[ad_1]
There is a new way for the crowd's showers to go to sea – and this does not require chartering your own yacht.
To seduce 1 per center of small luxury lines, a wide range of traditional cruise lines invest in cruise cabins with suites, thus creating a semi-private interior boat experience for passengers the most demanding.
VIP zones currently represent a tiny proportion of the total number of cabins. On MSC Cruises, the Yacht Club accounts for only 3% of the brand's total inventory. On Princess, Club Class Suites and Mini Suites account for 4% of all cabins. And on Celebrity, Suite Class accommodation accounts for 7% of the current fleet.
SUPPLIED
On MSC Cruises, the Yacht Club represents only 3% of the total. total inventory of the brand.
But this number continues to grow, thanks to strong (and rising) demand and better margins. This month, Celebrity has announced a US $ 500 million investment over four years that covers, among other things, the expansion and renovation of Suite Class's booths and common spaces. And even major brands such as Norwegian and Carnival are adopting the trend, with exclusive zones that can attract passengers from more demanding competitors – or even small vessels –
READ MORE:
* Looking at the new ships and cruise trends for 2018
* Thinking of trying a cruise? Tips for beginners
* Where to go for cruises … if you hate the cruise
PONANT
French luxury with Ponant in Antarctica.
Traditionally, the way of a cruise without a crowd was via a company of small luxury ships such as Silversea or Ponant. On these trips, you could be surrounded by just 200 other passengers, which makes the hustle and bustle by the pool less. The reverse: You could have access to only one restaurant for the entire holiday.
Classes offer an intimate experience – think of private pools and butler service – as well as privileged access to a range of mega-sized restaurants and entertainment offerings. It's like a club floor hotel, just at sea.
"Being on a small luxury cruise is a different experience," says Gianni Onorato, managing director of MSC Cruises. In the Yacht Clubs of his ships, he says, "passengers always have privacy and exclusivity whenever they want, but they can enjoy amenities that small vessels can not afford." [19659004] as much as a standard stateroom on the same boat. Still, these homes tend to be the most popular product on the high seas. According to Onorato, "our Yacht Club cabins are the first to be sold, no matter where the ship is positioned."
Brian Abel, First Vice President of Celebrity Cruises hotel operations, echoes this. "We found that in all cases, regardless of the route, our bookings are from top to bottom, which means that" Suite "class accommodations often book quickly and in the first place," he says. he
. treated to a full range of privileged benefits, including access to special lounges, pools, terraces and restaurants. Butler services, expedited boarding and disembarking, dedicated concierges and priority access to reservations throughout the ship are additional bonuses. (Specific amenities vary by cruise line.)
SUPPLIED
A villa suite on Celebrity Cruises' new Celebrity Edge. Edge, whose inaugural trip will take place in December, the Class Suite will include an area called the Retreat designed by Kelly Hoppen, maven of the British interior. It includes a lounge offering free drinks and snacks throughout the day, as well as a private terrace with sun loungers and cabanas. Add the private restaurant, Luminae, which changes its menus daily, and guests will never have to leave the Suite Class section if they do not want to.
MSC Yacht Clubbers, likewise, have access to their own pool and the Top Sail Lounge, which offers a buffet that changes throughout the day. They also benefit from personal butler services that will unpack and pack for them and free admission to the MSC Aurea Spa on board throughout their cruise.
Even on ships traditionally considered budget-friendly options, the following decks can be a way
On Norwegian Cruise Line's Epic and Escape 4,000-passenger ships, the Haven includes a private lounge , a restaurant and outdoor area, as well as dedicated butlers and concierges to make reservations and book excursions. And the ships Vista and Horizon from Carnival Cruises, which sail to Cuba, feature an upscale lineup of Havana-inspired cabs, featuring private patios, Elemis bath products and access to an exclusive pool.
The temptation to get away from the rest of the cruise population is not the goal.
"We create an experience of the best of both worlds," says Abel of Celebrity. Celebrity Edge will have 29 culinary venues, a huge main pool and rooftop garden; its full-service spa will feature a special spa suite with eight different therapeutic areas, including a steam room and a crystalarium for healing energy.
But it is the suites, he says, that help attract newcomers. "travelers with high standards for service – a key target market for most industry executives.They also help the average cruiser to pay more.
" Some people are looking to travel aboard A line that they already know, and this concept allows them to do all this in a whole new way, "says Arnold Donald." "We attract passengers who have already sailed in the past" , said Onorato of the MSC, "and who want to put their experience on board a vehicle to a higher level."
will see more ships with more club-level accommodations and sailing retreats soon – if it is not necessarily more booths per vessel MSC Cruises will add to its 13 upcoming ships yacht clubs with larger accommodations and expanded pool decks, which will be delivered from 2019 to 2026. And the deployment of the Celebrity fleet will be completed e No. 2023. It has never been so easy to reach the 1 cent (or 3%) at sea.
– The Washington Post
Source link
Tags crowds cruises enjoy surrounded
