Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. – the world’s largest global cruise line – announced a significant increase in bookings from the Middle East for its three global brands – Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Club Cruises. From January through July 2010 the guest volume from the Middle East has increased 63 percent compared to the same period last year.The average duration of cruises taken by regional guests is 9 nights, and the most popular destinations are the Mediterranean and Caribbean, with recent interest in cruises throughout the Middle East.
Lakshmi Durai, Executive Director – Royal Caribbean, Celebrity & Azamara Club Cruises Middle East said: “We’re absolutely thrilled with the tremendous growth of the cruise market in the Middle East and there is still a huge potential.
“With the support of our travel agent partners, targeted marketing and PR initiatives for the introduction of our first ship Brilliance of the Seas to the region in January, we‘ve put a spotlight on the joy of cruising. All Middle East markets performed well, with UAE and Lebanon doubling their guest bookings and new ships like Oasis of the Seas – the biggest cruise ship of the world – and Celebrity Cruises’ Solstice Class, proving to be very popular.”
Celebrity Cruises offers premium cruising and is investing $3.7-billion in building five stylish Solstice Class ships between 2008-2012 which represents the largest five-year investment in premium cruising.
All this reflects the increasing global interest in cruising, with the introduction of new, larger ships and a greater diversity of destinations and on-board activities. According to Cruise Market Watch, the cruising industry carried 17.3 million passengers worldwide in 2009, a figure expected to be surpassed this year.
Buoyed by the addition of the world’s largest cruise ship, Oasis of the Seas, Royal Caribbean Cruises has raised its full-year profit forecast. For the year’s second quarter, the company reported an increase of net income to $60.5 million. Full Year 2010 Net Yields are expected to improve approximately 4% – 5% on a Constant Currency basis.
Royal Caribbean International is a global cruise brand with 21 ships currently in service and one under construction. The line also offers unique cruise tour land packages in Alaska, Canada, Dubai, Europe, and Australia and New Zealand.
Celebrity Cruises is designed for discerning cruisers, with modern, sophisticated environments, impeccable service, enriching and inspiring onboard programs, and world-class cuisine. The ultimate in premium cruising, Celebrity sails in Alaska, California, Canada/New England, Europe, the Pacific Coast, Panama Canal, South America, and year-round in the Caribbean and the Galapagos Islands. Celebrity also offers immersive cruisetour experiences in Alaska, Canada, Europe and South America. Celebrity’s mega-series of honors include being named the top mega-ship line in Condé Nast Traveler’s annual Readers’ Choice Awards (November 2009). Celebrity’s fleet currently consists of nine ships. Its $3.7-billion investment in building five stylish Solstice Class ships between 2008-2012 represents the largest five-year investment in premium cruising.
Azamara Club Cruises is a destination-immersive cruise line for upmark travelers who want to not only see the places and cultures they visit, but to live them. Azamara’s two intimate, 694-guest ships, Azamara Journey and Azamara Quest, with a combination of 353 suites and staterooms, offer a boutique European hotel ambience with extraordinary service, fine cuisine and wines from around the world, and wellness and vigor programs, all while sailing to a host of destinations larger ships can’t reach. Azamara Club Cruises sails in Europe, Asia, the Panama Canal, Transatlantic, and the less-traveled islands of the Caribbean, with more overnight and late-night stays in every region.
