Who Will Cruise in 2009?

Despite a looming recession, vacationers continue to book cruises and cruise lines continue to build new ships. According to Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), the world’s largest cruising association, 13.5 million people will cruise in 2009 (an increase of 2.3 percent over last year). Also in 2009, more than 14 new cruise ships will be launched with innovative facilities such as full-scale water parks, supersized luxurious spas, and spacious children’s facilities.

In addition, a market study conducted by CLIA in 2008, indicated that the industry is positioned well for continued growth. The study discussed that only 20% of Americans have ever cruised. That means a whopping 80% of the American population has never cruised before! The study also discovered that nearly 51 million Americans expressed interest in cruising within the next three years. Add in potential cruisers from Canada and Europe, and there are plenty of cruisers to fill up those new ships.

One of the largest emerging markets of the cruise industry is family travel, with an estimated 1.6 million kids that cruised in 2008. CLIA attributes the high children numbers due to the growth in multi-generational cruise travel.

Check out my articles on trends in the cruising industry:

Best New Cruise Ship Launches For 2009

Newest Trends in Cruise Ship Suites and Cabins

Best Cruise Ships for Families with Children

Spring Break in Fort Lauderdale

We recently spent our kids’ Spring Break in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. It’s been years since Fort Lauderdale shed its’ college party image since a crack down on public drinking and increased police presence. Unfortunately, with the latest Mexico violence scares, many college kids didn’t go to Cancun this year, and returned to Fort Lauderdale instead. Luckily for us, the increase in college kids didn’t equate to return of the rowdy days that Fort Lauderdale experienced in the past, but one nights stay proved otherwise.

Bad Hotel Experience on Spring Break

I have to admit that the first day of the trip was less than ideal. We had booked into a hotel where we had stayed before. (I won’t mention the name of the hotel yet because I intend to write a letter to the hotel’s manager to express my complaints, first). The hotel didn’t check us in until 6 pm, there was only one elevator working, and the hotel was overrun with kids and no security. I’ve stayed in this hotel in the past for around $225 per night (but not at Spring Break), so I figured that $159 per night was a great promotion price. In addition, the hotel had advertised an internet connection in the rooms, but at the hotel we we’re told we would need to use the lobby. There’s more...but I’ll get into it in a later post. Anyways we ended up leaving the next day – therefore paying for two nights yet only staying for one.

Perfect Hotel for Families on Spring Break

We moved to the Hilton Fort Lauderdale Beach Hotel, for our second night and the remainder of our trip (luckily they had an available room at $239 per night). This stay was like night and day to the previous hotel. Luxurious linens, clean carpet, Jacuzzi tub, separate marble shower, and there was even a mini-kitchen. We were able to go to the Publix grocery store, and stock up on juice, milk, soft drinks, fruit, cereal, etc. We even made Kraft Dinner for the girls one afternoon. The hotel had four elevators, so no waiting. There was a beautiful infinity pool and the beach was just across the street. Add in valet parking which was perfect for the two days of rain that we experienced.

To make matters worse at the first hotel, the guest service was ZERO. The front desk manager did not even take ownership in the fact that the broken elevator was an issue (what would have happened if the only other elevator broke, too? We were on the 10th floor with two five year olds.) Anyways, I will be sending a letter to the hotel manager, and if I don’t like what I hear, I will be sure to use this blog to let everyone know which hotel I am talking about!