Page 29 - 2024 CIN Expedition Market Report

EXPEDITION Market

 The two Swan Hellenic ships met in Antarctica for a photo op during the 2024-25 season.

mode. We have summer cruises that are mersion. Every ship will have Chopra- in 2023.
fully booked and we are thinking about certified meditation and yoga teachers. “That is a biodiversity paradise,” he
raising rates.” “Healing programs like ‘Explore & added. “But, it belongs to Yemen so now
Other strong markets for the company Restore’ offer a unique opportunity for it’s off limits.”
are North America, the UK, Australia, individuals to nourish their well-being The Arctic is also smaller, with 65
South Africa and Brazil, Zito explained. while forging a meaningful connection percent of the region being controlled by
with the world,” said Dr. Deepak Chopra, Russia, limiting deployment opportuni-
Airlift in a prepared statement. ties. While both ships are scheduled for
Airfare continues to be a challenge, “As the travel and wellness industries Arctic deployment in 2024 and 2025 for
with most Swan Hellenic guests opting have become more inexorably linked, our the summer, Zito said he was considering
to fly business class, it can double the partnership with Swan Hellenic signifies sending one ship to the Mediterranean
price of a cruise, Zito noted. the increasing demand where personal for the 2026 summer.
“Many guests are paying $1,000 per well-being is seamlessly integrated into Any Mediterranean program would
day to cruise. They want to fly business. every voyage,” added Simon Belsham, have to be diversified from other brands
But suddenly a $20,000 cruise becomes a CEO and co-founder of The Healing in the region, Zito said. The company is
$40,000 cruise with air. Even if you can Company. working with countries to educate them on
afford it, you may think twice.” expedition cruising, and the idea of land-
Solid Product ing passengers on a beach, for instance,
Chopra “Once you start delivering a consistent- instead of using the regular cruise ports.
Last fall, the company announced an ly good product, this is a small world and Other adjustments in the Arctic in-
exclusive, multi-year partnership with word-of-mouth starts to spread,” Zito said. clude using Copenhagen as a meeting
Chopra, a part of The Healing Company That product is a luxury expedition point for charter flights to Svalbard for
Inc. with a cultural focus. The company also seven-day expeditions.
The “Explore & Restore” program has programs in West Africa, which Zito “That is very popular and was 50 per-
will offer six journeys featuring five to said were selling well. cent sourced from China last year,” Zito
nine days of programming designed to Zito also likes new places, as the Di- said. “We are increasing capacity there
foster self-discovery and cultural im- ana was the first ship to ever visit Socotra this year.” 

Cruise Industry News: 2024 Expedition Market Report 175