EUROPEAN DEPLOYMENT GIVES NCL SALES BOOST

Norwegian Cruise Line has revealed the company's increased European ­deployment has been central to its boost in new year sales.
The cruiseline's year-on-year sales are 50% up and its biggest sellers are departures from Southampton, Dover and Barcelona, which are targeted to the UK market.


NCL has increased its capacity in Europe by about 70% for 2008.


Head of sales Nick Wilkinson said: "European deployment has definitely been central to our business this year - we have the right mix from the UK.


"January has been going well. We would expect that because of the ­increased number of ships operating for the UK, we are exactly where we would like to be.


"Our best sellers are Mediterranean cruises on Norwegian Jade out of Southampton and Baltic itineraries from ­Dover on Norwegian Jewel.


"Our family market is also increasing - particularly out of Southampton. We have had a large uptake on the mini cruises, which is great for people who really want to get a feel for cruising or are interested in city breaks."


Cruises from Barcelona on Norwegian Gem - the newest ship to join the fleet - are also selling well. Wilkinson did, however, highlight that the Caribbean is not as strong this year, even in the late market.


Wilkinson said travel agents had been very supportive of the new year campaign, which he described as a "single clear message of £200 off per stateroom".


NCL is also planning a new campaign from March to keep agents selling the product.


"We need to have something to ­follow on from our latest campaign - it seems the peak selling period is extending right through to April."


A ship visit invitation and educational programme is also due to be sent to agents this week.

EUROPE AND ASIA CRUISES TIPPED FOR GROWTH IN 2008

Cruise Critic is predicting increased interest in European and Asian cruise itineraries for 2008.

The online resource for consumer cruise reviews, which recently launched a UK site after being purchased by Tripadvisor, said a record number of British holidaymakers will be taking to the high seas this year as cruise holidays experience an unprecedented boom.

"Along with the increased popularity and availability of Asian and European cruises, other 2008 trends we are seeing include a greater number of fitness and spa themed cruises and the building out of new ports of call in the Caribbean," said Carolyn Spencer Brown, editor in chief, Cruise Critic.

She said the popularity of Europe-based cruising and the need to alleviate gridlock at the busiest ports means cruise lines are offering more exotic itineraries, including ports of call along Croatia's coast or around the Black Sea.

"Cruise lines are offering more opportunities to explore Asia by sea, as lines like Princess Cruises (with Sapphire Princess) and Royal Caribbean (with Rhapsody of the Seas) have moved larger ships into the market," she added.

Meanwhile, Cruise Critic believes that some Caribbean itineraries are getting a bit stale for long-time cruise enthusiasts.

"In 2008, look for cruise lines and other developers to continue investing in "undiscovered" ports of call. Carnival, a leader in this field, is developing places like Grand Turk, in the Turks and Caicos, and Progreso, in Mexico," it said.

Cruise Critic travel experts have put together a list of the top 10 ports that should not be missed in 2008. These are:

Amsterdam,
Dubrovnik,
Hong Kong
Martinique,
Maui, Hawaii
Muscat
Naples,
St. Petersburg
Sydney
Vancouver, B.C.

CARNIVAL TO EXPAND GERMAN CRUISE FLEET

Carnival Corporation has responded to rival Royal Caribbean's joint cruise venture with TUI AG by ordering two more ships for its German brand AIDA Cruises.

The two 2,174 passenger ships will cost 380 million euros and 385 million euros respectively and are due to enter service for summer 2011 and 2012.

Another ship pencilled in for AIDA is to be enlarged to match the size of the two 71,000-ton new orders and is to be delivered in 2010 at a cost of 350 million euros.

The two newbuilds means that Carnival cruise lines has ordered six new ships dedicated to the German market in the past three years.

The vessels will operate an informal 'club resort' concept marketed exclusively to German-speaking passengers and will be aimed at younger, more active passengers.

The new ships will join the 68,500-ton ADIAbella due to enter service next April and a sister ship due to be delivered in April 2009. The first in this series, AIDAdiva, was introduced earlier this year.

Carnival chairman and CEO Micky Arison said: "With the interest in cruise vacations among Europeans continuing to grow significantly, we are committed to investing in our European brands."

by Phil Davies