Page 44: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (January 2016)

“Small Cruise” Market Blossoms

BY KATHY A. SMITH n impressive 24 million also signi? es the 50th anniversary of ex- a household name in Sweden and was pany is now building two new ships, is people are expected to take pedition cruising itself. Lindblad’s ? rst quite famous for his expedition exploits. a great example of how this whole seg- cruise vacations in 2016, ac- expedition was to Antarctica in 1966, The ships will have such advanced fea- ment of the cruise industry is expanding.

Acording to the Cruise Lines remembered Sven Lindblad, President tures as public spaces designed for maxi- And that they chose to build in the U.S.

International Association’s (CLIA) and CEO, in a recent statement refer- mum viewing, outdoor walkways, a ? eet is an important statement for our indus- 2016 State of the Cruise Industry Out- ring to his father Lars-Eric Lindblad of sea kayaks, a specially-designed land- try.” look. And while ocean-going cruises on who conceived the idea. Lindblad also ing craft, and a state-of-the-art A/V sys- It seems there are more people with the big ships are extremely popular, the mentioned a strong growth market in the tem for the highest quality presentations. more disposable income nowadays in- smaller cruise market is quietly having a U.S. as partly being responsible for this When it comes to design elements, terested in cruising, despite continued boom of its own. expansion. Tillberg says since these are small ships, global economic instability. And the

For the ? rst time in many years, two The interior design for the two vessels; every space has to be incredibly well expedition-style cruises and river cruis- new expedition cruise ships are being the ? rst scheduled to be delivered in the planned with guests in mind. For ex- ing market are moving with the times built in the U.S. Lindblad Expeditions second quarter of 2017, and the second ample, in designing the forward lounge, – delivering product that caters to dis-

Holdings, Inc. recently signed an agree- in the second quarter of 2018, is being Tillberg has to take into consideration cerning, experienced travelers. Demo- ment with Washington-based Nichols headed up by Tomas Tillberg, Managing the multi-uses for the room, like lectures, graphics are changing; typically, North

Brothers Boat Builders to construct two Partner of U.S.-headquartered Tillberg entertainment, relaxing study areas and Americans have been the largest group new U.S.-? agged coastal vessels for the Design International and his team. Till- workspaces for editing photos taken on of loyal customers, but now Chinese and company that works in partnership with berg says the project has come full circle the voyage. “It’s absolutely critical in Russian patrons are also in the mix. And

National Geographic to produce innova- for the company, as it opened the Florida designing such a key space, to ? rst un- it’s not just baby boomers, but younger tive marine expedition programs and to of? ce where he is based, 20 years ago derstand all its facets of functionality.” people are also wanting to see the world promote conservation and sustainable with the expressed purpose of support- “This is an exciting and unique project in a different way.

tourism around the world. ing U.S.-built passenger vessels. Till- and we’re happy and honored to have “I think the Chinese are actually now

Not only is this a notable boon for the berg also has a meaningful connection been appointed for this job,” he contin- the second largest group on these cruis- expedition cruising market and for U.S. to the Lindblad company – he grew up ues. “That Lindblad Expeditions, the es,” said Niels-Erik Lund, President and cruise ship building but for Lindblad, it admiring Lars-Eric, who was practically original expeditionary cruise ship com- CEO of SunStone Ships Inc., an expedi- tion/luxury ship chartering company that also provides technical and hotel man-

Ocean Diamond in Antarctica - QUARK Expeditions.

agement to shipowners. “The average age is coming down and these cruises are very expensive, so it’s not cruises for families with kids or young couples.”

SunStone represents 10 vessels, man- aged by Cruise Management Interna- tional (previously FleetPro Ocean). Tour operators all over the world use the ships to market their cruises. “We are the larg- est charters providers in this market,” says Lund. “There are about 35 ships in the market and we control nine of them.”

SunStone’s expedition-style ships carry between 100 and 250 passengers.

The ? eet is a mix of ice class vessels that can cruise to the Arctic and Antarctica and warm water ships that cruise the re- mote areas of the South Paci? c. Zodiacs are used to take passengers ashore or on excursions. Lund says in the market for

Arctic and Antarctica cruising, previous- ly many of the expedition ships started out as Russian icebreakers or research vessels that were converted to cruise ves- sels, however, most vessel which have entered this segment over the past ? ve (Courtesy: SunStone Ships) 44 Maritime Reporter & Engineering News • JANUARY 2016

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