Northstar

www.travelweekly-asia.com | 19 CRUISE The arrival of new ships from Genting Cruise Lines, Royal Caribbean International, Costa Cruises and MSC Cruises will stimulate strong cruise growth in Asia in 2019/2020, following a year when the region's passenger volume paused for breath. Last year's measured increase in Asia's passenger volume came as cruise ship capacity dipped after years of rapid expansion. Demand for cruise ships worldwide and reduced short cruise itinerary options ex-mainland China, contributed to the slowdown in growth, Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) reported. "In the next few years, cruising in Asia is expected to continue growing in popularity with the arrival of new ships in 2019/2020," said Joel Katz, CLIA managing director for Australasia & Asia. Asia's cruise passenger source market hit a new high in 2018 with 4.24 million people taking an ocean cruise, up 4.6% year-on-year, according to CLIA data. Asia continues to be the cruise industry's third largest market after North America and Europe, maintaining a 14.8% share of the total global ocean passenger volume (28.5 million) for 2018. Most of the source markets in Asia saw year-on-year gains in 2018, except Mainland China and Malaysia (150,000 passengers, down 19.9%). Passenger volume from Singapore, India, Indonesia, Philippines, South Korea, Thailand and Vietnam saw double-digit growth. Among source markets in 2018, Taiwan accounted for 391,000 passengers (up 4.7%), ahead of Singapore (373,000 passengers, up 39.9%), Hong Kong (250,000, up 8.6%), Japan (266,000, up 4.5%) and India (221,000, up 28.1%). Mainland China retained its dominance as a source market, accounting for 55.8% of all Asian passengers, though the Chinese market has been going through a period of adjustment that has seen a marginal 1.6% decline in passengers. One of the most anticipated launches this year has been Dream Cruises' rebranded Superstar Virgo, which as Explorer Dream, sails curated itineraries to Japan, Hong Kong and Vietnam, before heading Down Under in October to cruise out of Sydney and Auckland. "While the dominant cruise itineraries in the Australian market are at least 10 days, I believe our seven-day voyages can better fit Asian guests' travel culture and habits," said Kent Zhu, president of Genting Cruise Lines. Crystal Cruises, which wrapped up a Singapore deployment with Crystal Symphony in May, will return Asia continues to be the cruise industry's third largest market after North America and Europe. By Ian Jarrett Spectrum of the Seas will offer an even higher level of luxury for suite guests. in 2020 with a variety of itinerary options that will depart from various ports throughout Asia. Itineraries can be taken individually or combined to create longer journeys. Royal Caribbean International, meanwhile, has taken delivery of Spectrum of the Seas, the first in the Quantum Ultra class of ships. Michael Bayley, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean International, said, "We have once again combined revolutionary ship design "Explorer Dream's seven- day voyages are a better fit for Asian guests." – Kent Zhu, president, Genting Cruise Lines Asian cruise industry as a whole. "From conception to delivery, everything about Costa Venezia has been designed having the Asian customer in mind". Costa claims the ship has the largest beauty space at sea, measuring more than 2,500 square feet, and includes more than 30 international brands. In addition, Bvlgari will present the first production of its kind at sea: The Bvlgari Jewellery Show, " an evening of elegance and glamour highlighting the Italian jeweller's masterful craftsmanship". Costa's next ship, Costa Firenze, currently being purpose-built for the Chinese market, will arrive in 2020. Neil Palomba, president of Costa Cruises said, "Costa Firenze is part of an expansion plan for the Costa Group that includes a total of seven new ships being delivered by 2023, for a total investment of over six billion euros (US$6.72bn)". Asia Cruise Passenger Growth Ready To Fire Up Again with the latest technologies to deliver a ship that will redefine the Asian cruise market". At 168,666 gross tonnes and a total capacity of 5,622 guests, Spectrum of the Seas - homeported in Shanghai - will debut the global cruise line's first private enclave for suite guests, new stateroom categories and new dining concepts. Costa Cruises has one new ship in Asia, Costa Venezia, and another on the way, Costa Firenze. The 5,260-passenger Costa Venezia is the largest ship introduced by Costa to Asia, where the Italian company started operating in 2006. Mario Zanetti, president of Costa Group Asia, said, "As a ship built specifically for the Asian market, Venezia heralds the start of a new chapter for Costa, and also the Explorer Dream has been one of the year's most anticipated launches.

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