Princess Cruises, affiliated with Carnival Cruise Line, has been deeply rooted in Asia for over 20 years. Global President Jan Swartz said yesterday that since entering Taiwan in 2013, the cruise line's passenger numbers have grown exponentially year by year. This year, with Keelung Port as its home port, it is expected to make stops for over 100 days, setting a record for the longest stay in its history. The total passenger capacity is also projected to surpass the 70,000 mark. The company looks forward to more Taiwanese travelers experiencing the joy of cruising and enjoying their holidays on board.
Swartz said that Princess Cruises recently invested $450 million in the global "The Come Back New Promise" initiative, planning to integrate nature and different cultures through a series of new ship facilities and activity designs, aiming to offer passengers an unprecedentedly rich experience. 2016 will be a year of significant change and innovation.
Swartz mentioned that this initiative includes an exclusive collaboration with TLC’s celebrity chef Curtis Stone, who will introduce a "Curtis Stone Special" menu in the main dining rooms of Princess Cruises. Additionally, the cruise line will periodically host world culture festivals, featuring events from New Orleans Mardi Gras to the Rio Carnival, allowing passengers to enjoy the most vibrant celebrations from around the globe.
Moreover, Princess Cruises has exclusively developed the world’s first [email protected] instant messaging service. Passengers can simply download the app on their smartphones or tablets to communicate freely with family and friends throughout their voyage without restrictions.
According to statistics from Taiwan International Ports Corporation, the number of international cruise ships docking at Taiwanese ports in 2015 totaled 610, a 20% increase compared to 2014. Looking ahead to this year, the total number of Taiwanese outbound cruise passengers is expected to exceed 250,000, with this new cruise economy creating a market scale worth billions.
Xu Jingqi, marketing director of Princess Cruises Taiwan, pointed out that observations show that in the past, Taiwanese travelers focused on visiting tourist attractions. However, in recent years, with strong promotion by various companies, Taiwanese people have become increasingly receptive to the new travel style of cruising. Taking Princess Cruises as an example, its main consumer demographic ranges from 30 to 65 years old. Many white-collar workers, after their first cruise experience, have made cruising their top choice for family trips and honeymoons, with an overall return rate exceeding 30%.
In addition to its regular 3–5 day short itineraries, Princess Cruises has introduced its first long-haul 6–7 day voyages spanning Japan, South Korea, and China this year. The product sold out quickly after its launch. Given the ongoing popularity of travel to Japan, Princess Cruises has also carefully designed in-depth Japanese cruise itineraries, offering an 8-day journey that takes passengers to Okinawa, Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu.
(Times Information)