Cereveles, Krystian Art C.

HTM TTM 3

Assignment

8:30-9:30 MWF June 26 2013

1. Caribbean cruises are the most popular cruise destination for cruise travelers. Choosing where to sail - the eastern or western Caribbean - is one of the first decisions made when planning a cruise vacation. Most cruise travelers select a 7-day Caribbean cruise for their first experience at sea. When you search the Internet or read cruise brochures, the most common itineraries offered are Eastern Caribbean and Western Caribbean. Which is better? The answer is either! It all depends on what your interests are, so in addition to selecting the right ship, you need to research the ports of call before you book. Both itineraries will provide cruisers with opportunities to sail, swim, snorkel, and shop. But there are differences. Let's take a quick look at the two most popular Caribbean cruise itineraries. http://cruises.about.com/cs/cruiseplanning/a/eastwestcarib.htm

2. Ports of call, or destinations, invariably offer a mix of elements which, taken together, have potency. Cruise ships are businesses that rely on customer satisfaction. The main feedback from cruise tourists is obtained using a survey document that is distributed, completed, and returned at the end of the cruise. Passenger feedback suggests that ports should be interesting, culturally stimulating, safe and nonthreatening, friendly, accessible, and user friendly. It is difficult to find an ideal port that checks all these boxes, so in reality compromises are made and the difference between expectation and perception of actual experiences tends to stimulate positive reflection. Ports of call derive considerable income from cruise ships and popular destinations sell themselves aggressively in order to attract cruise tourism. An analysis of port advertisements in Cruise International (Lloyds, 2003a) reveals the following range of attractors (see Table -Analysis of attractors). A variety of marketing communications (trade magazines, direct selling) and forums (trade shows and conferences) are used by marketers to sell the benefits of destination ports. Increasingly, the Internet has become a powerful communications tool. Examples below and from the previous thread show how individual ports and consortia approach the task of using the Internet as an aid to sales. http://hotelmule.com/forum/viewthread.php?tid=614 3. Cruise tourism is one of the fastest growing components of tourism. As cruisecompanies begin to look for diverse itineraries, in order to gain a competitive advantage, Bri-tain, especially the South West (Gibson and Bentley, 2007), is becoming more desirable due tothe range of varied products it has to offer. As the number of cruise ports of call continuesto increase, it is important to gain a competitive advantage over other ports and encourage-nomy. The research examined the factors that may affect port-of-call selection. This study used triangulation: data collection of interviews, content analysis and archival analysis. The help and support from local authorities for improvements needed for the expanding cruiseships, and natural assets such as attractions within easy access for visitors. cruises,destinations, competitive advantage, ports-of-call http://academia.edu/3232056/Ports_of_call_In_search_of_competitive_advantage

4. As worldwide cruise passenger numbers demonstrated a trend towards a maturing industry in recent years (passenger numbers still increasing but at a declining rate), this study was

Cereveles, Krystian Art C. HTM TTM 3

Assignment

8:30-9:30 MWF June 26 2013

undertaken to investigate the motivations influencing cruise tourists' decision to cruise. Motivation data are vital for cruise companies to plan for the future. The study provides a valuable and timely insight into the motivations of 306 North American cruise tourists. A structured questionnaire was conducted on board a cruise ship operated by a major cruise company serving ports-of-call along the Eastern Atlantic Seaboard and the Caribbean. Data were collected on 6 cruise itineraries for a 6-week period from May 31 to July 6, 2008. Three aspects of potential tourist motivation were explored using 7-point Likert scales, including, information sources, vacation attributes, and motives derived from the Leisure Motivation Scale. The analysis is structured in relation to the respondents' cruise itinerary and cruise experience. The influence of tested motivations varied with cruise experience but not cruise itinerary. For cruise tourists, personal- and Internet-based information sources are deemed most influential, and their desire to cruise is primarily driven by the need for stimulusavoidance. Some significant implications for cruise companies have emerged.- http://www.decced.gc.ca/eng/publications/economic/studies/139/index.html 5. a.With an all-inclusive nature and varied ports of call, group cruising has become a popular way for friends, family members or colleagues to travel together. While the majority of the food and entertainment logistics are taken care of once you board, the logistics of planning a cruise to satisfy everyone in your group can seem daunting at first. By following some straightforward steps, the job of organizing your clubs or group's cruise doesnt have to be a full-time job. http://traveltips.usatoday.com/plan-cruise-group-17634.html

b. Due to the fact that there are no set guidelines for creating a cruise itinerary, planners usually have to rely on experience and the factors known to be important for a cruise, internal and external ones. Internal factors, which a cruise company is able to influence, are the corporate responsibility in strong relation with ethical and social issues, including the relations to the destinations community and to authorities, and the budget, determining the basics of a journey. http://www.grin.com/en/e-book/89036/itinerary-planning-and-venice-cruisedestination 6. Most cruise shore excursions are rated by activity level and passengers with limited abilities should heed these ratings when choosing tours. Ratings will specify if there is a lot of walking, how strenuous the walk may be, whether any particular experience is necessary (such as scuba certification), and if accommodations can be made for wheelchairs, strollers, or other equipment. This information will be available before guests choose their tours so that informed decisions can be made. - http://cruises.lovetoknow.com/wiki/Cruise_Shore_Excursions