Highlights
Cruising once may have been the province of the rich, but by the 21st Century, the North American-based cruising industry had become a massive economic engine: about 12.5 million passengers spent about $17.6 billion onboard and ashore in 2007, according to the Cruise Lines International Association. While the industry has struggled recently, the companies proved optimistic about growing demand: By the end of 2007, nearly 100 new ships will have been introduced since 2000 -- 8 just in 2007 and more in the pipeline. Several cruise lines such as Royal Caribbean are building monster-sized boats like the Project Genesis class, which will hold 5,400 passengers.
These are requiring several...
These are requiring several...
Cruising once may have been the province of the rich, but by the 21st Century, the North American-based cruising industry had become a massive economic engine: about 12.5 million passengers spent about $17.6 billion onboard and ashore in 2007, according to the Cruise Lines International Association. While the industry has struggled recently, the companies proved optimistic about growing demand: By the end of 2007, nearly 100 new ships will have been introduced since 2000 -- 8 just in 2007 and more in the pipeline. Several cruise lines such as Royal Caribbean are building monster-sized boats like the Project Genesis class, which will hold 5,400 passengers.
These are requiring several ports, such as Fort Lauderdale Florida's Port Everglades, to consider enlarging berths and deepening channels. Cruising is a key part of Florida's economy. In 2006, cruise line spending in Florida topped $5.8 billion and companies paid $5 billion in wages to Florida employees. Miami, Port Canaveral and Fort Lauderdale's Port Everglades are among the busiest ports in North America, accounting for more than half the cruise traffic, but New York and Hawaii are among the fastest-growing embarkation points. The average cruiser remains a 49-year-old person with a household income of more than $100,000, but much of the passenger growth has been due to aggressive marketing to a diverse range of demographics including an entire cruise line aimed at families with children, gay-friendly cruises, amenities designed to be handicapped accessible and younger cruisers seeking more active shore excursions like white-water rafting and rappelling. The types of cruises offered encompass more than the traditional 3-to-10 day vacations with one-day stops in a half-dozen ports. They include day trips to the Caribbean islands, "cruises to nowhere" solely to enable customers to gamble, round-the-world marathons and trans-Atlantic trips that can be cheaper than flying and staying in a hotel. Customer preferences ebb and flow. In 2007, traffic to the Caribbean dipped while demands for trips to and around Europe increased. Patrons are booking their cruises later and later. Cruise lines have striven to attract customers with huge ships that carry thousands upon thousands of passengers. They tout fine dining (even gourmet supper clubs and health-conscious menus), luxurious amenities, gambling casinos, rock climbing walls, exotic ports like Dubai, shipboard Internet cafes and Wi-Fi, lengthy rosters of pre-arranged shore excursions, and experts or celebrities lecturing on everything from languages to art. The industry continues to grow, but it has been hit by one headache after another: rising fuel prices, hurricanes canceling cruises and spooking potential patrons, ship fires, terrorism fears, passenger disappearances, gastro-intestinal illnesses, a soft economy cutting into discretionary spending and the rise of land-based casinos. Some lines have been criticized by environmentalists damaging the eco-system. The North American cruise industry's trade group is the Cruise Lines International Association.
These are requiring several ports, such as Fort Lauderdale Florida's Port Everglades, to consider enlarging berths and deepening channels. Cruising is a key part of Florida's economy. In 2006, cruise line spending in Florida topped $5.8 billion and companies paid $5 billion in wages to Florida employees. Miami, Port Canaveral and Fort Lauderdale's Port Everglades are among the busiest ports in North America, accounting for more than half the cruise traffic, but New York and Hawaii are among the fastest-growing embarkation points. The average cruiser remains a 49-year-old person with a household income of more than $100,000, but much of the passenger growth has been due to aggressive marketing to a diverse range of demographics including an entire cruise line aimed at families with children, gay-friendly cruises, amenities designed to be handicapped accessible and younger cruisers seeking more active shore excursions like white-water rafting and rappelling. The types of cruises offered encompass more than the traditional 3-to-10 day vacations with one-day stops in a half-dozen ports. They include day trips to the Caribbean islands, "cruises to nowhere" solely to enable customers to gamble, round-the-world marathons and trans-Atlantic trips that can be cheaper than flying and staying in a hotel. Customer preferences ebb and flow. In 2007, traffic to the Caribbean dipped while demands for trips to and around Europe increased. Patrons are booking their cruises later and later. Cruise lines have striven to attract customers with huge ships that carry thousands upon thousands of passengers. They tout fine dining (even gourmet supper clubs and health-conscious menus), luxurious amenities, gambling casinos, rock climbing walls, exotic ports like Dubai, shipboard Internet cafes and Wi-Fi, lengthy rosters of pre-arranged shore excursions, and experts or celebrities lecturing on everything from languages to art. The industry continues to grow, but it has been hit by one headache after another: rising fuel prices, hurricanes canceling cruises and spooking potential patrons, ship fires, terrorism fears, passenger disappearances, gastro-intestinal illnesses, a soft economy cutting into discretionary spending and the rise of land-based casinos. Some lines have been criticized by environmentalists damaging the eco-system. The North American cruise industry's trade group is the Cruise Lines International Association.
Displaying items 1-12 of 699
» View baltimoresun.com items only
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11-20
•
Next >
-
Hoover museum has new exhibit
An 1840 Tippecanoe Club ribbon, bundles of ballots from the 1864 presidential race and a "Dicky Poo for '72" button are among the political items on display at the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library-Museum in West Branch, Iowa. The "Presidential...Tags: Election Day, John McCain, Tourism and Leisure, Richard Nixon, Freedom of the Press
-
How I Made It: Rich Campbell
Los Angeles Times Staff WriterThe gig: Founder and chief executive of West Hollywood-based Atlantis Events Inc., the world's largest travel company specializing in all-gay vacations and cruises. Acquired competitor RSVP Vacations last October. It charters entire cruise ships and...Tags: Australia, Space Programs, Wine, Beer, and Spirits, Tourism and Leisure, Gays and Lesbians
-
Lake County religion in brief
The Salvation Army of Lake County will begin accepting applications from individuals and families needing assistance during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday season. Holiday-season assistance will be offered to families and senior citizens based...Tags: Interior Policy, Christianity, Tourism and Leisure, Leesburg, Ceremonies
-
Carnival Corp. might reimburse cruise passengers for fuel surcharges
South Florida Sun-SentinelCruise passengers on Carnival Corp.'s six lines burdened with fuel surcharges this year could be reimbursed, the company said Friday, but only if oil prices continue to slide. If oil drops to $70 per barrel or less, Carnival will credit cruise passengers...Tags: Tourism and Leisure, Festive Event, Tour Operations Industry, Petroleum Industry, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.
-
Steering a relaxing course on the Mississippi
Special to the Chicago TribuneLeCLAIRE, Iowa—It could be argued that, as a riverboat pilot on the mighty Mississippi, Kevin Stier has a hard life. Stier is on the river six days a week. Those days begin around sunup and often continue until well past sundown. He logs about 12,...Tags: Mark Twain, Tourism and Leisure, Hotel and Accommodation Industry, Life, Hotels and Accommodations
-
Classism making a comeback on cruise ships
Special to the Chicago TribuneOne-class cruising could be bound for extinction. If Adam Goldstein, president of Royal Caribbean International, speaks for the future of cruising, traveling aboard ship may one day be akin to flying the unfriendly skies, meaning you'll sail by class in...Tags: Vacations, Tourism and Leisure, National Government, Government, Tour Operations Industry
-
Travel Tips
FAMILY ADVENTURES, PERU TO ALASKA Since 2005, Adventures by Disney has led family trips in locations around the world. Among the 23 itineraries set for 2009 is "Sacred Valleys and Incan Cities," an eight-night Peruvian journey that delves into the ruins...Tags: Wallis Simpson, Puerto Rico, Tourism and Leisure, Hotel and Accommodation Industry, Indiana Jones
-
Letters: Cruise catastrophe never again
Shipwreck never again Thanks for the info about cruise line refunds ["Lessons From a Storm-Tossed Cruise," Travel Insider, Oct. 5]. It appears greed conquers even the worst weather. I cut out the article and will save it in my wishful vacation file....Tags: Tourism and Leisure, Topanga, Festive Event
-
For insensitivity, Wachovia refuses to be outdone
CONSUMER CONFIDENTIALAs ailing Wachovia Corp. waits to see whether it will be acquired by Wells Fargo & Co. or Citigroup Inc. -- possibly with taxpayers paying the tab for hundreds of billions of dollars in bad loans -- some of the company's top brokers are preparing to...Tags: Tourism and Leisure, Wine, Beer, and Spirits, Stock Broking, Ethics, Citigroup Incorporated
-
Drive to Port Everglades and see the world
Special Correspondent for Sun SentinelThis winter you can drive to Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale and set sail on one of several ships that circumnavigate the planet. Cunard Line, Holland America Line and Princess Cruises are among the lines offering world cruises from Port Everglades....Tags: Buzz Aldrin, Tourism and Leisure, Europe Sailing, Ed McMahon, Port Everglades
-
A Caribbean taste of Ireland
Fans of Irish music will be treated to 40 hours of entertainment aboard Celebrity Cruise Lines' Summit Jan. 31-Feb. 7. The "18th Annual Irish Festival Cruise" features Cherish the Ladies, the Black Brothers, Tommy Sands, Johnny McEvoy and other...Tags: Puerto Rico, Tourism and Leisure
-
Florida Travel Calendar: Oct. 5-19
Today: Sunken Gardens Hot Pepper Fest, St. Petersburg. Includes pepper clothing, jewelry, artwork, pepper jellies, food and hot sauces. At Sunken Gardens. Admission. 727-551-3100. www.sunkengardens.org Tuesday: The Third Annual Flavor of Jazz,...Tags: Wine, Beer, and Spirits, Tourism and Leisure, Festive Event, Breast Cancer, Lake Worth
Oct 12, 2008
|Story| Orlando Sentinel
Oct 12, 2008
|Story| Los Angeles Times
Oct 11, 2008
|Story| Orlando Sentinel
Oct 11, 2008
|Story| South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Oct 12, 2008
|Story| Chicago Tribune
Oct 12, 2008
|Story| Chicago Tribune
Oct 12, 2008
|Story| Hampton Roads Daily Press
Oct 12, 2008
|Story| Los Angeles Times
Oct 9, 2008
|Column| Los Angeles Times
Oct 10, 2008
|Story| South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Oct 5, 2008
|Story| Chicago Tribune
Oct 5, 2008
|Story| Orlando Sentinel
Original site for Cruises topic gallery.
