Summary
Cruising once may have been the province of the rich, but by the 21st Century, the North American-based cruising industry had become a massive economic engine: about 12.5 million passengers spent about $17.6 billion onboard and ashore in 2007, according to the Cruise Lines International Association. While the industry has struggled recently, the companies proved optimistic about growing demand: By the end of 2007, nearly 100 new ships will have been introduced since 2000 -- 8 just in 2007 and more in the pipeline. Several cruise lines such as Royal Caribbean are building monster-sized boats like the Project Genesis class, which will hold 5,400 passengers.
These are requiring several ports, such as...
These are requiring several ports, such as...
Cruising once may have been the province of the rich, but by the 21st Century, the North American-based cruising industry had become a massive economic engine: about 12.5 million passengers spent about $17.6 billion onboard and ashore in 2007, according to the Cruise Lines International Association. While the industry has struggled recently, the companies proved optimistic about growing demand: By the end of 2007, nearly 100 new ships will have been introduced since 2000 -- 8 just in 2007 and more in the pipeline. Several cruise lines such as Royal Caribbean are building monster-sized boats like the Project Genesis class, which will hold 5,400 passengers.
These are requiring several ports, such as Fort Lauderdale Florida's Port Everglades, to consider enlarging berths and deepening channels. Cruising is a key part of Florida's economy. In 2006, cruise line spending in Florida topped $5.8 billion and companies paid $5 billion in wages to Florida employees. Miami, Port Canaveral and Fort Lauderdale's Port Everglades are among the busiest ports in North America, accounting for more than half the cruise traffic, but New York and Hawaii are among the fastest-growing embarkation points. The average cruiser remains a 49-year-old person with a household income of more than $100,000, but much of the passenger growth has been due to aggressive marketing to a diverse range of demographics including an entire cruise line aimed at families with children, gay-friendly cruises, amenities designed to be handicapped accessible and younger cruisers seeking more active shore excursions like white-water rafting and rappelling. The types of cruises offered encompass more than the traditional 3-to-10 day vacations with one-day stops in a half-dozen ports. They include day trips to the Caribbean islands, "cruises to nowhere" solely to enable customers to gamble, round-the-world marathons and trans-Atlantic trips that can be cheaper than flying and staying in a hotel. Customer preferences ebb and flow. In 2007, traffic to the Caribbean dipped while demands for trips to and around Europe increased. Patrons are booking their cruises later and later. Cruise lines have striven to attract customers with huge ships that carry thousands upon thousands of passengers. They tout fine dining (even gourmet supper clubs and health-conscious menus), luxurious amenities, gambling casinos, rock climbing walls, exotic ports like Dubai, shipboard Internet cafes and Wi-Fi, lengthy rosters of pre-arranged shore excursions, and experts or celebrities lecturing on everything from languages to art. The industry continues to grow, but it has been hit by one headache after another: rising fuel prices, hurricanes canceling cruises and spooking potential patrons, ship fires, terrorism fears, passenger disappearances, gastro-intestinal illnesses, a soft economy cutting into discretionary spending and the rise of land-based casinos. Some lines have been criticized by environmentalists damaging the eco-system. The North American cruise industry's trade group is the Cruise Lines International Association.
These are requiring several ports, such as Fort Lauderdale Florida's Port Everglades, to consider enlarging berths and deepening channels. Cruising is a key part of Florida's economy. In 2006, cruise line spending in Florida topped $5.8 billion and companies paid $5 billion in wages to Florida employees. Miami, Port Canaveral and Fort Lauderdale's Port Everglades are among the busiest ports in North America, accounting for more than half the cruise traffic, but New York and Hawaii are among the fastest-growing embarkation points. The average cruiser remains a 49-year-old person with a household income of more than $100,000, but much of the passenger growth has been due to aggressive marketing to a diverse range of demographics including an entire cruise line aimed at families with children, gay-friendly cruises, amenities designed to be handicapped accessible and younger cruisers seeking more active shore excursions like white-water rafting and rappelling. The types of cruises offered encompass more than the traditional 3-to-10 day vacations with one-day stops in a half-dozen ports. They include day trips to the Caribbean islands, "cruises to nowhere" solely to enable customers to gamble, round-the-world marathons and trans-Atlantic trips that can be cheaper than flying and staying in a hotel. Customer preferences ebb and flow. In 2007, traffic to the Caribbean dipped while demands for trips to and around Europe increased. Patrons are booking their cruises later and later. Cruise lines have striven to attract customers with huge ships that carry thousands upon thousands of passengers. They tout fine dining (even gourmet supper clubs and health-conscious menus), luxurious amenities, gambling casinos, rock climbing walls, exotic ports like Dubai, shipboard Internet cafes and Wi-Fi, lengthy rosters of pre-arranged shore excursions, and experts or celebrities lecturing on everything from languages to art. The industry continues to grow, but it has been hit by one headache after another: rising fuel prices, hurricanes canceling cruises and spooking potential patrons, ship fires, terrorism fears, passenger disappearances, gastro-intestinal illnesses, a soft economy cutting into discretionary spending and the rise of land-based casinos. Some lines have been criticized by environmentalists damaging the eco-system. The North American cruise industry's trade group is the Cruise Lines International Association.
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This week's deals
The Washington PostThe week's best travel bargains around the globe: Adventure Life is offering discounts of $750 per person on a Galapagos Islands cruise. The deal applies to the Aug. 6 departure of the Monserrat I. Price now starts at $1,995 per person double for a...Tags: Europe Sailing, Personal Service, Hotel and Accommodation Industry, Washington Post Company, State Budgets
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News from around the world
Los Angeles Times Staff WriterNPS Web site for disabled The National Park Service has launched a Web site for visitors with disabilities and other special needs to help them find accessible trails, programs and activities at national parks. The Web site at nps.gov/pub_aff/access/...Tags: Government, Salvador Dali, Singapore Airlines, Paul Klee, Tourism and Leisure
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A walk in the Lake District
Special to the TribuneSeveral scenic walking tours take hikers through the hills and dales of England's Lake District on undemanding treks that average 6 miles per day. "England's Lake District: The Enchanted Land of Beatrix Potter" visits Potter's Hilltop Farm and Wordsworth'...Tags: Tourism and Leisure, Beatrix Potter, Hotel and Accommodation Industry, Swimming, Hotels and Accommodations
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Best Travel Deals - July 20, 2008
$150 FOXWOODS CASINO Overnight trip Nov. 9-10 includes one night's lodging at the Two Trees Inn, one dinner, one breakfast, and a stop at the Mohegan Sun Casino on the way home. Not included are meals and driver gratuities. The price is per person based...Tags: Hotel and Accommodation Industry, Casino and Gambling, Casino and Gambling Industry, State Budgets, Tourism and Leisure
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Travel Tips
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Friendly Trips -
Jacksonville, Amelia Island and St. Augustine, Fla., Feb. 22-28, guided tours, 10 meals, $520. Our Lady Help of Christians Seniors, Lil, 610-435-9404 or Lucille, 610-391-0237. ''Thoroughly Modern Millie,'' Allenberry Playhouse and buffet lunch, July 30,...Tags: Theater, Ocean City, High Schools, Schools, Tourism and Leisure
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Cruising in Alaska can be a nightmare or a dream
In May, we took a seven-day cruise to Alaska on the Norwegian Cruise Line Pearl. This was our worst cruising experience. There are numerous restaurants on the ship, but several are specialty restaurants that charge an extra $10 to $20 per person. The food...Tags: Tourism and Leisure, Alaska, Tour Operations Industry, Restaurant and Catering Industry
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Letters: Venice, travel agents, currency exhange
Drawn back to Venice I so enjoyed Susan Spano's article on Venice ["Veni, Vidi, Venice," July 13]. She did a wonderful job of bridging the fabulous history of the city with a modern viewpoint. She made me want to pack my bags and go back to that...Tags: Tourism and Leisure, Venice, Currency Values, Culver City, Mark Anderson
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2009 Mazda6 Starts at $18,550
KickingTiresThe redesigned Mazda6 will start at $18,550 for the base SV trim with a six-speed manual transmission, Mazda has announced. Prices exclude a $670 destination charge. That represents a $590 decrease over the outgoing sedan, and means the Mazda6 will......Tags: Nissan, Tourism and Leisure, Vehicles, Honda, Toyota
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This week's travel deals
The Washington PostThe week's best travel bargains around the globe: KICK BACK IN EUROPE SEE PARIS AND SAVE: Save $600 per couple on a six-night trip to Paris with Club ABC Tours, departing Sept. 13. Price is now $1,670 per person double, including taxes and membership...Tags: Multi-Sport Events, Hotel and Accommodation Industry, Washington Post Company, Tour Operations Industry, Summer Olympics
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