Helen Beck, Royal Caribbean International’s regional sales director, EMEA delivered an upbeat view of the cruise travel sector in the coming year, off the back the cruise operator’s huge hike in profits last year to US$547.5 million.
Speaking at a press conference to mark the launch of Royal Caribbean International's Brilliance of the Seas, second Gulf season, Beck said she was forecasting increased revenues for 2011, as prices were showing a recovery after the recession.
“We are raising the prices of our cruises,” said Beck. “This has a knock on benefit in terms of the kinds of people that come on cruises and how much money they have to spend in the destination.”
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Bookings for the Gulf itineraries had been encouraging, she added with "just a final push needed to get the sailings full."
"We're in the happy position that the majority of our seven-night sailings are close to being sold out, with some limited availability on the late March and April sailings. We're equally pleased with the performance of our new 12-night itineraries to India and they are on track to sail at full capacity also.”
Brilliance of the Seas is running seven-night cruises around the Gulf from Dubai until April. The itinerary includes a new overnight stay in Muscat.
Also new year, two 12-night itineraries have been introduced which include stops in India. Sailing from Dubai to Muscat, Brilliance of the Seas will then call into Cochin, Goa and Mumbai - where there will be an overnight stay - and sail back to Dubai.
Beck explained that the longer itineraries had been introduced to cater to the “predominantly international guests” who come on the cruises.
Cruise travel is becoming a major pillar of the local tourism sector. Last year 103 cruise ships visited Dubai, bringing in 390,255 passengers. According to DTCM, 2011 will see that figure increase to 120 ships 425,000 passengers and by 2015 there will be 180 ships carrying 625,000 passengers.
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