Cruising to new records in 2015
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Cruise lines are expected to set even higher records this year as ships becoming an increasingly popular holiday option.
Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) has predicted further growth for the sector with 23 million people expected to take a cruise holiday this year, up 4% on 2014’s estimates.
This is against a growing amount of capacity with 22 new ships launching this year under an investment worth more than US$4 billion.
These new ships are set to mean that marketing will focus less on size and more on design and amenities, while more choice also means the opportunity for more speciality cruises, an area which is thought to have grown 21% in five years.
A third of global deployment will continue to be in the Caribbean although the Med is growing as are Asia and Australia. Nearly 1,000 ports will be visited this year.
Travel agents are also expected to benefit as 70% of cruisers are thought to use a travel agent, and 62% of passengers are said to be those going back for more.
“From new ports around the globe to the investment by CLIA’s member cruise lines in new, innovative ships, it’s an exciting time for the cruise industry and cruise passengers,” said Adam M. Goldstein, CLIA chairman and president/COO of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. “This year will prove to be another step forward for the entire industry as our members continue to strive to make cruising the best overall vacation experience.”
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