Cruising: by Lisa James
Disney Cruise Line
Sharing a stand with Walt Disney Attractions at this year’s World Travel Market, Disney Cruise Line will be introducing visitors to its new ship, Disney Wonder, which was launched in spring 1999.
A sister ship to Disney’s first vessel, Disney Magic, the 2,400-passenger ship is based in Florida and operates three and four-day cruises to the Bahamas from Port Canavaral, combined with a three or four-day stay at Walt Disney World. A highlight of the cruise is Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay.
Louis Cruise Lines
The Cyprus-based cruise company will be revealing ambitious expansion plans following its flotation on the Cyprus Stock Exchange in July 1999.
The cruiseline’s fleet of eight ships operates itineraries from Limassol, including two and three-night cruises to Egypt and the Holy Land. Also proving popular is a two-day Beirut cruise.
Royal Caribbean International
November sees the launch of Royal Caribbean’s superliner, Voyager of the Seas, in Florida.
The 3,100-passenger ship will be the biggest cruise vessel afloat and will have a number of on-board firsts. These include a rock climbing wall, ice skating rink and wedding chapel.
Royal Caribbean will also be promoting Celebrity Cruises. New for 2000 is a series of cruise-and-stay packages that allow passengers to split their cruise with a short land-based stay before reboarding the ship.
Royal Olympic Cruises
Royal Olympic will share a stand with the Hellenic Tourism Organisation and will showcase its new ship, Olympic Voyager, to be launched in July 2000 as the fastest cruise vessel in the world. The ship spells a new era for the cruiseline as it marks its entry into the four-star market. The cruiseline is best-known for its cruises around Greece and the Greek Islands and because it is a Greek-registered line, it is one of only a handful of ships that can start and finish cruises in Greece.
Star Cruises
The cruiseline plans to use WTM to inform the trade about its expanded fleet, increased cruise itineraries and growth plans for 2000.
Director of sales Michael Dupont will introduce a new member of the team, Star Cruises’ sales development manager, whose identity is currently being kept a closely guarded secret.
This year saw the company add two more ships to its fleet, SuperStar Virgo, launched in August, and SuperStar Europe, which joined the fleet in October after a $15m refurbishment. In addition, the cruiseline will add four ships over the next five years.
Star Clippers
Tall ship operator Star Clippers is returning to WTM after a two-year absence.
The upmarket cruiseline has a fleet of sleek sailing vessels and specialises in adventure holidays in parts of the world that many bigger cruise ships cannot reach.
Star Clippers will also be promoting its new ship, Royal Clipper. The five-masted vessel will be launched in May 2000 and will be based in Cannes, France, operating two itineraries that include ports of call at St Tropez, Barcelona, Calvi and Portofino.
Condor Ferries
Channel Island fast-ferry operator Condor is on the Jersey stand again at World Travel Market where it will launch the 2000 Channel Island ferry programme and next year’s Brittany brochure based on sailings from Poole and Weymouth to St Malo.
The Channel Islands brochure includes the new Commodore Clipper ferry, which entered passenger service last month on October 18.
DFDS Seaways
This is the first WTM for DFDS Seaways since the change of name from Scandinavian Seaways.
The operator will be launching its new 2000 Motoring Holiday programme and the Sailings and fares brochure, with details of crossings from Newcastle and Harwich at the show.
It will also be promoting a new Web site due to come on-line later this year.
New developments, including its ferry service from Newcastle to Kristians and in Norway, and the new daily service from Newcastle to Amsterdam will be highlighted.
Fjord Line
Another new name at WTM, Fjord Line will be promoting its main tours programme for 2000 alongside its Cruise Breaks brochure.
Both will feature the ferry operator’s new logo and colours, designed to give the company a modern identity. Prices in the programmes lead in at £58 for a four-day Cruise Break from Newcastle to Bergen.
Irish Ferries
Irish Ferries, exhibiting on the Irish Tourist Board stand, is launching its Ireland programme for 2000 with a new section on walking holidays, 19 more hotels and 14 more self-catering holiday locations.
Irish Ferries will also be focusing attention on its new £55m ferry, scheduled for delivery in spring 2001.
P&O North Sea Ferries
P&O North Sea Ferries is launching its 2000 brochure featuring its ferry services from Hull to Rotterdam and Zeebrugge as well as short-break and motoring holidays in Holland and Belgium. Group rates and news of the two new cruise ferries due to enter service on the Hull-Rotterdam route in April and December 2001 will also be promoted.
SeaFrance
SeaFrance is taking space on the Maison de la France stand where it will be promoting an early-booking offer on the Dover-Calais route and ski saver rates. The expanded SeaFrance European Life programme will be available on the stand.
A surprise celebrity guest is expected to make an appearance.