cruising
CRUISING is the travel industry’s fastest growing segment.!
According to CLIA/ Cruise Lines Industry Assn., the world’s largest
organization and governing body representing 63 cruise lines with a total of 410 cruise vessels under its banner, 2014 is on line to be another
record year. In 2014 a total of 21.7 million passengers are expected to take a cruise up from 21.3 million in 2013, and with 24 new cruise ships expected to make their debut.
NA leads the pack as the home port for cruise lines passengers with
55% of total audience. The Caribbean as a destination led all the rest
with 37% of passenger count in 2013. This was followed by the Mediterranean with 19% and Europe with 11%. As for the heaviest port
Miami comes in first and Ft.Lauderdale, 2nd. But this may change with
Ft. Lauderdale presently developing two additional terminals at their facility at Port Everglades. In 2013 they recorded nearly 4 million passengers.In terms of cargo, Ft.Lauderdale is now ahead of Miami, however, with a total of 927,000 containers in 2013.
While there are other segments of the cruise industry at hand including small and personal-size leisure craft, the luxury market with its mega yachts is also a significant factor. You’ll find these at the annual boat shows in major cities in the U.S. and Canada. In the U.S., the Miam Boat show in February is the largest. The New York Boat Show in January comes in second.
River cruises, Barge cruises, are important segments as well with the
former taking the lead.
Categories of groups taking cruises include Senior Citizens, a burgeoning segment, Young Adults, Weddings, Special Occasions, and Gay & Lesbian travelers, et.al.
Foremost concerns of all cruise passengers these last five years have been on Safety, Medical Facilities, Food Quality, New Ports of Call/ Destinations, On-Board Activities, Technology, and, of course, Price Points.
For more on this fun and fast paced market listen in to CRUISING on
LET’S TRAVEL! Radio, Monday, March 23. The show will be up for 15 days
and runs one full-hour. You can also pick us up on www.letstravelradio/
Archive or Podcast.
Michael Zufolo, reporting
