Shore Excursions Get More Interactive
A great ship is only half the vacation equation for cruisers. For most passengers, the crusing destination is key. Today’s discriminating traveler wants both popular, and out -of-the-way destinations where they can immerse themselves in the local culture during their limited time in port.
According to Bruce Himelstein, former President of Oceania Cruises, “Experiential vacations are a critical brand element. Our itineraries are designed so that each day reveals the culture, character and charm of a new destination.”
Classic Holland America has added experiences like Soldier for a Day ($344), where guests can march in the boots of one of Queen Victoria’s soldiers while in Halifax, or learn to cook Mexican cuisine ($59) at a local restaurant in Puerto Vallarta.
Finding Value in the New Market
While cruise lines have clearly uped the ante, tantalizing travelers with bigger, better and more outlandish, it pays to know what’s important to you so you invest your travel dollars wisely.
The mainstream cruise market is saturated with ships, meaning that it’s a travelers market. Even new ships, and ships packed with amenities, are discounted ,and depending on your itinerary and travel dates you can likely snag a deal on one, affording you more amenities for a nominal upcharge.
While premium cruises cost more upfront, savvy travelers know that they may indeed provide terrific value because they often include things that mid-market ships have added charges for. Regent Seven Seas Cruises is a perfect example. The line includes tips, shore excursions and alcholic beverages into the base cruise price. If these are things that could cost more than your cruise ticket, so an all-inclusive cruise experience may actually be the better value in the long run.
The Future of Cruising
As passengers continue to demand greater and greater experiences from their cruise, the industry continually strives to meet the need despite the tepid economy. Celebrity Cruises will launch another Solstice Class ship in 2012, the Reflection, and Royal Caribbean is gearing up to start the new Sunshine Class ships in 2014. And each new ship continues to push the envelope about what is possible both on board and off will be pushed.
“There’s nothing we see that says this trend is going to diminish,” concludes Goldstein.
Are you considering a cruise vacation in the future? If so, how are you making your decision?
For more cruise information, check out:
- Part 1 and Part 2 of the series Everything You Need to Know About Cruise Travel
- For a unique cruise value, consider a seasonal repositioning cruise
- the Travel Planning & Cruises category
By Dena Rochwerger-Braun for PeterGreenberg.com. Dena Rochwerger-Braun, aka, The Fitglobetrotter, covers luxury, wellness and spa travel worldwide. Her work has appeared in Spa Magazine, Robb Report, Destination Weddings & Honeymoons and Bridal Guide. Follow her travels and travel tips on Twitter @fitglobetrotter
