CLIA (Cruise Lines International Association) sees 2011 another record year

In the last issue of Travel Agent Central I read that CLIA had a survey this last December with its travel agents and 93.6 percent are feeling good about travel sales for 2011 and 86 percent expect their cruise sales to be higher than 2010.

They are expecting this year's wave season (January to March) to exceed sales from the same peak as last year.  They see this as the "traveling public" is back. For example Alaska and Europe continue to build from last year.

According to CLIA there were 15 million cruise passengers in 2010. The forecast for 2011 is 16 million.

“The cruise industry has ridden the economic storm of the past 18 plus months with remarkable resiliency, skill and success,” said Jan Swartz, CLIA’s new marketing committee chair and executive vice president of sales, marketing and customer service for Princess Cruises and Cunard Line.
There were 12 new ships that joined the CLIA fleet.  This is helping towards the optimism of 2011.

Between 2011 and 2012, an additional 22 ships are on order, including 14 to be delivered in 2011.
Bob Sharak, CLIA’s executive vice president of marketing and distribution, said of 2010: “Despite a challenging financial climate, CLIA member lines continued to invest in the future, building new ships, offering innovative new cruise experiences, and developing increasingly diverse itineraries all over the world.”

According to CLIA the hottest destinations for 2011 are European river cruises along with the Caribbean, South America, Asia and the Pacific.

The lines also reported the following trends: globalization of itineraries; increased dining options; evolution of onboard spas; personalization of the cruise experience including private or exclusive shore excursions; more activities targeting families, children’s, sports enthusiasts and other special interest groups; themed cruises; and increases in cruise travel by baby boomers, families, multigenerational groups, first time cruisers and corporate/meeting groups.

I love to hear this information. I think people are not scared to travel anymore and are tired of waiting to go. 

<Cruises> are a perfect for <Family Travel>, <Honeymoon Travel>, <Group Travel> you name it.  What a great way to see a variety of destinations and have a floating resort to say on your way there.

I look forward to helping all of you that are wanting to get out there and cruise.
Look at my website to see what specials are listed.
www.AvoyaTravel.com/Experts/RoxAnneTaylor