Today's Currents title is "All About Cruising" and since it's a sea day and I have plenty of time for an extra post, I'll share some of what the article says.
* Cruising accounts for $29.4 billion of the tourism industry
* Over 19 million guests carried worldwide
* 9 or more newly built ships catering to a North American clientele have been added every year since 2001, as well as others servicing European clientele
* Smaller markets such as the Asia-Pacific region are generally serviced by older ships
* The first cruise vessel was completed in 1900 (the Prinzessin Victoria Luise)
* Cruising grew out of the tradition of transatlantic crossings which never took fewer than 4 days
* In competition for passengers, ocean liners added luxuries - the Titanic being the most famous example - such as fine dining and well appointed staterooms.
And AI offers some additional facts.
- Massive Scale & Growth: Modern ships are frequently larger than the Titanic, with newer vessels capable of holding over 10,000 passengers and crew, often featuring amenities like water parks, bowling alleys, and virtual balconies.
- Economic Impact: The cruise industry generates over $168 billion in global economic impact, with 69% of passengers staying in hotels before/after, boosting local tourism.
- Diverse Demographics: The average passenger is in their 40s, not just retirees, with growing interest from Millennials and Gen Xers.
- Environmental Upgrades: Many new ships are adopting LNG (liquefied natural gas) to reduce emissions, alongside advanced wastewater treatment systems.
- Technology & Connectivity: Ships now feature advanced connectivity, including facial recognition for boarding, smart cabin keys, and enhanced Wi-Fi, along with apps for managing daily schedules.
- Safety & Logistics: Mandatory "muster drills" (safety briefings) are required before sailing. Ships often have a 1:1 crew-to-passenger ratio and can travel at speeds exceeding 20 knots.
- Itinerary Trends: The Caribbean/Bahamas remain the most popular, followed by the Mediterranean, with a strong trend of cruisers returning to destinations they first visited by ship.
- Internal Economy: Ships are self-sufficient, producing their own water and electricity while operating with their own internal, specialized terminology.
Barbara: Do you and Ronnie both prefer cruising now ?
ReplyDeleteSorry, I thought I had replied to this. Yes, but we don't plan to try to break Chris' records! But it's really nice when you can let someone else take care of all the travel logistics. It's also nice to pack and unpack only once.
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