2008 CRUISE TRENDS:
THE INSIDE STORY, FROM THOSE WHO KNOW BEST

Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) is taking the pulse of the rapidly changing and growing cruise industry by surveying its agent and agency members about their outlook for the future and the emerging trends of today. For the full story, click here.

THE STATE OF THE CRUISE INDUSTRY IN 2008: GROWING, DIVERSE AND GLOBAL

Looking ahead to 2008, Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) has pronounced the state of the cruise industry to be sound, growing and diverse. “The cruise industry continues to be an amazing success story,” said Terry L. Dale, president and CEO of CLIA. For the full story, click here.

“DISCOVER YOUR WORLD THROUGH CRUISING”: THE DIVERSITY OF CRUISE EXPERIENCES APPEAL TO EVERY WISH, TASTE AND INTEREST

Gertrude Stein could never have written “a cruise is a cruise is a cruise.” There’s truth in the ground-breaking poet’s assertion that “a rose is a rose is a rose” but any vacationer would be hard pressed to find much similarity – except a ship and water – between an extended world cruise and scenic voyage along an American or European river. For the full story, click here.

Here we are once again at the start of another wonderful new year! As we look forward, all of us at CLIA are tremendously excited and optimistic about the future and as you glance through the stories in this issue you’ll find out why.

Eight brand new ships for 2008, plus several major redeployments and refurbishments, are just the beginning of the story. The cruise industry continues to be one of the fastest growing segments of travel and tourism, making a significant contribution to the economies of the United States and other countries. CLIA member lines continue to operate at full capacity, attracting new generations of vacationers with innovative itineraries, an incredible variety of shipboard activities, enrichment programs and entertainment, increasingly flexible and eclectic dining choices and new destinations all over the world.

It is this amazing diversity of cruise experiences that, we believe, is the secret to the industry’s success. Small ships, large ships; short cruises, long cruises; voyages to every continent, to the centers of civilization and nature’s most magnificent wilderness; every possible shipboard ambiance and activities for every age, taste and interest: what other form of vacation can boast as much?

But don’t just take our word for it. CLIA recently surveyed nearly 1,000 travel agents about what consumers like and expect from their cruise vacations. I’m sure you’ll find their observations – in our Consumer Trends Survey results – to be further proof that CLIA cruise line members are not only responding to but shaping consumers’ attitudes and expectations.

Happy sailing!

Terry L. Dale, President & CEO
Cruise Lines International Association

As Consumers Respond Strongly To Innovation, Diversity Of Cruise Experiences, Industry Anticipates Record Year

With 10 ships joining the fleet, CLIA predicts 12.8 million passengers worldwide in 2008

Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), the cruise industry organization for 24 member cruise lines and 16,000 travel agency members, predicts a record year for 2008, with its member lines projected to carry 12.8 million passengers. Of the total, 10.5 million passengers are expected to originate from North America; 2.3 million from international markets.

“The cruise industry, represented by CLIA member lines and driven by new ships, innovative itineraries and ground-breaking shipboard facilities and activities, continues to demonstrate enviable strength,” said Dan Hanrahan, CLIA’s marketing committee chairman and president & CEO of Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Cruises. “We anticipate that the unparalleled diversity of cruise experiences offered by our members will result in another record year for the industry.” For the full story, click here.

Media Invited to Register for cruise3sixty 2008

Consumer and trade media are invited to register for cruise3sixty 2008, to be held at the Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center, March 7-9. There is no better opportunity to interact with the world’s leading cruise lines and travel suppliers as well as the nation’s most successful travel agents.

CLIA recently announced that cruise3sixty’s opening keynote speaker will be Peter V. Ueberroth, who, starting with one travel agency location, built First Travel Corporation into the second largest travel company in America. Now managing director of Contrarian Group, an investment and management company as well as owner and co-chairman of the Pebble Beach Company, Ueberroth also gained international acclaim as president of the Los Angeles Olympic Organizing Committee, which was responsible for staging the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games. From 1984 to 1989, he was commissioner of Major League Baseball. He also served as chairman of the United State Olympic Committee and was named Time Magazine’s Man of the Year in 1984.

For more information and to register for cruise3sixty, visit www.cruise3sixty.com.

Sailing on Small Ships: A Unique, Intimate Pleasure

Some of the newest mega-liners may be making headlines, but growing numbers of travelers are discovering the unique pleasure of sailing on small ships. Travel agents report that small ship cruising is one of the hot growth areas for the industry and two of CLIA’s newest member lines offer coastal and river cruises on small ships in Europe and North America. Other members offer voyages on ships carrying 500 or fewer passengers to some of the most exotic places in the world.

What’s the appeal? The opportunity to explore destinations in depth and in detail, visiting ports and places of extraordinary natural beauty or cultural significance off the beaten track and, in some cases, difficult to reach any other way. In addition, with sometimes as few as 100 fellow passengers or less, shipboard life on small ships is uniquely comfortable and friendly, an opportunity to make lifelong friends.

Visit www.cruising.org for more information on small ship cruises offered by many CLIA member lines.

The Benefits of Using a CLIA Travel Agent

Nearly 90 percent of cruises in North America are sold by travel agents and, in the age of the Internet, agents are more important than ever. Most travelers eagerly look forward to an once-in-a-lifetime experience, but with the dizzying array of choices available, selecting the vacation – and the cruise experience – best suited to each individual’s interest and budget is the key to creating memories that will last forever. In the case of cruise vacations, that way is a travel agent certified by CLIA, and for a very good reason: the training, expertise and experience they receive by becoming CLIA-certified makes agents more knowledgeable and better sellers of cruises.

CLIA certifies travel agents in several categories: Accredited Cruise Counsellor, Master Cruise Counsellor, Elite Cruise Counsellor and Luxury Cruise Specialist. Each level of certification requires increased and more specialized training.

The bottom line? By using one of 16,000 agents who are members of CLIA, consumers can save time and money, make the right cruise choice and realize added value in making an important purchase decision.