During a recent forum in Florida, four cruise-line executives had some interesting comments on topics that interest their customers.
Here are some of the subjects and some of the comments, as recorded and reported by Tom Stieghorst of Travel Weekly…
River cruising is becoming so popular that ocean-going cruise lines may get into the business:
"The entire river cruise industry carried 250,000 passengers last year, about the same as Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas. It’s a small business that’s got a low barrier to entry." — Mark Conroy, outgoing president of Regent Seven Seas Cruises
The lingering effects of last January's Costa Concordia accident:
“The ramifications of the accident changed the responsibility of our industry in terms of 
how we work together, how often we work together. As an industry…we were not prepared to deal with the type of pressure that came upon us.” — Adam Goldstein, President of Royal Caribbean
Whether the mix of nationalities on cruise ships is a good thing:
“What we know that the guest loves, is that they get to interact with different cultures.” — Rick Sasso, President of MSC Cruises
“It’s a very comfortable environment but we have, perhaps, a slight international flair that adds to the overall experience.” — Michael Bayley, President of Celebrity, a cruise line that carries 90% of its guests from English-speaking countries
The attraction of activities like belly-flopping in deck pools:
“If our cruise director is on the pool deck and he believes we can get together 2 or 3 or 400 people to have a rousing good time with a belly-flop contest, go for it.” — Adam Goldstein
The cruise industry as a whole is thriving, despite the troubled economy:
“We’ve been through a hell of a tough year this year, and I think we’re coming out of it pretty well." — Mark Conroy
Any thoughts?
Celebrity Reflection
7 nights
November 16, 2013
Miami (return): San Juan, St. Thomas, Philipsburg
Inside: $699
Cost per day: $99
www.celebrity cruises.com