THE CRUISE EXAMINER - COMMENT ON THE LATEST CRUISE INDUSTRY NEWS BY MARK TRE'
Cybercruises.com
Monday May 5 - Week 19
As Europe Grows - The Future of Cruising
As the European Cruise Council released its 2007 cruising statistics in Brussels last week, it is worth now having a look at the trends that are affecting Europe and also how the "Big Two," Carnival Corporation & PLC and Royal Caribbean Cruises, are seeking their share of this growth. For the first time, in 2007, the European market surpassed 4 million cruisers and is now about one third the size of the North American market of 12.6 million, for a ratio of about 25:75. The 4 million mark was surpassed in the North American market fifteen years earlier so the scope and opportunity would appear to be there in a much enlarged Europe. (Click the title to read the full story)