STEVE GELFUSO
PRESIDENT
CruiseBrother.com

CruiseBrother.com has been recognized by MSNBC and travel expert Arthur Frommer as a top "Web Player" in the cruise vacation category. In 2005 Steve Gelfuso shared his view from the bridge and talked about fewer last-minute bargains.


BOOK EARLY IN 2005 FOR THE BEST PRICING

Travelers looking for last-minute cruise deals will have to look harder to find the best ones in 2005, with demand projected to far exceed the available supply of cabins on many sailings across the globe this year. In fact, some of the most popular 2005 cruises are already sold out.

“During the past few years, you could find great cruise prices at the last minute, but today those offers are harder to find with the demand for cruises at an all-time high,” said Steven Gelfuso, president, CruiseBrothers.com, one of the largest and oldest family owned cruise agencies in the United States. “The market has actually flip-flopped. People taking cruises this winter and spring booked their trips months ago, while cruises this summer and fall are filling up fast. Now, the earlier you book, the better your chances of receiving the best pricing.”

The industry sales rebound is prompting most cruise lines to demand that travel agents cease advertising special discount rates to consumers.

“Every week it seems another cruise line announces that it's eliminating the promotion of discounts on its sailings,” Gelfuso said. “This is a great sign that the overall health of the industry is improving but, to find the best deals now, people have to work with large cruise aggregators that buy blocks of cabins at bulk prices.”

An increasing number of savvy travelers are logging on to the Internet and finding www.CruiseCompete.com to secure the best cruise deals. This site works with more than 100 of the largest cruise aggregators across North America who provide their best pricing on cruises upon request. (Most cruise lines allow discounts via private sites like CruiseCompete.com.)

“Many experienced travelers know the retail prices for cruises may not always be what they seem,” said CruiseCompete CEO Bob Levinstein. “With advertised discounts from travel agents disappearing this year, we provide a viable option for consumers who don't want to pay full retail prices. CruiseCompete makes the process very simple.”

Growing demand, shrinking supply and dwindling discounts may be the most noticeable trends in cruise travel during 2005, but experts say there are many other factors changing the face of the industry.

Cruisers continue to grow younger

Cruise vacations have always been popular among baby boomers and retirees, but industry observers have seen a growing number of younger people enjoying this travel option in recent years. Gelfuso expects more families than ever, especially those with younger children, to enjoy cruise vacations in 2005.

He attributes this trend to the unmatched value a cruise provides in terms of food, entertainment and recreational activities for people of all ages. Virtually every ship provides special on-board programs for kids that provide plenty of organized activities and give their parents a chance to relax.

“Cruise vacations were historically for the wealthy, but now they are priced for the average family,” Gelfuso said. “The fastest growing cruise segment is the 30-somethings with young kids who want to maximize their vacation budgets. Even with cruise prices expected to rise this year, there still is no better value in travel.”

New departure points

To accommodate people who prefer to drive to their departure points, such as budget-conscious families, the cruise lines are continuing to launch sailings from non-traditional ports in 2005. These include Baltimore, New York, Boston, Charleston, Galveston and Seattle.

“Convenience is key when traveling, and many people, especially families, want to drive to their departure ports rather than fly if possible,” Levinstein said. “The cruise lines have recognized this trend and expanded their port offerings considerably in recent years, well beyond those in Florida and California.”

New favorite ports-of-call

Caribbean cruises, featuring warm weather, sandy beaches, festive ports, shopping and water sports, remain among the most popular sailings with travelers. But, for the first time in many years, Hawaiian cruises are in vogue. This is due in part to new ships that Norwegian Cruise Line has dedicated exclusively to touring the Hawaiian Islands.

Overseas cruises are growing in popularity too. Mediterranean sailings are filling up quickly due in part to the strength of the U.S. dollar. Popular ports of call on these voyages include Venice, Naples, Monte Carlo, St. Tropez and Barcelona. One of the fastest growing and most exotic cruise sailings is a trip to the remote Galapagos Islands onboard the Xpedition by Celebrity Cruise Lines. There, vacationers are sure to see unique wildlife and scenery found no place else in the world.

On-board pampering continues to please

Cruise lines, especially those offering the world's most exquisite ships, continually distinguish themselves with on-board indulgences sure to please even the most discerning travelers. Expect the same this year.

To feed their guests’ insatiable appetite for looking and feeling young, virtually all cruise lines are featuring increasingly luxurious health and beauty spas specifically geared toward men, women and even teenagers. On many ships, chilled wash clothes are available poolside, delivered by uniformed staff. As an added touch of class, a number of ship captains are greeting guests returning to their ships after shore excursions. More cruise lines are offering complimentary luggage shipping to eliminate airport and other transportation hassles.

“Cruises are designed to spoil and make you feel special like no other vacation experience,” Levinstein said. “The cruise lines will continue to pull out all the stops in 2005 to pamper guests of all ages and provide them with unforgettable experiences. Dollar for dollar, a cruise beats land-based travel hands down.”