NZ Cruise Market Strong for Residents; Drops for US Guests

New Zealand and Australia may have been slow to join the cruise market bonanza, but now show the biggest increases in the industry.

Australasia is expecting over 130,000 visitors this cruising season, as compared to only 20,000 in the 1996/97 season. Carnival Group, owner of such greats as Cunard, Princess Cruises and P&O Australia, reports an astounding boom in cruise business, with all of its ships booked solid eight months in advance. One theory for the great increase in cruise bookings is the low currency rate locally; believing that many people who formerly were traveling abroad are now staying closer to home to vacation. Cruises are prime targets, since they are mostly inclusive and people have greater control over spending.

While Australians and New Zealanders seem to be increasing the area’s cruise popularity, it seems that markets outside of Australasia are dropping out. Almost half of the previous seasons’ passenger base on the cruises was American guests, but this season has seen many cancellations from that group of people with groups from Europe, Asia and South America taking their places. The economy is held responsible for the change of nationalities, as well as incredibly high airfare flying in and out of New Zealand.

Only one drop in activity is anticipated in the Australasia cruise market this season, and that is due to the pull out of itineraries by US company Celebrity Cruises for the 2009/2010 season. It is a temporary move; with Celebrity planning to return to that market for the 2010/11 season. This may, however, become a trend as more US cruise lines are redesigning cruises closer to home markets to make it easier and more affordable for Americans to vacation as well.

New Zealand is still growing into the cruise industry, with more and more advances being made to accommodate interest. There are still many milestones ahead, with a major need being that of a cruise ship facility in Auckland. This advancement is still in the discussion stage.

Still, the Australasia market is up and coming, and despite the economic troubles affecting this side of the pond, it is good to know there are positive signs in the cruise industry.