Cruise Passenger Loads Up 10%

Cruise Line Industry Association (CLIA) members reported a record 9.52 million passengers worldwide in 2003, a 10.2% increase over 2002. North American passengers increased by 6.9%.

According to Travel Weekly, the cruise lines hit a 102.6% load factor, over the 98.6% recorded in 2002. CLIA members also reported they will introduce 12 new ships in 2004, on top of 15 in 2003 and 13 in 2002.

In another development in the cruise industry, the inventor of easyJet, the British no-frills airline, is taking his idea to sea with a venture called easyCruise. In the easyCruise world, prices would be low, cabins would be furnished simply and cruisers would pay a la carte for meals, housekeeping and other onboard services. The company is starting with one ship.

EasyCruise would differ from the traditional cruise in several ways. The Mediterranean-based ship would set sail in the mornings, land at port in the late afternoon and stay through the night to give passengers the opportunity to eat and search out evening entertainment, gambling, bars and clubs on land. Entertainment onboard the vessel could be limited to "snacks and a bar in the evening with some music.