Cruise lines push ‘inclusive nature’ of holidays afloat

Cruise companies are to push the value for money proposition offered by holidays afloat as the credit crunch tightens.

Fourteen new ships are to be launched next year but the level of growth in the the number of UK cruise passengers is forecast to be far lower than in the past two years.

The Passenger Shipping Associaton predicts a rise of between two to three per cent over the 1.5 million expected in 2008.

This represents a marked decline in growth levels from 2007 when numbers were up by 11% to 1.3 million and a predicted 12% growth this year to reach the 1.5 million level. 

The PSA forecasts that numbers will grow to more than 1.6 million in 2010.

The slowdown next year is being attributed to the retirement of the QE2 to Dubai an Thomson Cruises reducing its fleet from five to four ships. But since the PSA figures were released Thomson parent TUI confirmed that Island Escape would join the Thomson Cruises fleet (see separate Island Cruises story). 

PSA director Bill Gibbons said: â€œWe’re still a relatively young and expanding industry with plenty of opportunity to grow as new ships come into service.

“With the present difficult economic climate, cruising is better placed than many other sectors as the inclusive nature of a cruise holiday makes it easy to budget for while continuing to offer exceptional value for money.

“Fourteen ship launches are planned for 2009 and we are anticipating the number of British cruise passengers to head towards 1.7 million cruise passengers in 2010.”

The ships planned for 2009 vary from ultra luxury to family orientated vessels, including Royal Caribbean International’s 5,400-pssenger Oasis of the Seas, the largest cruise ship in the world.

Other family ships entering service next year include Carnival Cruise Lines’ Carnival Dream, including expansive play areas and a large aqua park.

Italian brands Costa Cruises and MSC Cruises will launch four ships between them – Costa  Pacifica, Costa  Luminosa, MSC Splendida and MSC Magnifica.

New ultra-luxury cruise ships for Yachts of Seabourn and Silversea Cruises are to be delivered in summer and winter 2009 respectively followed by further new vessels from Seabourn and Oceanis Cruises in 2010 and 2011.

Specialist niche cruise companies are also adding new ships. The Spirit of Adventure fleet will double in size as 450-passenger Quest For Adventure makes its inaugural cruise in July 2009.

River cruise line Viking River Cruises is launching the 189-passenger Viking Legend, which at 443ft is claimed to be the longest ship on the European rivers.

The PSA predicts that 2009 is the year when cruising goes exotic, with lines adding a range of long-haul destinations.

Orion Expedition Cruises has added places such as Papua New Guinea and Melanesia; Princess Cruises has launched new itineraries to Africa, Asia, Australasia, India and Tahiti, with new ports including Muscat in Oman, Qingdao in China, Fukuoka in Japan and Topolobampo in Mexico, while Holland America Line has added four days at the Great Barrier Reef.

by Phil Davies