Coronavirus: Cruise industry waits for green light as passengers go luxe
With a COVID vaccine in sight, Australians cruise devotees are looking local and luxe, and planning well ahead.
Not even a pandemic can sink the plans of cruise fans. Spotting a vaccine on the horizon, rather than a whale or sunset, has buoyed Australians’ hopes for their next adventures at sea. Although many will likely wait another year or two, a surprising cohort of luxury travellers would happily set sail tomorrow.
Elaine Harris, 72, is one of those passionate people whose appetite to cruise has not been dimmed by COVID-19. “It hasn’t deterred me at all,” she says. “I just want to get those tags on my bag.
“There’s always gastro or other stuff that can happen on a ship, or on land, so you just have to be hygienic and follow all the rules and regulations. I know there are some people whose health is compromised, but I’m healthy. I’ve got a lot of living to do yet.”
Most of Harris’s previous cruises were overseas on bigger ships — sailing from New York to Quebec, around Japan, Hawaii, the Baltic — but for her next trip, the Sydney resident has chosen something closer to home on Silversea’s 382-passenger Silver Shadow. Booked through Cruise Express, the 16-night voyage departs Cairns in April 2022, sailing to Papua New Guinea, Indonesia and Singapore.
“Not that I wouldn’t cruise on big ships again, but I just think slow and steady is the way to go,” she says. “There’s also a lot of good deals on cruises that are usually quite expensive — all the more incentive.”
It’s a sailor’s market
Bicton Travel sales and marketing manager Barry Down agrees that reasonable fares have boosted the appeal of high-end cruising.
“It’s reassuring to see pricing mostly stable and value added to entice new bookings,” he says. “The luxury traveller has certainly been the first to lock in and commit to a new holiday. There is more inquiry for luxury cruising and small ship cruising compared to the ‘big white’ ships.
“I think guests perceive that an expedition or ultra-luxe cruise is potentially safer or less of a risk than a large ship experience.”
‘The luxury traveller has certainly been the first to lock in and commit to a new holiday’
Other factors encouraging cruiser confidence include the introduction of flexible cancellation policies and low-risk deposits. However, the intensity of enthusiasm varies depending on the destination and date of departure. “Guests are divided,” says Down. “Half are waiting for a vaccine, the other half will go on the next available cruise and do whatever is the new norm, such as [COVID] testing.”
Jeff Gillies, commercial director of Coral Expeditions, one of only three operators with a ship sailing in Australia, observes: “Guests are cautious about uncertainties that may change plans so are looking for safe and flexible booking terms and are particularly interested in the steps being taken to screen and manage medical protocols. Many are prepared to travel only if they feel it is safe and we are fielding many more questions than usual, with guests really seeking assurances that the process and voyages are reputable.”
In the past month, Gillies has noticed a “strong return to more positive sentiment from the market to cruise again”, with a sharp rise in calls through its reservations centre as well as the domestic travel agency and trade-partner network. “Based on the last few weeks, the level of inquiries have returned to pre-COVID levels on a weekly basis,” he says. The Kimberley is the dominant dream destination, along with coastal sailings in Tasmania, Cape York, South Australia and Western Australia.
Top end in the top end
For expedition line Ponant, the 184-passenger Le Laperouse in the Kimberley is a standout for next year. “We have 16 luxury expeditions planned for next year, including three National Geographic voyages, with inquiries and sales the lion’s share of the incoming business currently,” general manager, sales and marketing, Asia Pacific, Deb Corbett says.
This month the company had its best period of week-on-week sales since March. “There is strong evidence of confidence returning and, encouragingly, we are receiving bookings from both past guests as well as new-to-Ponant guests,” Corbett says. “Interestingly, our top-end suites are selling fast, with the less expensive categories following on, rather than the more usual reverse of entry-level sales first and then working up to suites. And these are new bookings, not cruise credit conversions.”
‘Based on the last few weeks, the level of inquiries have returned to pre-COVID levels on a weekly basis’
Ponant is also seeing strong demand for Antarctica from January 2022 onwards. “This seems to reflect a general feeling that international travel will have resumed by then, and there is confidence in making such travel commitments now,” says Corbett.
In the South Pacific, the 332-passenger Paul Gauguin is popular for Polynesian sailings from July to November next year. Booking surges are noticeably “coincident with government announcements, state borders easing and positive signs of vaccines”.
Crystal Cruises vice-president, sales and marketing, Australia and New Zealand, Brigita Devries says people are “still quite sceptical” about travelling next year. “With international travel bans in place and no real vision as to when they may lift, many are focusing on 2022 and 2023, feeling more confident in travel further out to avoid disappointment with more possible cancellations.”
Crystal reports most interest in river cruising in Europe, ocean cruises in Asia, world voyages and Antarctic expeditions.
“That said, we do have some stunning itineraries around Australia and New Zealand in the fourth quarter of 2021 and into 2022,” says Devries. “Covering Christmas and New Year, these cruises are in high demand for those wanting to do something special over this period without having the pressure of international travel.”
Safety first
The prospect of a local cruise season looks more promising, with most Australian states aiming to open borders by this Christmas. Although there won’t be any festive sailings this year, Cruise Lines International Association is seeking to bring cruising into the domestic bubble, with strict protocols to protect against outside infection. “Given Australia’s success in stemming the transmission of COVID, this is an opportunity for a controlled restart of domestic cruises, restricted to local residents only, and with extensive testing and screening measures in place,” CLIA’s managing director, Australasia, Joel Katz says.
Experienced cruise travellers would lead the charge to sail under these cautious conditions, as their commitment appears to be unwavering. A survey conducted by CLIA in September found 77 per cent of past cruisers are likely to cruise in the next two years (compared with 78 per cent pre-COVID in December last year).
“Cruisers are responding positively to the COVID protocols that industry and cruise lines are announcing,” says Katz, “including commitments for 100 per cent testing and screening of passengers and crew before embarking, social distancing and mask wearing, enhanced sanitation and cleaning, expanded shipboard medical resources, enhanced ventilation, and shore excursions that follow the same stringent health protocols.”
‘Cruisers are responding positively to the COVID protocols that industry and cruise lines are announcing’
This renewed focus on local cruising will bring some new options into the mix as cruise lines adjust their programs. APT, which usually focuses on European river cruising for the bulk of its business, has turned its attention inward to its homeland. The company reports “great interest” for Kimberley cruises, prompting an increase in departures and itineraries from May to September next year, as well as the early launch of sales for 2022.
Looking ahead
For the first time APT’s small expedition ship, Caledonian Sky, will go to Queensland for two Cape York and Great Barrier Reef cruises in April and May next year. Another 15-night itinerary combines a land tour along Western Australia’s Wildflower Way with a Coral Coast cruise from Perth or Broome.
Despite the preference to delay overseas journeys, international sales are booming, too. Last month, Regent Seven Seas Cruises reported its largest booking day in its 28-year history with the global launch of its 2022-23 all-inclusive voyages. When reservations opened, it took only two hours to surpass the number of bookings for the previous year’s launch of the line’s 2021-22 program, eventually doubling the total sales. Africa, Asia, the Mediterranean and the Baltic were the most desired destinations.
Viking also has witnessed steady growth in worldwide bookings across its river, ocean and expedition portfolio during the past few weeks. Among its sold-out voyages are a 118-night world cruise and the line’s longest Mississippi river cruise.
“With the uncertainty of any government decision on our borders, the majority of bookings are for 2022 and 2023,” Viking’s managing director, Australia and New Zealand, Michelle Black, confirms. But she says she believes there is definitely a widespread desire to sail as soon as safe and possible.
“Our guests are savvy travellers and they are planning now for a travel-filled future. They know that when we can travel again, by booking now they can embark on the trip of their dreams. One thing that the events of this year have taught us is that time is precious, and there is no point in putting off that dream destination or holiday decision.”
In the know
Four tempting cruise deals:
Coral Expeditions
The new Coral Geographer has introduced an exciting route to the Subantarctic region, sailing from Milford, New Zealand, on January 8, 2022. The 14-night adventure focuses on the extraordinary wildlife and plants that thrive on these wild islands. Fares start at $11,690 a person, twin-share, including shore excursions, meals and drinks; coralexpeditions.com.
Regent Seven Seas
On its inaugural Asia-Pacific season, Seven Seas Explorer is offering an all-inclusive 32-night Asian Enhancements cruise departing February 4, 2022, from Bali to Tokyo via Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Ho Chi Minh City, Bangkok, Hanoi, Hong Kong, Osaka and many more cities, including several overnight stays. Prices from $25,950 a person, twin-share (down from $35,250), including unlimited shore excursions in every port, all beverages, specialty restaurant dining, in-suite minibar replenished daily, gratuities, laundry service and Wi-Fi; rssc.com.
Aurora Expeditions
The only Australian operator offering cruises in Baja California has a nine-night Sea of Cortez itinerary aboard the new Sylvia Earle, which is on track to launch next October. A 20 per cent earlybird discount reduces the fare to $7356 a person, twin-share. Departing May 4, 2022, the voyage explores the UNESCO World Heritage-listed site’s islands, coastal desert and waters teeming with sea turtles, sea lions, dolphins, whales, sharks and rays; auroraexpeditions.com.au.
APT
The company has a “fly free” offer on its Kimberley coastal cruise, hosted by Luke Nguyen, including on-board meals with the celebrity chef, daily tours on Zodiac vessels and a fast boat ride through Horizontal Falls. Starting and ending in Kununurra, Western Australia, the nine-night trip on Caledonian Sky is priced from $12,495 a person, twin-share. Departs July 8 next year; aptouring.com.au.
More to the story
Until a vaccine is available, cruise lines will face challenges in preventing COVID-19 outbreaks, especially in countries where the virus is prevalent.
Small luxury ships are not immune. This month an American family tested positive on SeaDream I, despite testing negative twice before boarding in Barbados. In late October, several cases also were detected on a Ponant yacht sailing from Malta to Sicily.
In the US, big ship operators will be required to conduct “simulated cruises” before resuming departures from local ports. Royal Caribbean is the first company to solicit volunteers to assess its new health and safety protocols in areas such as dining, shore excursions, quarantine and evacuation procedures. More than 100,000 people have applied to join these test sailings, demonstrating avid cruisers’ hunger to return to the sea.
