The keynote address of the conference was delivered by Javier Rodriguez Sanchez of Pullmantur Cruises, who identified key cruise trends in Europe, including increases in capacity and in competition between brands. On the port side, "new boutique destinations are offering innovative programmes," he said, adding that revenues were rising from shore excursions in such ports.
Tine Oelmann, director port operations, shore excursions and ground operations for TUI Cruises, explained her company's policy of early planning for itineraries and shorex. "We start thinking about where to go 30 months in advance," she said, urging ports to provide detailed information as soon as possible to assist in the planning process.
Justin Poulsen, senior manager, deployment and itinerary planning, Holland America Line, said: "We approach the planning process scientifically and rationally, taking into account operational, commercial and financial deployment drivers." Regarding current trends, he echoed Sanchez's optimism regarding the potential of smaller destinations. "There is a strong market segment for intermediate boutique ports," he said.
Claire Foote, port services development and planning manager, Carnival UK, remarked: "The arrival of P&O Britannia has increased our capacity by 23-24%, which has given us a challenge as deployment planners." But she said that time-honoured principles were still as important as ever when assessing the success of port calls. "For a transit call in particular, we don't need an all-singing, all-dancing terminal. What is very important is the welcome a port offers to our guests."
Representing the smaller end of the independent passenger shipping market were Chris Coates, commercial director at Cruise & Maritime Voyages (CMV), and Mike Deegan, fleet director, Noble Caledonia. Coates said that as Britain's newest independent cruise line, CMV serves the ex-UK no-fly market, primarily targeting passengers in their 50s and 60s. "The 'big trawlers' now control 80% of the market... the independent sector is getting very squeezed but we still believe there is a bright future for the sector," he commented. The company recently launched its latest vessel, Magellan.
Deegan said that Noble Caledonia, whose expedition-style ships carry only 114 guests, had grown its fleet by 50% this year with the addition of Sea Explorer. He quipped: "I don't always need a port -- I am going to come rocking up the beach in a Zodiac whether you are there or not!" On a more serious note, he explained that chartering was a key part of the company's business. "We are chartering our ships for six months of the year so it is really important that you engage with our charterers as well," he told port representatives.
The conference concluded with the announcement that next year's event will be hosted by the Irish port of Dublin from 23-24 May 2016. The Dublin Port Company and Dublin City Council will co-host the conference and associated activities.