Recommend April 2018 - 20

Crystal Cruises

During Seatrade's State of the Global Cruise
Industry session, I heard someone in the
audience whisper "this is the Oscars of the
cruise industry." Indeed, Seatrade is where every
entity that has a stake in the cruise industry-
no, it isn't just cruise lines (think destinations,
too, plus everything from shipbuilders to
technology and service providers)-congregates
to propel the cruise industry forward, growing
it beyond what any of its founding fathers
could've imagined.
There are some 27 million passengers
expected to cruise this year, with the majority
of cruisers coming from the U.S., and in 2016,
the industry's global economic impact was $126
billion. I'll let those sky-high numbers simmer
in your head as we dive head-first into the new
itineraries, ships, experiences, etc., you need to
keep top of mind for your wide range of clients,
including those soon-to-be first-time cruisers
(even they won't be able to fight off these
tempting offers). Consider this your one-stop
"what's new in cruising" feature (and head
over to recommend.com for even more
updates and details).

We are no longer a niche
product-we are mainstream, you
see that in the U.S., in Europe....

-- Richard D. Fain, Chairman &
CEO, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.

"Crystal Serenity will go through a transformation this fall," said Crystal's president &
CEO Tom Wolber during a press conference at Seatrade. When it comes out of dry dock
this October this ocean-going ship will feature new Penthouse Suites in place of verandah
staterooms, with butler service, walk-in closets, and spa-like bathrooms. This change in
accommodation configuration will reduce the ship's capacity to 980 guests (number of
crew will remain the same). There'll be open seating dining, as well as new dining venues
such as Waterside (taking the place of the Crystal Dining Room); The Marketplace and
Churrascaria; and Silk Kitchen & Bar, replacing Tastes and featuring Chinese comfort food
(including those "can't-keep-my-hands-off" Nobu dishes). crystalcruises.com

American Cruise Lines
Debuting on Oct. 6 on the Mississippi, American Song will feature 900-sq.-ft. Grand
Suites with the "highest glass-to-space" ratio in the industry, separate living and
sleeping area, and wraparound balconies featuring private outdoor dining areas.
Coming on board in 2019 is Song's sister ship, American Harmony, which will take
over on the Mississippi when Song repositions to the Columbia & Snake Rivers.
americancruiselines.com

Celestyal Cruises
"Our ships are not the destination, Greece is the destination," Gordon Dirker, v.p.,
business development, North America for Celestyal Cruises, told Recommend, with
Leslie Peden, the line's president, adding that "we want 'travelers' on our ships. Our
product is a great way to introduce 'new to cruise.' Guests are off the ships more than
they are on it." With that in mind, Celestyal has extended its 2019 season into December
and introduced new 2020 itineraries, including seven new ports of call. For next year,
the line is returning to Istanbul on the 7-day Eclectic Aegean itinerary, with six departures
from October to November. Or, clients can visit different continents on the 7-day 3
Continents itinerary calling at Alexandria and Port Said, Egypt, Ashdod, Israel, Kusadasi,
Turkey, Limassol, Cyprus and Rhodes. "We are a premium experience at great value,"
notes Peden, adding that retail agents are excited about the new product because the
main driver for them "is the destination." americas.celestyalcruises.com/en

Photos on previous page (clockwise from top): Emerald Waterways' Adriatic Princess II; two Windstar ships; and Marina lounge on board the Ritz-Carlton yacht.
20 april 2018

recommend.com

http://www.crystalcruises.com http://www.americancruiselines.com http://www.recommend.com http://americas.celestyalcruises.com/en http://www.recommend.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Recommend April 2018