At last - a positive cruising story!

THERE appears to have been a shift in the staunch anti-cruise sentiment among mainstream media, with Channel 7’s Sunrise program this morning featuring an upbeat assessment of the prospects for the industry.

The show’s consumer reporter Shaun White spoke to Barry Downs from Bicton Travel in WA (pictured) as well as an avid cruiser referred by Kathy Pavlidis of Travel Associates Kew.

Cruise Weekly’s Bruce Piper also appeared in the segment, which was a stark contrast to other recent relentless negative coverage of COVID-19 in connection with cruising.

Downs, who has also recently launched a new cruising podcast

(CW 20 Apr), highlighted the potential for a staggered return of cruise ships, as well as the possibility of regional deployments as the industry restarts post-coronavirus.

He also highlighted that while fares may decline to stimulate demand, in the long term the additional costs of dealing with the virus could increase prices.

Other issues canvassed included increased screening measures and even more stringent onboard hygiene initiatives.

The report mentioned ongoing demand for cruising, even in 2020, and the industry’s “loyal fan base” which is keen to book as soon as there is more confidence in the market.

However new-to-cruise customers are likely to be slower to respond - unlike the Travel Associates client Deborah Wyer, who said she would “definitely cruise again”.