Cruise & Ferry Interiors 2020

1 0 2 “At the true end of the expedition market, guests are content with a small room with no balcony, as long as they are able to witness incredible views outside,” he says. “Of course, there will always be guests who want to pay for a larger cabin with a balcony and upgraded amenities.” Lund predicts that guests’ differing expectations of expedition cruises will eventually lead to market segmentation. Certainly, there are already significantly different categories of expedition ships available on the market today and there is more variation on the way. “I believe that the market can sustain many types of expedition cruise product – from the basic backpacker experience to the more contemporary luxury cruises,” he says. “However, it’s important that guests fully understand what type of expedition they’re purchasing. They need to know that some ships will only offer small porthole cabins and limited onboard facilities. Fortunately, our passengers are well-educated and can tell the difference between an authentic expedition ship and a cruise that might just be called one. The travel industry also knows the difference and can guide passengers accordingly.” SunStone is currently building its own fleet of seven next-generation expedition cruise ships, all of which will be chartered out to third-party operators on long-term leases. Technically designed by Norway-based Ulstein Design & Solutions, the Infinity-class vessels will INTERV IEW “This niche will keep on growing because it offers unrivalled adventures” Ocean Victory will have retractable windows to enable guests to enjoy an indoor/outdoor dining experience while immersing themselves in the landscapes