The cruise industry suffered several setbacks this week as reports of declining consumer perceptions and disrupted travel in Central Europe posed challenges for the industry.
The flooding in Central Europe played havoc with river cruise lines as several companies were forced to cancel or adjust itineraries due to swollen river conditions. Below are the latest itinerary updates from the cruise lines:
Tauck: http://www.travelagentcentral.com/river-cruises/tauck-central-europe-river-cruise-itinerary-updates-41058
Scenic Cruises: http://www.travelagentcentral.com/river-cruises/scenic-cruises-updates-guests-about-danube-flooding-41038
Avalon, Viking, AmaWatwerways and Uniworld: http://www.travelagentcentral.com/river-cruises/europe-flooding-update-some-river-cruises-cancelled-or-adjusted-41009
Public perceptions posed additional challenges for the industry as a recent Harris Poll found declining consumer sentiment with regards to the cruise industry. The poll showed that Quality, Trust and Purchase Intent scores dropped in the week following the Carnival Triumph incident and that, even prior to the recent fire on Royal Caribbean’s Grandeur of the Seas, perceptions continued to remain below pre-Triumph levels and declining.
Finally, an additional tragedy struck this week when one passenger was killed and five were injured in a shore trip crash in Alaska. The passengers from the National Geographic Expeditions Sea Bird had been traveling on a float plane trip when the plane crashed into a mountainside. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating.
Keep visiting www.travelagentcentral.com for the latest cruise industry news, trends and updates.