2019 Cruise News Revealed

Seasoned and first time cruisers alike need to be clued up as to the latest industry developments that are likely to affect holidays on the water and 2019 is already looking set to be a year of change.

The cruise industry has enjoyed great popularity in 2018 and with exciting news being announced for the coming year, experts are predicting more of the same.

Marella goes all inclusive

In a bold move, Marella Cruises has announced that every liner in the fleet will be fully all inclusive, as of May 2019. With food, drinks, transfers, flights and gratuities all taken care of in the package price, passengers will be able to make an executive decision as to any optional extras that they might want to take advantage of. Spa treatments, Wi-Fi and onshore excursions are likely to be the most popular add-ons. There’s more information and deals here.

More than 35 new cruise ships due for delivery

Shipbuilders are being kept busy, with more than 21 brand new luxury liners announced as being due for delivery in 2019 (More than 35 if we include expedition ships and river boats).
Among the fleet are new vessels for giants of the cruise industry such as Royal Caribbean, MSC, Norwegian Cruise Lines and Princess cruises. Each catering for thousands of passengers, these luxury liners are generating a lot of interest already, with early booking advised for maiden voyages.

Beware of Brexit

With Brexit still up in the air, much talk has been swirling as to the potential impact on the cruise industry, especially now that the deadline for a deal is beginning to loom. While some industry experts believe that little will change, others are cautious due to potential immigration inconveniences at cruise ports, not to mention exchange rate fluctuations. All inclusive cruisers will be less affected by poor rates of exchange, but for those cruisers hoping to take spending money, there’s potential to fall victim to poor value.

Smart ships to become the norm

Gone are the days when a holiday meant getting away from it all as so many holidaymakers now take a handful of smart devices with them. Picking up on this, major cruise companies have sought to quickly adapt fleets to become smart ships, with seamless connectivity and ship-specific apps. This endeavour started in earnest on 2018 but shows no sign of slowing down in 2019, with satellite providers clamouring to join forces with popular cruise lines.

India gets ready to cruise

Launching in May 2019, Zen Cruises has announced a new “contemporary product for Indian tourists while offering a culturally relevant experience”. Hoping to capitalise on the generally low age of Indian cruisers, as well as their desire to enjoy luxurious, experiential holidays, Zen will be maintaining a focus on cultural sensitivities, while also creating a diverse entertainment and activities programme.

It’s going to be a busy year for the cruise industry as the market adapts to cope with the growing demand for diversification, from both existing and potential new cruisers.