Holiday Trends Cruising Towards New Markets
Posted by Tousala | Posted in General Interest, Travel and Leisure: General | Posted on 22-01-2011
Tags: Alaska, cruises, Egypt, Travel
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The cruise industry remains suprisingly unbattered by a tumultuous recession, but there may be change afoot in the tastes of their clientele. The tropical cruise has been booming consistently since the early 80s, as has the tourist industry to the Caribbean. Between 1983 and 1993 the Caribbean market grew from 900,850 cruise passengers to 2.3 million. Whilst there is no sign that Caribbean numbers are down, the growth of new markets and the tastes of long-time cruisers are changing the picture. There is also a growing market for river-based cruises that provide ample landfall opportunities and sights beyond the endless expanse of water that characterise most cruises.
For Egypt cruises 2011 shows every sign of being a tipping point for growing passenger numbers and a continuation of 2010 market profits. As the longest river in the world, the Nile’s appeal is of little mystery. And because Egypt and Northern Sudan are only really there because of the Nile’s fertile banks, the sights of these nations are all on display in one conveyor-like vista. Sailing the Nile truly gives a unique perspective on the African landscape. The fertile river delta will morph into deserts and grasslands as you travel south, and onshore exploits will take you to the Great Pyramids and bustling Cairo.
The heartland of the European cruise has always been the Mediterranean, but many northern hemisphere lines are venturing further north to attract different markets. The Scandinavian Fjords have seen healthy business in the last decade or so, but the importance of this location to the lines was most recently confirmed when Princess decided to sail two of their largest Caribbean liners in the area. The nearby Baltic also enjoys travel from the same market, with increasing commitments made by operators. To some like Silverseas cruises 2011 is expected to be a highly profitable year. Meanwhile, on the Pacific side of North America, cruises to Alaska are growing such as those operated by Crystal cruises, who emphasise more unconventional cruise experiences, such as on-board language learning.

