Investor's Business Daily. Wednesday, October 15, 2003 Mighty Queen Mary 2 Leads Cruise Renaissance Demand doesn't outstrip supply in this growing business, so the deals (along with the ships) are bigger than ever. Larry Olmsted When the Queen Mary 2 leaves the dock for the first time this December, it will mark the debut of the largest passenger ship the world has ever seen. A throwback to the glory days of ocean liners, the QM2 stretches four football fields in length. With 17 decks, it towers 200 feet above the sea, the height of a 20-story-office building. Nearly 3,000 passengers will be able to choose from an unprecedented array of activities, including a branch of the famous Canyon. Ranch health spa, a 1,100-seat theatre run by the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts, on-board lectures from Oxford University and, most unusual, a planetarium. In the grand tradition of parent company Cunard Lines, the ship will make regularly scheduled trans-Atlantic crossings between New York and Southampton, England. The QM2 is just the tip of the cruise-industry iceberg. By the end of 2003, 14 new vessels averaging over 1,000 passengers each will have been christened, including several notable ships from the crème de la crème of the cruise industry. This creates a win-win situation for consumers who have more and better offerings than ever, and many bargains in the competitive market. Going At A Good Clip Despite the ills of the travel industry, cruising has sustained consistent growth the past 20 years, increasing passenger loads by an average of more than 8%. At the current rate, 2003 will see the largest number of cruise passengers in history, but because so much inventory has been added, supply still outstrips the growing demand, creating discounts. If you've never sailed, you might be surprised by how much you like it. The industry enjoys an enormous repeat guest rate, and according to surveys by the Cruise Line International Association, the main industry group, a higher satisfaction level among past participants than any other form of vacation, from visiting relatives to resort stays. Since cruise prices are typically all inclusive - with a few exceptions such as spa treatments, some alcohol and shore excursions - per-night prices offer substantial savings over comparable land-based vacations, such as a room at a resort, which is usually a la carte. "There has never been a better time to cruise than right now," said Mary Jean Tully, chairman and CEO of The Cruise Professionals, a Montreal-based travel agency that is considered the world's foremost cruise specialist (800-265-3838, cruiseprofessionals.com). On several top luxury lines such as Crystal, Silversea and Radisson, Tully books more passengers than any other travel agent. "With the introduction of so many new ships, there is an increased capacity which the cruise lines need to fill," Tully said. "Passengers can currently attain the highest level of discounts and more dollar value in the luxury market than ever. For example, someone can book the five-star Crystal Harmony for an 11-night Panama Canal cruise for as little as $155 per person, per day." Amazingly, this is on Crystal, a line many experts consider the best in the world, and these rates include not just lodging, but also all meals, entertainment and dozens of onboard activities. Crystal was among the many lines to launch a new ship this year, the ultradeluxe Serenity, which demonstrated the astounding number of options that ships offer guests. "The cruise ships today offer such a unique variety of on-board activities," said Tully. "I just returned from sailing on the Crystal Serenity where I was able to take French lessons through a Berlitz language course offered on board. My husband learned to play the keyboard through classes offered by Yamaha. We took private dance lessons, attended a wellness enrichment seminar, participated in wine tastings from the regions of Europe we visited, took yoga classes, learned how to download digital pictures to a CD in the computer lab, and took a cooking class. My husband even got tips from the golf pro. All at no extra charge." If you thought cruising was boring, think again. Most lines operate cruises in several regions worldwide, including North America, Asia and Europe. The most popular summer destinations are Alaska, the Mediterranean and Scandinavia. In the colder months, most ships head to the Caribbean, Mexico and Asia. Once you've picked your destination, the most important consideration is the ship itself, since the level of service, amount of space and range of activities greatly affect your enjoyment. With the exception of Cunard's QM2, the most luxurious ships are smaller, with higher quality cuisine. The other top tier five-star lines are Crystal, Silversea, Seabourne, Windstar and Radisson, all of which typically carry well under 1,000 passengers per ship. Four-star lines such as Holland America and Princess can carry more than 1,000, and the mass-market lines such as Celebrity take as many as 3,000. Get An Agent While many cruise lines are offering reduced rates, you can save even more by booking through a specialty travel agent, who will also help you choose the right ship and line for your needs. Cruise lines reward these high-volume producers with bonuses like on-board spending credits, room up-grades, free shore excursions and even free airfare. "When booking with a top producer for the cruise line, there are often many more amenities you can receive," said Tully. "This may include anything from upgrades to shipboard credits to private shore excursions. We are always able to offer our clients something extra."   Back         Top of Page

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