The cruise industry’s recovery showed its strength last week as multiple cruise lines posted record bookings. Celebrity Cruises, Holland America Line, Royal Caribbean International and Seabourn all broke booking records in November. For the first three lines, Black Friday was the single largest booking day in the lines’ histories, while Seabourn said the entire month was its best ever.
Also reporting soaring bookings was Norwegian Cruise Line’s President and CEO Harry Sommer. He spoke to Dream Vacations/CruiseOne advisors about the line's booking performance, “no NCFs” policy, Vista-class ships and Pride of America staffing.
Destinations, too, are seeing post-pandemic recovery. For example, the Port of Quebec welcomed 92,000 cruise visitors between April to November 2022. Some 23 cruise lines made 96 calls with 28 ships, eight of those vessels sailing into the port for the first time. Separately, cruising is restarting in Japan and Holland America Line’s Westerdam is readying for early 2023 itineraries there.
Consumer demand for longer ocean voyages also continues to rise. Last week, Oceania Cruises announced a new 33-day “Mediterranean Connection” itinerary from Venice to Barcelona. Departing October 11, 2023, Marina will operate this extensive voyage with travel to many eastern Mediterranean and Holy Land destinations.
But the week also brought some sad news. Viking's new expedition ship, Viking Polaris, was hit by a “rogue wave” while sailing to Ushuaia, Argentina, last week. One passenger has died and four others have sustained non-life-threatening injuries. Viking canceled the ship's next voyage on December 5. Photos published by international media show some ship damage including smashed windows, although Viking describes the damage as "limited."
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The new ultra-luxury brand, Explora Journeys, revealed itinerary details for Explora I's maiden voyage on July 17, 2023 from Southampton, U.K. In addition, the new brand unveiled its onboard entertainment and activities—flowing throughout seven different venues. For example, guests can opt for Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox in the Explora Lounge or head to the Journeys Lounge for music inspired by the ship’s itinerary.
Small-ship American Cruise Lines outlined what’s new in 2023 including three new ships, 10 new itineraries and 21 new ports.
In the "quirky development of the week" category, the question is whether Royal Caribbean International could join the likes of Virgin Galactic, SpaceX, Blue Origin, Space Perspective and myriad others seeking to make space tourism mainstream? According to a social media post by Nick Weir, RCI’s senior vice president, entertainment, it seems it could be likely.
Travel Experts, a host agency group representing 500 independent travel advisors, will hold its third “Summit” with a five-night private charter of Seabourn Ovation from Barbados on March 25-30, 2023. Some 150 travel advisors and 60 suppliers will sail and participate in onboard meetings, one-on-one talks and social gatherings.
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