Luxury cruiseline Crystal Cruises has been surprised by the strength of the market after growing its business this year despite having one less ship.
In real terms the operator has seen a 20% increase in UK sales and after a strong November in which business was up 20% on the same month last year prospects look good for 2007.
UK business has doubled in the last three years and overall international business has grown 70% prompting the cruiseline line to expand the role of Europe sales and marketing vice president Philip Ordever to cover the Middle East and South Africa.
“The great thing about the luxury market is there has been no increase in beds so prices are not being slaughtered. There are always offers but we do not have as many out there as we have had previously,” he said.
Currently special offers are available on 12 out of Crystal Cruises’ 63 voyages compared to two years ago when there would have been around 50. “Passenger numbers may not have gone up dramatically but revenue per passenger has gone up,” Ordever added.
The reduction in capacity after Crystal Harmony left the fleet, is driving early bookings with US customers, in particular, quick on the draw. “The big message is get in early,” Ordever said, “we are really reinforcing that with our top UK agents and they are getting their marketing out a lot earlier.”
Meanwhile, a $23 million refit of Crystal Symphony has been completed, the largest the operator has undertaken. The ship has a new nightclub and shops, a redesigned entertainment deck and refurbished staterooms, bathrooms, social lounge and casino.
Further reading
- Crystal Symphony image gallery on crystalcruises.com