The 2007-2008 cruise season in Central America

The 2007-2008 cruise season in Central America seems promising, as experts have predicted a significant increase in tourist arrivals.

Estimates show a 7.4% increase in cruise passengers visiting Costa Rica, and 91 ships carrying a combined total of 51,000 travellers are expected in Guatemala during the season. 176 cruise ships carrying 372,000 passengers will dock in Honduras, mainly on the Caribbean beaches on Islas de Bahía, most visiting Roatán for its swimming, sunbathing and wildlife viewing opportunities while Nicaragua – which was for a long time off-bounds for holidaymakers due to internal strife, will be visited by 36 cruise boats carrying 30,200 passengers.

The increase is driven in part by the desire from frequent cruise travellers to explore new destinations and the rise in interest in eco-destinations that offer less developed resorts and more opportunities to experience indigenous lifestyles. Costa, Fred Olsen, Holland America, P&O, Princess and Royal Caribbean International all have regular itineraries exploring these areas.

Cruise lines are pushing new ideas and new service offerings to passengers to try and get more spend per passenger out of their travellers. A recent industry convention in Miami revealed that such novel ideas as botox and dermabrasion are on the cards for many spa centres, and there may even be specialist ‘botox cruises’ where all passengers will be opting for some of the less invasive forms of cosmetic enhancement as part of their holiday. Cruise lines are also exploring the data mining opportunities made possible by tying all shipboard purchases to a single stateroom key. This means, that, for example, a passenger who often orders champagne in the ship's bars and at dinner but hasn't done the same through the duty-free shop or the cabin service could be hit with a special promotion voucher on their bed that encourages them to do so.

Alternatively, a woman who has purchased cosmetics and sun cream but not used the spa might find herself presented with a 10% discount card, to get her into that area of the ship, and that area of spending!