Out to Sea column for Aug.
18/12
(c) By Jim and Barb Fox
The tide has turned
for the cruise line industry.
 |
| The Caribbean
remains the leading cruise destination as the Caribbean Princess “parks” right
at the beach in Grand Turk. (Jim Fox photo) |
After a disastrous
event that shook the confidence of many considering a cruise, bookings are
rising and have even surged, a poll of Canadian and U.S. travel agents shows.
The January disaster
that saw the Costa Concordia smash into a reef off the Italian island of Giglio
and partially submerge with the loss of 32 lives, cast a pall over the
industry.
The haunting
spectacle threatened to throw cruise vacations off course in a business that
prides itself on an exemplary safety record.
More than 300
agents recently polled cited “optimism” has returned, with more than half
saying they are selling more vacations at sea than last year, said Christine
Duffy, president and ceo of the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA).
As well, 64 per cent
of the agents expect cruise bookings this year to increase over 2011.
After the Costa
incident, cruise lines began offering deals and incentives to keep sales afloat
during the difficult period.
The survey reported
consumers are motivated by good value
offered by the lines; love of cruising; prices; getting away with friends; trying
out new ships; family reunions; shorter cruises; and
honeymoons/weddings/anniversaries.
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| Vibrant sunsets and
exotic vistas can be seen while cruising past the tip of Baja California and through
the Mexican Riviera. (Jim Fox photo) |
