Andy Stewart discussion in Boston

Patti and I had a chance to meet Andy Stewart and Terri Burke of Norwegian Cruise Lines again in Boston at the travel show last weekend. I've attached some notes from personal and group discussions that will update you on the cruise industry outlook form NCL's perspective:

Industry Outlook:

Latest CLIA data shows 12.6 million passengers sailed in 2007. There are now 177 CLIA affilliated ships, with anoither 35 to be launched in 2008. He said that 17% of americans had cruised, compared with the 7% number that we heard in 1995 when we started our business. That's phenomenal growth, but we must remember that 83% have yet to experience cruising.

This is not a saturated market by any means.

When asked about the effect of a potential recession, he stated that "we will fill every bed on every sailing to protect on-board revenue". This could mean exceptional values for passengers, and hard times for agents.

Boston Outlook:

Even though the terminal is not optimum, 116 ship visits will be made to the Balck Falcon terminal this year.

Andy announced that NCL has just completed a new contract with Bermuda that will be in effect until 2018. The wonderful, but dated Majesty has been withdrawn from Boston service, and replaced with the Norwegian Dream for 2008. The best news was the announcement that starting in 2009, the Norwegian Spirit will take over the Boston-Bermuda run.

With rising air fares, cancellations, and delays, this is great news for we New Englanders. Even from here in the Burlington area it's only a 4 hour drive to the dock, and now we have lots of balconies available that will provide great private party places during the 3 1/2 day stay in Bermuda.

NCL News:

NCL now has the youngest fleet on the seas! (average ship age)

Andy said that Apollo's financial backing of NCL will keep the industry competitive by keeping 3 strong players (CCL, RCI, and NCL) in the market.

As more and more cruise lines are jumping on the flexible dining bandwagon pioneered by NCL, Norwegian itself is upgrading Freestyle dining to "2.0" level including:

20% higher food budget per person per day

Lobster every day

New Signature Dishes.

Making alternative dining available at breakfast and lunch. For example: Tepanyaki steak and eggs with Bloody Marys for breakfast.

A bubbly welcome, with escorts to cabins for balcony passengers.

Enhanced staterooms, with new bedding.

Significant upgrades to balcony/suite service and amenities. The concept of a luxury ship imbedded in a normal ship was already evident on our recent cruise on the Norwegian Pearl.

New Pool activities such as: A quiet Zone without throbbing music, A drink flag, so that waiters won't wake you up to ask if you want more.

Cruise trends:

While the Caribbean is still the top destination, Europe and Alaska are the fastest growing.

Family groups, and the long awaited "Baby Boomers will drive the market.

Ships will continue to be more casual, the Freestyle-type flexibility extending to on-board entertainment and shore excursions.

Excursions will stress History, Culture, and Activity

The lead time between booking and sailing is increasing, with 50% of passengers booking over 7 months out to get prime dates and cabins.

Andy said that status is still important to passengers, but expressed in new ways related to our hi-tech/transient lifestyle. New activities will to be participative, connective, and eco-friendly.

Some already existing samples of this shift are :

User-generated pod tours.
GPS sightseeing
Remote wardrobe service and send-ahead programs.
"Digital Fuel"- Downloads for i-pod at airports
Sightseeing on the run. (special running tours of destinations for the active passengers)


This ends my notes from this fascination discussion. While Andy and Terri kept the features being built into their new generation under dark wraps, what he did reveal above whets your imagination. And, F3 class ocean-view cabins will be 100% balcony cabins. I can't wait!

Dick Malone

Group Bon Voyage Party Enchances Cruise Experience

Patti and I met with one of her groups at the Lincoln Inn in Essex Junction, Vermont, on Saturday, Feb 2. We answered questions, gave away some door prizes, and had lots of fun and fellowship. We even answered a few questions that the group forgot to ask. It was a great pre Superbowl party, without the surprises of the big game. They put on a great feed, and we made sure that the friends and family members would only have positive surprises on their cruise to the Southern Caribbean on the Carnival Destiny. Putting faces and personalities with telephone impressions of customers really makes serving them easier.



When you cruise with a group, make sure your group members have a face-to-face meeting, preferably a social gathering, with your travel agent before you sail. With everyone's very busy schedules, communications between agent and cruisers can become difficult. Often people tend to assume what another thinks or likes. Their actual wants can be very different. And getting together provides an excellent opportunity to discuss common concerns and answer last minute questions.

Getting everybody in the same room while discussing the cruise makes it a shared experience, where each can recognize things that they might want to do differently. The group may change the plan, or that party can just re-align their personal schedule. Remember that only in the military do we have to march in step. On your cruise, you can do your own thing without having to apologize for being different. Meet later, and share the different experiences.

When you travel with a group of people that you know or that share interests gives the highest satisfaction. Discovering the world with people "just like you" helps you better experience and understand new and different cultures. Answering as many questions as possible before you go is also a big factor. A Bon Voyage party is a great way to get in the cruising mood!