Tom Stieghorst
As cruise lines cast about for new places to put their expanded fleets, one solution lies in getting more use of existing destinations.
Many places — Alaska in winter — are considered too inhospitable at certain times of the year for year-round cruising. But by changing the assumptions about seasonality, cruise lines are trying to get more use out of the places guests are already going to.
Alaska won’t be hosting cruise ships in December anytime soon. But another cold-weather destination has had some success attracting cruise business in frigid temperatures.
Since 2009, Norway has attracted winter calls from Fred. Olsen Cruises, Cruise & Maritime Voyages and Saga Cruises, said Sandra Diana Bratland, managing director of Cruise Norway.
Last year, there were 14 calls in February and March. The number falls to five this year, but 11 are scheduled in 2017.
One key, Bratland said, is to have unique shore excursions to offer. Winter cruisers to Norway can try dog sledding and snowmobiling, visit an ice hotel and hopefully see the Northern Lights.
Tour income for cruise lines is higher per person in the winter, although the groups tend to be smaller.
Bratland spoke at a panel discussion at the Seatrade Cruise Global convention in Fort Lauderdale. Another panelist, Michael McCarthy, chairman of Cruise Europe, ran off a list of advantages to counter-seasonal cruises, including more overnights, less people, more private events and an overall different experience, including different outdoor activities.
Among the challenges are the need for flexibility from tour operators, better weather protection for passengers at ports, and the authority for ship captains to change or cancel itineraries for weather reasons.
Gianluca Suprani, head of global port development and shore activities at MSC Cruises, said the difficulty in off-season cruises for suppliers is facing lower yields with the same investment in crew, entertainment and enrichment.
Suprani said changing weather is making some destinations more viable in off or shoulder seasons.
“Winters are milder than before,” Suprani said. “It’s not nice to say, but we have been helped by climate change.”