New York–Executives of CLIA recapped a strong year for the cruise industry and forecasted even further growth in 2007 at a media briefing in New York on Wednesday. Dan Hanrahan, president of Celebrity Cruises and CLIA's new marketing committee chairman, joined Terry Dale, president and CEO of CLIA, in rehashing 2006 and opining on 2007. "For the cruise lines and travel agents, ships continue to stay full," Hanrahan gleefully said. "It sends a strong message to consumers." CLIA reported that north of 12 million passengers sailed CLIA cruise lines last year (CLIA lines represent 97 percent of total passenger capacity). Further, it is predicting that in 2007 12.6 million people will take a cruise on one of its member lines. One new aspect that CLIA will introduce this year is a partnership with American Express, with an aim toward enhancing agents' base training. One new program will be the luxury cruise specialist program, which, through ship inspections and educational seminars, will help agents gain a better grasp of the luxury traveler.
