Cruise liners in trouble?

[jules1970]

Had great discussions on hotels, which moved on to cruise companies. Do you think they be in trouble? Sink or swim? Let me know your thoughts.

 

[fisicx]

Why not tell us your thoughts first and we can either agree or disagree

 

[Ian J]

sink

 

[jules1970]

sink

It's sad. We had our cruise last year, this is going to knock the industry.

 

[Ian J]

True. Old people will have to find something else to do now

 

[Newchodge]

If I recall rightly the first piece of advice given during the very early press conferences, was that old people shoulkd avoid cruises.

 

[fisicx]

If I recall rightly the first piece of advice given during the very early press conferences, was that old people shoulkd avoid cruises.

And guess which demographic go on cruises...

 

[Mr D]

And guess which demographic go on cruises...

The crew.

 

[jules1970]

True. Old people will have to find something else to do now

Actually Royal Caribbean independence of the Seas is a family ship. Not just for the elderly Ian!

 

[Scalloway]

I am the treasurer of an organisation that recieves a lot of visitors who are on cruises. They are almost all either singletons or couples. The exception seems to be Italians who go on cruises with young children.

Somebody pointed out to me that the key demographic for cruises is the recently retired middle class professional. Their numbers will decline over the years as early retirement becomes less available, pension ages go up and AI takes over their jobs.

 

[jules1970]

If I recall rightly the first piece of advice given during the very early press conferences, was that old people shoulkd avoid cruises.

Yes maybe. But still it is also for families too. Our last year cruise was full with kids

I am the treasurer of an organisation that recieves a lot of visitors who are on cruises. They are almost all either singletons or couples. The exception seems to be Italians who go on cruises with young children.

Somebody pointed out to me that the key demographic for cruises is the recently retired middle class professional. Their numbers will decline over the years as early retirement becomes less available, pension ages go up and AI takes over their jobs.

We love cruises. Our one last year on Independence of the seas was full of all different ages. Lots families, middle and elderly. It is very known to the UK. This year was going to be the Anthem of the seas as Indy is now in Florida. Cruises in whole is going to be rocked. Literally.

 

[fisicx]

Yes maybe. But still it is also for families too. Our last year cruise was full with kids

Can't think of anything more dreadful. Might work for you but it's not what I'd enjoy.

 

[Deleted member 59730]

I cannot think of anything worse than a cruise. My idea of a holiday is meeting up with the local population.

 

[jules1970]

Can't think of anything more dreadful. Might work for you but it's not what I'd enjoy.

That's your opinion. But thousands love it not just me.

 

[jules1970]

I cannot think of anything worse than a cruise. My idea of a holiday is meeting up with the local population.

Everyone has a preference. Thousands love it.

 

[KAC]

Can't think of anything more dreadful. Might work for you but it's not what I'd enjoy.

Totally agree with you. Never been on one and definitely never going on one in the future

 

[Mr D]

Can't think of anything more dreadful. Might work for you but it's not what I'd enjoy.

Even those of us who like kids don't necessarily enjoy being around hundreds of them.

 

[jules1970]

Even those of us who like kids don't necessarily enjoy being around hundreds of them.

Thousands of families do

 

[Ian J]

Can't think of anything more dreadful. Might work for you but it's not what I'd enjoy.

My next door neighbour loves cruises. Last year I remember chatting to him a week before they departed and him telling me that he needed to collect his evening suit from the dry cleaners.

I don't pack long trousers of any variety when off on my jollies. They went on a Med cruise calling at a couple of Greek Islands. When they got to Santorini there was a couple of other cruise ships in and there were so many people milling around that it took them a couple of hours to walk up the hill and by the time they got there it was time to go back down again.

One of my favourite islands is Madeira and we often see giant cruise ships in Funchal harbour. All the visitors manage to see is part of Funchal yet in the four weeks that we have spent on Madeira we have never bothered visiting Funchal at all as it isn't what Madeira is about at all.

 

[jules1970]

My next door neighbour loves cruises. Last year I remember chatting to him a week before they departed and him telling me that he needed to collect his evening suit from the dry cleaners.

I don't pack long trousers of any variety when off on my jollies. They went on a Med cruise calling at a couple of Greek Islands. When they got to Santorini there was a couple of other cruise ships in and there were so many people milling around that it took them a couple of hours to walk up the hill and by the time they got there it was time to go back down again.

One of my favourite islands is Madeira and we often see giant cruise ships in Funchal harbour. All the visitors manage to see is part of Funchal yet in the four weeks that we have spent on Madeira we have never bothered visiting Funchal at all as it isn't what Madeira is about at all.

Madeira one places havnt been but would move to. We been on the Italian cruise, Mediterranean twice. Loved Corsica, now a fav. Went to Villafranche and Cadiz is beautiful. Love the formal nights when can wear gowns and men wear tux suits. Cruises are wonderful. Never knock it before trying.

 

[fisicx]

Cruises are wonderful.

Not for everyone.

I can understand why some people might enjoy it but that doesn't mean it's the right choice for all.

 

[johndon68]

My idea of a holiday is meeting up with the local population.

The last cruise I went on, I met locals in Copenhagen, Oslo, Stockholm, Helsinki, St Petersburg, Riga and Tallinn. The one before that 3 different parts of Iceland and the Faroe Islands...

 

[jules1970]

The last cruise I went on, I met locals in Copenhagen, Oslo, Stockholm, Helsinki, St Petersburg, Riga and Tallinn. The one before that 3 different parts of Iceland and the Faroe Islands...

We have met so many lovely people. Shared a lot of laughs. Great times. Thanks John for your comment

 

[Opinion87]

We have met so many lovely people. Shared a lot of laughs. Great times. Thanks John for your comment

Mumsnet called. It wants it's thread back.

 

[Mr D]

Cruises are wonderful. Never knock it before trying.

Thousands of families would disagree.

 

[jules1970]

Thousands of families would disagree.

And thousands would agree. It's more popular than you know.

 

[jules1970]

Mumsnet called. It wants it's thread back.

Then off you pop to it

 

[Mr D]

And thousands would agree. It's more popular than you know.

Was more popular.
Now? No one knows.

 

[jules1970]

Was more popular.
Now? No one knows.

Of course, now is a different story.

 

[Mr D]

Of course, now is a different story.

Appears unlikely I'll ever take a cruise, nor my wife.
Perhaps we'll take a ferry a couple of times, different rules.

 

[Ian J]

Madeira one places havnt been but would move to. We been on the Italian cruise, Mediterranean twice. Loved Corsica, now a fav.

Madeira is a beautiful island and easy to get around now that they have built so many tunnels around the island. We don't stay in hotels but prefer the freedom of renting a villa and Corsica has been on my short list for a few years but we have never made it there. You can fly there cheaply from Stansted but the villas tend to be quite expensive and eating out is quite pricy too.

Next year I have Lanzarote booked for Easter fortnight, Menorca for a week in June, Kefalonia for a fortnight in August and hopefully Aghero, Sardinia for a week at the end of October

 

[Chris Ashdown]

Lets just face the facts some people love it some dont fancy it and the two sides may never agree

What has happened is fantastic growth of a industry with relatively cheap holidays in nice accomodation and quite a lot of entertainment, which has been hit by first Norovirus ruining many holidays and putting many potential customers off and then Corona and the associated collapse of the airlines who fly passengers to and from the joining ports

Questions

• Will the airlines offer cheap flights again to get full aircraft or raise fares to claw back their losses
• Will the passengers return
• Will ports like Venice still accept these very large ships
• Whilst the large ships were still being built , smaller ships were being built in larger numbers
• And most importantly will the ships be able to keep the costs down to make prices attractive

Five years ago the Airbus A380 was the largest aircraft available for passengers and had a bright future, now nearly everyone of them is laid up and production has stopped never to be restarted. sometime life changes at a remarkable speed

 

[jules1970]

Lets just face the facts some people love it some dont fancy it and the two sides may never agree

What has happened is fantastic growth of a industry with relatively cheap holidays in nice accomodation and quite a lot of entertainment, which has been hit by first Norovirus ruining many holidays and putting many potential customers off and then Corona and the associated collapse of the airlines who fly passengers to and from the joining ports

Questions

• Will the airlines offer cheap flights again to get full aircraft or raise fares to claw back their losses
• Will the passengers return
• Will ports like Venice still accept these very large ships
• Whilst the large ships were still being built , smaller ships were being built in larger numbers
• And most importantly will the ships be able to keep the costs down to make prices attractive

Five years ago the Airbus A380 was the largest aircraft available for passengers and had a bright future, now nearly everyone of them is laid up and production has stopped never to be restarted. sometime life changes at a remarkable speed

Absolutely. You have made many valid points and it's a worrying time for the hospitality and travel industry. Will hotels need to improve in its technology was a thought on another thread. Is it time for lots of changes, some say hotels are bit behind in the times. Slow check in and waiting in reception is a concern? We will certainly see how it unfolds.

 

[Scottishgifts4u]

My wife loves cruising. I’m okay with it having been on a few but it’s the fact you never get the feel of a place that puts me off.

Anyway back on topic we won’t be near a cruise ship while Covid 19 is around. Which let’s face it could be forever.

I suspect a lot of people are going to feel the same, especially the elderly who tend to be the most prolific cruisers.

I’ll be honest and say I haven’t a clue about whether they’ll survive but in the short term they are going to struggle.

 

[jules1970]

Ferry will be nice but not same Haha. I think the cruise industry is in for a rough time if you like it or not. It's a shame as held many jobs. We shall have wait and see Mr D

 

[jules1970]

The last cruise I went on, I met locals in Copenhagen, Oslo, Stockholm, Helsinki, St Petersburg, Riga and Tallinn. The one before that 3 different parts of Iceland and the Faroe Islands...

That sounds great, haven't been but hope one day.

 

[jules1970]

Lets just face the facts some people love it some dont fancy it and the two sides may never agree

What has happened is fantastic growth of a industry with relatively cheap holidays in nice accomodation and quite a lot of entertainment, which has been hit by first Norovirus ruining many holidays and putting many potential customers off and then Corona and the associated collapse of the airlines who fly passengers to and from the joining ports

Questions

• Will the airlines offer cheap flights again to get full aircraft or raise fares to claw back their losses
• Will the passengers return
• Will ports like Venice still accept these very large ships
• Whilst the large ships were still being built , smaller ships were being built in larger numbers
• And most importantly will the ships be able to keep the costs down to make prices attractive

Five years ago the Airbus A380 was the largest aircraft available for passengers and had a bright future, now nearly everyone of them is laid up and production has stopped never to be restarted. sometime life changes at a remarkable speed

Yep another concern is airlines. Richard Branson been saved but don't own it anymore. Hope British airways holds on. Yes who will fill that Airbus now? Again hard times ahead

 

[jules1970]

Madeira is a beautiful island and easy to get around now that they have built so many tunnels around the island. We don't stay in hotels but prefer the freedom of renting a villa and Corsica has been on my short list for a few years but we have never made it there. You can fly there cheaply from Stansted but the villas tend to be quite expensive and eating out is quite pricy too.

Next year I have Lanzarote booked for Easter fortnight, Menorca for a week in June, Kefalonia for a fortnight in August and hopefully Aghero, Sardinia for a week at the end of October

Called you John haha. Sorry meant Ian

 

[Mr D]

Yep another concern is airlines. Richard Branson been saved but don't own it anymore. Hope British airways holds on. Yes who will fill that Airbus now? Again hard times ahead

Wasn't aware Richard owned the airline anyway. He had a minority share last I looked - with others owning more of the airline than him.

The British media seemed to think that business owners should pay to support their own business.

 

[jules1970]

Wasn't aware Richard owned the airline anyway. He had a minority share last I looked - with others owning more of the airline than him.

The British media seemed to think that business owners should pay to support their own business.

You are right. He did own a minority, just not anymore. Yes I agree, was a cheek to ask when he didn't want use his own fortune. Others have forked out so why didn't he.