The sector is experiencing strong demand for longer-duration trips
Sales of cruises longer than 15 days have increased by 50% compared to previous months, experiencing strong demand for long-distance trips, including: Alaska, South America, Australia and New Zealand, the Middle East, Japan and Asia.
At a breakfast meeting with the media, Juan Rodero, CEO of StarClass/Un Mundo de Cruceros, outlined the trends and the most noteworthy aspects of the current state of the luxury cruise industry in Spain.
Luxury cruise lines are experiencing one of their most successful periods. The increase in bookings following the months of the pandemic has been remarkable and is yielding even more optimistic data.
One fact that reflects the progressive increase in the luxury segment - also in the cruise company industry - is that of the total of 86 ships that will be launched worldwide until 2027, 50% of the total will be luxury and expedition ships.
It is worth highlighting the 50% increase in sales of cruises longer than 15 days compared to the same period in 2019, as well as the demand for long-distance trips, such as Alaska, Australia and New Zealand, South America, the Middle East, Japan and Asia, despite the still limitations in China/Hong Kong.
In this sense, so-called Expedition Cruises, those that go to Antarctica, Greenland and the Arctic, Galapagos, Seychelles and French Polynesia have also experienced considerable growth, while the average age decreases.
An ultra-luxury cruise costs between 500 and 700 euros per night, a price similar to any of the recently opened 5-star GL hotels in Spain. But with one essential difference: on a cruise of this caliber, all onboard services are included.
These types of guests seek small ships, with few passengers and a more personalized service and a crew-to-passenger ratio, which guarantees them that exquisite service.
Since September, sales have increased by 50% compared to previous months, coinciding with the easing of travel restrictions imposed by various countries. And while cruise passengers are typically repeat visitors, the number of passengers in 2022 and 2023 is particularly noteworthy, due in part to outstanding pandemic-related vouchers and loans.
The online format is gaining ground in terms of inspiration and information search, although offline sales remain the leader.
The language barrier that may have existed in the past in these types of companies - most of them are American and have had a predominantly Anglo-Saxon audience - is becoming smaller and smaller, thanks to the greater language facilities offered on board, as well as Spanish-speaking crew members.
There is, however, plenty of room for growth. Luxury cruise sales remain a minority market in Spain. And, while it's true that many departures are fully booked due to advance reservations from countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, and Germany (which tend to book much more in advance than Mediterranean countries), there's still a lack of awareness about these cruises, with many believing that larger cruise ships are better, when in fact the opposite is true.
Rodero asserts that customers who embark on a luxury or ultra-luxury cruise for the first time rarely return to a lower-tier option. These cruise lines offer increasingly exclusive experiences, featuring newer ships, suites with butlers, and meticulous attention to detail, with gastronomy being a key attraction. They also visit increasingly exclusive destinations, accessing charming boutique ports that other cruise lines cannot reach due to their ships' draft.
In conclusion, it is worth noting the growing increase in this segment, the room for growth that still exists in terms of the Spanish public, due to the enormous demand for longer and more distant trips after years of restrictions, as well as the high degree of repeat business from cruise customers and the entry into the business of new hotel brands that will attract customers who have never been on a cruise, but do stay in a luxury hotel.
