River cruises among top trends for 2012
Here’s hoping 2011 was as good for you as it was for most of the world’s cruise lines. There were a few rogue waves for the industry, but, overall, cruise companies have few complaints, and with good reason.
Several unique ships were announced, Europe’s market continues to grow and Australia and Asia also experienced growth spurts. Meanwhile, river cruising took a big jump that will become even bigger in 2012.
Veteran cruisers accustomed to seeing the world from eight or nine storeys above, now want to see it at eye level, precisely what river cruising offers.
A lot of buzz came from Viking’s announcements in 2011. In the coming 12 months, Viking will launch six “longboats.” Rivers in Russia, China and Vietnam also saw new or refurbished ships slip into their waters. The Mississippi, devoid of river cruisers for several years, will see two paddlewheelers operating in 2012.
On the oceans, many sister ships were launched last year, but most of the talk was about Disney’s prototype ship — the Dream — and Oceania’s Marina. The Dream was Disney’s first new ship in 12 years. Meanwhile, when Oceania launched the Marina it included a variety of interesting restaurants. Sister ships to both will be launched in 2012.
Destinations went through various stages. Some were euphoric, others started breathing again, and others were devastated.
The new governor of Alaska didn’t waste any time in reducing the head tax. Suddenly, Alaska cruising was popular again. Meanwhile, for Bermuda, the devastating news was that Carnival will not be back this year, and Princess and Holland America are gone when this season ends. The problem is fixable, though. Allow gambling while the ships are in port to enhance the revenue and fix some of the transportation problems, and the ships will eventually return.
Australia grew at a record pace, and, with the announcement that Celebrity’s Solstice, Holland America’s Oosterdam, and Carnival’s Spirit are coming next winter, that hot pace will continue.
Europe was flooded with ships from North America. Royal sent half its fleet, and in parts of the continent, cruise prices became very attractive. In 2012, there will be even more ships and, while the Caribbean had, and is having, a great year, some European cruises are not selling as expected. It’s nice to have a sale, but if your airfare is higher than the cruise fare, that’s a problem.