By
Laura Hyde |
Overnight cruise stays bring substantial benefits to both the port destination and the cruise line according to speakers at the ‘Cruise overnights - a growing trend?’ panel at the International Cruise Summit (ICS), which took place in Madrid, Spain, from 12-13 November 2024.
The panel, moderated by Mark Robinson, general manager at BC Group, analysed the growing trend of cruise ships staying overnight in ports. Speakers on the panel included Andrea Ferla, manager of destination experiences at Silversea; Juan Trescastro, vice president of itinerary planning, destinations and government relations at Virgin Voyages; Shannon McKee, president of Access Cruise; Virginia Quintairos, business development director at Intercruises Shoreside & Port Services; Patricia Bairrada, PR and commercial manager at Madeira Port and representative of Cruise Atlantic Islands; and Abby Crossley, senior manager global sourcing shore excursions at Carnival Corporation.
The panel agreed overnight port stays benefit all parties involved, as the destination sees an increase in the economic impact thanks to additional spending by passengers and crew. The panel also revealed up to 80 per cent of cruise passengers and crew members leave the ship during overnight stays. The session also highlighted the potential benefits of giving passengers extra time to explore a destination during an overnight stay. The speakers also suggested that cruise lines can reduce fuel consumption and emissions while increasing excursion sales during an overnight stay, although port fees do increase due to the additional time.
The session on overnight port stays was just one of many at the 14th edition of ICS, which was inaugurated by Carolina Toledo Martínez de Galinsoga, deputy director general of tourism promotion for the Community of Madrid, and Álvaro Rodríguez Dapena, president of Puertos del Estado.
The event featured panels from directors and executives from over 25 cruise lines, ports, tour operators, travel agents, shipping agents, consulting firms, and companies in the sector from around the world. Sessions discussed the latest trends impacting the cruise industry, as well as looking towards the future with the integration of artificial intelligence into administrative and creative processes.
Several new cruise lines were introduced at the conference, including Alma Cruceros, Spain’s first boutique cruise line; new Saudi line AROYA Cruises, which is expected to debut before the end of 2024; and Orient Express Corinthian, a ship scheduled to begin operations in June 2026 under the Orient Express brand.
The event also included sessions which examined the main goals for ports across Europe for the coming years, with reducing atmospheric emissions coming top. As such, many ports are undertaking cruise dock electrification projects to supply ships with shore power. These ports also hope to advance digitalisation and incorporate AI.
Examples of implementation of the new border control systems required in the Schengen region were presented by the head of the European Travel Information and Authorisation System division at Frontex, highlighting the challenges cruise lines will be required to overcome with the introduction of the system.
“I would like to thank everyone who makes the International Cruise Summit such a successful event in the cruise industry, from sponsors to delegates and speakers, as well as my team and the hotel staff,” said Virginia Lopez Valiente, managing director at CruisesNews Media Group, which organises ICS.
ICS 2025 will be held on 18-19 November at the Meliá Castilla Hotel in Madrid.