Shorter cruises, packages and more options in emerging destinations such as the Panama Canal and Australia are some of the trends for 2014.
This was revealed by the review site Cruise Critic based on the industry reports, surveys and reviews from passengers.
Create your own package: cruise lines are giving passengers the opportunity to select offers and make their own package, including airline, onboard credit and other things.
The 1,875 passengers on the Island Princess had to dodge trucks entering and leaving the docks in Costa Rica.
"It's terrible that we have to walk in between trucks and cargo transportation services," said the Canadian Brenda Seguin to La Nacion. "I have not seen this anywhere else, at least not like this," she reiterated.
In addition to this problem, the pavement which tourists have to walk on is very run down and the place where artisan crafts are sold is made up of makeshift tents under which it is extremely hot.
Among the causes identified are high operating costs and poor terminal infrastructure for tourists.
For the cruise season which begins on October 16 and ends on May 30, 2014 only 60 boats are expected to arrive at the port. Data provided by the Costa Rican Tourism Institute (ICT), reveals that while in the 2008-09 season 127 cruise ships arrived, in the 2011-12 season only 71 came.
Most cruise ships arriving in Central America have to operate at docks designed for cargo handling, and as such are not fit for passenger traffic.
Richard Sasso, president and CEO of MSC Cruises USA, noted that one of the main issues is having suitable docks so that cruise ships can dock directly, instead of using small boats to unload passengers in groups, as this causes many delays.
The momentum in this sector needs more services and port infrastructure in order to consolidate and join the global growth of this industry.
The region needs to improve port infrastructure in order to be able to receive the new boats which are becoming bigger and bigger and with this take advantage of the 20% growth that is projected in the next season.
The event will be held from 29 to 31 May in Antigua Guatemala.
According to an article in Siglo21.com.gt "Antigua Guatemala will host the second Central American Cruise Conference 2013, which will take place from 29 to 31 May, with which it hopes to impact this tourism segment in the country . $100,000 is being invested in the activity. "
Pedro Duchez, director of the Guatemalan Tourism Institute (Inguat), explained that the amount to be invested in the conference will have a positive impact on the country, as it will be recompensed with the arrival more cruise goers.
In the 2010-2011 season the number of cruise ships that docked at the port of Limon fell by 41% compared to the 2011-2012 season.
During the last season 117 vessels loaded with tourists docked at Limon, whereas this year only 69 arrived.
The prospects for next season are set to get worse, with only 59 cruises scheduled to arrive.
Allan Hidalgo, CEO of the Board of Port Administration and Economic Development of the Atlantic (Japdeva), explains that the high cost of fuel and the lack of infrastructure and tourist services in the port and the city of Limon are the main causes of the problem.
The Central American countries are positioning as a destination for the major cruise ship companies.
Central America prepares its infrastructure to support an increased number of lines coming to its main ports.
Madrid, April 2nd, 2012.
The seven countries of the region (Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama) are one of the most attractive destinations for cruise passengers.
Countries are making significant efforts to strengthen this sector, according to the Tourism Promotion Agency of Central America.
Honduras recently reported the arrival of 470,000 cruise passengers in the first six months of 2011, over 188 cruise ships, 115 of which landed in Mohogany Bay, which recently opened a new dock. According to the country’s authorities, the activity in the country earned it $40 million, an increase of 17% compared with 2010.
The Association of Caribbean and Florida Cruise Lines (FCCA) closed its annual meeting with a commitment to make further investments in the region.
Michael Ronan, vice-president for Royal Caribbean said that they have investment projects for the region over the next two years, motivated by a desire to make closer ties with the region.
According to an article in Laprensa.hn, "For his part, Kevin Sheehan, CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line, said that "one of the points of this conference was to focus in more detail on the Central American regions, recognizing its wealth and resources and acknowledging that we have work together so that the services tourists receive when they reach their destination may be the best, in order that income levels are increased '. "
Events are in full swing for the first Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association Central America Cruise Conference happening May 4-6, 2011 San Pedro Sula, Honduras.
San Pedro Sula, Honduras (May 4, 2011)—Hundreds of professionals from the private and public sectors of the seven countries of Central America—Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama—and Colombia gathered today in San Pedro Sula, Honduras to kick off the first FCCA Central America Cruise Conference.
The ministers of tourism and major cruise lines agreed to explore a new route for CA, departing from Panama.
During the last Conference Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA), held in late October in the Dominican Republic, tourism authorities agreed not to set high taxes on cruise ships and in turn cruise lines will develop itineraries.
"... The Government had plans to build a port in the Pacific, it was not a priority until now by expediting the process to begin construction, which will require a $ 20 million investment," published Prensa.com.
StarClippers, a luxury cruise ship line, has included Costa Rica as one of its destinations.
The first ship is expected to arrive by the end of 2010.
Elfinancierocr.com explained that the company will operate a route from Costa Rica to Nicaragua, visiting Puerto Caldera, Playas del Coco, Santa Rosa National Park, Samara, Puerto Carrillo, Curú National Reserve, Tortugas Island and San Juan del Sur in Nicaragua.
On December 3-4, participants will discuss tourism development in the ports of Limón and Puntarenas.
It is organized by the Costa Rican Tourism Institute, and will gather participants from the domestic and international tourism industry, at San Jose's Hotel Radisson.
"The event's agenda includes: Central America and the Caribbean cruise ship market and trends; investment and growth projections in the ports of the Caribbean; conditions for the cruise ship market in Costa Rica, and concessions at Costa Rican ports", reported newspaper La Prensa Libre.