Articles tagged “costa”

The world's largest cruise company has had a tough year, but safety issues will still be at the forefront and the broader economic issues may still mean choppy waters.

It’s been an extremely tough year for the cruise industry, but things seem to be looking up for 2013 with bookings back on the rise, ships still being built, and a new global trade association in the works.

2012 may be the year that Carnival would rather forget, but it made it though and it's better positioned than many of its competitors to make the most of the industry's growth opportunities.

Carnival has dealt with PR disasters from the Costa Concordia crash and a Norovirus outbreak to angry drag stars throughout 2012. The company is no doubt looking forward to the new start that 2103 will bring.

There's no mention of the Costa Concordia in the announcement about the new global cruise trade association, but the incident, and the need for a more unified global voice, underlies its formation.

The Concordia tragedy is unfortunately unfolding like a Saturday evening variety show on Italian television: big egos, crazy claims, and a fascination with the macabre.

Both Captain Schettino and his employer, Costa Crociere, are denying the allegations, although all the survivors and their families really want is for someone to man up and take some responsibility.

Carnival's advantage in this market is its incredible value proposition to cruisers. Despite Costa's sinking consumers are drawn by its low, low prices and promise of a sunny escape from bad economic news at home.

One man's disaster is another man's inspiration. Cruise junkies fascinated by the details of the disaster can visit the exhibit in an attempt to imagine the panic felt by those aboard the ship.

Bookings in the U.S. were unscathed by the sinking and continue to grow in Asia, so the dip in European bookings may be as much an effect of the economy as a fear of accidents from tepid holiday-goers.