Can a Dedicated Wellness Cruise Line Really Succeed?

The Skift New Luxury newsletter is our weekly newsletter focused on the business of selling luxury travel, the people and companies creating and selling experiences, emerging trends, and the changing consumer habits around the sector.

We’ve written a lot about the wellness industry and its growing impact on travel.

Plenty of companies, across different sectors, see it as a way to attract high-spending, health-conscious individuals.

Cruise lines have gotten in on the act as well and now a new line thinks it has spied an opportunity. Blue World Voyages wants to buy three cruise ships over the next couple of years and equip them specifically for wellness-oriented passengers.

Going up against established, well-funded brands like Seabourn is certainly a brave move (as is the funding structure). Plenty of people now want a more active vacation, but is there really room for a dedicated wellness cruise line? Or is the market better served on existing ships?

— Patrick Whyte, Europe Editor

6 Looks at Luxury

A Wellness Cruise Line Wants to Compete With the Industry’s Biggest Names: A new cruise line is betting that focusing on a specific market niche will be a winning strategy. We look at the game plan behind the new fitness-focused concept and consider whether it can work out.

Asian Upscale Travelers Are Creating a Luxury Tipping Point: 2018 will see greater numbers of Asian luxury travelers, but also greater challenges to meet more complex needs. As these travelers want to play in Asia, new high-end agencies are entering, while old ones are restructuring, creating new luxury divisions, or launching new luxury brands.

Small Luxury Hotels CEO: Soft Brands Aren’t Hurting Our Business: There’s nothing better than a travel CEO, like Filip Boyen of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, who isn’t afraid to speak his mind.

Travel Hackers Turn Honeymoon Experience Into Expert Advice: Most people don’t have a year to spend honeymooning, but it’s worth paying attention to advice about seeking less-obvious destinations and lodging options.

5 Top European Ski Spots With Cultural Verve: If you like to ski, but don’t want to plan a trip that just goes to the Alps, try these unexpected combinations.

The Maldives Is at the Center of a Battle for Power Between China and India: Despite all the recent political problems, travel companies continue to send tourists to the Maldives. The tourism industry is happy to turn a blind eye and this seems unlikely to change anytime soon.

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Skift Europe Editor Patrick Whyte [[email protected]] curates the New Luxury newsletter. Skift emails the newsletter every Tuesday.

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