The cruise industry is changing | The Press

Ships offering (finally) a satellite signal at sea. Digital applications implemented by the shovelful. Countless measures taken to protect the environment. The announced arrival of winter cruises in Quebec. No doubt, the sea travel industry is changing its face.

Samuel Larochelle
special cooperation

Techno shift

Clearly, cruises have taken advantage of the pandemic to embrace technology. It is now common to check in online with a smart phone, to archive your boarding pass there, to use your device to open your cabin and adjust the lights, or to book excursions and meals. “Passengers can even follow their children, who wear an electronic bracelet, everywhere on the ship,” explains Céline Bussières, founder of Miss Cruises Media.

Internet at sea

Last August, the Royal Caribbean group announced that it would connect to Starlink to offer a satellite signal everywhere. “People increasingly want to work while enjoying the benefits of being on a cruise,” says the specialist. Others want to keep in touch with their loved ones or share their experience on social networks. Let’s say some internet packages were better than others. Often it didn’t work if the day was cloudy. »

Connected ships

We already know that the industry wants to become carbon neutral by 2050, by focusing on alternative fuels such as liquefied natural gas, hydrogen and biodiesel, among other things. At the same time, more than 80% of new ships ordered will be able to connect to the quay. “With its hydroelectric potential, Quebec is one of the best equipped places to welcome such ships,” says René Trépanier, general manager of Croisières Saint-Laurent, which represents the nine international cruise ports on the river. He specifies that the ports of Montreal, Halifax and Brooklyn already offer the connection, while those of Quebec, Boston and Maine are seriously considering it.

The carbon weight

Having led a major reflection with a sustainable development firm, Saint-Laurent Cruises has targeted 35 projects to change the situation at the quay. In the batch, we note the study on the carbon weight of ships when they navigate on the St. Lawrence and when they are at dock. “By having quantified indicators, we will be able to establish a dialogue with the companies,” says Mr. Trépanier. He wants to talk to them about various compensations. “It can range from a suggestion to reinvest in the protection of a marsh to the purchase of Quebec food products that will be served on board. Instead of repeating that they are bad polluters, we want to involve them in the social aspect and the circular economy. »

New waistline

Having worked in the industry for 15 years, René Trépanier often heard that the development of the St. Lawrence would be limited because cruise ships were getting bigger and bigger. “However, the trend has reversed over the past five years,” he observes. There are 90 small expedition vessels floating or under construction. There is a need for people to have experiences in smaller ships. A need exacerbated by the pandemic. “People have fears, even if the big ships have invested enormously in their health protocols, with inspections on all levels, underlines M^me Bussieres. The industry has been updated a lot. Nevertheless, there is a rise in popularity of river cruises accommodating 100 people or ocean vessels of 600 passengers.

Long weekend at sea

According to studies, consumers are looking more for short-term stays. In 2019, 11% of cruise passengers preferred trips of less than three days. Two years later, long weekends accounted for 19% of demand. On the other hand, trips of at least 14 days fell by 3% in popularity. That said, standard seven-day cruises remain the most popular. On the destination side, we are pushing for longer stopovers. “For sustainable development, we won’t have a choice,” says René Trépanier. As much of the Gulf is limited to a speed of 10 knots, it forces companies to reduce their fuel consumption and rethink the time spent in our stops. »

Not what you imagine

While some companies brag about having nothing in common with the clichés associated with cruises, the industry seems to want to shed a conservative image. Result: brands offer child-free travel, exclusively for singles, for LGBTQ+ people, for women who want to travel alone and to new destinations. “Small and medium-sized ships can sneak into ports where big ones don’t have access, because it’s impossible for them to berth or because the place can’t accommodate thousands of passengers at once” , explains Céline Bussières. Thus, cruises stop more often in small islands such as Saint Lucia and Martinique. “We are not in the run of milk that always goes to Saint-Thomas, Saint-Martin or San Juan,” she explains.

A Christmas cruise

René Trépanier is excited at the idea that Quebec could welcome winter cruises in a few years. “We would do cruises from December with a Christmas theme until the ice melts,” he says. The Quebec winter is very marketable. The way to the St. Lawrence is clear. While Scandinavia and northern Europe have long developed the niche, he’s confident the province has what it takes to attract cold weather lovers. “We will be able to offer sports activities such as snowmobiling, dog sledding, ice fishing or skiing. Observing seal pups in the Magdalen Islands during a three-week window in winter. Or make the spectacular ascent of the Saguenay Fjord. The potential is enormous! »