The cruise industry has become one of the fastest-growing tourist sectors in recent years. Yahoo Finance reports that the cruise ship market is predicted to be worth $16.7 billion by 2031 from $8 billion in 2021. This has led to exciting innovations across cruise liners, with many companies showcasing their experiences at the annual Denver Small Ship Cruising Expo (SSCE) held this year in March.
The Expo is where cruise companies, including Crystal Cruises, Explora Journeys, and Regent Seven Seas, seasoned travelers, and enthusiastic cruisers come together to share upcoming events and experiences. If you were unable to attend this year's expo in March, here’s what we learned:
Small ships offer unique experiences
Small ships have one advantage over larger cruise ships—they can course through rivers and narrower channels. This is why some small ship cruise lines are preparing to offer unique experiences, like passing through a river for a more intimate traverse through a town.
Earlier this year, Emerald Cruises released two new itineraries in its 2024 European river collection. This includes a fifteen-day “Discover the Rivers of France and Portugal” trip, where travelers can visit and explore more inland destinations, including the Alsace Wine Route in eastern France or the Douro and Côa Valley in Portugal. With this type of trip, cruisers won’t be limited to coastline destinations.
A wider range of options for luxury expeditions
With the cruise industry seeing an increased interest in recent years, more passengers are looking for experiences above the usual cruise trip. And many vacationers are looking for luxury experiences in the countries they visit.
SSCE exhibitor Explora Luxury Cruises launched their first ship this year, and they offer bespoke luxury expeditions for their passengers. The company has wide-arching itineraries in Iceland, Greenland, India, and Africa, as well as the Mediterranean and Western Europe through their “Beyond Boundaries” and “Enchanting Explorations” expeditions. Their “Beyond Boundaries” expeditions will give passengers the opportunity to have once-in-a-lifetime experiences, such as exploring polar mountain peaks and deep ocean trenches, while their “Enchanting Explorations” are expeditions for small groups that want to pursue unique experiences. For example, the small groups can explore the Mykonos coastline or seek solace in the Sistine Chapel after it’s closed to the public. As Explora demonstrated at the SSCE, cruise vacations are becoming much more tailored experiences for those looking for some adventure alongside their relaxation.
Expeditions targeted toward food lovers
The off-season is typically slow for cruise lines, as few travelers take expeditions due to unfavorable weather conditions and other factors.
Atlas Ocean Voyages plans to change this by appealing to foodies during the off-season. They decided to create an expedition focused on food in the Mediterranean, so guests could continue to explore through food despite the cooler temperatures. Their Epicurean Expeditions will feature guest chefs who will give cooking demos and get into friendly competitions with the staff, giving guests a more immersive Mediterranean cruise experience.
What to expect from the SSCE in the future
Because of what we’ve discussed above, you may be looking forward to the upcoming SSCEs. If you'd like a taste of the future, here are some of the things you might expect to see.
Escalon Times reveals that small-ship luxury cruises are increasing in demand, as these are more spacious and provide better service. That means developments from existing exhibitors such as Explora Luxury Cruises and Emerald Cruises. Some recent advancements from these brands in this vein include the Explora I, a smaller yet still luxury line of ships that still accommodates a record number of ocean residences for discerning travelers, and Emerald Cruises, expanding their itineraries to more European rivers in the near future.
Another thing to look forward to is more zero-emission trips, especially for eco-conscious travelers. SSCE exhibitor Hurtigruten plans to utilize AI to monitor cruises’ energy and water consumption and sails with solar panels, so expect more sustainable travels to the Norwegian fjords and Antarctica.
Expos give you insight into upcoming events and activities regarding your favorite pastimes or hobbies. If you are interested in travel, you will also enjoy
Flight to Luxury—a showcase of Denver’s elite jets, exotic cars, and live entertainment. Like the SSCE, it is a great place to learn about the latest travel trends. For similar articles, keep browsing through Ultra5280.