Customers have decided to “go big” for their summer 2021 holidays, according to the president and chief executive of Royal Caribbean International.
Michael Bayley said there was huge pent-up demand for cruising next year and described summer 2021 forward bookings as “pretty robust”.
“We’re seeing people booking, and we’re pretty pleased with our bookings – and as you move into the summer, they are pretty robust,” he said.
Bayley said he would be joining thousands of other holidaymakers in taking a “mammoth vacation” next year after having a “crappy summer 2020”.
“It really does feel as though our customers have decided that summer ‘21, they’re going big. There was no summer ‘20 and so when this is over, I’m going to have a mammoth summer 21 vacation. I mean, I’m going big,” he said.
Asked if his holiday would be on board one of his ships, Bayley said that it would – and added that he would also be on the first re-start sailings – “hopefully” before the end of this year.
“When we get the various approvals to phase in – and we’ll probably start with some test cruises to test a lot of the protocols – I will be sailing on board the ship. So I’m hoping it’s not too far away,” he said.
“But I don’t know [exactly when it will be]. It’s like looking into a crystal ball. And you’ve got to be careful that you don’t overlay your hopes and aspirations over something that you don’t have control over.”
He added: “The plan is that it would start with one of our products that traditionally has operated shorter cruises. And with the approval of the Bahamian government, we would operate to [Royal’s private island] Perfect Day because it’s a very controlled environment, and we can ensure all of the protocols are followed.
“I think it’s going to be a product for Royal that’s shorter, that’s a drive-to product that we’ve operated a million times, and one where we’re extremely familiar with all of the operational perspectives.”
Bayley said the line was seeing strong demand for a range of destinations around the world but confirmed: “The closer to home the product, the more demand that we’re seeing. So I think there’s still sensitivity over the logistics of travel, that we feel will drop away over time.”
