As we head into the new year, here's the top storylines we'll be tracking on the cruise front.
Crucero a Cuba!
Will we be able to cruise to Cuba in 2015? It'll probably take longer than that, but we're looking forward to further developments as the U.S. and Cuba seek to normalize diplomatic relations. If and when travel and trade restrictions are lifted, cruise companies are sure to be among the first in. A lot of Americans want to go to Cuba while it's untouched by our culture and before the old cars disappear, and a cruise ship will be the easy and comfortable way to do it.
Viking Ocean Cruises
The industry is eagerly awaiting this new company's first ship, the 47,800-ton, 930-passenger Viking Star, which will be christened in May. Why? Big staterooms - the smallest is a spacious 270 square feet - and all have balconies. Practically everything's included in the fare, from shore excursions and beer and wine with lunch and dinner, to Wi-Fi, self-service laundry, and port charges. A sister company to the fast-growing Viking River Cruises, founder Tor Hagen already has two more ocean ships on order for delivery in 2016.
Fast, Reliable Internet at Sea?
Both Carnival Corp. and Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. are rolling out what they promise will be super-fast and reliable Wi-Fi on their ships. Royal Caribbean has partnered with O3b, a company that specializes in bringing the Internet to remote regions, while Carnival Corp. has unveiled a "smart hybrid" method of connecting to land antennas and satellites. It could be revolutionary if it all works as billed. We hope to try it for ourselves in 2015 and of course will let you know.
Luxury Adventure
Increasingly, luxury cruise lines are taking their passengers on rugged adventures unheard of just a few years ago. For while their guests love to be pampered, they also want to experience untouched nature and check destinations off their bucket lists.
Silversea Cruises, which in 2014 added a third ship to its Silversea Expeditions adventure division, completed its first-ever journey through the legendary Northwest Passage in August on the 132-guest Silver Explorer. Oceania Cruises has scheduled a third 180-day voyage on the 684-passenger Insignia for 2016. And Crystal Cruises' Serenity will transit the Northwest Passage in late summer 2016. We're looking for more adventure voyage announcements in 2015.
River Cruise Growth
Look for more growth in the explosive river cruise segment in 2015, much of it now in Asia on the Mekong River through Vietnam and Cambodia, the Irrawaddy in Myanmar and even the Ganges in India, an emerging cruise destination. Even with the Asia expansion, river cruise companies continue to build innovative new ships for Europe's perennially popular rivers with features like swim-up pool bars and specialty restaurants.
Growing Inclusiveness
Will more be included in cruise fares into 2015? We're guessing yes, because consumers respond to deals that offer beverage packages, onboard credit and other perks, such as Celebrity Cruises' 1-2-3Go! offer and Norwegian Cruise Line's All-Inclusive Package. Moreover, MSC Cruises introduced a new permanent pricing plan that lets consumers choose the level of inclusiveness of their cruise. We expect to see more of this type of promotion, which everyone seems to favor over deep price cuts.
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