2023 Voyages Cruise Guide by Premier Travel Media

VOYAGES

CRUISE GUIDE 2023

Distinct Group Cruises from Partner Cruise Lines

Cruising is Back in a BIG WAY

CRUISES THAT FIT YOUR GROUP’S NEEDS

Voyages by U.S. Tours

First, let us start by saying, “CRUISING IS BACK!” And we want to welcome our guests back to cruising by releasing our 2023 Voyages Cruise Guide! And Voyages by U. S. Tours continues to build partnerships with many of the world’s leading cruise lines, making us Group Cruise Headquarters for members of the American Bus Association (ABA) and the Select Travel Market. We are focused exclusively on group cruises and are always looking for unique opportunities for our client base. If you are a tour planner and need help with a cruise, we are your one-call shop.

BENEFITS OF WORKING WITH VOYAGES:

▸ All group leaders will receive a balcony upgrade

▸ Customizable comp fares & flexible pricing

▸ Working with One Dedicated Cruise Agent

▸ 24-Hour on Call Emergency Assistance

▸ Professional Tour Escort if needed

ADDITIONAL SERVICES:

▸ We have our own in-house air department

▸ We offer pre-cruise packages with hotels, restaurants and tours

▸ We can confirm your private group excursions

▸ We provide complimentary luggage tags, document bags and name tags upon request

MARKETING ASSISTANCE:

▸ Sales Presentations to your customers

▸ Personalized flyers specific to your cruise

▸ Social media copy and images

▸ Dedicated booking website

We understand that each group has different needs. A cruise should fit the needs of the group – the group shouldn’t have to fit the cruise. We will customize your group cruise to fit the exact needs of your group. Our Voyages team is committed to making sure your group cruise is a success. We are ready to make your cruise a memorable event for all. Give us a call today at 304-485-8687 or visit us at ustoursvoyages.com.

Bon Voyage, Kim Marshall General Manager, U.S. Tours Stacy Hockenberry Cruise Department, U.S. Tours

2 LETTER OF WELCOME

Stacy Hockenberry (left) and Kim Marshall

CRUISING

is Back in a Big Way

Fueled by a strong comeback, 2023 is shaping up to be a positive year for the cruise industry

For fans of cruising, it’s heartening to know that the industry is sailing toward a swift recovery. In fact, cruise bookings are breaking pre-pandemic travel records. To say there is pent-up demand would almost be an understatement.

After the COVID-19-caused shutdown that started in 2020 and lingered well into 2021, cruising began to return in 2022 and appears to be back to normal in 2023.

Kim Marshall, general manager of U.S. Tours, says, “2022 was a rather slow

cruise year because a lot of our groups were still concerned about COVID protocols and didn’t want to bother with the stress of making sure all were vaccinated or worrying about contracting it onboard. Since the cruise lines lifted these protocols, we’ve been seeing a large upswing in bookings for 2023.”

According to the 2023 State of the Cruise Industry Report issued by CLIA (Cruise Lines International Association), ocean-going cruise passenger volume this year is forecasted to reach 106

percent of 2019 levels, with 31.5 million passengers sailing. It’s predicted that number will rise to 39.5 million by 2027.

As a reflection of the segment’s strength, cruising is rebounding faster than international tourism arrivals, which are expected to be 80-95 percent of 2019 levels, according to the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).

Another positive note: The intent to cruise is higher than December 2019, continuing a trend that began in the last quarter of 2020. CLIA survey figures

Photo courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Line

show that 85 percent of travelers who have cruised will cruise again, which is 6 percent higher than pre-pandemic.

Confirming the optimistic outlook, Marshall declares, “Cruising is back and better than ever. Europe cruises are really rebounding and getting a lot of focus from us for the future....We have several groups going to Hawaii in large numbers this year as well as a large group to Alaska. Next year is looking stronger with some of our groups already selling out of their group space for 2024 sailings.”

She adds, “I find it easier to sell cruises because the cruise lines release sail dates two years ahead of time, so it gives our groups more time to advertise and sell. Group leaders like having that extra time.”

According to Phocuswright’s U.S. Cruise Market Report 2022-2026, the cruise market will show a consistent double-digit growth. Revenue, it says, is expected to grow 90 percent over 2022, a year dogged by the Omicron variant

and COVID-era vaccination and testing requirements until cruise lines started dropping those regulations in August.

Says the Phocuswright report, “The industry is embracing a new normal as it moves forward with new ships, added destinations, increased marketing and a consumer base ready to travel.” (This year will see the debut of 19 new ships, with a total of 75 ships expected to be delivered through 2027).

Of new ships on the market, Marshall says Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva are showing strong demand. “I have heard a lot of great feedback about Carnival’s new ships as well.”

A key trend indicates that the future of cruising lies with the younger generations, with Millennials leading the way. The CLIA report reveals that 88 percent of Millennial and 86 percent of Gen-X travelers who have cruised say they will cruise again. And there’s more interest

than ever before among those two groups to take their first cruise, with 73 percent who have never cruised saying they will consider a cruise vacation.

Cruise vacations also are spurring multigenerational travel, another hot trend. According to CLIA, 73 percent of cruise travelers are sailing with family members that represent at least two generations. Other trends reflect the increasing number of options for solo travelers and those who need wheelchair-accessible facilities.

When it comes to top cruising destinations, CLIA reports the Caribbean/ Bahamas/Bermuda continues to lead the pack, based on passenger volume for 2019-2022. Ranking next are the Central and Western Mediterranean, Northern Europe, Alaska and the North American West Coast.

Miami, not surprisingly, is the mostvisited port, followed by Port Canaveral, Cozumel, Port Everglades and Nassau.

Photo courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Line

NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE

Norwegian Cruise Line features a wide range of dining and entertainment options on its contemporary cruise ships.

▸ FLEET SIZE

Of the line’s 19 ships, the largest are in the Breakaway and Breakaway Plus classes, carrying approximately 4,000 passengers.

▸ DESTINATIONS

More than 350 destinations ranging from the Caribbean and Bahamas to Alaska, Bermuda, Asia, Australia, Canada/New England, Europe, Hawaii, Mexico and the Panama Canal. Cruises range between 3 and 14 days, with special voyages up to 24 days. Norwegian has the industry’s only American-flagged passenger ship (2,200 passengers) sailing weekly cruises around the Hawaiian Islands. Ports of call on Caribbean cruises include privateisland destinations in the Bahamas and Belize.

▸ DISCERNIBLE DIFFERENCES

A pioneer in freedom and flexibility, Norwegian Cruise Line is known for its Freestyle Cruising tagline. There are no fixed dining times or pre-

assigned seating, no schedules to follow. The wide variety of dining options has always been a signature feature.

▸ GROUP POLICIES

Group amenities include their Free at Sea amenities, $100 per stateroom onboard credit. No deposit under 30 staterooms to block space. One tour conductor credit is awarded for every 10 full-fare, lower-berth passengers.

▸ WHAT’S NEW

Norwegian introduced a new class in 2022, the Prima class, with the launching of the 3,100-passenger Norwegian Prima. Sister ship Norwegian Viva, after an August 2023 debut in the Mediterranean, will be christened in Miami in November and then move to its winter Caribbean home in San Juan, Puerto Rico in December. Four additional Prima-class ships will enter service through 2027.

▸ SUGGESTED VOYAGES

Our favorite! NCL created FreeStyle Cruising. They offer more open-air deck space, more choices in dining and entertainment including dance parties. Norwegian offers a wonderful world for you to see. From Hawaii and Alaska, New England and the Caribbean, Europe and the Med. Ask us about NCL’s many great promotions.

▸ AWARDS WON

From Cruise Critic, the line won the 2022 Best New Ship of the Year award (for the Norwegian Prima) and for Best Entertainment. In the 2022 World Travel Awards, Norwegian was recognized as the World’s Leading Cruise Line for the sixth year in a row. In Travel Weekly’s 2022 Readers’ Choice Awards, it won for Best Advisor Loyalty Program. The line was awarded for Best Wine Program and Best Adult Alcohol-Free Program at the 2023 Vibe Vista Awards, which distinguishes the top performers in chain and hotel beverage programs.