Push the boat out
01-Jun-08 Sue Bryant
Despite the possibility of recession and the reality of the fuel surcharges that most cruise lines are now applying, cruising continues to boom, particularly in the luxury sector. The industry has seen yet another year of growth, according to the Passenger Shipping Association (PSA), up 11% last year with a total of 1.35 million British people taking a cruise. The prediction for 2008 is 1.55 million, a 14% rise on 2007.
New entrants are beginning to emerge in the consciousness of the British cruiser. Oceania Cruises (www.oceaniacruises.com) has been around since 2003, filling its three 684-passenger ships with mainly American guests, sailing at 100% capacity and enjoying huge repeat business thanks to its five-star food, service and itineraries at four-star prices. Now the line is building two ships with an option on a third, and has stepped up marketing in the UK.
With an eye on Oceania's success, Celebrity Cruises (www.celebritycruises.co.uk) last year launched Azamara, in direct competition. The two lines are operating ships that were originally identical, built as a series of eight for the now-defunct Renaissance Cruises. Azamara (www.azamaracruises.co.uk), like Oceania, puts an emphasis on premium food and service, with butler service for every stateroom. "We created Azamara to target an area of the market that we believe is under-served," says Richard Fain, chairman and chief executive of parent company, Royal Caribbean Cruise Line. "This new line falls into the deluxe category - between premium and luxury."
A trend is emerging on big ships for exclusive areas dedicated to passengers willing to pay more. Celebrity Cruises has a new class of cabin, AquaClass, on its latest vessel, Celebrity Solstice, due to launch later this year. The 130 spa-themed staterooms will offer unlimited access to the AquaSpa relaxation room and the Persian Garden aromatherapy and steam room; guests will also have their own dining room, Blu.
MSC Cruises (www.msccruises.co.uk) is going a step further with an exclusive VIP area, MSC Yacht Club, on its new megaship, MSC Fantasia. The Yacht Club will have restricted access via a lift, and will include 99 spacious suites with a butler allocated for every five cabins, as well as its own pool, bar and lounge. "These VIPs will be able to use all the amenities of the ship but maintain their privacy at the same time," says Achille Staiano, commercial manager, international market at MSC Cruises.
The other big emphasis is on shore excursions and onboard activities. Excursions are now branded 'adventures' or 'experiences', and extend way beyond the passive coach tour. Crystal Cruises' new Asian programme includes a spice plantation in India; a train journey in China to a silk-reeling factory; a three-night overland tour of Laos; a cookery demonstration in Cochin in India; and, on two itineraries, a complimentary three-night overland adventure in Beijing.
Regent Seven Seas Cruises is offering a journey from Colombo to Kandy aboard Sri Lanka's Viceroy Railway and a hot-air balloon ride over Kenya's Masai Mara, as well as canoeing near the Arctic Circle, a helicopter tour over the live Montserrat volcano and an elephant safari in South Africa.
German-owned Peter Deilmann (www.deilmann.co.uk), meanwhile, has announced its fourth classical music-themed cruise, offering music-lovers a chance to listen to performances by the celebrated Wurttemberg Chamber Orchestra on a 13-night voyage from Hamburg to Monte Carlo on 18 September. The cruise is on the company's five-star MS Deutschland, a ship themed around the 'Roaring 20s' and carrying just 520. Fares start at £2,375 per person.
CRUISE LINES
SILVERSEA CRUISES
What's new: Last September, Silversea bought the 6,072-tonne expedition ship World Discoverer, which underwent a multimillion-dollar refurbishment before it began service in June as Prince Albert II. "This acquisition means we'll be able to further tap the segment of the luxury travel market that is adventure-driven," says Silversea chairman Manfredi Lefebvre. "We believe exploration cruises can combine extremely well with an utterly exclusive product." Following the refurbishment, Prince Albert II can accommodate around 140 guests in ocean-view staterooms in an unusual degree of luxury for an expedition ship. Its ice-strengthened hull means it is ideally equipped for navigating waters in places such as Antarctica.
Silversea is also building a new, 36,000-GRT (Gross Registered Tonnage - a measure of the volume of space within the hull of the ship), 540-guest, ultra-luxury vessel for delivery late 2009, with an option for a second ship. (See Profile, page 13).
Client fit: Mainly couples, mainly older, from USA, UK, continental Europe and Russia; clients who enjoy good food and service, and appreciate formal nights at sea.
Destinations: Mediterranean in summer. All four of Silversea's ships roam the world in winter, covering everywhere from Asia to the South Pacific, Australia and New Zealand, the Middle East, Caribbean and East Coast USA. Next year sees a return to Alaska and the first Grand Pacific Voyage, a 92-day extended odyssey around the Pacific Ocean.
Price: A seven-night cruise in the Mediterranean in May costs from £2,396, including everything except flights and transfers.
Contact: www.silversea.com
Recommended by: Scott Anderson, general manager, White Star Cruises
HEBRIDEAN INTERNATIONAL CRUISES
What's new: Following the success of the 'Footloose' walking cruises on Hebridean Princess, a series of six has been added to the Mediterranean programme of the 98-guest Hebridean Spirit. Destinations for Footloose cruises include the Azores, the Serrania de Ronda in Andalucia, Italy, Croatia, Catalonia and the Spanish coast. In addition, the 2008 season sees the luxury of a new, exclusive private check-in terminal at Stansted to complement Hebridean's luxury charter flight on Hebridean Spirit's sailings.
Client fit: Older, usually well-heeled, often titled, adventurous, well-travelled and independent. Hebridean is excellent for single travellers.
Destinations: Hebridean Princess sails in Scotland and, occasionally, Norway. Hebridean Spirit sails in the Caribbean and South America and the Mediterranean, with a couple of forays into the Black Sea.
Price: The seven-night cruise, Footloose on Spanish Shores, costs from £3,042, all-inclusive.
Contact: www.hebridean.co.uk
Recommended by Sue Lewis, director, Sue Lewis Travel:
"The crew make you feel incredibly special, and you are looked after beautifully. The excursions are excellent, too. We arrived at St Mark's Basilica in Venice and Hebridean had taken it over exclusively for the passengers. They are also very good for singles. You don't feel left out, yet the attention you get is not intrusive."
THE YACHTS OF SEABOURN
What's new: The Yachts of Seabourn has seen such strong advance bookings for Seabourn Odyssey, launching in 2009, that it has ordered a third Odyssey-class for delivery in 2011. This will sail alongside the existing fleet of three smaller yachts, the new Odyssey and her sister, launching 2010. "Our decision to order a third ship is based partly on the enthusiasm we have seen for our new ship design," explains president and chief executive, Pamela Conover. "That enthusiasm, combined with research indicating a continuing robust expansion in demand for ultra-luxury cruising in general, convinces us that we have the right formula at the right time."
The new, 32,000-tonne ships will accommodate 450 guests in 225 suites; 90% have private balconies.
Client fit: Well-travelled; sophisticated; interested in smaller, unusual ports; looking for the feel of a deluxe private yacht.
Destinations: Asia, Central America, Caribbean, Europe; East Coast USA and Canada. Most itineraries in the Mediterranean and Caribbean are seven nights.
Price: Seven-night Caribbean cruise departing 6 December costs from £1,518, cruise-only, all-inclusive on board.
Contact: www.seabourn.com
Recommended by Stefan Shillito, managing director, The Sovereign Cruise Club:
"Interest is very high in Seabourn Odyssey, and we are booking a lot of clients. Seabourn hasn't built a new ship for many years so there's pent-up demand. There's also a lot of migration to small, luxury ships; people are looking for something more exclusive."
OCEANIA CRUISES
What's new: Two 1,260-guest cruise ships have been ordered for delivery September 2010 and July 2011, with an option for a third vessel to be delivered in May 2012. The total value of the contract, including the option for the third ship, is £817m.
The new Oceania Class vessels will have six open-seating gourmet restaurants and single-seating dining. The Grand Dining Room will have a frescoed, domed ceiling and the four speciality restaurants will serve grill specialities, Italian, French and pan-Asian food. The ships will feature 630 staterooms and suites that are, on average, 50% larger than those on the existing Regatta Class; some 98% of all guest accommodations will feature ocean views and 95% will have private teak verandahs.
Client fit: People around 50-plus who like to cruise but see themselves as travellers rather than typical cruisers, with an interest in destination-intensive itineraries, good food and an informal atmosphere. Clients who are upgrading from a premium brand such as Celebrity or Princess yet do not want to pay for Silversea or Regent Seven Seas.
Destinations: Europe, Caribbean, Australia, south-east Asia, Panama Canal, South America.
Price: A 12-night cruise from Venice to Athens leaving 13 October costs from $3,599 (£1,839) excluding flights.
Contact: www.oceaniacruises.com
Recommended by Margaret Eva, office manager, Voyana:
"Oceania has a totally unique style not matched by any other cruise line, of a five-star cruise line with six star satisfaction levels. There is a distinct feeling of a small ship and the service makes you feel incredibly special. Our clients love it. It has one of the biggest repeat factors. But it often gets booked up and we have to wait-list clients, especially for the penthouses."
REGENT SEVEN SEAS CRUISES
What's new: In December 2007, Regent Seven Seas Cruises was acquired by Apollo Management, an investment consortium that already owns Oceania Cruises and has also taken a 50% stake in NCL. While new builds for Regent were not on the cards, Apollo has hinted this may change. Partner Steve Martinez says: "Regent Seven Seas is the largest, most successful luxury cruise brand, and we look forward to the growth opportunities this addition offers."
For 2008 and 2009, RSSC has introduced 'Masterpiece' cruises: itineraries featuring imaginative or unusual destinations that can be bolted together for longer voyages.
Client fit: Older, discerning travellers who appreciate a luxurious environment and would always book a suite. Also, cultured travellers who will take advantage of the Circles of Interest enrichment programme and the gourmet food.
Destinations: Worldwide, with one ship permanently in Tahiti. Strong presence in the Mediterranean in summer; longer, more exotic cruises in winter.
Price: An 11-night 'Masterpiece' cruise from Monte Carlo to Piraeus on 27 September costs from £2,924, cruise-only, all-inclusive on board.
Contact: www.rssc.co.uk
Recommended by Eric Povey, managing director, Deva Travel and director of ITC Classics:
"We have a new cruise programme and are only working with quality cruise lines, of which Regent Seven Seas is one. What sets it apart is the fact that every cabin has its own balcony, it's all-inclusive and it's luxurious without being flashy. It represents understated elegance throughout. We are expecting more clients to upgrade from mass-market ships to products such as Regent because of the quality and the smaller size of the ships."
WINDSTAR CRUISES
What's new: Carnival Corporation sold Windstar to Ambassadors International Cruise Group in 2007. Over the past year, all three ships in the fleet have been upgraded. Work has included remodelled bathrooms in all staterooms, an expanded spa, refurbished lounge and improvements to the Veranda, Lobby and Pool Bar on each ship. Other touches introduced include wireless internet available throughout the ship, along with Bose SoundDock speakers in all staterooms, free Apple iPod Nanos pre-loaded with music, plush mattresses, luxury bedding, Egyptian cotton towels and bath amenities by L'Occitane. Around the pool, lemon-scented iced towels and orange sorbet will be served on warm days.
Client fit: Younger than average; sophisticated, well-travelled, interested in smaller ships and ports but wanting the feel and prestige of a large, private yacht.
Destinations: Wind Star will sail round-trip from Costa Rica January until March next year, with a limited amount of Panama Canal cruises in the spring and winter, returning to the Greek Isles from May to October and offering a few Mediterranean itineraries in late spring and late autumn. An itinerary was added for Wind Surf, the biggest of the three ships, on 17 May, 2009: a round trip from Nice, including the Cannes Film Festival and the Monaco Grand Prix.
Price: A seven-day round trip from Costa Rica departing 29 November costs from £2,195, cruise only.
Contact: www.windstarcruises.com
Recommended by Edwina Lonsdale, managing director, Mundy Cruising and The Cruise Portfolio (GSA for Windstar):
"The best thing about Windstar is the informal, relaxed style. There are no announcements on board, open-seating dining and no dressing up. You're with independent, laid-back, self-contained travellers who love exploring. The most perfect thing is to be out on deck in the moonlight, under full sail, drink in hand, the water almost in reach."
CRUISES IN ANTARCTICA
The 2007/08 Antarctica cruise season began with disaster, with the sinking of the expedition vessel Explorer. There have been two other incidents since: a Hurtigruten ship, MS Nordkapp, was holed when it hit rocks at Deception Island, while MS Fram lost power and drifted into an iceberg. Many ships cruising in the region do not have ice-strengthened hulls, warn experts, and some carry too many passengers to be rescued in the event of an emergency.
Visitors are undeterred, however. Some 58 ships took 37,550 passengers into Antarctica in 2007 during the November to March season, an increase of 25% on 2006.
Passengers concerned about safety and their environmental footprint should opt for small expedition ships rather than large cruise ships. Luxury operators include Quark Expeditions (www.quarkexpeditions.com), Hapag-Lloyd (www.hl-cruises.com) and Swan Hellenic (www.swanhellenic.com).
"Our Antarctic cruises sold very well for the 2008 season, proving that our passengers have every confidence of a safe passage to the White Continent," says Swan Hellenic's managing director, Tony Dyson. "Of course, safety on board is paramount. Our ship, Minerva, has ice-class certification and is designed to operate in sea ice."
