This article was first published in Itinerary Planning Special Report 2015.
A growing number of operators are now offering visits to lesser-known ‘gems’ that do not appear on the itineraries of larger ships. We hear from three leading figures in the sector about what passengers find appealing about these destinations.
Can you give some examples of destinations that your fleet visits that may be inaccessible to larger ships?
Timothy Littley, director of deployment and itinerary planning, Seabourn Cruise Line: Antarctica in an expedition setting is the most prominent remote region. It generates a tremendous amount of excitement. The experience is second to none and it receives rave reviews from our guests. Looking to the other side of the globe, the Arctic region is also very popular. However, having said that, small-ship ports and destinations can be found anywhere in the world, even in the major cruise markets such as the Caribbean and Mediterranean. Scheduling boutique destinations is primarily a matter of creativity, innovation and inquisitiveness by the itinerary designer.
Sander Groothuis, director, marine operations, Windstar Cruises: Windstar offers visits to a number of small ports in various parts of the world. In North and Central America, the ports on offer include Virgin Gorda in the British Virgin Islands, Les Saintes in the French Antilles, and Bahia Drake in Costa Rica. In Europe, we visit Portofino and Capri in Italy; the Isles of Scilly; London and Kirkwall in the UK; the Kiel Canal and Lubek in Germany; Nessebar in Bulgaria; and the Corinth Canal in Greece. We also visit Oostende in Belgium, Bordeaux in France, and Seville in Spain.
German Amaya, cruise designer, Ponant: Our fleet of ships visit places such as Antarctica and the Arctic, as well as archipelagos such as Cape Verde, the Grenadines, the Bissagos Islands and the Great Barrier Reef. We also visit numerous tiny ports and islands in places such as Croatia and Greece. Fortunately, the permits for such locations are very strict, which helps preserve the places we visit.
What distinguishes these destinations from more frequently visited locations?
Groothuis: Each of the smaller ports that Windstar sails to offers guests a more intimate experience. Guests do not have to wait for hours to disembark from the ship, nor does the ship have to dock miles away as the larger ships do, and make guests travel over land by bus to get to the destination. Due to Windstar’s smaller size, our guests are able to stay in port longer, giving them the chance to really explore and get to know the culture and to truly experience the destination.
Littley: One of the most distinguishing elements is the lack of mass-market tourism –either from land or sea – and everything that comes with that. The ability to bring guests directly to unique and remote places, to discover ecology, culture, cuisine, and to meet interesting people in a more personal and private setting gives the experience an unsurpassed level of authenticity. This is something that only smaller cruise ships can truly achieve.
Amaya: Our trips allow passengers to discover sites without the crowds, in very authentic conditions and with respect for nature and the people who receive us. It is precisely this respect that creates a relationship of trust with local populations. It is also a real privilege for our guests to visit such places, and we ensure they are aware of this. What is certain is that mega ships would not consider visiting a lot of the stops we visit.
What kind of shore excursions are you able to offer passengers in more remote regions?
Amaya: Most of these cruises are ‘expedition’ destinations, which we define as places with no infrastructure for visits. An expedition team is onboard and in charge of safety and security, and to ensure environmental guidelines are met. The team also helps carry out and facilitate activities at these destinations, which can include small boat cruising or landing, local community interaction visits, hikes and walks, and nature observation. The team can also deliver lectures on local topics. We have a team of naturalists on each vessel that help the passengers ashore and provide them with information to help enrich their knowledge. Most of the time, we don’t need local infrastructure, as we can disembark from our small ships using our zodiac vessels.
Groothuis: Windstar’s small size doesn’t just extend to smaller ports. We are also able to offer our guests more bespoke and unique shore excursions. For example, in Portofino, Italy, guests are given the chance to do a walking tour and wine tasting at Brown’s Castle, a beautiful Mediterranean villa set overlooking the Portofino Bay. Guests can explore the grounds and the lighthouse beyond, before returning to taste small bites and three local wines. On larger ships, a guest may have to join a shore excursion with tons of people, or worse, be denied an excursion because it is already full. Windstar’s excursions are small, with no more than 20 people. This means guests get the most authentic experience possible.
In 2015 we started our Private Events series. On every voyage, Windstar guests are treated to a one-of-a-kind excursion that enhances the culture, food and atmosphere of the destination. For example, in Bora Bora a beach barbeque takes place on a Motu, or private island. Guests are ferried to the island in small boats exclusively for the beachside event, which includes beach games and authentic Tahitian cuisine. Our Private Events are about enhancing the guest experience and helping them more fully engage with the destination in a way that only small ship cruising can offer.
Do you envisage this type of destination to become increasingly popular with cruise passengers?
Groothuis: Yes, we believe that smaller ports are on the rise with cruise passengers. They want an authentic and intimate experience as a follow-up to the larger destinations. It is our goal to continue to offer these types of experiences to our guests.
Littley: Immersive travel to remote regions is catching on in a big way. New generations of cruise guests are more willing to expand their horizons than ever before. Unique, boutique experiences that can invoke strong positive emotions and memories are highly prized gemstones in any itinerary. In 2013, the Cruise Lines International Association surveyed 600 travel agent partners. When questioned on the drivers for business optimism, one of the most interesting answers was ‘speciality cruising’. The factors that were indicated as driving speciality cruising were itineraries, smaller ships, slower pace and smaller ports.
Amaya: We are currently developing and increasing expedition activities at lots of destinations. Some voyages are expedition calls only, while some others are a mix of expedition and yachting. These are being introduced at destinations such as New Zealand, Australia, Polynesia, Micronesia, Papua New Guinea and Indonesia. This is not specific to remote regions, however, as even in the Mediterranean, we go to many small islands where the mega ships simply cannot go.