A Look Inside SeaTrade Cruise Global 2021 A Cruise Industry Conference
Seatrade Cruise Global celebrated its 35th year as the cruise industry’s leading conference.
The first official day of the conference happened to be World Tourism Day! Quite a fitting holiday to help kick off the weeks’ events!
Here are my highlights and takeaways from attending the workshops and sessions, along with the keynote presentation!
SeaTrade Cruise Global Panel Discussion
Port Agreements in a Covid World
Return to the cruise industry, with protocols and vaccinations we discuss the strides to make it back to “normal”
From the consumer perspective, the price is right. The post-cruise reviews and ratings have been as high as pre-pandemic.
Vaccines are becoming available for younger and younger people. General talk and buzz about requirements for those up to 5 years old may come in the future.
As ratings from many cruise lines are so high. The crew is so happy and overall a great time to cruise.
Mask wearing on a cruise ship. In parts of the ships you have to wear a mask but the key takeaway is that vaccination levels are going up. Mask mandates in ports of call are dependent on the destination’s local government and authorities. Port of calls may not require masks to be worn everywhere. Guests can expect to where one in restaurants, shuttle buses, etc.
Now is the time to celebrating cruising worldwide! People are back traveling and one of the best ways to travel. We will continue to make progress and keep everyone as safe as possible and not move backward
Training Case Study Session- Panel discussions included virtual speakers.
The Changing Dynamics of Shore Excursions
In this conference pannel discussion we learned the focus is as followed:
Common sense protocols
Understanding areas of high risk.
Reducing areas of high contact.
Exploring the destination while still having fun!
What's changing for shore excursions for the guests- Belfast, Irland is the only port that is open currently in Irland.
Cooperating is huge to get additional ports up and running. Challenging and ever-challenging, day-to-day operation. Much goes into it from the venues, coach operates, and tour guides. Many moving parts and challenges to overcome.
Overall a fantastic season, resulting in amazing feedback. Although numbers are small with the number of first guests back to cruising, there have been early openings for shops that were exclusive for cruise guests.
Oozing with positivity
Embracing and leaning into the cruise restart.
These areas (in Northern Irland) rely on cruise ships. "We never realized how much we relied on the cruise industry."
Destinations are looking forward to additional ports fully opening next year, to welcome more guests back. They have had a taste of the reopening and can't wait for more.
Training Case Study Session, St. Maarten #WeAreBack;
Challenges- St. Maarten was the first cruise port of call to have crusie visiters back. All ports of calls have to find solutions for varying challenges that they face.
Meeting the new protocols
Eliminating touchpoints
Transportation issues- getting guests on coaches
Varied Government restrictions
Excursions by Celebrity- “bubble tours”- very specific communication and requirements had to be made to the guest beforehand and the moment they walk into their stateroom. Expectations of what the experience would be like.
Free flow- independent tours- the destination also puts guidelines in place.
All of these challenges were referred to as “Teething problems”, requiring patience or dealing with the growing pains of getting it all back up and running.
State of the Cruise Industry Keynote-Presentation
Alanna at Keynote Presentation; State of the Global Industry
This presentation is the largest session and always happens on the second day of the conference. After the keynote, the expo floor will officially open. We heard from top cruise line leaders.
Piefrancesco Vago Executive Chairman of MSC Cruises, “We haven't lost sight of our need to press forward with environmental needs while dealing with other challenges.” (Referencing even with covid challenges)
Cruise Industry Leaders at Keynote Presentation
As an industry, we are pushing for environmental sustainability
Kelly Craighead- President of CLIA
The focus is on reinventing the industry. Not focusing on getting back to "normal"
Innovative solutions are key. Looking to unite and collaborate with the cruise community.
The commitment to health and safety will define the industry's success.
Focusing on how cruising is different than other types of vacations and experiences out on the market-
The crew is tested and vaccinated. This isn't the same for any market.
The thing that is common between many cruise lines, is the science-led health & safety protocols that are working. This has been essential in setting a standard and raising confidence. All in place because they have put people first as they are looking to allow people to see the world.
Socially distanced and masked attendees of the State of the Global Industry Keynote
Public policy is setting a clear ideal for the future.
Richard Fain- President of Royal Caribbean Group
We don't compete with each other [cruise lines] as much as we compete with all the other types of vacations, hotels, etc. Which takes away dollars from the cruise industry
His thoughts on the competition of Virgin Voyages. Are you nervous?- Richard Fain- CEO of Royal Caribbean Group-
“Having Virgin come in, adds to the impact that the cruise industry has. We will get our fair share. They are adding more demand than their fair share.
The real competition is land-based vacations. That is the competition and big screen TV purchases.”
Cruise Industry Leaders at Keynote Presentation
What would be your advice to Richard Branson CEO of Virgin Voyages- to Arnold Donald- CEO of Carnival Corporation
Listen to your prospective guest and listen to the travel agent's perspective. The guests and those who have been in (the cruise industry) for a long time will guide you to do well.
Pierfrancesco Vago Executive Chairman, MSC Cruises
How do you size up the competition? To Pierfrancesco CEO MSC Cruises
Virgin is a great brand and will help the market. Wishes them luck.
Richard Fain- CEO of Royal Caribbean Group, on Covid Vaccine Booster Shot-
Too many people are currently putting the focus on the booster. Everyone is receiving so much advice and it's confusing.
He described that their focus is that the guests receive an enjoyable vacation. And the excitement that the cruise line is moving in the right direction with each week more ships are coming back online.
“Every day we are getting further and further about how safe it is and the protocols are working.”
How close are we to require people and crew to needing the 3rd shot- Richard Fain- CEO of Royal Caribbean Group-
“A booster will only be needed if the CDC guidelines require it.”
“People who have cruised a lot are comfortable being back at sea. Because they know and trust the protocols and can see the enhanced protocols that are implanted and in place."
It's people who haven't cruised who don't understand. The most powerful marketing material is word of mouth. Lifelong memories are still being made.”
“1st timers cruisers are coming! The messaging is working that it is so much safer than anyone understood.”
1st timers cruisers are coming! The messaging is working that it is so much safer than anyone understood.
What makes it different and worth being so proud of is the emotional impact of the crew.
Crew members were crying! So excited to be back! It is contagious!! And remarks have been overwhelming and moves us forward.
We aren't through [the woods] yet. We have to keep the community communication up to push us forward.
Richard Fain- states that they essentially aim to be back to 100% capacity with Royal Caribbean Group by the end of the year.
Alanna at Seatrade Cruise Global
I hope you enjoyed the snip bits of what it was like to attend Seatrade Cruise Global. It is such a unique opportunity to hear directly from the industry and, cruise lines leaders!