CruiseBusiness.com CruiseBusiness.com REVIEWING CRUISE BUSINESS GLOBALLY Magazine Magazine SPRING 2023 Canada comes back stronger Canada comes back stronger UK faces storm clouds with confidence SUN PRINCESS IN THE WORKS In early March, Fredrik Johansson of Tillberg Design of Sweden – along with his colleagues from Princess Cruises, Jeffrey Beers International and Richmond International – gave an exclusive tour for the media onboard the Sun Princess. With 11 months to go until its scheduled maiden voyage, the 175,500 gross ton Sun Princess represents a new class for the Love Boat brand, featuring the introduction of LNG for fuel and Azipods for propulsion. tumma kansi spring 2023.indd 1 tumma kansi spring 2023.indd 1 22.3.2023 7.40 22.3.2023 7.40
Whether the destination is to the remotest parts of the planet or to the cultural capitals of the world, SunStone provides all-in-one B2B solutions for small ship cruising on long-term or seasonal charters in cold and warm waters. Our clients and partners depend on SunStone’s commitment to environmental sustainability and pioneering initiatives to build a class of expedition vessels that delivers efficiency, safety, and comfort. Join us today on the expedition cruise of tomorrow. OCEAN ODYSSEY SYLVIA EARLE OCEAN ALBATROS OCEAN VICTORY OCEAN EXPLORER GREG MORTIMER OCEAN DIAMOND OCEAN ENDEAVOUR OCEAN ADVENTURER OCEAN ATLANTIC SEA SPIRIT OCEAN NOVA Delivery 2023 Follow The Sun Wherever Your Destination, Let SunStone Take You There www.sunstoneships.com SHAPING THE FUTURE WITH INNOVATIVE CRUISE SOLUTIONS Deliver the cruise port experience preferred by discerning travelers, from e? ortless access through FLL and modern terminals to exceptional preand post-cruise diversions in Greater Fort Lauderdale. We’ll pamper you, too, with a warm welcome through our Harbormaster O? ce, concierge-style service by our dedicated cruise team and fully scalable amenities all available 24/7. We make it easy. A World-Class Welcome PortEverglades.net 2-3.indd 2 2-3.indd 2 20.3.2023 8.05 20.3.2023 8.05
SHIP PREVIEW Whether the destination is to the remotest parts of the planet or to the cultural capitals of the world, SunStone provides all-in-one B2B solutions for small ship cruising on long-term or seasonal charters in cold and warm waters. Our clients and partners depend on SunStone’s commitment to environmental sustainability and pioneering initiatives to build a class of expedition vessels that delivers efficiency, safety, and comfort. Join us today on the expedition cruise of tomorrow. OCEAN ODYSSEY SYLVIA EARLE OCEAN ALBATROS OCEAN VICTORY OCEAN EXPLORER GREG MORTIMER OCEAN DIAMOND OCEAN ENDEAVOUR OCEAN ADVENTURER OCEAN ATLANTIC SEA SPIRIT OCEAN NOVA Delivery 2023 Follow The Sun Wherever Your Destination, Let SunStone Take You There www.sunstoneships.com SHAPING THE FUTURE WITH INNOVATIVE CRUISE SOLUTIONS Deliver the cruise port experience preferred by discerning travelers, from e? ortless access through FLL and modern terminals to exceptional preand post-cruise diversions in Greater Fort Lauderdale. We’ll pamper you, too, with a warm welcome through our Harbormaster O? ce, concierge-style service by our dedicated cruise team and fully scalable amenities all available 24/7. We make it easy. A World-Class Welcome PortEverglades.net 2-3.indd 3 2-3.indd 3 20.3.2023 8.05 20.3.2023 8.05
Ph oto cre dit : Te ijo Ni em elä ONWARDS. Now it is time to work even harder. They say when you reach the top, there is only one way to go. We say that way is onwards . Visit viking.com, call 1-800-2-VIKING or see your Travel Advisor AND #1 ON OCEANS... AGAIN, WHERE DO YOU GO NEXT? WHEN YOU ARE NAMED #1 ON RIVERS… Ship category: Mid-size ship 300–799 cabins From August 2022 Travel + Leisure® , 2022 Travel + Leisure Holdco, LLC, a subsidiary of Wyndham Destinations, Inc. Travel + Leisure is published by TI Inc. Affluent Media Group, a subsidiary of Meredith Operations Corporation. Meredith Operations Corporation is not affiliated with Wyndham Destinations, Inc. or its subsidiaries. All rights reserved. Travel + Leisure® is a registered trademark of Travel + Leisure Holdco, LLC, a subsidiary of Wyndham Destinations, Inc. and is used under limited license. Viking Cruises is not affiliated with Wyndham Destination, Inc. or its subsidiaries. CST# 2052644-40 #1 Rivers & Oceans...again 6 Editor’s Commentary 8 Hong Kong’s cruise scene surges full steam ahead 10 Upfront CONTENTS – SPRING 2023 14 Canada comes back stronger 20 UK market faces storm clouds with confidence 27 Roxtec signs, seals and delivers 28 Anglo-Eastern Leisure Management to capitalize on economies of scale 30 Fincantieri plans for a green future 33 Sun Princess in the works 36 Northern European ferry recovery gathers momentum 40 Swan Hellenic’s new fleet now complete 42 Jamaica – five ports, one island Viking Star was company’s first ocean cruise ship in 2015 4 CRUISEBUSINESS.COM MAGAZINE SPRING 2023 4-5.indd 2 4-5.indd 2 12.5.2023 9.59 12.5.2023 9.59
ONWARDS. Now it is time to work even harder. They say when you reach the top, there is only one way to go. We say that way is onwards . Visit viking.com, call 1-800-2-VIKING or see your Travel Advisor AND #1 ON OCEANS... AGAIN, WHERE DO YOU GO NEXT? WHEN YOU ARE NAMED #1 ON RIVERS… Ship category: Mid-size ship 300–799 cabins From August 2022 Travel + Leisure® , 2022 Travel + Leisure Holdco, LLC, a subsidiary of Wyndham Destinations, Inc. Travel + Leisure is published by TI Inc. Affluent Media Group, a subsidiary of Meredith Operations Corporation. Meredith Operations Corporation is not affiliated with Wyndham Destinations, Inc. or its subsidiaries. All rights reserved. Travel + Leisure® is a registered trademark of Travel + Leisure Holdco, LLC, a subsidiary of Wyndham Destinations, Inc. and is used under limited license. Viking Cruises is not affiliated with Wyndham Destination, Inc. or its subsidiaries. CST# 2052644-40 #1 Rivers & Oceans...again 4-5.indd 3 4-5.indd 3 12.5.2023 9.59 12.5.2023 9.59
I n our Winter 2023 issue, I wrote about the second-hand cruise ship market and the fate of the 2017-built, 150,695 gross ton World Dream. While our latest issue was still in the mail, the ship was up for auction a second time and found a buyer with a satisfactory offer. The World Dream was not acquired by any current cruise owner or operator, but an entirely new entrant looking to build a cruise venture from the ground up: Cruise Saudi. Saudi Arabia has been actively working to enter the inbound tourism industry. Neighboring nations, such as the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Qatar and Egypt on the other side of the Red Sea, have all carved out their share of the global tourism market. Dubai is a prime example, having developed one of the leading destinations in the world offering world-class resorts and attractions, all served by its global carrier, Emirates Airline. In much the same way, Qatar has built its reputation with Qatar Airways and by hosting the soccer World Cup last year. The Saudi expansion is a vision of His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Prime Minister and Chairman of the Public Investment Fund (PIF), which is behind the Cruise Saudi investments. In a further development, on March 12 Saudi Arabia announced the formation of a new global airline, Riyadh Air, which will utilize Riyadh as a gateway between Europe, Asia and Africa. As with Cruise Saudi’s CEO Lars Clasen, a veteran cruise executive with decades of experience, Riyadh Air has tapped Tony Douglas, who brings with him 40 years of airline experience to run the new carrier. Cruise Saudi has already accomplished significant milestones. On Saudi Founding Day 2023, it set a record of welcoming 9,000 cruise visitors on the same day when the MSC Splendida and Residences At Sea’s The World visited Jeddah and the new MSC World Europa docked in DamEditor Teijo Niemelä Publisher Cruise Media LLC Chief Content Officer Carolyn Spencer Brown Copy Editor M.T. Schwartzman Sales and Production Christer Gorschelnik Art Director Julle Järvinen, Julle Oy COMPANY ADDRESS Cruise Media LLC 209 N Queen Street Chestertown, MD 21620 USA Telephone +1-609-751-2344 E-mail cruisemediallc[a]gmail.com SALES OFFICE FINLAND ChrisGo Consulting Pahtankatu 10 as 10 FIN-21200 Raisio, Finland Telephone +358-440-159 554 E-mail christer.gorschelnik[a]kolumbus.fi SALES OFFICE USA Teijo Niemelä 209 N Queen Street Chestertown, MD 21620 USA Telephone +1-609-751-2344 cruisemediallc[a]gmail.com FEATURED CONTRIBUTOR M.T. Schwartzman has covered Alaska tourism and the cruise industry since 1988. He has written hundreds of articles on the state for consumer, trade and business publications. He also is the Copy Editor of CruiseBusiness.com Magazine. PRINTED IN FINLAND – PUNAMUSTA OY, HELSINKI EDITOR’S COMMENTARY mam. Altogether, Cruise Saudi expects to host 75 cruise ship calls during the 2022-2023 season. Cruise Saudi currently markets six destinations – one in the Persian Gulf and five in the Red Sea. E lsewhere, Japan is one of the most versatile cruise destinations in the world. Before the Covid-19 pandemic, its numerous destinations were mostly explored by global cruise operators, while three small domestic brands catered exclusively to the domestic market. Since this winter, the number of Japanese cruise operators has shrunk to two: NYK Cruises and MOPAS – both owned by large cruise shipping conglomerates, NYK and MOL Group. Thankfully, both have a long-term strategy to stay in the cruise business. NYK has already commissioned a newbuild from Meyer Werft, which will be delivered in 2025, while MOL Group has announced plans to introduce three 35,000 gross ton newbuilds by 2027. However, no order has yet been made. To accelerate this growth, MOL Group announced in mid-March that it will acquire the 2009-built, 32,000 gross ton Seabourn Odyssey from the world’s largest cruise company, Carnival Corporation & plc. This gives MOL Group a bridge between its current single-ship operation to a multiship fleet, which will be marketed internationally for the first time. The Seabourn Odyssey currently serves the ultra-luxury segment and will give MOL Group a good tool to start its expansion well before its planned newbuildings come into service. It is nice to see the sun rising again in the East. Teijo Niemelä HOW TO FOLLOW US Twitter.com/cruisebusiness n facebook.com/CruiseBusinessUSA n Instagram.com/niemelateijo CruiseBusiness.com Magazine F I N C A N T I E R I . C O M THE SEA IS WAITING FOR US, BUILDER AND OWNERS, TOGETHER. This has been a tough period for the entire cruise industry. But our strength and resilience have allowed us to stay close to all Ship-Owners throughout. A new era of cruising is coming, digital and green, and we will be by your side every step of the way. K -C H A N G E C M Y CM MY CY CMY K SAUDI ARABIA IN HIGH GEAR 6 CRUISEBUSINESS.COM MAGAZINE SPRING 2023 6-7 .indd 2 6-7 .indd 2 22.3.2023 8.00 22.3.2023 8.00
F I N C A N T I E R I . C O M THE SEA IS WAITING FOR US, BUILDER AND OWNERS, TOGETHER. This has been a tough period for the entire cruise industry. But our strength and resilience have allowed us to stay close to all Ship-Owners throughout. A new era of cruising is coming, digital and green, and we will be by your side every step of the way. K -C H A N G E C M Y CM MY CY CMY K 6-7 .indd 3 6-7 .indd 3 22.3.2023 8.00 22.3.2023 8.00
8 Cruisebusiness.Com magazine spring 2023 H ong Kong’s cruise scene is surging full steam ahead, buoyed by the visit of the elegant Silver Spirit of luxury line Silversea Cruises in mid-January, which marked an auspicious start to the year. March 9 was an exciting day for the Hong Kong cruise scene – four ships berthed in Hong Kong on the same day! Among them was a vessel from Resorts World Cruises that offers homeport sailings from Hong Kong, starting with hugely popular 2-night and 3-night itineraries. Many more international cruise lines will stream back to Hong Kong throughout the year, bringing cruise fans from around the globe to Hong Kong’s shores. A portal to a world of opportunities Hong Kong’s appeal as one of the world’s most exciting harbor cities and a desirable destination for those who love to sail the oceans continues to shine. The turbulence caused by the pandemic may become a blip on the radar. As a highly efficient global aviation hub strategically located in the heart of Asia, with the convenience of direct connections from cities around the world, Hong Kong has unrivalled connectivity for cruise operators looking to attract international passengers with innovative fly-cruise products and extended regional journeys. Hong Kong, as part of the dynamic Greater Bay Area (GBA), also offers cruise companies excellent opportunities to develop cruise products connecting southern mainland cities, travelling via the iconic Hong KongZhuhai-Macao Bridge or High Speed Rail. This not only delivers enriched regional experiences for international cruise passengers, but also taps into the enormous potential market for international and regional cruises within the GBA, which boasts a population of 86 million people. In terms of itineraries from Hong Kong, cruise passengers can sail in indulgence north to the bustling coastal cities of mainland China, Taiwan, Japan and South Korea, or south and east to the exotic cultures of Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines and Indonesia. This places Hong Kong as an ideal port for cruise operators to center their international and regional itineraries with onward journeys to some of Asia’s most vibrant destinations. Breathtaking harbor is just the start of an unforgettable stay It is hard to imagine a more spectacular arrival than sailing into Hong Kong harbor, with its dramatic skyline, bright neon lights and mountain peaks beyond. Day or night, it gives visitors so many unforgettable moments. And it’s only the start! Compact, cosmopolitan and bursting with energy, this city is tailor-made for cruise passengers looking for an action-packed shore experience. Renowned for its unique East-meets-West culture, Hong Kong offers mouth-watering culinary delights and authentic street food, a thriving arts and entertainment scene and shopping everywhere from lively local markets to sprawling high-end mega malls. Two fabulous new attractions in the harborfront West Kowloon Cultural District are the latest mustsees. The Hong Kong Palace Museum displays an exclusive collection of over 900 priceless treasures from the Palace Museum in Beijing, giving a unique insight into centuries-old Chinese culture, while M+ is Asia’s first truly global museum of contemporary visual culture, delivering a distinctive and innovative voice about Asia’s place in the modern world anchored on Hong Kong’s historical balance of local and international influences. Long-beloved attractions have added a new sheen too! One of the city’s most enduring attractions, the Peak Tram, has been given a stunning makeover, providing an even more enthralling journey to panoramic views atop Victoria Peak. Hong Kong Disneyland Resort has unveiled plenty of compelling new attractions, including the Castle of Magical Dreams and a brilliant night-time spectacular, “Momentous,” ahead of the much-anticipated launch of the world’s first themed area fashioned after the hit movie Frozen. Over at Ocean Park, the new all-weather indoor and outdoor Water World promises visitors hours of water-based thrills and spills. With so much happening in Hong Kong, and its growing stature as the commercial and cultural epicenter of the region, along with support from the Hong Kong Tourism Board, the local cruise scene is set to make a strong comeback once again in the international cruise market. Discoverhongkong.com ADVERTORIAL Hong Kong’s cruise scene surges full steam ahead Hong Kong’s cruise scene surges full steam ahead
From top to bottom: M+ and Hong Kong Palace Museum (Credit: Hong Kong Palace Museum) are new attractions in Hong Kong; The Peak Tram; and Symphony of Lights Cruisebusiness.Com magazine spring 2023 9
10 CRUISEBUSINESS.COM MAGAZINE SPRING 2023 Carnival Cruise Line reached a major milestone on March 16 as the first cruise line to carry over 100 million passengers since it began sailing more than 50 years ago. The milestone was commemorated as 100millionth passengers Debi and David Clifford – vacationing from Ohio and representing Carnival guests everywhere – boarded the Carnival Sunrise at PortMiami with their family. They were recognized with fanfare from Carnival Cruise Line President Christine Duffy and the ship’s team members, led by Captain Luca Cherchi. P&O Cruises’ newest vessel, the 182,204 gross ton Arvia, was named on March 16 during a beachside party in Barbados. The LNG-powered vessel has spent this winter season dual-homeporting in Antigua and Barbados, so it was more than appropriate that Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley and Grenada Prime Minister Dickson Mitchell joined P&O Cruises President Paul Ludlow for the ceremony. Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland and Royal Caribbean Group celebrated the official cutting of steel to start production for the second, still unnamed Icon-class newbuilding. The LNG-powered Icon class will be the largest cruise ships ever built, registering 250,800 gross tons and carrying 5,610 passengers (double occupancy). The Icon of the Seas will set sail in January 2024, while the second Icon ship will follow a year later. UPFRONT #WeLoveCruising CRUISE CAPITAL OF THE WORLD YOUR ADVENTURE BEGINS IN MIAMI PortMiami.biz 10-13 .indd 2 10-13 .indd 2 22.3.2023 7.24 22.3.2023 7.24
#WeLoveCruising CRUISE CAPITAL OF THE WORLD YOUR ADVENTURE BEGINS IN MIAMI PortMiami.biz 10-13 .indd 3 10-13 .indd 3 22.3.2023 7.24 22.3.2023 7.24
SAILING UNDER A NEW BANNER THE CRUISE SHIP MANAGEMENT & CRUISE HOSPITALITY EXPERTS It's a legacy we’re proud of and inspired to build upon, through new markets, new partners, and new possibilities. And nothing could be more exciting than leveraging our global scale and expertise for growth in the cruise industry with two of the most trusted experts in the business that share our same commitment to quality, safety, and the environment. Anglo-Eastern Cruise Management and Anglo-Eastern Leisure Management (formerly Cruise Management International and CMI Leisure Management) are now proud members of the Anglo-Eastern family, which has been managing ships of all types and sizes for high-pro?le clients around the world since 1974. Yet with 50 years of global ship management experience and the expertise of two of the cruise sector’s most respected niche players, we're far from new to the industry and are keen to make a splash under a new banner, with more power in our sails to take you further. There’s a new kid in town 12 CRUISEBUSINESS.COM MAGAZINE SPRING 2023 Oceania Cruises has named celebrated ItalianAmerican chef, author, restaurateur and Emmy Award-winning food personality Giada De Laurentiis as godmother of its newest ship, the Vista, debuting in May 2023. Multiple Grammy and Emmy Award-winning singer, pianist and actor Harry Connick Jr. will appear alongside De Laurentiis at the star-studded christening and naming ceremony on May 8 in Valletta, Malta. De Laurentis is pictured here with Oceania Cruises’ new President Frank A. Del Rio. The coin ceremony for the Explora II, the second of up to six ships planned by the Cruise Division of MSC Group for its luxury brand Explora Journeys, took place on February 8 at Fincantieri’s Sestri Ponente shipyard near Genoa, Italy. The time-honored maritime ceremony saw commemorative coins placed inside the ship as a sign of blessing during construction and good fortune in the future. The event was attended by key executives including Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman, Cruise Division, MSC Group; Michael Ungerer, CEO, Explora Journeys; and Pierroberto Folgiero, CEO, Fincantieri. Resorts World One commenced its maiden voyage on March 9 from Hong Kong’s Kai Tak Cruise Terminal on a weekend high-seas cruise. The 75,338 gross ton Resorts World One is the first cruise ship to restart cruises in Hong Kong with a year-round homeport deployment offering three sailings a week. Michael Goh, President, Resorts World Cruises (left), presents a ship model as a memento to Kenneth Wong, General Manager – MICE & Cruise, Hong Kong Tourism Board (right), at the Hong Kong launch for Resorts World One. UPFRONT 10-13 .indd 4 10-13 .indd 4 22.3.2023 7.24 22.3.2023 7.24
SAILING UNDER A NEW BANNER THE CRUISE SHIP MANAGEMENT & CRUISE HOSPITALITY EXPERTS It's a legacy we’re proud of and inspired to build upon, through new markets, new partners, and new possibilities. And nothing could be more exciting than leveraging our global scale and expertise for growth in the cruise industry with two of the most trusted experts in the business that share our same commitment to quality, safety, and the environment. Anglo-Eastern Cruise Management and Anglo-Eastern Leisure Management (formerly Cruise Management International and CMI Leisure Management) are now proud members of the Anglo-Eastern family, which has been managing ships of all types and sizes for high-pro?le clients around the world since 1974. Yet with 50 years of global ship management experience and the expertise of two of the cruise sector’s most respected niche players, we're far from new to the industry and are keen to make a splash under a new banner, with more power in our sails to take you further. There’s a new kid in town 10-13 .indd 5 10-13 .indd 5 22.3.2023 7.24 22.3.2023 7.24
R e n e w w i t h t h e e x p e r i e n c e cruisesaintlawrence.com P E O P L E . P L A C E S . P A S S I O N S . t h e e x p e r i e n c e Renew with an experience like no other. With its colossal gulf, magnificent landscapes and incredible wildlife, the world’s third-largest river is a true wonder of nature. Renew with the nine splendid ports of call along the 2,000 kilometres-long river. Each of them has something unique to offer. Charming villages, rolling farmlands, bustling cities, a fjord, and smooth beaches are dotted along the way. Arts and culture lovers, festival goers and nature enthusiasts alike are bound to have an unforgettable experience. Let your guests discover the history, the heritage and the people of Québec and renew with our “Best Bienvenue”. The trip of a lifetime awaits. Renew with the Saint Lawrence. Again and again. Ph ot o : M at hi eu Du pu is Untitled-1 2 Untitled-1 2 23.3.2023 9.06 23.3.2023 9.06
R e n e w w i t h t h e e x p e r i e n c e cruisesaintlawrence.com P E O P L E . P L A C E S . P A S S I O N S . t h e e x p e r i e n c e Renew with an experience like no other. With its colossal gulf, magnificent landscapes and incredible wildlife, the world’s third-largest river is a true wonder of nature. Renew with the nine splendid ports of call along the 2,000 kilometres-long river. Each of them has something unique to offer. Charming villages, rolling farmlands, bustling cities, a fjord, and smooth beaches are dotted along the way. Arts and culture lovers, festival goers and nature enthusiasts alike are bound to have an unforgettable experience. Let your guests discover the history, the heritage and the people of Québec and renew with our “Best Bienvenue”. The trip of a lifetime awaits. Renew with the Saint Lawrence. Again and again. Ph ot o : M at hi eu Du pu is Untitled-1 3 Untitled-1 3 23.3.2023 9.06 23.3.2023 9.06
16 CRUISEBUSINESS.COM MAGAZINE SPRING 2023 DESTINATIONS Canada comes back stronger C ruise Atlantic Canada (CAC) and Cruise the Saint Lawrence (CSL) both report numbers for 2022 at 60% to 70% of those for 2019. In 2019, CAC had 559 calls and 873,629 passengers, while in 2022 there were 474 calls and 623,069 passengers. This year, however, the picture is quite different, explains Mike Cochrane, CEO of CAC and the Charlottetown Harbour Authority. “In 2023, I think we are going to see record level bookings. All the ports are seeing a rise in numbers. We are also seeing major growth in the niche ports.” In Charlottetown, for example, 91 calls are scheduled bringing 150,000 passengers (55/62,787 in 2022) and 50,000 crew to Prince Edward Island, which has a population of 165,000. While 2022 was a year of recovery following the Covid19 pandemic, this year is forecast to be a better one across Atlantic Canada, the Saint Lawrence and the Great Lakes. By Susan Parker For 2024, another record year is on the horizon: “There is room for growth in our region. The lines are starting to hear the message about the summer [not just fall]. We have ships arriving here as early as April and staying to November. Expanding the market is a testament to what we have here in Atlantic Canada,” adds Cochrane. Although there is no scientific evidence, he says there is some anecdotal evidence that Americans are choosing to stay closer to home at the moment. “I do hear sentiments from passengers this year about cruising in this part of the world. It is close enough to Europe but also a safe destination.” A similar pattern is emerging from CSL. In 2019 there were 313 calls, 99 turnarounds, 486,126 passenger days and 176,814 crew days, whereas in 2022 there were 248, 52, 266,601 and 137,166 respectively. For this year. Rene Trepanier, Executive Director of CSL, comments: “It looks like we are going to be back at 2019 numbers.” Just one of the exciting developments this year is the arrival of newcomer Explora Journeys to the region with the Explora I. The design of Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris has been optimized for the operations in the Great Lakes Mike Cochrane Rene Trepanier uusi 16-19 canada.indd 4 uusi 16-19 canada.indd 4 22.3.2023 7.31 22.3.2023 7.31
? CRUISEBUSINESS.COM MAGAZINE SPRING 2023 17 Charlottetown uusi 16-19 canada.indd 5 uusi 16-19 canada.indd 5 22.3.2023 7.31 22.3.2023 7.31
18 CRUISEBUSINESS.COM MAGAZINE SPRING 2023 Extending the season Fall is the main attraction here, with the summer continuing to be a challenge. However, the aim is to encourage some of the big players to sail roundtrip from St Pierre & Miquelon, which “could create regular opportunities for the Saint Lawrence” beyond the fall. Noting that previously cruise lines were slowing down because of whales, now it is also because of fuel cost and sustainability. Trepanier believes that itineraries with shorter distances between ports, such as on the river, are now attracting more attention. Extending the season into winter has been on CSL’s wish list for about 10 years, and finally it appears there is one operator who could be very close to signing up, opening the door for others to follow. The Great Lakes may be smaller in terms of overall numbers, but this year the region is showing a 20% increase over 2019 with 12 ships and 37,000 berths. The fact that Viking came with one ship in 2022 and is bringing two this year is testament to the attraction of the lakes. Stephen Burnett, Executive Director of the Great Lakes Association (GLA), attributes some of this growth to what he calls “revenge tourism” following the pandemic, but also in part perhaps to the “American traveler tending to be very situation sensitive”. In addition, the work the association has put in over the past 20 years is reaping rewards: “We have done a massive amount of destination development. Most of what we do borders on topography. These are inland oceans not lakes. We are teaching [the lines] about the significant distances, time, speed calculations in order to move from port to port and lake to lake, which is exceptionally important,” he explains. The inside passage on the north shore of Lake Superior is just one example of what is on offer. Locks a determining factor The Saint Lawrence seaway locks are the determining feature when it comes to the size of ship that can visit (233.5-meter length, 23.77-meter width, 8.08-meter draught and 35.5-meter air draught for bridges), but operators such as Ponant, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises and now Viking have “put a stamp of legitimacy” on visiting, with more lines due to follow. “I know we are going to be getting two other significant wellknown names in the not-too-distant future,” says Burnett, who believes the region is ripe for growth. “We have massive upside capacity. We can upscale way beyond this. We will need to make some changes in terms of port facilities, but we can grow this to 100,000 guests in eight years with the right kind of input. The Great Lakes is highly sophisticated in terms of handling because of its freighting industry. On the tourism side, it is a substantial terrestrial destination,” he adds. GLA has also made a commitment to include the First Nations in everything it does, recognizing the significant history, culture and art that play a very large part in the region’s appeal. Both Burnett and Trepanier see the growth in the number of expedition ships coming onto the market as positive. “We think there are great itinerary opportunities for the Great Lakes and also the Saint Lawrence, which is en route. We just want some ships to slow down and build itineraries using our ports as well,” says Trepanier. The two associations have recently created a partnership, which is opening doors for joint promotion. The GLA will also be attending the Cruise Canada New England (CCNE) symposium in Quebec City in June as a strategic member. The main turnaround ports for the Great Lakes are Toronto, Thunder Bay and Montreal. The latter has suffered from Holland America Line selling some of its mid-size ships, which were a familiar sight in the city. Increased numbers going into the lakes could fill the gap. Trepanier points to at least four French companies wanting to develop stronger partnerships in this regard. Putting together a sustainable plan When it comes to the wider region of CCNE, a sales mission to Hollywood, Florida, in February attracted 13 different cruise lines and 30 executives. As well as presenting its figures, the group presented two major projects. One is the creation of a common reservation system across all the ports. “We are very close to adding some results to our research. We are doing this for ourselves but also for the cruise lines, which are very interested to know three, four and five years in advance what the availability will be. This Ocean Explorer calling in Pictou uusi 16-19 canada.indd 6 uusi 16-19 canada.indd 6 22.3.2023 7.32 22.3.2023 7.32
CRUISEBUSINESS.COM MAGAZINE SPRING 2023 19 way we can better deal with congestion, especially during the fall season,” explains Trepanier. The second is in putting together a sustainable plan for CCNE. “We have a strong sustainable strategy for the destination. Our target for the symposium is for all the ports and stakeholders to sign a pledge on sustainability in Quebec City.” The biggest project to date in this respect is with respect to shore power. While some ports such as Montreal and Halifax have it installed, others such as Quebec City and Charlottetown are looking at the possibility, but the investment is high. Trepanier believes the way forward is in partnerships. “We are in the mood of creating partnerships with cruise lines individually, and maybe even globally, to have them eventually as financial partners to invest in not only decarbonization, but biodiversity as well.” However, he recognizes that one size does not fit all, particularly when it comes to the age of the fleet. And here again partnerships are key: “There are some old ladies which don’t have the green systems, but if we have a partnership with that ship and we reinvest in, for example, the protection of the marshland, then we have a solution.” The wide-ranging topic of sustainability is clearly one that CCNE members hold dear to their hearts. Whether it is CSL encouraging local suppliers to provision ships with local cheeses via the Can-Am Foods Artisanal Cheese Program 2023 or Charlottetown powering port buildings with non-fossil fuels or a tour operator offering solar-powered boat tours, the whole region is actively involved in its mission to reduce the carbon footprint. n Amera docked in Saint-Pierre at Miquelon Halifax, Nova Scotia provides megaship-friendly port facilities uusi 16-19 canada.indd 7 uusi 16-19 canada.indd 7 22.3.2023 7.32 22.3.2023 7.32
? Cabo Verde Tourism UK market faces storm clouds with confidence MARKET REPORT As in in many other countries, the economic outlook in the UK has been clouded by inflation that has hit a 40-year high and the prospect of a recession due to higher interest rates charged by the Bank of England in its bid to cool prices. However, after living for two years in the shadow of the Covid-19 pandemic, the British people appear keen to resume traveling on their holidays, which is positive news for the UK cruise market. By Kari Reinikainen 20 CRUISEBUSINESS.COM MAGAZINE SPRING 2023 P&O Cruises – part of Carnival Corporation & plc – is the largest cruise line in the UK market with seven vessels: Arcadia, Arvia, Aurora, Azura, Britannia, Iona and Ventura. Newest ship, the 185,204 gross ton and 5,200 guest Arvia is the largest in the fleet along its sister ship Iona uusi 20-26 uk market.indd 2 uusi 20-26 uk market.indd 2 21.3.2023 8.09 21.3.2023 8.09