A panel looking at the ‘world view’ also highlighted changes to cruising seasons, opportunities derived from more diversity in expedition cruising as well as increased interest in polar regions, and the need to sell experiences not just product.
‘When we in an inflationary period like we are now, the value of cruise is greatly magnified,’ says Jason Krimmel, chief sales and marketing officer international with Norwegian Cruise Line. ‘Australians and New Zealanders are booking further in advance so articulating that there is no better value in travel than cruise, tied in with the rise of year-round deployment, will result in real benefits for travel advisors.’
David Siewers, chief international sales officer of Azamara Cruises, says future bookings for the line are 70% ahead of where they were at the same time last year and interest in value is a big driver of that.
‘Clients are keen to get ahead of the economy,’ says Siewers. ‘They are talking about 2027 and 2028.’
He says the longer booking periods also reflect people’s needs to have something to look forward to. ‘This is especially important today.’
Helen Beck, managing director – global commercial with Windstar Cruises emphasises the shift of the shoulder season in cruise.
‘July and August have typically been peak season, particularly in the Mediterranean and other northern hemisphere destinations. Now it has almost become a shoulder season as temperatures are reaching 40 degrees Celsius, it is sometimes very hot. Now April, May and June as well as September and October are selling first. The winter in Europe is also becoming more appealing. It is important that travel advisors have this in their thought process.’
Sam Seward, president of Quark Expeditions, refers to a big spike in polar cruise capacity in 2020-21. ‘What we have seen over the last two years is demand catch up with and accelerate past capacity. There is so much energy and curiosity around polar – it is more accessible and it is no longer niche.’
Mario Bounos, chief commercial officer Swan Hellenic, says the expedition demographic is expanding. ‘It is no longer just 55-plus, it’s a widening audience and it’s not just polar. Destinations like West Africa and Asia-Pacific are taking off.
Julie Seath, YOU Travel & Cruise Waihi; Maree Webb, YOU Travel & Cruise Tauranga; Kylie Crouch, First Travel Group
Lynne Sinclair, NZ Travel Brokers; Sarah Rodgers, Envoyage; Joanna Devereux, The Travel Brokers; Hayley Cook, Adventure Travel Wellington; Dani Enes, Oceania Cruises
Dianna Schinnella, Destination Vancouver; Jolanda Odermatt, Travel with Jolanda; Victoria Leader, Visit Vancouver; Lizzie Doyle, Regent Seven Seas Cruises / Visit Vancouver
