What are the obstacles to growing the cruise business in Asia/Pacific?  Cruise Industry News as consulted with experts and itinerary planners.

With a steady stream of new ships entering service, the fleet that requires regular, periodic maintenance grows bigger, generating more work for shipyards closer to the sailing regions around the world. In addition, the new state-of-the-art ships also accelerate the need to have older ships modernized – or revitalizes as is the industry term – creating yet more work for the repair yards. But, having said that, the competition among the yards is intensifying, with the yards that previously were happy building new ships, now also branching out into the refurbishment and repair sectors of the business.

With 35 cruise ships under construction or on order (or option) for deliveries through 2011, the three yard companies that build cruise ships are nearly fully occupied for the next three years, with slots only opening up for 2010 and beyond.

Cruise companies share the same objective: that is to make as much money as possible. Yet, the business models of the two largest companies, Carnival Corporation and Royal Caribbean Cruises, are different.

Excerpt from the Cruise Industry News Quarterly Fall 2006 issue.
Record Orderbook:  The cruise industry is back on its growth course with a record orderbook, including new generations of mega-ships that will undoubtedly take cruising to a new level by attracting ever broader markets. In addition, existing classes of ships are evolving – offering more passenger comforts and features than ever – promising to satisfy and exceed expectations.