p6 nov28 26/11/08 21:11 Page 6
news cruise
ttglive.com
Carnival admits prices
may have to decrease
Lucy Huxley.
consumers were still going to take a holiday, but
CARNIVAL UK chief executive David Dingle says were not prepared to commit their money early.
its brands might have to lower prices next year in “People will just wait longer to make sure they NCLU-ed up: NCL’s Mike Coombs, Lucy Hone and Martin
anticipation of weaker demand. are still financially stable,” he said. Maclaren launch the line’s online training programme
Speaking at a launch event for P&O Cruises’ However, Dingle stressed the importance of
Azura, which will start sailing in 2010, he said: standing out in the market when its new pro-
“Azura will go on sale in April 2009 and it’s going gramme goes on sale next spring. “We are going
‘Don’t discount’,
to be tough. But we have scope to absorb some to have to do something eye-catching,” he said.
price reductions and still be highly profitable. P&O Cruises managing director Nigel Esdale cruise lines told
“While fuel prices are still above historical added: “In a marketplace which is more challeng-
levels, we will have a bit coming back in fuel. We ing, we have to be more innovative than in one CRUISE lines have been warned not to allow the
have also learned to really sharpen our pencils that’s benign. current downturn in bookings to tempt them to
in terms of cost management. “A few years ago, our 45%-off discounts at offer panic discounts that could see cruises sold
“We’re not going to panic for one year. These launch broke the mould. If we need to do to the wrong customers.
new ships are long-term assets for 30 years. something like that again, we will. Speaking as Norwegian Cruise Line launched
“We will just get the best financial result we “If people are looking for even more value next new online training and an elite club for the
can in 2009 and move on.” year, then we’ll make sure we have got the right trade, general manager Stephen Park said there
Dingle said Carnival UK’s research suggested messages for them.” were some “pretty crazy” prices on offer.
He claimed discounts were not stimulating de-
mand and was confident the market would pick up.
Azura will pander to UK tastes
“People do not want to spend, so it does not
matter what you throw out there,” he said.
“We don’t propose to get caught up in that.”
AN Indian fine-dining restaurant, a wine-tasting The ship’s construction started last month, Park said the launches of its online training,
bar, singles and groups cabins, a “classy” pub, and managing director Nigel Esdale said it would NCLU, and a four-tier elite partner club were part
spa staterooms and a movie screen by the pool be designed entirely for the tastes of UK passen- of the line’s preparation for a big push in 2009.
will all feature onboard P&O Cruises’ new Azura. gers, from the cuisine, decor and entertainment Both initiatives come on the back of this year’s
The features mark a bid by the line to to shore excursions. consultation with 1,400 trade partners about how
establish itself as the contemporary cruising “Azura will appeal to a broad age group and it can work better with agents and operators.
brand in the UK marketplace. demographic, and spontaneity and diversity will The elite club will offer special benefits to 40
be the key to that,” he said. trade partners, based on turnover, at four levels.
Celebrated British and European designers Park said the line had taken a tactical decision
whom the line worked with on Ventura will be to work more closely with its key accounts.
enlisted again, and P&O has struck deals with
celebrity Indian chef Atul Kocchar, who owns
Michelin-starred restaurant Benares, and wine
Thomas Cook report:
expert Olly Smith of TV’s Saturday Kitchen fame.
Cruise Thomas Cook has
Esdale said he was confident Azura would
published its inaugural
surpass the bookings record set by Ventura,
cruise report. Holidays at
which attracted 19,000 bookings on its first day
Sea 2008 reveals that more
of sale, 93% of which were through agents.
than half of customers
Cruise specialist agent Phil Nuttall from
believe booking with a
Save’n’Sail in Blackpool agreed Azura would
specialist agent is vital. The report aims to give
appeal to “the core P&O heartland”.
an insight into cruise customers’ opinions. It
“It sounds like it’s going to be a cross between
found that perceptions of cruising are changing,
the sophistication of Oriana with the more
with 60% saying it is less formal than it used to
enhanced dining experience that you find on
be and 57% saying cruise ships now offer more
Oceana or Ventura. Traditional P&O customers
to do on board. And 76% who had already been
are going to love this.”
on a cruise are “very likely” to book another.
Carnival UK chief executive David Dingle said
Azura aimed to “balance the brand” after previous
TV wine expert Olly Smith will help pick Azura’s wine range ships targeted specific adult or family markets. ■ Read these stories in full: ttglive.com/cruise
06 28.11.2008
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