Editor's Note: This piece was written prior to the CDC's Dec. 30 guidance that advises against cruise travel, regardless of a client's vaccination status.
The year 2021 marked the return of cruise travel — albeit with many restrictions — and 2022 is likely to open up the segment even more around the globe, as additional opportunities for agents and clients alike spark a further increase in sales.
Here are my top expectations and predictions for cruise travel in 2022.
Expiration of the Conditional Sailing Order
The single greatest wheel block on the cruise industry, at least in the U.S., remains the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Conditional Sailing Order. The order was recently extended until Jan. 15, 2022.
My prediction: If COVID-19 cases begin to trend downward in 2022, we may soon be cruising into a post-pandemic future free of government regulations.
Fewer International Restrictions
Even outside North America, cruising still faces challenges. One of the takeaways of the recent International Cruise Summit (ICS) was the need to overcome bias against the industry.
“The sector still suffers from specific restrictions, such as in Italy, where any traveler arriving by land or air has freedom of movement,” according to a press release from the event. “But if arriving by cruise ship, they can only visit cities on bubble excursions. This restriction is currently holding back many passengers who continue to postpone their trips in anticipation of its lifting.”
My prediction: As the CDC loosens its grip, the hope is that other countries will begin to do the same, while recognizing that there is a way to cruise safely, with proper precautions in place.
Fuller Fleets
Even now, after several vessels were scrapped during the height of the pandemic, not every remaining cruise ship is back in operation. The ICS anticipates that around 80% have resumed by the end of 2021, but some are still waiting for certain regions to reopen their shores to cruising.
My prediction: Australia, Canada and other nations have not yet done so, but 2022 looks to be the year they will eventually welcome ships again.
Eased Passenger Protocols
Face coverings are already no longer required on Celebrity Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line and other brands, so it stands to reason more companies will soon follow suit.
My prediction: This year may bring further loosening of many COVID-19 health protocols, at least in terms of what’s required of guests themselves. Vaccines and testing will likely be in place for a while, but physical distancing and masking are anticipated to ease up in the near future.
Increased Sustainability
Utilizing more shore power (to switch off engines in port) and employing liquefied natural gas (reducing sulfur oxide emissions by 100% and CO2 by 30%) are among current strategies. Altogether, the cruise industry has committed to becoming carbon neutral by 2050.
My prediction: The cruise industry will continue its efforts to strain the planet less and less. In fact, during ICS, sustainability was a top topic during the conference.
Additional Newbuilds
Finally, as less-efficient ships are retired, more environmentally friendly newbuilds are scheduled to launch next year.
Among the most anticipated ocean ships — and not including boutique and expedition vessels — to come online in 2022 are:
- Carnival Celebration (Carnival Cruise Line)
- Celebrity Beyond (Celebrity Cruises)
- Unnamed 4th Queen (Cunard Line)
- Disney Wish (Disney Cruise Line)
- Norwegian Prima (Norwegian Cruise Line)
- MSC Seascape and MSC World Europa (MSC Cruises)
- Discovery Princess (Princess Cruises)
- Wonder of the Seas (Royal Caribbean International)
- Silver Dawn (Silversea Cruises)
- Viking Mars and Viking Neptune (Viking)
- Resilient Lady (Virgin Voyages)
As the darkest days of the pandemic are hopefully behind us, cruise travel will continue to successfully reemerge. Here’s to hoping for a prosperous new year in which the industry works to fully normalize and thrive.
