Sailing
on the wide open seas is my favorite type of vacation.
It offers so many ways to unwind and see the world.
With our vacation dollar buying less these days,
cruise vacations are a good value. Cruises to Europe
are up 42% over last season. Most every cruise line,
no matter where in the world their ships sail, sell
their tickets in dollars. Our currency holds up
well in this market. And Europeans are discovering
they can get the same cabin for less by purchasing
with dollars through American travel agents.
If
you are still on the fence about taking a cruise,
let's talk. I get so excited when sharing all my
reasons for favoring cruise vacations. Hopefully
my enthusiasm will convince you to booking your
first . If you have cruised before and want to explore
other cruise lines or destinations, let's talk.
I've been cruising since my teens and have experienced
most major cruise lines.
The
main trend in the cruise industry these days it
is to keep building new ships. Some cruise companies
are building bigger ships to hold thousands of passengers.
I like to avoid ships that hold many more than 1200
people. The largest ships, by Carnival and Royal
Caribbean, are topping out at 4,000 passengers and
are simply floating cities complete with rock climbing
walls, ice skating rinks, boxing rings and dozens
of restaurants. Some cruise lines thinks there is
a good market for these megaships and more are being
built and scheduled for delivery over the next several
years.
“For
a minimum of half a million dollars, you can own
your cabin and literally watch the world go by every
day of the year.”
Some
companies are building smaller ships to increase
the pamper factor for its guests. Smaller ships
(for under 1,500 passengers) are being given make
overs. Crystal spruced up the Harmony and Regent
has the new Voyager-with only outside cabins. Some
are taking out cabins to make existing ones bigger,
with amenities like walk in closets and separate
garden tubs. You can purchase a penthouse cabin
on Crystal or Cunard and have more room than some
people's primary residence. Azamara (in the Carnival
family) and Oceania's fleet of three are trying
to be the best of the smaller, deluxe ships. Not
lavish but definitely luxurious.
Longer
cruises are selling out a year in advance. Longer
meaning world cruises. One hundred twenty days and
more if you like. Why not just buy a cabin and live
on the ocean full time? That is available too on
the ResidenSea. For a minimum of half a million
dollars, you can own your cabin and literally watch
the world go by every day of the year. Some cruise
addicts understand the positives of retiring on
a ship. Your every need is met plus you have a medical
staff, round the clock prepared food, maid, butler,
concierge and new people every few days.
Ships
are staying in port overnight more often. Too many
people want to see the sun set on the Italian or
Greek coast. It is nice to try a local restaurant
for dinner and experience the night life. This is
going to become a widespread practice. Most ships
like to do their travelling at night and be in ports
during the day. This trend will adjust itineraries
to include more flexibility.
So
the mainstream wants the luxury market, the luxury
ships open up to less exclusive multi generational
activities. The big want a piece of the small market
and everyone has their opinion as to what experience
sells the best. But there is always buzz in the
cruise industry. And buzz sells lots of cabins.
