So the Heatwave is over!  How did it really affect your cruises this year?

This was certainly a summer to remember – with temperatures reaching heights of 30 degrees plus, it was, at times a struggle for both the young and the mature!

For me, it felt like the time I was in the sand dunes in Namibia (see my cover picture), the intense heat of the sun, and no escape!

While a lot of Brits basked in their back gardens with a BBQ, friends, music and more, some were holidaying abroad, to ‘guarantee some sun’, however, this year we didn’t need to go far at all.

Was this just a one-off, or will we have more of the same next year?

So what about cruises?  Read some of the comments from the cruise lines below:

Marella Cruises’ managing director Chris Hackney revealed the TUI-owned line had enjoyed another “very good year” and that there had been a trend for bookings being made earlier each year.

MSC Cruises’ managing director for the UK and Ireland, Antonio Paradiso, said: “The heatwave did not affect us– it has been our best year ever. I am basically up 50% year on year, so it would be tough to say that I have been experiencing issues.”

Both Paradiso and Tony Roberts, Princess Cruises’ vice-president for the UK and Europe and current Clia chairman, highlighted how early bookings enabled the sector to avoid a downturn in sales.

Roberts said: “There has been a very strong trend to book cruise early over the last three years. 

The result is there is not a lot of stock available late. I think this is particularly true with the summer holiday and family markets.”

Oceania Cruises’ managing director for the EMEA region, Bernard Carter, managing director said he had anticipated slow sales in June and July as England progressed in the World Cup, but that his fears did not materialise.

Both Paradiso and Tony Roberts, Princess Cruises’ vice-president for the UK and Europe and current CLIA chairman, highlighted how early bookings enabled the sector to avoid a downturn in sales.

Roberts said: “There has been a very strong trend to book cruise early over the last three years.

So, is the 2018 summer heatwave one to remember for more than just the record-breaking temperatures and unexpected victory during the World Cup?

How did this year’s heatwave affect you?

Did it encourage you to book a cruise?