Princess Cruises has enhanced its cruise itinerary in Southeast Asia as the company responds to increased demand across the region, and from Indonesia in particular.
According to the Ministry for Tourism and Creative Economy, 160,000 passengers arrived in Indonesia by cruise in 2013, with an increase to 203,000 passengers expected by the end of 2014.
Meanwhile, the cruise line is witnessing an emerging demographic of cruise travellers from the Indonesian and Southeast Asian market as more first-timers and young adults express a desire to go on a cruise. Compared to other markets in Europe and North America however, cruise travel is less highly regarded for older travellers in Indonesia and the region.
For outbound cruise travel, itineraries for Alaska and the Caribbean and the Mediterranean have been increasing in popularity with Indonesians. As such, Princess Cruises is launching an intensive marketing programme across the Archipelago, by participating in local travel fairs and meeting regularly with travel agents in key Indonesian cities such as Jakarta, Surabaya and Medan.
The cruise operator has also made changes to itineraries to tap into the exciting emerging market.
Princess is extending the homeporting season of the Sapphire Princess in this region with a 17-day Grand Asia tour, calling at Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Nagasaki, Busan and Beijing. Additionally, new cruise itineraries have also been segmented from the current sailings in December, offering short family trips during the school holidays. They include a six-night cruise from Singapore to Bali and Kuala Lumpur, and a four-night cruise from Kuala Lumpur to Penang, Phuket and Singapore.
The American firm currently operates a fleet of 18 ships and is building a new ship in Italy that will enter service in 2017, with a passenger capacity of 3,600.
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