Cautious approach for cruise industry in 2021, says CSS Group

The cruise industry that is so important to the Solent region should start recovering as Covid-19 vaccines are rolled out, believes CSS Group, the Fareham-based provider of food, drink and consumables to the travel industry.

“It is evident that the cruise industry will slowly bring voyages back in service when restrictions on travel ease, country by country. However, one thing is certain, it will not be a global programme of reinstatement running in parallel,” said Frank Welkerling, CEO at CSS.

“Every country will re-emerge economically at a different pace. According to TravelPulse, Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises have further cancelled all sailings through February 2021, with full operations predicted to resume in March 2021.”

CSS said this was good news for a sector that has been virtually paralysed for over 12 months, with fleets mothballed and anchored in ports throughout the US and Europe.

“Crucially, as we witness voyages returning, will be consumer confidence and the need to focus on health and safety for guests, crew and the communities visited. The stark reality is that there will be an abundance of caution during 2021, with the cruise lines eager to return to some sense of normality, but tempered with the reality of returning to the seas under a phased plan,” said Welkerling.

“No question about it, the Covid-19 vaccines emerging are the start of calmer seas. However, I suspect the full recovery will be prevalent towards the end of 2021; what is encouraging is evidence of demand and the fact the industry continues to invest in the fleet.”

css-group.co.uk

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