TME41 CRUISE SALES & MANAGEMENT Here are a few facts, based on research

Chapter 1: Introduction to Cruises studies done by CLIA (Cruise Line International

Association) and other researchers:
 Cruise – Vacation trip by sea
this excludes travelling by water for  On average, about 40% of the people
purely business purposes: onboard are taking their first cruise.
o cargo ships  People who take cruises earn about 18%
o own yacht, pleasure craft more money in household income per
o travel on a vessel primarily year.
for transportation purpose  About a quarter of all cruisers bring child
or children along.
TYPES OF CRUISES  86% percent of the cruisers are married.
 Mass Market  29% of all cruisers are under 40 years old,
 These cruises appeal to the mass 52% are between 40 and 59 and 20% are
market, and are budget to over 60.
moderately priced.
 They often feature the Bahamas, On short cruises, passengers tend to be:
the Caribbean or Alaska as  Be younger.
destinations.  Have more modest incomes.
 Have less education.
 Upscale Cruises  Be more likely to work full – time.
 These cruises appeal to more  Be interested in mass – market
experienced cruisers. These destination, such as the Caribbean.
passengers have more money to
spend, want first-class service and Conversely, on a longer cruise, the
are looking for new ports of call passengers tend to:
and destinations.  Be older.
 Have higher incomes.
 Luxury Cruises  Be more educated.
 These cruises offer elegance, ultra-  Be more likely to be retired or semiretired.
modern, numerous amenities and  Be interested in a more exotic destination,
unique itineraries – at prices only such as South America.
the wealthy can afford.
There are no typical cruise passengers. People
 Specialty Cruises who take cruises come from all walks of life,
 A wide range of specialty cruises backgrounds, and cultures.
are available, including whale
watching, sailing ships, and LENGTH OF CRUISES
exploratory voyages. There are one-day cruises; two-, three-, four-,
five-, seven-, ten-, 14-day cruises; and around-
CRUISERS: WHO REALLY ARE THEY? the-world cruises that take about 90 days.
 Cruising is indeed a global
phenomenon. AIR/SEA PROGRAMS
 Currently about 20% of all North  Cruise prices often include or offer
American adults who can afford to coordinated airfare from many cities to
cruise have done so but about the port of embarkation.
three times more say that they  Cruise lines also offer special add-on
would like to do so within the next packages and features for stays prior to or
three years. after the cruise.

LOCATION AND TYPES OF CABINS

 Some ships today have all outside cabins
(cabins with portholes). Others have
 outside and inside cabins. Inside cabins  PRINCESS CRUISES – unveiled “personal
are normally less expensive. choice dining” which is like Norwegian
 Generally, staterooms or cabins are Cruise Line’s “freestyle” with a twist.
smaller than comparable hotel rooms. Passengers choose flexible dining or
 Cabins can have twin beds, double/queen assigned seating (which will continue in at
beds, or upper and lower beds (like bunk least one dining room per ship. The choice
beds). must be made when booking.
 Some cabins have just a shower; others
may have a bath or both. CUSTOMARY DRESS
Preferred dress for special parties or events is
NUMBER OF PEOPLE PER CABIN usually stated in the daily activities program.
• Some cabins accommodate only two Evening dress falls into three categories:
people, others accommodate up to four. • Elegantly casual – comfortable relaxed
• Cruise prices are normally stated “per clothing (no T-shirts or jeans)
person, double occupancy (PPDO) and • Informal – dresses and pantsuits for
then offer a “third/fourth person” rate. women and lightweight jackets for men
• For example a cabin rate of $1195 PDDO (tie optional)
and a third/fourth person rate of $625. • Formal – cocktail dresses or gowns for
How much in total if four people occupy women and business suits/tuxedos for
the cabin? men.
• Total = $3640 ($910 each)
CHARGES ON BOARD
SPACE AND PASSENGER TO CREW RATIOS  Many cruise lines issue a card identifying
 The passenger space ratio is determined you as a passenger, along with such
by dividing the gross registered tonnage information as your cabin number, meal
of a ship (a measure of size) by the sitting and table number.
regular passenger capacity of the ship.  Many will not accept checks; and some do
 Luxury ships will often feature this ratio – not accept cash.
such as one crew member for every one or
two passengers – implying the specialized THE CRUISE VACATION
 AT THE AIRPORT – flight to city where port of
attention given to the passengers.
embarkation is location.
 EMBARKATION – About two to three hours
FOOD AND DRINKS before sailing, embarkation begins. This is the
Most cruises feature lavish buffets, extensive time where identification and documents are
menus, and regular and specialty drinks. Meals taken and reviewed.
are included in the cruise price; drinks are priced  ALL ABOARD – passengers are shown to their
similarly to bar prices or included on some cabins by stewards. Luggage usually arrives
cruises. Passengers usually choose a meal later.
“sitting” at the time of reservation.  EMERGENCY LIFEBOAT DRILL – after
departure
 ACTIVITIES/PROGRAM – passengers receive
 NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE (NCL) –
an activity program daily providing information
introduced “freestyle cruising” dining and specifics on board the ship.
options that include choice of restaurants,  DISEMBARKATION
times, dining partners, and attire
preferences.

 CARNIVAL CRUISE LINES – introduced

“Total Choice Dining” featuring four
staggered seating times in main
restaurants, the launch of dining room
“Team Service” and casual dinner time.