CLIA shares key outlooks for 2015

A record 23 million passengers are expected to sail this year, many of them to new ports of call, according to Cruise Lines International Association’s 2015 State of the Cruise Industry Report.

The report also states that 61 per cent of North American CLIA-certified travel agents reported an increase in 2015 travel bookings over this time last year. Almost 1,000 ports of call in new, exotic locations, especially in Asia, are also expected to draw increased numbers of travellers. CLIA also revealed that member cruise lines are scheduled to debut 22 new ocean, river and specialty ships in 2015 for a total investment of more than $4 billion.

The following are CLIA’s key outlooks for 2015:

- 62 per cent of cruise passengers are return cruisers and 69 per cent ranked cruising as a better value than a land-based vacation. Overall, CLIA member ocean passenger volume is projected to increase to 23 million in 2015, a four-percent increase over 2014 estimates of 22.1 million.

- With 22 new ocean, river and specialty cruise ships scheduled for debut this year, the focus is less on size and more on unique design and amenities.

- CLIA’s specialty segments, which includes sophisticated ships, luxury yachts, elegant ocean liners and the newest river cruises, continue to experience double digit passenger growth, with specialty cruises growing from 21 per cent annually from 2009 to 2014 estimates.

- The Caribbean remains queen for the cruise industry with more than a third of the global deployment capacity market share in 2015. At the same time, cruise travelers are expanding horizons to destinations such as the Mediterranean, Australia and Asia, where 52 ships will provide 1,065 Asian cruises with capacity for 2.17 million passengers.

- The cruise industry is seeing an increase in passengers looking for global experiences. As a result, cruising has made the world more accessible than ever. CLIA’s member cruise lines offer nearly 1,000 ports around the globe, including many areas that fall within a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

- While the Internet and mobile devices have overtaken how consumers make purchases, travel agents continue to be the most popular and best way to book a cruise. In fact, seven out of ten cruise travelers use a travel agent to plan and book cruise vacations.

- The cruise industry is excited, motivated and responding with key innovations that are meeting the needs of today’s passengers, such as bow-to-stern WiFi and phone connectivity, multigenerational appeal, themed cruises and “foodcations.”