Focus on: Cruise comforts

Well known for airline collaborations, WESSCO also has a long tradition of supplying wellbeing amenities to cruise lines. Julie Baxter discovers more

Industry monitor, Cruise Market Watch, recently reported the total worldwide ocean cruise capacity for 2018 was 537,000 passengers - 314 ships. The same source reports 26 million passengers were carried in 2018, a 3.3% increase over 2017. That’s big business and a market amenities supplier WESSCO is well at home with.

WESSCO has supplied cruise clients for over 35 years and offers them a large portfolio of branded amenities, in-room comfort items, and F&B service ware. The company works closely with each client to support the cruise line’s brand profile, matching products to each programme.

Multiple touchpoints

Jennifer Green, director of sales for North America says: “One of the major benefits cruise operators have is the unique onboard opportunity to engage guests at almost every point of their journey; for example, our products can be found in-room, on-deck, at dinner, and at the pool.”

But there are challenges too, including the size of annual orders, urgent deliveries, and spikes in usage. Logistics are also a key focus as cruise ships have pre-set itineraries with very tight windows for docking and loading. “It is common for ships to have containers going to them at different ports once a month, so our logistics capabilities have to ensure flawless supply chain coordination to make key date,” adds Green.

sustainable choices

There are some similarities between the work with cruise lines and airlines including WESSCO’s strategy of working across a range of budgets and taking an individual approach in assessing each project's requirements and supplying bespoke solutions.

Green adds: “As in airlines, sustainability is now a major focus for the cruise sector. Every brand is conscious of its waste output at sea, recycling, upcycling, and reducing environmental impact. Plastic alternatives and materials made from recycled plastic are top of mind. Moreover, cruise lines are always looking for creative ways to cultivate and customise their guests’ experiences.”

The difference comes in the project timelines with cruise lines looking to fit out a combination of new build launches and current fleets. Green adds: “We have to take a flexible approach, to adjust to the sector’s shifting requirements.” •

As in airlines, sustainability is now a major focus for the cruise