WHAT IS HOT AND WHAT IS NOT!

The Cruise Lines International Association ‘CLIA’ released a report recently which said 8 out of 10 Agents who deal in cruise holidays are expecting to see sales rise yet again in 2016.

The report said the industry is expecting 24 million passengers will sail next year compared with 15 million passengers 10 years ago in 2006.

How is the industry preparing to deal with this increase? Well 2016 will see the launch of a staggering 27 new cruise ships including ocean and river vessels as well as the refit and change of ownership of a number of other vessels.

The report has outlined where it feels the greatest increases will be and what the consumer or you will be looking for.

Not surprisingly they have predicted that River cruising will continue to grow, with a double-digit increase of new ships in 2016.

With many cruise lines investing in Asia in a big way over the next few years with new cruise ports and old ports getting new terminals to cope with the demand it is a sure thing I think that Asia will be the fastest growing region in the cruise industry according to CLIA and with passenger volume growing at a 34 percent annually between 2012 and 2014 they could well be right about this.Australia is another destination which is seeming to be on customer’s radars for 2016/2017 with a marked increase in enquiries for this destination. Passenger numbers have grown according to CLIA from 158,000 in 2004 to more than a million a decade later. It is on the bucket list of many travellers and  opting for a cruise offers them a chance to see

Australia and New Zealand in one holiday with options to Tour either destination as well or Visit Dubai or the Far East before or after the trip making it a real once in a lifetime experience.  Our own Great Bucket list cruises are reflecting this trend with this amazing exclusive offer now available to book for 2017.

Luxury cruising is another area which is bucking economic trends and is on the rise, with speciality cruise lines like Silver Seas, Oceania, Regent seven Seas and Crystal all increasing capacity and more standard cruise lines adding things like concierge services, exclusive tours, gourmet dining and butler service to their repertoire to try and get a slice of this luxury market.

Customers often think suites will go cheap close to the date of sailing but in reality these are the cabins which book up first with demand for things like the Princess and Queens Grill on Cunard exceeding supply.

The way we cruise is also changing as more people want a different experience from their ports of call. Customers want more overnight stops in ports to enable them to sample the night life as well as more in the day so for 2016 more lines are offering overnight stops in ports, which will allow passengers to immerse themselves in the destinations. Hence the popularity of cruise lines like Azamara who offer just this type of itinerary.

Other trends which are steadily increasing are Intergenerational travel. More and more families are choosing to Cruise together with several generations travelling or grandparents taking away their grandchildren on their own as well.

Add to this the trend for re-unions of Clubs and organisations as well as specialist themed cruises and you will not believe the array of cruises on offer. Everything from Star Wars, Running cruises, Nudist cruises, Music themed cruises, comedy cruises, Food and drink themes, Poker, Craft cruises… The list is endless.

Finally and I have mentioned this in a previous blog we have Volunteerism cruises, where passengers have an opportunity to make a difference in ports they visit. These will become more available in 2016. See link below.

LINK TO INFORMATION ON VOLUNTEER CRUISING

What do you think of the predictions?

Are you an experienced cruiser? What do you predict?

I would love to hear your thoughts.