Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Still, the thirst of the American cruise-
ed out that sulphur regulations will enter
goers is insatiable when it comes to new
into force in 2015, making it more diffi-
entertainment, so RCCL is sure to pack
sail weekly from their home port of Port
cult for business.
DYNAMIC DUO
something extra into the third Oasis. Adam
Johnson also mentioned the Costa
Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas de-
Goldstein, president and chief executive
Concordia tragedy of January 2012 and
buted in November 2009 and November
officer of Royal Caribbean International,
how it has changed the industry – the
2010, respectively, introducing a range
already hinted at this as he said that the
backlash from the tragedy continues to
of unique industry “firsts” and engineer-
company is eager to add a third Oasis-class
be felt for some time to come.
ing marvels including the neighborhood
ship to the brand portfolio:
On the other hand, when Travel Mar-
concept – seven themed areas providing
“This addition will allow us to show-
ket Report asked cruise industry executives
guests with the opportunity to seek out
case our legacy of innovation and imag-
for their take on the year 2013, they were
relevant experiences based on their per-
ination to even more guests around the
rather positive and ready to go on the of-
sonal style, preference or mood.
world,” said Goldstein.
fensive again. The consensus seemed to
Within these neighborhoods – Cen-
be that if the cruise business doesn’t have
tral Park, Boardwalk, the Royal Prom-
GHOST OF COSTA CONCORDIA
a banner year in 2013, it may have only
enade, Pool and Sports Zone, Vitality
However, while RCCL has a hot product
itself to blame. In fact, cruise executives
at Sea Spa and Fitness Center, Entertain-
in its hands that has proven quite resist-
see excessive discounting as a bigger haz-
ment Place and Youth Zone – are extraor-
ant to the troubled economy, not all is
ard in 2013 than the sluggish economy or
dinary elements such as the first-ever park
smooth sailing in the cruise business. Re-
global unrest.
at sea, an aquatic amphitheater, and, for
cently, Simon Johnson, the chairman of the
In particular, the execs cited rising
the most demanding clientele, 28 multi-
Passenger Shipping Association, assessed
consumer confidence and growing de-
level urban-style loft suites boasting floor-
that the sector is likely to continue facing
mand for exotic itineraries as cause for a
to-ceiling windows.
tough challenges in 2013. Johnson point-
positive outlook. They were also optimis-
20
seatec 1/2013