WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.240 Welcome to Cruise News, your daily update on 00:00:02.240 --> 00:00:04.879 everything happening at sea. Visit cruisenews 00:00:04.879 --> 00:00:07.620 .io to see today's stories and sign up for email 00:00:07.620 --> 00:00:11.160 alerts. So today we're doing a deep dive into 00:00:11.160 --> 00:00:14.269 how the big cruise lines are, well... really 00:00:14.269 --> 00:00:16.690 thinking strategically these days. We're looking 00:00:16.690 --> 00:00:19.390 at this sort of triangle, you could say, corporate 00:00:19.390 --> 00:00:24.170 social responsibility, brand loyalty, and destination 00:00:24.170 --> 00:00:26.989 development. Exactly. It's about more than just 00:00:26.989 --> 00:00:29.589 the next shiny ship. It's about the whole ecosystem 00:00:29.589 --> 00:00:32.630 reputation, keeping customers, finding new places. 00:00:32.810 --> 00:00:34.689 And the source material we've looked at really 00:00:34.689 --> 00:00:37.229 shows some calculated moves, doesn't it? It does. 00:00:37.369 --> 00:00:39.490 These aren't just fluff pieces. There's real 00:00:39.490 --> 00:00:42.920 logistics, real strategy behind. managing how 00:00:42.920 --> 00:00:44.840 they operate, and frankly, how they keep you 00:00:44.840 --> 00:00:46.740 coming back. Okay, let's start with that responsibility 00:00:46.740 --> 00:00:48.799 angle. Carnival Corporation, they're expanding 00:00:48.799 --> 00:00:51.679 their Less Leftover program. Yeah, the meal donation 00:00:51.679 --> 00:00:53.820 one. Into Latin America. Now, first thought might 00:00:53.820 --> 00:00:56.579 be, okay, good PR, but is this actually a significant 00:00:56.579 --> 00:00:59.840 logistical effort? Oh, absolutely. It's tackling 00:00:59.840 --> 00:01:04.060 two huge things at once. cutting down on shipboard 00:01:04.060 --> 00:01:06.760 food waste, which is massive, and helping with 00:01:06.760 --> 00:01:09.959 food insecurity in the ports, and getting surplus 00:01:09.959 --> 00:01:12.200 food from a ship, keeping it safe, that cold 00:01:12.200 --> 00:01:14.379 chain, and getting it to local partners across 00:01:14.379 --> 00:01:18.599 borders, that's not simple. Right. I can imagine. 00:01:18.700 --> 00:01:20.780 That's where those local partnerships must be. 00:01:21.420 --> 00:01:23.840 Absolutely key. They are crucial. They're launching 00:01:23.840 --> 00:01:27.040 now in Mexico, starting in Ensenada plus Honduras, 00:01:27.140 --> 00:01:30.180 in Roatan, and the Dominican Republic, Puerto 00:01:30.180 --> 00:01:32.640 Plata specifically. Okay. And they're working 00:01:32.640 --> 00:01:34.640 with groups tied into the global food banking 00:01:34.640 --> 00:01:37.359 network, like Bancos de Alimentos de Mexico, 00:01:37.739 --> 00:01:40.540 the Catholic Diocese in Puerto Plata, even local 00:01:40.540 --> 00:01:43.739 government like Mayor McNabb in Roatan. So established 00:01:43.739 --> 00:01:46.239 networks on the ground. Exactly. People who know 00:01:46.239 --> 00:01:48.239 how to get the food where it needs to go quickly 00:01:48.239 --> 00:01:50.540 and safely. And this isn't brand new for Carnival 00:01:50.540 --> 00:01:52.420 Corps, right? Didn't this start a while back? 00:01:52.599 --> 00:01:54.959 Yeah, it kicked off back in 2017 with Costa Cruises. 00:01:55.079 --> 00:01:57.319 And since then, the numbers are pretty impressive. 00:01:57.340 --> 00:02:00.560 Something like over 300 ,000 meals donated across, 00:02:00.879 --> 00:02:05.180 I think, 19 places already. Spain, Italy, France, 00:02:05.299 --> 00:02:07.599 that sort of thing. So bringing this to Latin 00:02:07.599 --> 00:02:10.159 America now. What does that signal? Is it just 00:02:10.159 --> 00:02:12.120 more of the same or is there something strategically 00:02:12.120 --> 00:02:14.479 different here? Well, the big thing is Carnival 00:02:14.479 --> 00:02:17.400 Corporation is apparently the first cruise company 00:02:17.400 --> 00:02:21.659 to ink. formal meal donation deals in these specific 00:02:21.659 --> 00:02:24.819 Latin American markets. Ah, okay. First mover 00:02:24.819 --> 00:02:27.939 advantage in a way. Kinda. Vicki Ray, their VP 00:02:27.939 --> 00:02:30.560 for the region, basically said it's about... 00:02:30.889 --> 00:02:34.370 Giving back to the amazing ports that warmly 00:02:34.370 --> 00:02:36.469 welcome our guests. Right. Building goodwill. 00:02:36.669 --> 00:02:39.629 Exactly. It frames it as part of doing business 00:02:39.629 --> 00:02:41.750 responsibly, investing in those relationships. 00:02:41.870 --> 00:02:44.469 It really sets a standard now. Other lines might 00:02:44.469 --> 00:02:46.650 feel the pressure to follow suit, you know. That 00:02:46.650 --> 00:02:48.449 makes sense. So it's about building that community 00:02:48.449 --> 00:02:51.069 trust, which is maybe a subtle long -term loyalty 00:02:51.069 --> 00:02:53.949 play. But let's shift to a more direct approach 00:02:53.949 --> 00:02:56.569 to loyalty. Okay. Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings 00:02:56.569 --> 00:02:59.550 LTD. Big news from them with this loyalty status 00:02:59.550 --> 00:03:01.569 honoring program. Yeah, this is a pretty major 00:03:01.569 --> 00:03:03.250 shift. They're breaking down the walls between 00:03:03.250 --> 00:03:05.789 the loyalty programs of their three brands. So 00:03:05.789 --> 00:03:09.569 Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, and Regent 00:03:09.569 --> 00:03:12.469 Seven Seas Cruises. That's right. If you have 00:03:12.469 --> 00:03:16.009 status on one, say, Latitudes Rewards on NCL, 00:03:16.169 --> 00:03:18.409 they'll recognize an equivalent level when you 00:03:18.409 --> 00:03:21.270 sail on Oceania or Regent. Interesting. So trying 00:03:21.270 --> 00:03:23.110 to encourage people to try out the sister brands. 00:03:23.550 --> 00:03:26.289 Precisely. You might sail NCL with a family. 00:03:26.969 --> 00:03:29.729 Then maybe try Oceania for the food focus or 00:03:29.729 --> 00:03:32.509 even splash out on Regents Luxury later on. But 00:03:32.509 --> 00:03:35.189 those brands are, well, they're quite different 00:03:35.189 --> 00:03:37.629 experiences, aren't they? From mass market NCL 00:03:37.629 --> 00:03:40.669 to ultra luxury Regent. How does that status 00:03:40.669 --> 00:03:43.289 matching work in practice? They match the tier 00:03:43.289 --> 00:03:46.550 latitudes, Oceania Club, 7C Society. So you get 00:03:46.550 --> 00:03:48.490 similar types of perks, things like priority 00:03:48.490 --> 00:03:50.689 boarding, maybe some drink benefits, special 00:03:50.689 --> 00:03:53.560 dining access. It fits into their bigger charting 00:03:53.560 --> 00:03:55.659 the course strategy. Yeah. Giving guests that 00:03:55.659 --> 00:03:58.319 flexibility as maybe their travel style changes 00:03:58.319 --> 00:04:00.840 over time. That flexibility sounds good on paper, 00:04:01.000 --> 00:04:03.219 but I saw a detail that's causing a bit of a 00:04:03.219 --> 00:04:06.699 stir. It's per cruise. Ah, yes. That's the key 00:04:06.699 --> 00:04:08.979 limitation. You have to request the status match 00:04:08.979 --> 00:04:11.180 before each cruise you take on a sister brand. 00:04:11.300 --> 00:04:13.259 It doesn't just carry over permanently. Nope. 00:04:13.479 --> 00:04:15.879 You submit the request starting September 29th 00:04:15.879 --> 00:04:19.139 next year. for cruises from October 15, 2025 00:04:19.139 --> 00:04:22.439 onwards, and the match status is only for that 00:04:22.439 --> 00:04:26.139 specific sailing. Then it reverts. Hmm. That 00:04:26.139 --> 00:04:28.259 sounds like, well, a bit of a hassle for the 00:04:28.259 --> 00:04:30.120 customer, doesn't it? Why add that friction? 00:04:30.480 --> 00:04:32.879 Well, you could argue the friction might be intentional, 00:04:33.079 --> 00:04:35.870 or at least a necessary control. How so? Think 00:04:35.870 --> 00:04:38.350 about it. If you grant permanent top tier status 00:04:38.350 --> 00:04:41.069 across all brands, especially up to Regent Seven 00:04:41.069 --> 00:04:43.810 Seas, which is ultra luxury, with very expensive 00:04:43.810 --> 00:04:46.449 perks. Right. The cost implications. Exactly. 00:04:46.889 --> 00:04:49.850 Making it per cruise limits that financial exposure. 00:04:50.170 --> 00:04:53.189 It keeps the highest tiers, particularly on Regent, 00:04:53.430 --> 00:04:56.250 feeling a bit more exclusive. It's an incentive 00:04:56.250 --> 00:04:58.569 to try another brand, not necessarily a permanent 00:04:58.569 --> 00:05:00.949 passport to elite status everywhere. Okay. So 00:05:00.949 --> 00:05:03.019 it's a calculated trade -off. Offer the carrot 00:05:03.019 --> 00:05:05.420 of cross -brand recognition, but add an administrative 00:05:05.420 --> 00:05:08.300 step to maybe manage costs and protect brand 00:05:08.300 --> 00:05:10.660 value. How does this compare to what competitors 00:05:10.660 --> 00:05:12.579 are doing? It's quite different. Royal Caribbean 00:05:12.579 --> 00:05:14.139 Group, for example, they have more of a permanent 00:05:14.139 --> 00:05:17.160 tier match across Royal Caribbean Celebrity and 00:05:17.160 --> 00:05:19.600 even Silversea now. Theirs feels more like a 00:05:19.600 --> 00:05:21.899 unified ecosystem. Right. And then you have Carnival 00:05:21.899 --> 00:05:24.699 Cruise Line, who are moving to a spend -based 00:05:24.699 --> 00:05:28.240 loyalty model in 2026, not just night sale. So 00:05:28.240 --> 00:05:31.819 NCLH is carving out its own path here with this. 00:05:32.589 --> 00:05:35.750 flexible, but conditional approach. Fascinating. 00:05:35.930 --> 00:05:38.129 Shows there's no single answer to customer attention. 00:05:38.529 --> 00:05:41.250 Okay, so from keeping customers loyal, let's 00:05:41.250 --> 00:05:44.310 pivot to attracting them with destinations. Story 00:05:44.310 --> 00:05:47.509 number three takes us to whales. Yes, whales, 00:05:47.730 --> 00:05:50.389 which is really emerging as a... maybe slightly 00:05:50.389 --> 00:05:53.029 unexpected cruise hotspot. How significant is 00:05:53.029 --> 00:05:54.589 it? Pretty significant for the local economy. 00:05:54.649 --> 00:05:57.490 Last year, nearly 80 ,000 passengers visited 00:05:57.490 --> 00:05:59.810 Walsh Ports. Wow, okay. And the estimate is that 00:05:59.810 --> 00:06:02.389 brought in around 7 .5 million pounds in spending. 00:06:02.610 --> 00:06:04.490 Apparently, cruise visitors now make up something 00:06:04.490 --> 00:06:07.110 like 10 % of all international visitors to Wales. 00:06:07.269 --> 00:06:09.509 10%, that's substantial growth. Where are they 00:06:09.509 --> 00:06:11.689 primarily docking? The main port is Holyhead, 00:06:11.790 --> 00:06:14.290 up on Anglesey in North Wales. And what's the 00:06:14.290 --> 00:06:16.850 strategy there? Are they just building big terminals? 00:06:17.209 --> 00:06:19.860 Not really, that's the interesting part. The 00:06:19.860 --> 00:06:23.019 focus seems to be very much on authentic local 00:06:23.019 --> 00:06:26.459 experiences, investing in quality cultural immersion, 00:06:26.800 --> 00:06:29.160 things that leave a lasting impression. Instead 00:06:29.160 --> 00:06:31.759 of just generic souvenir shops. Exactly. And 00:06:31.759 --> 00:06:33.540 local businesses are getting directly involved. 00:06:33.899 --> 00:06:36.420 Like I read about Daniel Jones. He runs a small 00:06:36.420 --> 00:06:39.259 brewery, Bragdy Seabee. That's him. And his tours 00:06:39.259 --> 00:06:41.639 aren't just, here's some beer. He's apparently 00:06:41.639 --> 00:06:43.879 doing local history, even teaching visitors a 00:06:43.879 --> 00:06:48.509 few Welsh words, like how to say cheers. Probably. 00:06:48.509 --> 00:06:51.050 And his brewery is now part of official shore 00:06:51.050 --> 00:06:53.850 excursions for lines like Viking Cruises. That's 00:06:53.850 --> 00:06:56.509 great. Real local integration. Yeah. And there's 00:06:56.509 --> 00:06:59.250 another example. A farmer, Gareth Wynne -Jones, 00:06:59.410 --> 00:07:02.129 planning to expand farm tours for cruise guests 00:07:02.129 --> 00:07:05.949 by 2026. It's about showcasing real Welsh life. 00:07:06.379 --> 00:07:08.060 And this approach seems to be working, attracting 00:07:08.060 --> 00:07:11.040 the lines. Definitely. Viking cruises is a big 00:07:11.040 --> 00:07:13.319 one here. They really emphasize cultural enrichments, 00:07:13.319 --> 00:07:14.959 and they seem to like what Wales is offering. 00:07:15.259 --> 00:07:18.240 They booked 25 calls into Hollyhead for 2026. 00:07:18.699 --> 00:07:22.100 25. How much of an increase is that? It's apparently 00:07:22.100 --> 00:07:25.639 a 40 % jump for them in Hollyhead. So serious 00:07:25.639 --> 00:07:28.300 commitment. That kind of growth. 40 % from a 00:07:28.300 --> 00:07:31.279 major player like Viking. Yeah. That must create 00:07:31.279 --> 00:07:33.680 challenges too, right? Preserving that authenticity. 00:07:34.019 --> 00:07:36.540 Absolutely. Jim Jones, who leads the local cruise 00:07:36.540 --> 00:07:38.540 group up there, acknowledged that. He said things 00:07:38.540 --> 00:07:40.500 look great, but they need to keep innovating. 00:07:40.579 --> 00:07:43.259 Because the very thing attracting visitors, these 00:07:43.259 --> 00:07:46.899 small, unique, local experiences like Daniel's 00:07:46.899 --> 00:07:50.220 Brewery or Gareth's Farm, could get overwhelmed 00:07:50.220 --> 00:07:52.920 if thousands of people descend at once. That's 00:07:52.920 --> 00:07:54.860 the core tension, isn't it? Yeah. How do you 00:07:54.860 --> 00:07:58.079 scale up access without ruining the charm? The 00:07:58.079 --> 00:08:00.660 plan seems to be attracting more lines while 00:08:00.660 --> 00:08:03.500 carefully curating these immersive tours really 00:08:03.500 --> 00:08:06.589 pushing the unique cultural angle as their advantage 00:08:06.589 --> 00:08:08.449 in Europe. OK, so that really ties everything 00:08:08.449 --> 00:08:10.709 together. We've seen Carnival investing in port 00:08:10.709 --> 00:08:12.610 communities almost as a cost of doing business 00:08:12.610 --> 00:08:15.689 responsibly. We saw Norwegian trying to cleverly 00:08:15.689 --> 00:08:18.189 balance loyalty across very different brands 00:08:18.189 --> 00:08:20.829 with that per cruise condition. Right. Managing 00:08:20.829 --> 00:08:23.910 that flexibility. Yeah. And now Wales leveraging 00:08:23.910 --> 00:08:26.470 its unique local culture, not just to attract 00:08:26.470 --> 00:08:29.069 visitors, but to try and build a sustainable, 00:08:29.269 --> 00:08:31.769 high quality tourism model. Yeah. The common 00:08:31.769 --> 00:08:34.450 thread is that success is increasingly defined 00:08:34.450 --> 00:08:36.889 by what happens off the ship. It's about port 00:08:36.889 --> 00:08:39.690 relations, customer strategy that spans brands, 00:08:39.929 --> 00:08:42.830 and how destinations can deliver authentic experiences. 00:08:43.129 --> 00:08:45.669 It's definitely moving beyond just onboard amenities. 00:08:45.950 --> 00:08:47.490 For sure. It's about the whole journey, the whole 00:08:47.490 --> 00:08:49.590 impact. Which brings us to a final thought for 00:08:49.590 --> 00:08:52.690 you, our listeners. We talked about Wales and 00:08:52.690 --> 00:08:54.690 the incredible growth driven by these unique, 00:08:54.789 --> 00:08:58.240 small -scale local experiences. the brewery, 00:08:58.240 --> 00:09:01.299 the farm. As destinations like this see this 00:09:01.299 --> 00:09:03.799 kind of success, attracting major lines and more 00:09:03.799 --> 00:09:06.059 ships, how does everyone involved, the cruise 00:09:06.059 --> 00:09:08.120 lines, the local authorities, the small businesses 00:09:08.120 --> 00:09:10.480 themselves, how do they ensure that authenticity 00:09:10.480 --> 00:09:13.720 isn't lost? How do you provide access for potentially 00:09:13.720 --> 00:09:15.980 thousands of visitors without turning that unique 00:09:15.980 --> 00:09:18.879 local brewery into, well, just another stop on 00:09:18.879 --> 00:09:21.580 a mass tour? That balancing act between growth 00:09:21.580 --> 00:09:24.320 and authenticity, that feels like the defining 00:09:24.320 --> 00:09:26.440 challenge ahead for many destinations. How do 00:09:26.440 --> 00:09:29.200 you keep it real? Something to ponder. Thanks 00:09:29.200 --> 00:09:31.539 for listening to Cruise News. Visit CruiseNews 00:09:31.539 --> 00:09:33.940 .io to catch up on the latest updates and sign 00:09:33.940 --> 00:09:35.279 up for free email alerts.