Writing news story on cruises in tough economic times

[canadanewsman]

Hello folks;

I'm writing a story for our national news service in Canada about people turning to cruises during times of economic downturn and would like to get some comments from fellow cruisers.

I am taking a cruise this weekend (Crown Princess Jan 11) and will be writing an article for Canwest News Service and Canada.com.

It just seems to me that the "known costs" of a cruise vacation would make it much more attractive in times of uncertainty. With other vacations, you can never be quite sure what kinds of costs you will face, such as extra hotel costs, meals, car rentals, etc.

If you would like to comment, please reply to the message or send me an email.

Thanks

Glenn

 

Deputy Editor

Canwest News Service

gjohnson 'at' canwest.com.

[okgirl]

I book my cruises so far in advance and have always just set aside a certain amount to pay each month until they are paid off. So in addition to cruises being a great value, the montly amount that I'm paying is small enough not to have much impact on my budget.

I don't do many other forms of vacationing or entertaining which leaves my salary even in these tough times more available for multiple cruises a year.

Additionally, the only significant impact that the poor economy has had on our household is the decline in our savings plans. This might cause us to have to work a bit longer but maybe not, we'll see in a few years. Well, we also may not be eating out as often, but that has it's benefits too.

[cruiserbryce]

would likely vacation either way and cruises are an outstanding value...and as far as dealing with the cost...its all about choices. We choose what to and not to do in order to save $ and cruise instead

[Rick-cruiser]

I actually think it's the opposite.... I know a lot of people who are NOT cruising due to the tough economic times.

 

Instead... they are traveling to local resorts, planning day trips, staying home altogether, etc.

 

- Rick

[2Cruise4Ever]

We hadn't decided to take a cruise UNTIL the economic downturn. The reason? Prices have plummeted!!! We always budget for a family vacation every year. And, our preferred vacation is a cruise. And, we had almost made up our minds to go to California (have never been there). BUT, the price of the cruise of our choice (NCL Dawn in June to Bermuda out of NYC) was too good to pass up. Add on top of that the promotion of a $500 on board credit. Well, we were sold! I booked it and wrapped up the confirmation email for a Christmas present to my husband. He was thrilled!!!

[JanineM]

I know that the economy in Canada has not been hit nearly as hard as it has in the States. I'm from Calgary, and like everyone else in Alberta, they all have some sort of relationship to the oil industry. I had long talks about the economy with family members over the holidays and they are are barely cutting back ... yet we here in the States have seen much more dramatic impacts.

 

There are lots of reasons that we like to cruise, but in terms of economics, we like knowing that most of our costs are fixed. We can choose to spend extra cash on specialty restaurants, photos, the casino, souvenirs, excursions, etc. Or we can expend no more cash (other than the gratuities). For those of us who like to budget, this is a bonus!

 

I do think that cruising is much less expensive than a driving or flying vacation, for example. If we go to Vegas, we'll spend $200 or more per night just for a hotel room without the great service. Then we have to pay for meals every day, and buy tickets to shows. Granted, the shows in Vegas are better than the ones I've seen on ships.

 

I'll watch for your story on canada dot com!

[luvlake]

I think a cruise is very affordable since all of my basic needs are taken care of for a whole week with one price. No surprises. You have choices for other expenditures but they are not a must have.

 

That said, I have big problems with the price of air fare for a few hours in the air.:eek: With the prices for cruises coming down I could take the rest of my family fine. Add on the air fare and it becomes a very big expense!

[tomko2]

Some rambling comments for your consideration:

We are retired Federal Servants with a keen love of cruising. As you can see from the trail of cruises below my signature; we really enjoy cruising with RCI and strongly feel that you cannot beat the quality of a cruise, coupled with the variety of activities offered, with any other style of vacation. Brand loyalty has benefits and RCI does a fantastic job of rewarding it's loyal clients.

 

For us in winter it is an easy drive from our condo in Naples, Fla. to the cruise ports; in summer it is more complex. So far we have only done one summer cruise (Med. 07) but will be going back to the Med. this summer and expect to do other summer cruises in the future. The key for us is maximizing airline points to minimize cost of flying.

 

The options for dining, entertainment, touring, relaxing, etc. with cruising are amazing and most of the legwork of figuring stuff out is done for you by the cruiseline. Prices are set in advance so you can plan/budget accordingly.

 

Enjoy your cruise.

Kathy:)

[BroncosFan2010]

Since neither my husband or myself has been affected by the economic times (keeping our fingers crossed), we are more likely to cruise because the rates keep going down. It is easier for us to justify a cruise than a week somewhere else. By the time we calculated food, hotel, driving/flying cost, activities, it was cheaper for us to cruise. We are even able to spend LOTS extra on excursions, shopping, and drinks this time around.

The economic hardships on some are a benefit to others.

[CowPrincess]

We are actually thinking of cancelling the cruise we have booked, and taking 2 all-inclusive vacations. With the cost of airfare for us from western Canada to Florida to embark the ship, we can have two all-inclusive resort winter vacations AND still be ahead money. I don't want to give up the cruise, but we'd be saving a fair amount of money, and still getting vacations.

[Dukegirl5577]

I'm with Mokaheena. The economy has not affected my DH & I (knock on wood), but if anything, it has made it so that we WOULD cruise. The prices have plummeted.

 

We were thinking of doing something for our 5th anniversary and because we can't get a lot of time off at that time of year, we figured we'd probably just go to a land-based resort for a weekend, but with cruising as inexpensive as it is right now, how could we pass this up?

[Mego0427]

For my DF and I a big draw is the food being included in the price. We are young and both students so money is a big issue. Going along with that I love that we were able to get a military discount that was actually substantial. Not that I snub my nose at smaller discounts, every little bit helps, and in no way do I think we deserve it haha, but with the discount the cruise was substantially cheaper then if we say flew to Miami drove to Key west and stayed in a hotel. Also I like that we don't have to rent a car.

[grandmato4]

The down side to your premise is that too many first time cruises don't understand that there are things specific to cruising that they need to understand and accept before going on a cruise which far too often lately they don't. Weather conditions play a huge part of a cruise experience and there are only limited contols anyone can have over that factor. Ports get missed and pax get pissed. Itineraries get changed and pax get upset. Ship leaves port later than expected or return to port later than expected and pax get extremely upset. Sea's can be rough and that can be a less than thrilling experience but its all part of cruising.

 

Pax become ill on the ship and the Captain has to change itinery and or shorten or miss a port and people are very unhappy by "their" vacation being ruined instead of being understanding and going with the flow. The fact is that things happen sometimes overwhich you have no control and one can still enjoy a cruise even it its not exactly as you expected before you left home.

 

Many first time cruises think a cruise is an all inclusive vacation and while one can make it almost one-with the exception of tips they get very upset to hear annoucements attempting sell them additional things and realize that it might not be quite as inclusive as they first thought.

 

There is another thread going right now where an on board hotel manager tells of a recent cruise where 300 pax had their autotips removed citing they could not avoid to pay them and did not pruchase anything else on their on board accounts. If they choose not to purchase any on board items that's their decision but to remove and not give tips to the hard working staff is truly wrong and those people should not be cruising.

 

I guess I'm not a fan of advertising cruising as a one price gives you all vacation in hard times unless I'm sure that those thinking about cruising truly understand all that a cruise can involve.

[boulders]

I find cruising to be more expensive than my other vacations. I cruise to visit several locations in one trip and to be pampered - just show up in the dining room and have dinner served to me. Prices have certainly come down this year. I currently have 2 cruises planned for this year. They were just planned within the past month after I saw how much the prices have dropped.

[rubytue]

Cruises are more expensive that our "typical" vacation. However, its the economy that has us going on this cruise. The price was just too good.

 

My job is very safe (civial servant) and we can (and have) lived on one income. DH's job pretty much goes for our fun stuff. But, since he is in construction, its touch and go these days. We think his company is doing well and they claim to have more jobs coming down the line. We just keep our fingers crossed. But the cruise in 10 days is paid for, so its just fun money ;) That all said, we are about to plan our second cruise for the year. The main reason is to spend some time with my father (his memory is failing). I think we are going to have to tighten the belt to afford two cruises this year, but its really important to me to spend the time with my folks before my father is gone.

[karenem]

I just canceled the Mexico cruise we booked last summer, and yes, the economy had a lot to do with it (that, and prices have dropped so the great deal 6 months ago is no longer so great). Both DH and I have jobs, but either or both of us could be laid off at any time.

 

However, I'm still hoping we'll get in a cruise this year. I've been lurking on the last-minute sites hoping to snag a Panama Canal cruise if the price drops enough and we can get decent airfare (a big consideration--there are 5 of us).

[Grayce]

I cruise because that is the type of vacation that I enjoy. The state of the economy had little effect on my choice of vacation. I did not choose to cruise over another type of holiday because I think I am saving money. Because of the shakey economy I will probably not spend as much as I usually do. We have been doing some belt-tightening all around in case anything happens to our jobs.

[Warmer Climes]

I just booked our 2010 cruise. I am very thankful that the economic downturn hasn't affected us personally and like other people I am putting enough aside every month to pay cash for the cruise when the final payment comes due. We love cruising and love getting some warm weather in February.

 

Barb

[Canadianhey!]

I know that the economy in Canada has not been hit nearly as hard as it has in the States. I'm from Calgary, and like everyone else in Alberta, they all have some sort of relationship to the oil industry. I had long talks about the economy with family members over the holidays and they are are barely cutting back ... yet we here in the States have seen much more dramatic impacts.

 

There are lots of reasons that we like to cruise, but in terms of economics, we like knowing that most of our costs are fixed. We can choose to spend extra cash on specialty restaurants, photos, the casino, souvenirs, excursions, etc. Or we can expend no more cash (other than the gratuities). For those of us who like to budget, this is a bonus!

 

I do think that cruising is much less expensive than a driving or flying vacation, for example. If we go to Vegas, we'll spend $200 or more per night just for a hotel room without the great service. Then we have to pay for meals every day, and buy tickets to shows. Granted, the shows in Vegas are better than the ones I've seen on ships.

 

I'll watch for your story on canada dot com!

 

Maybe your family is not cutting back in Alberta but they are in the minority. With the price of oil so low, the oil patch themselves are not drilling as many holes thus many people are out of jobs. The oil companies themselves are downsizing in staff, which mean the service end of things are also downsizing from the service companies that are involved with the oil patch as well as the hotels, stores etc.

 

I also believe that our canadian dollar has a lot to do with whether "us Canadians" cruise or not. We were lucky enough to do our bookings when the dollar was close to par. Dollar to dollar all inclusive can be much cheaper than cruising which many people are now starting to go to. Food wise and service wise in my opinion all inclusive will never compare to a cruise.

 

Let us know when you have written your story.

[Caribbean Sunsets]

I will wait a few more months before making a final decision if and what cruise for this year. While I feel my job is relatively secure, I really don't know that for sure.

[jorgesgirll]

I chose this because I have 3 reasons.

1. I know well in advance what it will cost!

2. I know what is expected!

3. I LOVE IT!!!

[canadanewsman]

http://www.canada.com/travel/Romance+alive+affordable+cruises/2490196/story.html

 

Romance of the sea alive and affordable on cruises

 

By Glenn Johnson

Canwest News Service

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados - Watching the sun rise over Barbados from a private balcony on the Caribbean Princess, it’s easy to forget stresses at home.

Relaxing, enjoying a glass of wine, watching flying fish in the wake of this giant floating resort, it’s affordable luxury and pampering beyond expectations.

“It’s a fantastic value vacation for the services and the features that we provide on our ships,” Capt. Andrew Proctor of the Caribbean’s virtually identical sister ship Crown Princess said during a recent voyage on his ship, which holds 3,000 passengers and has a crew of 1,200.

“I think first-time cruisers are really impressed with the level of service over any shore-based establishments that they have possibly been to. It is second to none on cruise ships, it really is.”

Proctor, a veteran with more than 40 years on the sea, said the crew have a sense of ownership and pride because the ship is also their home for months at a time.

“We try and make sure that everyone’s as happy as possible because it is their home, and if they’re happy living here, then they’ll clearly be happy looking after and serving our passengers, and that obviously means you have a great vacation experience.”

Karen Candy, a spokeswoman for Princess Cruises, said cruising takes the stress out of vacationing.

“Choosing a cruise vacation versus a land vacation is a great value, since it takes the hassle out of booking several properties to see various destinations, and a cruise includes meals, entertainment and incredible service.”

Despite the economic downturn of 2009, or perhaps because of the economic turmoil, cruise lines are packing cabins with passengers eager to find a vacation that offers less stress and better value. Price points also dropped sharply, meaning consumers got the benefit.

At the industry grows, it appears vacationers are getting over impressions that cruising was just for the rich.

The cruise lines have worked hard to overcome negative perceptions by extolling the value side of the cruise vacation — pointing out that you know the cost up front. Generally, the only costs that get added to your bill at the end of the cruise are gratuities, onboard purchases, costs for off-ship excursions and the possible big one: the tab for booze.

Selling cruises to the public is one of the reasons Cruise Lines International Association is around. The organization, known as CLIA, lists value as the top reason for cruising, because the price includes your cabin, dining, entertainment and more.

“The value picture is very clear," said Lanie Fagan, CLIA’s director of communications.

Fagan said the items included in the price give the cruise vacation a distinct advantage over land-based holidays.

“Overall price point . . . food, lodging, entertainment, as well as the important tangibles, such as visiting multiple destinations/countries without the need to drive, pay, pack and unpack, further drive home the overall value proposition,” Fagan told Canwest News Service — adding that the facilities on ships make cruising equal, if not superior, to many land-based trips.

The closest thing on land would be an all-inclusive resort stay.

“Statistically, cruising exceeds traveller expectations, and first-timers and past cruisers keep coming back, Terry L. Dale, CLIA's president and CEO, said in a statement.

“The industry's history of thriving through even the hardest of times gives our guests confidence that they are making a safe and rewarding purchase. And, most important, cruise vacations are perceived by virtually all consumers as very high value when those consumers are seeking value above all else."

Another common selling point for cruise lines is their efforts to go overboard pampering guests with incomparable service you would only expect from elite resorts.

The food can also be a major selling point — not just the fact that lines offer 24-hour, all-you-can-eat dining. In fact, the lines have all made efforts to ensure quality is as important, or more important, than those just looking for quantity.

Generally, gourmet fare is available in a variety of settings, from formal dining rooms, to casual eateries or neighbourhood-style bistros. Of course, you can also ensure that children and the pizza and burger set can find something palatable.

Cruise lines are also specializing in catering to guests with different tastes. Travel agents and websites such as cruisecritic.com are excellent sources for first-time guests. If you have children, special needs, want to be among people your own age, want to be on a party boat, or find a quiet ship, these are valuable sources for helping you make that choice. There are also special-interest or theme-based cruises, or those with celebrity hosts.

In addition to shore-based activities, there are countless sports, lectures and entertainment activities for the early-risers or the night owls. If you want to keep to yourself, you can still do that, even though there may be 3,000 other guests on your ship.

There is also the romance of the sea — something that has attracted people as long as there have been ships afloat. There’s something to be said for falling asleep in one destination and waking up in a different country or port of call.

CLIA also claims that cruises have a higher percentage of satisfied customers than any other vacation experience.

Despite the economic turmoil, nearly 13.5 million people sailed last year, CLIA said in a statement. It forecasts a total of 14.3 million passengers in 2010.

The cruise lines are betting that more people will fill their cabins in future. A number of lines introduced new ships or plans for new vessels in the near future. Carnival Cruise Lines plans to raise its passenger capacity to 3,650 on a vessel it has ordered for delivery in 2012. Royal Caribbean answered with its 225,000-ton, 5,400-passenger Oasis of the Seas and plans for its sister ship Allure of the Seas, which will also carry 5,400 passengers.

 

Other new ships:

 

• Norwegian Cruise Line: Epic (4,200 passengers)

• Celebrity Cruises: Celebrity Eclipse (2,850 passengers)

• MSC: MSC Magnifica (2,550 passengers)

• Costa Cruises: Deliziosa (2,260 passengers)

• Holland America Line: Nieuw Amsterdam (2,100 passengers)

• Cunard Line: Queen Elizabeth (2,092 passengers)

 

Carnival, which also owns Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, and others, had revenues of $13.2 billion in 2009, compared to $14.6 billion the year before. Carnival’s brands operate 93 ships with another 13 on order.

"We weathered the most challenging economic environment in the company's history exceptionally well,” Micky Arison, Carnival Corporation Chairman and CEO, said in a statement in December.

Norwegian Cruise Line said after a “weakness experienced in passenger ticket pricing,” its occupancy rate has hit a record of 114.8 per cent. While revenues were down, it noted the cruise cost decreased in the third quarter.

'With the departure of Norwegian Majesty on November 2, our entire fleet is now comprised exclusively of modern vessels purpose-built for our signature Freestyle Cruising. With these great assets, and the addition of the highly anticipated Norwegian Epic in 2010, I am extremely confident about Norwegian's prospects for the future,” said Kevin Sheehan, chief executive officer of Norwegian Cruise Line.

 

On the web: Canwest News Service asked frequent cruisers why they choose this type of vacation and many offer tips for first timers on cruisecritic.com. Read what they had to say: http://*******/6EStfY

 

 

 

Second story:

http://www.canada.com/travel/Canadian+passengers+crucial+part+cruise+industry/2490175/story.html

 

Canadian passengers a crucial part of the cruise industry

 

 

By Glenn Johnson

Canwest News Service

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados - Canadians are taking to the high seas to get away from it all, making up more than a quarter of all non-U.S. passengers on major cruise lines.

Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), a marketing organization representing cruise lines, said more than 770,000 Canadians were expected to take a cruise in 2009, triple the number from 10 years earlier.

Canadians are also an important part of the industry, as they make up 25.5 per cent of non-U.S. cruise vacationers, CLIA said.

“Canada is playing a bigger and bigger role, offering multiple appealing cruise destinations on both coasts, and Canadians from all parts of the country are taking more and more cruises," organization president and CEO Terry Dale said recently.

Ottawa resident Kathy Tomko, a frequent cruiser, said much of the work is done for you.

“We . . . strongly feel that you cannot beat the quality of a cruise, coupled with the variety of activities offered, with any other style of vacation. The options for dining, entertainment, touring, relaxing, etc., with cruising are amazing, and most of the legwork of figuring stuff out is done for you by the cruise line. Prices are set in advance so you can plan/budget accordingly,” she said.

That’s the kind of comment Lanie Fagan, CLIA’s director of communications, likes to hear from Canadians.

“Perhaps Canadians are the smartest of consumers; they recognize the intrinsic value cruises represent,” Fagan said. “It doesn't hut that Canadians are avid travellers to begin with, and the Canadian latitude contributes to the November-to-March warm-weather getaway.”

The association is holding the industry's annual conference in Vancouver from June 2 to 6, the first time the event has been staged outside of Florida.

According to a recent survey of its Canadian travel agents, Canadian consumers have the strongest interest, and perceive the highest value, in cruise vacations, followed closely by all-inclusive resorts. Agents also said cruise vacations were the easiest sale to make.

Canadian cruisers are planning and booking their cruise vacations further in advance. CLIA member travel agents in Canada report 2010 bookings are occurring, on average, 5.6 months in advance, versus the average 4.4 months in 2009.

© Copyright © Canwest News Service

[printingchick]

The staff on cruise ships treats every passenger as if he/she was someone important - a celebrity. When you're of limited means and have to really budget for travel, that sort of treatment is unique and SO appreciated. That is just one way that cruising provides a huge escape from day-to-day life for so many of us. I could not afford to vacation at the type of high-scale resort where I could expect that sort of treatment.

 

Waking up every morning to a view of the wide-open sea is another way a cruise provides a more complete escape than a land-based vacation. For must of us, contact with the world back home is difficult and costly at best. So we are "forced" to complete separate ourselves from email, voice mail and work concerns. There's no guilt about not checking in when it's cost prohibitive to do so. Ahhh...

 

A friend who vacationed in Ireland recently said that he felt a sense of belonging there and would be returning for that reason. I feel that sense on the deck of a cruise ship. It's my home away from home - my BETTER home in a lot of ways.

 

My annual cruises make the bad days during the year tolerable! I don't know how I'd live without them!

[tomko2]

Some rambling comments for your consideration:

We are retired Federal Servants with a keen love of cruising. As you can see from the trail of cruises below my signature; we really enjoy cruising with RCI and strongly feel that you cannot beat the quality of a cruise, coupled with the variety of activities offered, with any other style of vacation. Brand loyalty has benefits and RCI does a fantastic job of rewarding it's loyal clients.

 

For us in winter it is an easy drive from our condo in Naples, Fla. to the cruise ports; in summer it is more complex. So far we have only done one summer cruise (Med. 07) but will be going back to the Med. this summer and expect to do other summer cruises in the future. The key for us is maximizing airline points to minimize cost of flying.

 

The options for dining, entertainment, touring, relaxing, etc. with cruising are amazing and most of the legwork of figuring stuff out is done for you by the cruiseline. Prices are set in advance so you can plan/budget accordingly.

 

Enjoy your cruise.

Kathy:)

 

 

Glenn, I see that you live in Ottawa as well. Enjoyed your article which I see was picked up by several publications. Are you still cruising? We have three more RCI cruises lined up for this winter season, in fact we have eight cruises booked taking up to March 2012. Hope our Canadian dollar retains its' relative strength.

Kathy