Cruise lines have returned to the majority of ports across the Caribbean and Latin America and are ready to come back to Cayman, according to Michele Paige, president of the industry trade organisation.
Paige, head of the Florida Caribbean Cruise Association, which represents 22 cruise lines, said protocols had been put in place for the safe return of cruise lines to the region.
But, she said, the industry was respectful of each destination’s decisions and “risk tolerance” as the tourism industry reopens.
In an interview with the Cayman Compass, she discusses the impact of COVID on the industry, the continued allure of Cayman and predicts the full recovery of the cruise industry by 2023.
How badly impacted were the cruise lines by the closure of most Caribbean ports to travellers, post COVID?
Obviously, cruise lines experienced significant financial losses after the voluntary cessation of cruising, along with CDC’s no sail order that limited cruises from North America even after the industry returned around the globe and began home porting in the Caribbean.
However, it also gave the opportunity for cruise lines to refocus on things like efficiency, including offloading older and less efficient ships to concentrate on newer ships that are more environmentally friendly, and working more together with destinations, from protocols to further synergy through training, plans for sourcing directly from destinations, and more.
Most islands seem to have opened up air travel first. How far along is the ‘comeback’ for cruise and what are the major barriers the industry is encountering?
Most of the Caribbean and Latin American destinations have reopened for cruise tourism. There are only six destinations still closed out of the 37 destinations that FCCA covers.
Do you expect cruising to return to something like normal in the long term – how long do you expect it to take for the industry to be back at 2019 levels?
With cases tumbling, vaccination rates up, shots for children imminent, and consumers with increased savings from bull markets and reduced spending, the full recovery is around the corner. The relationship between U.S. cruise lines and the CDC has been cooperative, with most ships from our Member Lines’ fleets already operating safely, and pandemic protocols are set to become optional after January 15.
Cruise lines and market analysts are expecting capacity and earnings to return to 2019 levels by 2023. Additionally, cruise lines are already looking globally, planning world cruises that visit every continent.
More locally for the Caribbean, there are ways to benefit from the “new normal” that has brought a proportionally larger share of ships to the region, even the latest and greatest during summer, which are spending longer times in port and homeporting more in the Caribbean.
This can be a case study for destinations to prove why this should continue in the long term, especially for destinations that are currently implementing new experiences that guests crave, such as authentic and cultural products, and can support things like late stays with night activities.
Cayman has been one of the slowest countries to open up. Does this impact its attractiveness to cruise lines in the long term?
Cruise lines are understanding and respectful of destinations’ decisions to do whatever is best for their people and risk tolerance during this world-changing event. However, itineraries are planned in advance and cruise lines market the destinations they call in two or more years out.
How important is Cayman to the success of Caribbean itineraries?
Cayman indeed has a unique draw. However, there are numerous options throughout the Caribbean and Latin America for cruise lines to plan successful itineraries.
Is tendering passengers likely to be manageable given COVID restrictions? Will this impact or limit Cayman’s ability to accept ships?
While limited for capacity and social distancing, tender operations have occurred in other ports around the world, including Europe, post-COVID.
However, most ships and cruise lines currently avoid tender operations, with the overwhelming majority of ships being built not designed for tendering. So, there is an inherent limitation on the ships that can call Cayman due to tendering, but Cayman is an alluring option for cruise tourism.
What would Cayman need to put in place for cruise ships to come back?
Cayman would simply need to enact protocols aligned with cruise lines and the current CDC Conditional Sail Order to begin accepting cruise ships and guests. Cruise lines are ready, willing and able to return to Cayman.
Any lasting changes you expect to see in the cruise industry post COVID?
There is no doubt that the entire world will come away from this experience changed, and the cruise industry is no different. The cruise lines are currently working in consultation to determine exactly what that means for the industry going forward.
One theme that continues to emerge in these conversations is the concept of a “door-to-door” strategy, beginning at the time of booking through the return of passengers to their homes.
Additional concepts that continue to be explored include robust screening protocols, expanded cleaning and sanitations practices for ships and terminals, comprehensive shipboard monitoring and response measures, appropriate distance measures, enhanced medical capabilities, and care and training of crew members.
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