FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- Imperial Majesty Cruise Line, which
inaugurated two-night cruises to Nassau, Bahamas, six months ago,
said it is looking for a second ship to expand its popular program
to daily departures.
The program, operated by Premier Cruise Lines aboard the
936-passenger Ocean Breeze under a two-year charter agreement,
departs Port Everglades, Fla., every other day.
Imperial president Arthur Pollack, who was director of charters
and incentives at Premier, reported that Imperial is in talks to
either charter or purchase a second vessel. "We're running out of
space very quickly," he added.
Pollack pronounced the program an unqualified success, chalking
up a 108% occupancy level during its first six months. "The cruise
is very attractive as a spontaneous getaway for people, providing a
full cruise experience, not just a day cruise," said Pollack. He
noted that the company promotes the program with the tag line,
"We're more than a one-day cruise."
The vessel departs Port Everglades at 5 p.m., arriving in Nassau
at 9 a.m. the next day and spending a full day in Nassau. The ship
departs Nassau at 6:30 p.m. and arrives in Port Everglades at 9
a.m. the following day.
Noting that the program is an alternative to the more
conventional three-night cruise to Nassau, Pollack said, "This is a
kind of entree into the three- and four-day Bahamian market."
Pollack said that Premier is providing a complete cruise
experience, with full dining room service, entertainment,
activities and a variety of shore excursions.
The Ocean Breeze was previously operated by defunct Dolphin
Cruise Line on three-and four-day cruises out of Miami before going
over to Premier for seven-day cruises from Montego Bay,
Jamaica.
Two-night cruises today are gaining in popularity, Pollack
said.
Among others that offer the format is Cape Canaveral Cruise
Line, aboard the Majesty out of Port Canaveral.
Although most people choose the cruise as an impulsive buy, the
executive said, 95% of the bookings originate through travel
agents. He noted that the line is paying a 15% commission. In
addition, the line pays a 25% commission for group bookings of
eight cabins or more, he reported.
The company deals with several wholesalers, as well, he said,
who account for about half of the bookings.
FIT bookings begin at $129 per berth, double occupancy. An
outside cabins is $239 for a standard and $259 for a deluxe. Twelve
suites are priced at $399 per person, double. The cruise-only
prices include port charges.
Imperial Majesty is owned by seven partners, two of which were
cited by the state of Florida early this year for generating
consumer complaints in conjunction with time-share promotions.
However, Pollack said that Imperial is "a fully independent,
cruise-only company," adding, "we're in good standing with the
state as well as the Better Business Bureau for eight Florida
counties."