Cruise lines' bookings up 10%

Jason · March 10, 2004

About 9.5 million people in 2003 sailed on major cruise lines last year, according to the Cruise Line International Association, a trade group that represents more than 97 percent of the industry's capacity.

That represents a 10.2 percent increase over the 8.6 million who cruised in 2002, said the group, which released totals last month.

"Cruising flourished despite significant obstacles that challenged the entire travel community in 2003, including SARS, terrorism fears and an uncertain economy," said Mark Conroy, the association's chairman and president and CEO of Radisson Seven Seas Cruises.

The 2003 total includes about 8 million North Americans, who account for the bulk of all cruise passengers. The North American market grew 6.9 percent in 2003, trailing its long-term annual average growth of 8.4 percent.

The group is forecasting its members will carry 10.6 million passengers this year. They will introduce 12 new ships with 26,687 berths in 2004.

The industry's principal trade show, the Seatrade Cruise Shipping Conference, begins March 15 at the Miami Beach Convention Center. For more information, visit www.cruiseshipping.net.

Flights departed Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport 79.5 percent on time and arrived 74.6 percent on time in January, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation.

The corresponding figures for Miami International Airport were 80.5 percent and 74.8 percent.

At Palm Beach International, flights departed within 15 minutes of schedule 82.4 percent of the time and arrived within 15 minutes of schedule 74.8 percent of the time.

A new Courtyard by Marriott has opened west of Interstate 95 near the International Game Fishing Hall of Fame in Dania Beach.

The 174-room Courtyard by Marriott Fort Lauderdale Airport was developed by the Finvarb Group of Bay Harbor Islands.

The group also converted the historic Eastview Apartment building on South Beach into a 90-room hotel, also a Courtyard by Marriott.

The address of the new Dania Beach property, which opened March 2, is 400 Gulf Stream Way. Rates range from $169 to $189 a night through May 9.

US Airways said it will begin a new nonstop Saturday flight between Providence, R.I., and Fort Lauderdale starting June 12.

US Airways has 22 Saturday flights to Fort Lauderdale from Charlotte, N.C.; Philadelphia; Pittsburgh; and Washington's Reagan National Airport.

The Travel Industry Association of America has released its 2003 report on travel demand to Latin America.

It says Latin America and Mexico generated 6 million U.S. visitors in 2002 who spent $15 billion. The numbers exclude visitors from Mexico to an area within 25 miles of the U.S. border.

The report says visitors are expected to fall in 2003, but grow by more than 3 percent this year. The study provides in-depth analysis of the economic and consumer environments in Latin America, with specific detail on the five top Latin American inbound markets to the United States: Mexico, Brazil, Venezuela, Colombia, and Argentina.

The cost is $300 for TIA members, $495 for nonmembers. For more information visit www.tia.org.

Port Everglades has installed five state-of-the-art, telescoping passenger bridges to help travelers board an increasing variety of ships. The bridges, designed by Sweden's FMT, can accommodate ships of various heights and match ship doors with terminal entrances more easily and safely.

by Tom Stieghorst, Business Writer

DaCruzNut · March 10, 2004

As far as I'm concerned, that's bad news! Business up; prices up/Business down;prices down.

As a "last-minute booker," I love it when passenger bookings are down. I still haven't booked the cruise I'm planning for the first week in April! The more room available, the better deal I'll be able to get. It's not cheap sailing as a 'single,' so I can really get a great price if there's a lot of available space....

Also, it's a lot better when the ship's sail at less than capacity. They feel a lot less crowded, and lines are much shorter for everything.

GottaCruz · March 10, 2004

Jeff,

I wish you good luck with the last minute booking. We feel the same as you do.

When I'm through with all this stuff I have to do now, we'll be looking for those last minute deals also. :cool: the first week in April isn't that far away. :cheesy: