Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings CEO Frank Del Rio said the
pace of booking for 2016 bodes well for rising prices.
In a conference call to discuss first-quarter earnings, Del
Rio said the load factor at the Norwegian Cruise Line brand for next year is
double what it was for 2015 at the same point last year.
For all of the company’s brands, which include Regent Seven
Seas Cruises and Oceania Cruises, 2016 bookings are 39% ahead of a year ago.
“What is going to happen next is you’re going to see prices
steadily increasing as a result of those load factors,” Del Rio said.
Del Rio also said that Norwegian Escape, set for debut in
November, is “booked 10 times better” than Norwegian Getaway prior to deliver
at the same point.
Del Rio disclosed that there’s been a 6.7% average increase
in beverage prices implemented without much push-back. He said the reaction to
a $7.95 room service convenience fee tested on Norwegian Breakaway encouraged
Norwegian to introduce the fee fleetwide on May 1.
Asked about the decision by Princess Cruises to put a new
ship in China, Del Rio said there’s so much focus on China that it makes him
wonder what other opportunities are being overlooked. “It’s incredible to see
our competition devoting their newest, largest and probably best-performing
ships to the Chinese market,” he said.
Del Rio said a task force studying the Chinese market would
report by year’s end, setting the stage for a decision by Norwegian whether to
expand there.