According to experts, the cruise industry today is the most dynamically developing type of tourism. According to the International Cruise Lines Association (CLIA), the global tourist flow in the segment is actively growing and by the end of this year will amount to about 30 million passengers, an increase of 6%. As part of a press cruise organized by Cruise center "Infoflot" at the end of cruise navigation 2019, our correspondent managed to interview the CEO of the company Andrey Mikhailovsky, which dispelled the most popular myths about this type of vacation.
Andrey, until recently it was believed that only wealthy tourists go on cruises, this is an expensive and respectable vacation. Is it so?
- Cruises are indeed a unique type of tourism, and cruise tourists themselves are unique people. On average, the return in the cruise sector is over 80%. This is a leisure format that leaves no one indifferent. Having got on a good cruise liner at least once, having passed an interesting route, a person becomes a fan of cruises due to the combination of comfort, service, impressions and cognition.
Any cruise is a large range of travel services in one package. It includes accommodation in comfortable cabins, meals in the restaurant, entertainment on board, and excursions on river cruises. If you buy these services separately, they will cost more, and you will have to spend significantly more time organizing your vacation.
For example, according to the Infoflot Cruise Center, the cost of a cruise from Costa Cruises from St. Petersburg for 7 days starts from 300 euros.
By the way, companies often launch promotions that allow one or two children to live in their parents' cabin for free.
There are a lot of cruise tours on the market now - this is when the package includes a flight, transfers according to the program, a meeting at the airport, an excursion program, hotel accommodation before the start of the cruise. This format also saves money and is convenient for tourists in organizing a trip.
How interesting is it to relax on a cruise? How can you entertain yourself in such a floating hotel, including if you are traveling with children?
- Today there is serious competition between cruise companies for tourists. Launching a new liner, they try to surprise and attract travelers with non-standard services and novelties.
For example, on board the Symphony of the Seas there is a 10-deck "land" slide, a Zip Line bungee, a surf simulator, a separate room with a 3D cinema equipped with a popcorn machine and a game console.
On board the MSC Meraviglia, guests have the opportunity to see a performance from the famous Cirque du Soleil.
Norwegian Bliss surprises tourists with a complete open-deck go-kart track, and each Seabourn Ovation cabin has a dedicated butler.
Almost all sea ships have SPA centers, many restaurants where you can taste the cuisine of different countries of the world, swimming pools, including those with sea water, cinemas, beauty salons, mini golf, fitness centers, children's clubs, discos and game rooms, theaters, karaoke centers, shopping galleries, nightclubs and casinos. And this is not a complete list.
River cruises are distinguished by a less active atmosphere on board, but this is more than offset by the cognitive nature of the land program and the intimacy. No wonder river cruises are called the best way to get to know the country from the inside. At the same time, on the river ships there are many public spaces, spacious cabins, entertainment for adults and children, fascinating master classes and fitness programs.
In other words, there will be no time to get bored (unless, of course, boredom is part of your mandatory plans). All modern cruise ships have zones for diversified recreation, health improvement, entertainment and sports.
But the most important thing is that a cruise is a constant movement: a change of shores, cities and even countries. On board you will be offered a rich selection of excursions in each port along the cruise route. And if you don't want to go anywhere at all, use the time for passive rest on board the ship.
What type of cruise and route to choose is up to you, but you can always turn to specialized cruise companies that sell cruises for help.
Who buys a cruise tour more often?
- Cruise companies are actively fighting for new tourists, and what we have described a little above allows you to rejuvenate the audience. Today, the basis of the cruise tourist flow is made up of people aged 35 and over, families with children, young couples.
How comfortable is it for children and the elderly to have a rest on a sea cruise liner - won't you get seasick?
A cruise ship is a type of transport that is in constant motion. Therefore, to assert that there is no pitching at all would be slyness. However, it does not have a significant effect on the well-being and impression of the cruise, since modern liners are equipped with stabilization systems.
For river cruises, the topic of pitching is not so relevant, because motor ships usually sail along calm river beds.
Security is not the last topic in tourism. How safe is it to take a cruise?
- According to statistics, water transport is one of the safest. Modern cruise liners of international and Russian companies are equipped with satellite navigation systems and rescue equipment (designed for more passengers than there is on board). In addition, drills are periodically conducted on board both for tourists and for crew members.
Both in the world and in Russia, official regulatory bodies have been established to exercise control over each liner. In Russia, the topic of the safety of river vessels is dealt with by the Russian River Register, without which no ship will embark on a voyage without certification. The safety control system for river transport created in the country is considered the most serious in the world.
