Text text CFI 1 1 0 INTERIOR COMMENTARY Cruising is back and guests are demanding more luxurious and transformative experiences than ever. To keep pace, brands must harness the power of clever interiors Travel is officially back. Most Americans (85 per cent) plan to travel in summer 2022 and nearly half say they will take at least two weeks off, according to the US Travel Association. Prices are up, too, but travellers are showing an increasing willingness to spend more for not just bigger and better holidays, but also more enriching and transformative experiences. Whether it’s at sea or on dry land, guests are looking for new leisure experiences and have new expectations. As we head into what will likely be the busiest year ever for travel, cruise operators will need to rethink what those new guest expectations mean for the future. Typically, guest journeys and experiences fall into one of three categories. The first is pure escapism. These travellers tend to be young people who want to get away from everyday life, relax and see something new. For these cruise guests, the ship is the destination and ease and comfort are paramount. The second group of guests looks for something a little more elevated in terms of cuisine, enrichment and ports of call. And the third group is looking for a transformative experience. They want to engage with their destinations on an intellectual level. They want transcendent dining experiences, as well as beautiful furnishings and spaces at every turn. Now, these categories are not drastically different from previous years. So, what makes 2022 different? Guest expectations are more exacting than ever. After the past two years of limited travel options, people are genuinely looking to have the time of their lives. And this leads to the second difference from years past – the heightened potential for cruise operators to move guests between the three categories. As travel continues to exceed 2019 levels, we see a lot of opportunity for operators to attract people who maybe at one time were looking for pure escapism and bring them into the second group, and bring the second group into the third. By Yohandel Ruiz, Studio DADO The suites onboard Seven Seas Grandeur are reminiscent of those found in lavish residences on land Evolving to meet expectations
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NzQ1NTk=