For the upcoming 2015 season, the sector continues the path it started two years ago to regain profitability.
A year ago, the outlook for the Spanish cruise market wasn't very promising. First, because there was a significant withdrawal of cabins that had been dedicated entirely to the Spanish market. Second, because the general price increase, coupled with a complicated economic situation, could reduce the number of bookings; and third, because other European markets like Germany and France were showing upward growth, thus securing more cabins.
But finally, 2014 ended on a positive note for the sector. Thanks to improved macroeconomic data, advance bookings recovered strongly, both in the October-November 2013 period and in January-March 2014. Some airlines even requested more cabins from their headquarters to capitalize on this surge. And although the pace of bookings made during the last-minute sales period experienced a slight decrease compared to the previous year, the average booking value improved by 13.8%. In short, 2014 will likely end with a slight decrease in passengers of between 5% and 10%, but with revenue matching or even showing slight growth.
Logitravel.com, the leading online cruise agency in Spain, will close 2014 with a 25% increase in revenue. Joan Balaguer, Cruise Director of the Logitravel Group, commented: “We are very pleased with the results. This is the result of a great effort by the entire cruise department, from the IT engineering team to marketing, product, and sales; and of course, our team of cruise agents.”
According to sales figures from Logitravel.com, in 2014, 48% of passengers opted for a Western Mediterranean cruise, 23% for the Eastern Mediterranean, 16% for Northern Europe, and 4% for the Caribbean. Bookings for more exotic destinations such as the Far East, Dubai, and South America also increased. The average booking lead time was 85 days, compared to 78 days the previous year.
Once again, Spanish cruise passengers have preferred to embark from Spanish ports, with these ports showing varying trends. Barcelona maintained its strong leadership, with an 81% market share, and Palma de Mallorca (5% market share) also saw an increase in its share. On the other hand, Valencia (9% market share, down 1 percentage point) and Malaga (3.6% market share, down 3.8 percentage points) have declined in importance as embarkation ports for Spanish passengers during the 2014 season.
The upcoming 2015 season brings exciting new options for cruise enthusiasts and those new to this type of travel. There will be a greater number of cabins available on cruises departing from Barcelona, aboard some of the best ships from various cruise lines. Costa Cruises will be showcasing its brand-new ship, the Costa Diadema, as well as the Costa Fascinosa; MSC Cruises will be offering 8-day Mediterranean cruises aboard the MSC Divina and the MSC Fantasia. Royal Caribbean will also be present, featuring the Allure of the Seas, a gigantic and spectacular ship that becomes an additional destination in itself. Norwegian Cruise Line will also be returning to Barcelona with its ship, the Norwegian Epic, offering up to 21 dining options on board and top-quality entertainment.
“We are very excited about the new 2015 season. We will be able to offer more and better products to our customers, and we love that! Early bird bookings have started very well, and we recommend that our customers take advantage of the great benefits of booking their next 2015 cruise in advance. We have more than 5,000 cruises on our website, the best prices, and a team of advisors to help our customers choose the ideal cruise,” says Balaguer.
Until November 30th, to encourage early booking, Logitravel.com is offering the chance to reserve your cabin on your chosen cruise for just €50, with free cancellation, discounts of up to 70%, and a gift of up to €250 to add extra services to your cruise (drink packages, connecting flights, etc.). Booking in advance also offers the advantage of more options when choosing your cabin type and preferred location.
