
AmaWaterways has launched its second training course on AmaAcademy, its online training platform, focusing on the Danube. The course is designed to help agents increase their sales on the popular river. Travel agents who make a reservation with a deposit within 90 days of completing the new course qualify to earn a £25 Love2shop voucher – limited to one voucher per agent.
Scenic has unveiled its Wave offer, including savings of 20 per cent on Scenic Eclipse sailings, until February 15. Guests booking a 2022 European river cruise can save up to £1,500 per couple while those booking Southeast Asia river cruises can save up to £2,500.
Holland America Line has extended its two per cent bonus commission for travel agents until the end of January. The offer is valid on all 2021 Alaska, Europe and Canada & New England cruises for new bookings made by January 31.
The British Isles is full of destinations that conjure up images of a storied maritime history, pretty seaside towns and close-knit communities. Throw in exceptional wildlife – and the odd eerie evacuated island – and you can see why tours here are so popular. There is no better way to do it than by sea.
Poseidon Expeditions offers an incredible 13-day Legendary History and Wild Nature cruise on board the intimate Sea Spirit that visits the highlights of Ireland as well as all four countries of the United Kingdom in one voyage. The ship has room for just 114 guests, who are looked after by 72 crew and 14 expedition team members, a ratio which rivals the most luxurious ships.
Sea Spirit is nimble enough to reach the castles, abbeys and villages that are scattered along the coastlines of the United Kingdom and Ireland, but, while the ship is small, it still packs a punch. There is a gym, library, lounge, outdoor bistro and main restaurant.
Sea Spirit has an open bridge policy for guests who want to know more about that side of the operation. For the British Isles sailing – which is part of the ship’s annual relocation from Antarctica up to the Arctic – Sea Spirit leaves Plymouth on May 10 arriving at its destination on May 22, 2021 (or from May 8 to May 20, 2022 from Portsmouth to Edinburgh).
Here are some of the highlights of what to expect on the trip:
Exotic gardens
In the subtropical Scilly Isles, just off the Cornish coast, guests will visit the magnificent Tresco Abbey Garden, with its collection of more than 20,000 exotic plants. The garden is also home to the Valhalla Museum, with its collection of figureheads salvaged from nearby shipwrecks.
Enchanting birdlife
The must-see birding destinations of Saltee, Rathlin and Staffa islands, the Isle of Mull and Fair Isle are a hopeful addition to the itinerary (weather permitting). One of the most special places is the famed Bass Rock – an uninhabited island in the outer part of the Firth of Forth in the east of Scotland. This bastion of volcanic rock, also known as “the Bass”, plays host to over 150,000 northern gannets in the breeding season, making it the world’s largest colony of these magnificent birds. The voyage is perfectly timed to coincide with this amazing spectacle, as well as the breeding and migration season for over 100 other bird species. While in the Outer Hebrides the ship will also visit St Kilda – a remote island that was inhabited for thousands of years by hardy islanders. That was until after World War One when the realities of the modern world – and a dwindling population – began to close in. The last inhabitants asked to be evacuated from the island and it has been uninhabited ever since.
Mountain magic
Sea Spirit calls at Llandudno in North Wales, allowing guests to witness one of the country’s most dramatic landscapes – the mountains of Snowdonia. The call includes a visit to Betws-y-Coed in the Conwy valley, perfect for walking past waterfalls and woodlands in one of the most verdant corners of the British Isles. Giant steps The Giant’s Causeway in County Antrim is one of the world’s natural wonders, made up of 40,000 hexagonal basalt columns of different heights that gradually descend into the sea like a staircase. According to Gaelic legend, it is the remains of a causeway to Scotland built by the Irish giant Ffion mac Cumhaill after he was challenged to a fight by his Scottish counterpart Benandonner.
Curious caves
During the visit to the Inner Hebrides the ship will call at the uninhabited island of Staffa (weather permitting), allowing guests to explore Fingal’s Cave. Here, the sea and basalt columns work together to create an eerie melody, which was the inspiration for Felix Mendelssohn’s Hebrides Overture. Guests will also get to explore the neighbouring island of Iona, where the ancient Iona Abbey was founded in 563AD, making it one of the oldest Christian religious centres in western Europe.
Ancient wonders
In Orkney, guests will be able to visit the Neolithic village of Skara Brae – the best preserved ancient settlement in western Europe, dating from 3180BC and forming part of the Heart of Neolithic Orkney Unesco World Heritage Site. There are so many incredible sights around the British Isles that it would be impossible to see them all in one trip – a cruise is the only way you can come even close. The rate includes all scheduled landings and excursions, so guests can relax and allow an expedition team of ornithologists, naturalists and regional experts – led by historian and award-winning author Dr Huw Lewis-Jones – to show them the wonders of the British Isles.
For further information, please email sales@poseidonexpeditions.com, call on 020 3808 7787, or check out poseidonexpeditions.com
By Tony Roberts, vice president, Princess Cruises UK & Europe and Clia UK & Ireland chair
The health and safety of guests, crew and the communities we visit has always been the number one priority for cruise lines. In fact, no other travel sector has anything near the level of screening protocols and stringent health measures that have been standard in the cruise industry for many years.
Nevertheless, the current global health crisis that our world is facing has meant that cruise lines have had to take the already rigorous protocols we have in place and further enhance them, without compromising on guest experience.
Because of this, in 2021, alongside the implementation of new health and safety measures, we will start to see what the ‘future of cruise’ looks like, as lines take advantage of new technologies to change certain traditional aspects of a cruise holiday – once seen as the ‘norm’ – for the better.
For example, Princess is transforming embarkation day by staggering boarding and completely reinventing the traditional muster drill. By leveraging the Princess OceanMedallion technology, guests can select their preferred time to arrive at the port and, once onboard, can watch the important safety training video on their mobile device or stateroom TV, simply verifying their designated muster station with a quick and contactless check-in at their convenience anytime between boarding and sail away.
What awaits guests
Travel agents and guests will already be well aware that, when ships resume sailing, additional protocols will be in place across the entire sector. For Princess, the OceanMedallion wearable technology, which was designed to create seamless experiences for our guests, now lends itself well to travelling in a socially distanced world. We recently announced that, upon return to service in 2021, the Princess Cruises global fleet will feature the ‘MedallionClass Experience’, which means that our guests will be able to enjoy what we are calling a ‘Truly Touchless’ cruise holiday. From the aforementioned staggered boarding and transformed safety training, to contactless payments, keyless stateroom entry and the ability to order food and drink to anywhere on the ship, this innovative technology means that our guests can continue to enjoy next-level service while staying safe at sea.
A reflection on the current moment
Over the past year, cruise lines have worked tirelessly with global health leaders and medical experts to devise and implement best practices for when sailings resume.
However, to be able to fully prepare for a return to service, the UK Foreign Office needs to remove its outdated travel advice on ocean cruising. To this end, Clia is continuing to play a key role in working with the UK government to secure this change and help inform cruise restart.
While news of the UK becoming the first country to kick off a mass vaccination programme is encouraging, the key to the safe resumption of operations is this continued collaboration between cruise lines, medical experts, national authorities and local ports.
We are now looking forward to the government removing its travel guidance and setting a timeline to safely start cruises, so agents and guest alike can feel confident that there is a path back to cruising in 2021.
Many will be relieved that 2020 is behind us. It is now time for us to focus on the future and to the day when cruise lines can get back to what they do best – providing guests with an extraordinary service and unrivalled experience.
By Iain Powell, head of trade sales and third party cruise, Saga
When we sat down in our planning sessions in late 2019, none of us could have imagined the challenges which lay ahead for the world in the coming year. So, as I now sit here, thinking about 2021, I’m reluctant to jump in with the now common phrases of ‘green shoots’ or ‘new norm’; because if 2020 has taught us anything, it’s that we never know what lays ahead. That said, despite the challenges we must first overcome, there are many reasons to feel positive, optimistic and even excited.
While the pandemic has deeply affected us all, I think it’s fair to say the older generation found their day-to-day lives most significantly impacted. Being among the most at risk, this generation who encapsulate a ‘keep calm and carry on’ spirit was suddenly told they couldn’t just ‘carry on’.
Millions of older people in the UK were forced to shield and isolate, sometimes even when the rest of us could experience some level of normality and human interaction. Many have battled with loneliness and isolation unlike anything they have experienced before. A recent study by Age UK highlighted the issue, citing that 47 per cent of respondents (all over 65) reported struggling with loneliness in 2020; and just under two thirds of people reported feeling a sense of time lost or wasted during the pandemic.
Making up for lost time
At Saga, we’ve spent even more time than usual speaking to our customers. The overwhelming sentiment we take from these conversations is very similar to that of the Age UK research – our customers feel as though they have lost precious time, time set aside for travelling. Lengthy periods spent indoors have built resentment and frustration around cancelled plans and missed opportunities. This time spent reflecting has also provided space for thought, planning and daydreaming about future travel plans. Those trips they never got to take, as well as those destinations they have always wanted to visit.
Trust and confidence are key
The cruise industry was hit particularly hard in the early stages of the virus, starting with the extensive and often unbalanced coverage of outbreaks on cruise ships. The media storm which followed those early cases whipped up a flurry of panic and fear around cruises. Interestingly, older stalwart cruisers seemed less impacted by this coverage, with many knowing that cruise ship travel is in fact one of the most controlled, safe and regulated forms of travel. Therefore, while we all have a job to do in restoring consumer confidence around cruising, that task may be slightly easier in the ‘repeaters’ from the older generation, as opposed to a younger ‘new to cruise’ group, who will likely require more convincing.
We also now know that the older generation of travellers will be among the first to be vaccinated, meaning the opportunity to travel will likely present itself to them before anyone else. Being vaccinated will replace a fear of travel with the confidence to explore. We need the government and FCDO to support this returning confidence with sound, scientifically backed and justifiable guidance. Trust and confidence are key for older travellers.
Looking ahead
While we can be very positive and hopeful about the year ahead, we must also remain realistic about the hurdles ahead of us.
The first half of 2021 will still be impacted by suspensions and cancellations and it’s likely that older travellers won’t want to do so until they have been vaccinated, which could take a few months. It’ll then still take time for confidence to build; and I’ll say it again, we need the government’s support with achieving this.
That said, let’s not end on a negative note. New starts are good things. We all have the opportunity to reset, rethink and work in different ways. The ‘grey pound’ will be more valuable than ever and, when they can get back travelling, I’m very confident they will do so in their droves.
By Joseph Grimley, director of trade sales, Scenic and Emerald Cruises
Thinking back to this time last year, I doubt any of us expected the year to pan out how it has done; however as we look ahead we are starting to see some positive changes. Over the past couple of months, we have launched a new season for Scenic Eclipse, our ultra-luxury ocean yacht, and our 2022 European river cruises went on sale earlier than ever; all of which have been met with ever-increasing interest.
I am confident about the coming months; bookings are steadily picking up with plenty of pent-up demand. We are finding more and more customers are ready to book and are wanting to do so in luxury and style, with recent bookings including the very best suites available. Having not travelled in 2020, it appears that customers are willing to spend more to make up for it.
Scenic Eclipse had a very successful first season, sailing through destinations including the Arctic, Antarctica and Central and South America, and we are already seeing indications that this success will continue this year. Our repeat booking rate is looking very healthy. Scenic Eclipse’s new 2022/23 programme, which went on sale last month, sets the benchmark again, from exciting new itineraries taking guests across the Antarctic Circle to our first-ever itineraries to Japan and the Russian Arctic. Plus, the chance to be one of the privileged few to cross the legendary Northeast and Northwest Passages.
Small ship ultra-luxury expedition cruising seems to be experiencing a boom, with several cruise lines venturing into this market and launching new ships; including Scenic, who will be adding a sister ship to the Scenic Eclipse fleet in 2023. Luxury expedition cruising allows guests to visit the most remote parts of the world, offering the highest levels of safety and security to travellers who wish to avoid the hustle and bustle of popular tourist destinations, while not compromising on exceptional comfort and refinement.
Booking trends indicate that travellers are once again starting to plan for late 2021, 2022 and beyond, with ‘small ship cruising’ being particularly attractive due to lower passenger numbers and more spacious surroundings. This time next year, Emerald Azzurra, the first custom-built ocean super yacht launched by Emerald Cruises, will set out on her inaugural sailing on the Red Sea. Once complete, the 100-capacity Emerald Azzurra will offer guests a luxury small ship cruising experience.
It has certainly been a challenging 12 months, but with confidence growing and some exceptional offers in the market, now is the time to engage with customers and look forward to the bookings coming in.
By Ben Bouldin, vice president EMEA, Royal Caribbean International
At Royal Caribbean we’re on a path of continuous innovation. We’ve been on this path since day one and, over the subsequent 51 years, we’ve pioneered countless ‘firsts’, which have seen the cruise industry evolve into the experience our guests know and love today. It’s 2020, however – the year the cruise industry largely stood still – that will be marked as one of the most transformative years to date.
The time and effort our industry has dedicated over the past year to ensure a safe return is going to see our resilient industry come back stronger and safer than ever before. Last year our fiercely competitive industry really came together, vowing never to compete when it comes to health and safety. Royal Caribbean Group formed the Health Sail Panel in partnership with Norwegian Cruise Lines Ltd, which saw world leading epidemiological experts develop a comprehensive set of open source recommendations for both the cruise industry and beyond, as we navigate the new world in which we operate. The work of the Panel will benefit the industry for many years to come.
Undoubtedly, when the industry returns, technology will be at the helm. Already at the forefront of our operations, technology will see developments to both new and existing initiatives such as the Royal App and Muster 2.0 really come into their own, not only in regard to safety, but in improving the overall guest experience and eradicating any friction points that result from crowds, queues and paper. It’s thanks to technological developments that the cruise holiday will continue to become more and more seamless over the years to come.
The suffering resulting from the global pandemic continues. However, I’m optimistic for the cruise industry in 2021. While there won’t be a sudden ‘light switch’ effect with the industry kicking back into action, I expect it to gradually return to its previous strength as the months unfold. Thanks to the vaccine, increased knowledge and in-depth work with international governments, we’re on the right path and I’m hopeful that by 2022 this will be largely behind us.
The industry has a whole fleet of new hardware lined up and I’m sure we’ll see each new ship rightfully celebrated in turn when the time is right. I’m looking forward to launching Quantum-Ultra class ship, Odyssey of the Seas, in Europe next year. Technology is at the helm of our safe return, but it’s also central to everything we do; Odyssey will be a prime example of this. An exquisite ship, it will be the most technologically advanced in our fleet, with innovation central to every element of the guest experience – from the activity spaces to the entertainment venues, guests can really expect to be wowed.
One thing that’s certain is that, after a year stuck at home, everyone is desperate for a holiday. It’s likely 2021 will see guests feeling more confident travelling closer to home, rather than further afield; we have some really exciting ships and itineraries in Europe in 2021, which are going to suit our European guests perfectly. Many will also want to be reunited with and spend quality time with friends and family, once it’s safe to do so, and with a cruise to suit everyone, our industry lends itself perfectly to reunions and making up for lost time. Following a year of cancellations and foregone opportunities, a cruise can provide the ultimate holiday bucket list. Whether it’s ticking off new destinations or sharing new experiences as a family, on a cruise holiday you can really have it all.
I write this in a time of ambiguity. If last year has taught me anything, it’s that there are some things that are simply beyond our control. One thing of which I’m certain, however, is that in 2021 our Travel Partners will be more important to the cruise industry than ever before. Our guests will undoubtedly look to travel agents to guide them with their holiday choices and we will rely on their support in educating our guests on our safety measures. At Royal Caribbean International, we see the travel trade as an extension of our team. We will continue to support our travel partners and ensure they are at the forefront of everything we do.
By Jamie Loizou, managing director, AmaWaterways
Our world has changed but what has not changed is the desire to connect with family, friends, nature and the world beyond our borders. While international travel restrictions and health concerns are still present, experience, trust and flexibility are factors strongly influencing travellers’ decisions for 2021. There are some very positive signs, like the roll out of Covid-19 vaccines, that clearly show we have started down the path to recovery with new bookings for the latter half of 2021 being very strong.
In 2021 trusting the brand will be a key part of any travel purchase decision. We are proud to be the only luxury river cruise line with successful operating experience with the enhanced health and safety protocols, while still receiving excellent guest feedback. During a 12-week period in 2020, we welcomed over 1,500 guests on a series of private German charters and, thanks to this experience, our ships are outfitted and crew stand ready to safely welcome back guests as soon as travel restrictions are lifted.
A question many operators are being asked at the moment is around financial stability and it’s important that we are able to reassure customers to give them confidence and peace of mind in order to secure those valuable bookings. AmaWaterways is a family-owned and operated business and Rudi Schreiner, Kristin Karst and Gary Murphy lead with positivity and passion. Our sole focus is river cruising and, with all our ships paid for, we have no corporate debt to worry about.
Customers are also looking for flexible booking policies and this needs to be in the armoury of tools we give our agents to convert enquiries. When it comes to flexibility, we always work hand in hand with our travel partners, but, for even greater peace of mind, we have added a limited time complimentary Ultimate Cruise Flexibility plan that allows guests to reserve their 2021 Europe or Asia river cruise and change the cruise sailing date for any reason up to 48 hours prior to the start of their journey.
River cruising has a real opportunity to grow its market share. Operationally we can be up and running very quickly. We cruise within countries on national waterways where every day begins conveniently docked in the middle of a new town or village. River cruise ships have smaller numbers of guests, which makes small group shore excursions easily manageable and, at AmaWaterways, we offer hiking and biking excursions so fresh air and open spaces can be enjoyed.
We are very confident that river cruise will be one of the earliest travel sectors to rebound. We know that all of us are very eager to dust off our postponed travel plans and start making new plans to travel with the family members and friends that we have missed. With so many milestone birthdays and anniversary celebrations postponed, the river cruise sector is seeing a trend of multi-generational and multi-family groups wanting to reunite in a safe and trusted environment.
More than ever, travellers are looking for holidays that offer meaningful connections with destinations, nature and local people rather than hurrying through a checklist of crowded tourist sites. We are seeing more interest from our guests for more extended stays in Europe by combining back-to-back cruises and adding our optional pre- or post-river cruise land packages.
This has been an incredibly challenging time to be a travel agent. You have been true travel heroes – remaining patient, positive and passionate about travel, while assisting your clients through this period of uncertainties. Only with your continued support, we will achieve the wonderful plans we have for building new sustainable ships, exploring exciting destinations, offering innovative dining options, new theme cruises and immersive excursions – while keeping our guests – your clients – safe and healthy.
Lynn Narraway, managing director UK & Ireland, Seabourn
Over the last few years, the luxury sector has continued to show a strong performance and a more resilient booking curve. There are more luxury travellers out there than ever before, and so with many of these consumers limited to ‘staycations’ in 2020, I believe that there is an underlying and pent-up demand for our guests to travel. Many Seabourn guests have already secured their 2021, 2022 and even 2023 holidays, so that they have a luxury experience to look forward to. I predict that more companies, like ourselves will be launching 2023 product early to meet this demand from consumers.
I believe that the ‘bucket list’ destinations will be key. For example: Antarctica, Australia, the Arctic and Greenland. We have already had to respond to the demands of the luxury traveller towards experiential satisfaction, and the growing number of expedition operators and dedicated expedition cruise ships will continue to develop unique experiences to cater for this demand for ‘soft adventure’ and learning – such as kayaking around Heimaey in the Westman Islands being taught about bird life by an ornithologist, visiting Viking ruins with an archaeologist, or whale watching in Antarctica with a wildlife expert.
These ships have entire teams of scientists and experts onboard, and when our first expedition ship, Seabourn Venture, arrives in December she will present these experiences in ultra-luxury, offering 132 all-veranda oceanfront suites, stunning interiors by designer Adam D Tihany, alongside kayaks, 24 Zodiacs, and even two custom-built six-guest submarines with their own champagne coolers!
Luxury may not always mean ‘actual luxury’ but rather ‘remote’, ‘hard to find exclusivity’, so for some travellers this will be the luxury of being able to access incredible places – and being the only people in that place at the time – which may mean a tour behind-the-scenes at the Alhambra Palace in Granada, or a bespoke cooking class at a Tuscan farmhouse.
People will also be looking at new technology solutions that will protect our environment. For instance, Seabourn Venture will run on MGO (Marine Gas Oil) for 365 days a year, the most preferred clean fuel that can be used. The ship will be equipped with DPS (Dynamic Positioning System), so never needs to drop anchor anywhere, and 100 per cent of the lighting will be LED, with less energy consumption and heat generation that will reduce HVAC consumption. The ship also offers the latest Advanced Waste Water Treatment Systems and more.
I believe there will be more demand for personalised service, the difference between being catered to, and being truly cared for! Consumers will be desperate to travel, however they will need reassurance that the correct protocols are in place, and they will look for this advice even more from their trusted travel adviser.
Most importantly, I believe that cruise will be the safest way to travel. The cruise industry is 100 per cent committed to investing in the very highest standards of protocols to protect our guests and crew.
Positivity is key – and there is plenty of that in this industry. We just need to remain positive over the next few months. This is where our valued travel partners come in. Learn about these protocols and be confident. You are perfectly placed to translate this positivity to our guests to regain their trust and confidence to travel again.