Silversea’s UK boss has predicted a sales “bonanza” over the next 12 months as pent-up customer demand for cruise soars during the pandemic.
Peter Shanks reported “very good” forward sales for the line’s sailings, adding that it was likely there would be “another jump in demand” when the destinations on the government’s traffic light system are revealed next month.
Speaking as part of a panel discussion during Clia’s Luxury and Expedition Showcase on Thursday (April 22), the line’s UK and Ireland managing director painted a positive picture for the industry, drawing upon past passenger figures shared by trade association Clia.
He said: “Two million [British] people go cruising every year, they’ve not been for two years. Four million going into 2022 – that means bonanza.
“When we get more confidence, and all start sailing, the future demand means there could be a really strong bounce back.”
More:Silversea to resume Mediterranean services for vaccinated guests
All but one of Saga’s domestic cruises sold out
Focusing on Sliversea’s sales, Shanks said: “Demand further out is very good, so the bucket list is coming forward. Our world cruise in 2023 sold out pretty quickly.
“2022 sales are really quite spectacular. We’re seeing real success not just in the normal destinations – the Caribbean, Mediterranean.
“The Mediterranean is a real benefit for us because it’s closer to home. We recently launched Silver Moon in the eastern Med for this summer and it’s pretty good.”
Bernie Carter, Oceania Cruises’ senior vice-president and managing director, EMEA, added: “People have been pent up for so long and they’ve not spent money in the previous year so that’s another reason. They just want to do something very special to get past this whole experience.
“The demand that we’re seeing moving forward into 2022-23 is exceptional.”
Lynn Narraway, Seabourn’s UK and Ireland managing director, revealed that the line would soon release a new agent learning module focused on expedition ahead of the launch of the line’s vessel Seabourn Venture.
The 264-passenger ship is slated to launch in December this year.
“There are plenty of [selling] resources for agents so that they can become experts,” she said.
During the showcase event, Clia unveiled a new-to-expedition cruise guide for agents, featuring details about the ships in the section as well as the destinations.
Speaking to agents, Narraway said: “It is about knowing the destination and when the right time to go to that destination is and knowing your clients and what they need from a holiday. ‘Bespoking’ their holiday for them.”
She reported that Seabourn’s sales team had seen customers tending to book longer cruises.