Articles tagged “royal caribbean”

If you're not vaccinated, don't sail — that's the CDC's latest recommendation on cruises anywhere in the world. For the cruise lines, it's becoming clear that the message is, if you want a fully vaccinated ship, don't sail out of Florida.

"Just when you thought it was safe to go back into the water" was the tag line for the movie Jaws 2. But the words may apply to the cruise industry now, given surging infections in cities worldwide. Yet, if you've spent any time with frequent cruise-goers, you know they'll be back booking as soon as it's safe.

All of the cruise lines are working hard to figure out how they can sail safely. But executives on Royal Caribbean's second quarter earnings call seemed to acknowledge something else: a lot depends on what the virus itself has in store in its largest market.

Cruise lines have changed the date of their return to service multiple times now, and Royal Caribbean is no different. Despite selling cruises for the summer period, executives don't seem particularly bullish on the prospect of a full return to service in the near term.

The cruise industry appears to be taking a contrarian stance to U.S. public health officials, a move that's baffling given the industry's need to rehabilitate its image.

Like any great speech, CEO videos about the coronavirus crisis need to be straightforward, authentic, and personal — and most important there needs to be substance to reinforce the message. Some brands have been able to deliver these crisis communications messages much better than others.

The cruise industry has had a spectacularly rotten week. Facing criticism from all sides, it looks increasingly unlikely that many lines will still be sailing as scheduled on Monday.

While dealt a blow by coronavirus, the cruise industry is managing to hold the line on pricing, at least for now. The long-term impact of the crisis remains to be seen, but the cruise industry has weathered many others in the past.

This seems like a win-win for TUI Group. It gets an established partner to help grow its luxury and expedition cruise line — while also keeping a share of the business — and at the same time it gets the cash to help pursue its digital strategy.

At this stage it's difficult to tell how long the coronavirus outbreak will last and how far it will spread. For now Royal Caribbean is acting with extreme caution in China.