Cruising in France is doing well," says François Weill, Chairman of Hurtigruten France and the AFCC, the French Association of Cruise Lines. In 2008, we recorded 310,000 sea passengers and 170,000 river passengers... 41% of French people who went on a cruise did so for the first time. As far as 2009 is concerned, we expect to see growth of between 10 and 15 %." That's a long way from the 13 million American passengers, but it does point to good prospects for the French market. Especially given that in Europe, France is only in fifth place, behind the UK, Germany, Italy and Spain.
This undeniable craze for cruises not only affects the general public, but also companies, which find on a boat an original unity of place at competitive rates compared to an equivalent land-based service. At the same time, communication campaigns launched in recent years by certain shipping companies, particularly Costa, have helped to rejuvenate the image of cruises. Finally, to reach as many people as possible, service providers are offering attractive packages for families, with children under 18 sharing a cabin with adults free of charge. As a result, the average age of passengers has fallen from 55 in the 1990s to around 45 today.
Resorts by the sea
To support this rejuvenation, the companies are not content to simply take their customers out on the water and offer them services worthy of a holiday club! In fact, the giant liners now coming out of the shipyards are veritable floating resorts. With spas, casinos, shopping centres, theatres, discos, wave pools, tennis courts, climbing walls, meeting rooms... The champion of gigantism, Royal Caribbean, the world's second largest cruise group and number one in terms of capacity, launched the Oasis of the Seas last December. "The ship can accommodate no fewer than 5,400 passengers in double rooms. It has conference rooms for 16 to 3,000 people and offers almost 200 activities on board", explains Robiha Deloubrière, director of Latitude Sud, agent for France for the shipping lines Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Cruises. Designed as a floating city, the Oasis of the Seas boasts an astonishing surfing simulator, an authentic merry-go-round with wooden horses for young and old, an aqua-theatre where grandiose water shows take place, a 25-metre zip line for thrills and a rising bar that moves from bottom to top and over three decks! Its seven-night cruises in the Western Caribbean can be reduced to four for companies.
In another category, less sporty and more upmarket, the nine ships of Celebrity Cruises play on the confidential character, more suited to privileged reward trips. Cruisers enjoy stylish service, with a one-to-two crew-to-passenger ratio, access to state-of-the-art spas and, in Solstice class, suites with verandas reserved for wellbeing, half a hectare of real lawn as well as diet and gourmet restaurants.
The atmosphere is even more subdued on the ships of the International Cruise Line, in particular those of Cunard, as Rémy Arca, Director of France, points out. "The Queen Victoria, Mary 2 and the future Elisabeth perpetuate the tradition of the great liners, while at the same time boasting the very latest equipment, particularly in terms of conference rooms. Aboard these floating palaces, elegance and all the pomp of yesteryear are the order of the day. Particularly on board the Queen Mary 2, which is currently the only liner, and the most prestigious vessel, to sail regularly between Europe and the United States without a stopover. It's an unforgettable six-day crossing, during which passengers relive the atmosphere of the famous transatlantic liners, with long dresses and dark suits in the evenings, and English-style tea served by white-gloved officiants in the afternoons. As well as the fun activities, businesses will find all the facilities they need to work on board, including a 550-seat conference room and a planetarium hosting debates led by renowned speakers.
While Cunard emphasises the English art of living, Croisières de France, a subsidiary of the Pullmantur group, focuses on French know-how. "Companies choose us because we offer them all-inclusive cruises, 100 % French, on human-sized boats. They also choose us because we offer short getaways, of three or four nights, in the Mediterranean", says Antoine Lacarrière, Managing Director. Its two liners, Bleu de France and Pacific Dream, sail the Mediterranean, the Red Sea and the Caribbean respectively. Both ships are equipped with meeting rooms, as well as an 800 m2 spa with a real seawater thalasso. Georges Azouze, President of Costa France, the European leader in the maritime market, has also noted strong corporate demand for mini-cruises lasting four or even seven days, departing from Marseille, Nice and Venice. "These cruises take place in the spring, while in winter it's the West Indies that are largely favoured; particularly by large groups." Another popular destination for the 2009-2010 season is the Arab Emirates, led by Dubai. Costa's business department is also seeing a marked increase in last-minute bookings. These are generally for operations with 700 to 900 participants, with very specific requirements and a preference for tailor-made packages.
Prestige operations
Costa, which launched two new ships last June, is set to add three more by 2012, taking its fleet to 17 cruise ships. In March 2010, its Italian rival MSC will add another ship, the Magnifica. In total, the company will have eleven ultramodern ships. "On the Musica, 70 % of cabins have a balcony, rising to 80 % for the Fantasia", explains Erminio Escheva, Managing Director. The Fantasia, like the Splendida, has a Yacht Club. This is an exclusive area, with a 24-hour butler service, a dedicated concierge and spacious suites with a Wii console and flat screen TV. MSC has also won several awards for its environmental initiatives, including the 6 Golden Pearls, awarded by Veritas International.
In the small-capacity category, Silversea is regularly voted 'best cruise line in the world' by three highly respected guides: Condé Nast Traveller UK and USA, Berlitz Guide and Stern's Guide. Music, gastronomy, art and culture feature on the menu of its five ships, all of which are elegant and luxurious. On board, the services are meticulous: crew/passenger ratios of between 1 and 1.34, accommodation consisting exclusively of suites overlooking the outside, some with butler service, gourmet cuisine prepared in partnership with Relais & Châteaux-Relais Gourmands, dietetic meals, specialist lecturers... With themed cruises built around the culinary arts, oenology, history or even golf practised during stopovers. "On certain voyages, we offer the Silversea Experience, i.e. excursions and events on land", says Jianluca Martini, Sales Director for French-speaking countries. Passengers can, for example, enjoy a campfire dinner under the starry skies of the African desert, followed by a local show and a camel ride through the dunes. Or a junk trip in Halong Bay, Vietnam. Silversea also offers the Silver Sights hotel programme, with pre- and post-cruise services ashore, luxury hotel accommodation, all transport and transfers, guided tours and selected meals. The latest addition to the fleet, the Silver Spirit, boasts 270 suites all overlooking the ocean, an alternative Asian restaurant with a chef operating in front of the guests, a spa... In 2010, all the suites on these ships will be equipped with a personalised butler service. In the same vein, the superb yachts of Compagnie du Ponant, flying the French flag, take groups on exceptional cruises to all the seas of the globe.
Still in the 'small capacity' category, but in a completely different genre, the Star Clippers sailing ships, inspired by the clippers of the mid-19th century, take up to 200 passengers on unique cruises across the seven seas. "We welcome many incentive trips. Companies such as Pirelli, Mitsubishi, L'Oréal and Sony have sent their best customers and sales representatives on board," explains Béatrice Franzt, head of the business tourism department in France. An intimate and refined atmosphere, attentive staff, a flexible programme... These real 'extras' fit in with the privileged rewards that companies also find on extraordinary cruises, such as those offered by Hurtigruten. In other words, the Far North aboard a Coastal Express, a ferry-cargo liner with ultra-modern comforts that crosses the Arctic Circle up the entire Norwegian coast. In winter, it's even better, when groups have the privilege of discovering the North Cape on their own, as François Weill explains. "They board a special coach, then take a snowplough before enjoying an original cocktail at the North Cape, which is open especially for them. It's an exceptional, unique, unforgettable moment... There are hardly any words for it." During the stopovers, the participants try their hand at dog-sledding and giant crab fishing; they swim among the drifting ice, without fear of the cold, thanks to special wetsuits; and they have the chance to witness the hallucinating Northern Lights... In summer, in Spitzbergen, they discover the polar bears, while in Greenland, they watch the ballet of whales and seals.
Seminar cruise in Corsica
Closer to home, Corsica also attracts corporate groups. The SNCM welcomes them aboard the Napoléon Bonaparte or the Danielle Casanova, offering them a residential seminar called Escale d'un jour en Corse (One-day stopover in Corsica), as part of crossings to Bastia or Ajaccio, or for private events. "We are the only company in Corsica to offer a three-day/two-night package specially adapted for companies," says Brigitte Devictor, Head of Seminars and Events. From the moment they are built, SNCM ships are designed to accommodate meetings, with dedicated areas: auditorium, sub-committee rooms, cocktail areas, private lounges, etc. Corsica Ferries is also interested in this business clientele, especially since the launch in 2008 of the Mega Smeralda, a 539-cabin ship with five restaurants, seven bars, conference rooms and areas that can be privatised. "Generally, we invite groups to spend two days in Corsica and use the ship as a venue for meetings and shows," says Roland Ferrari, Sales Manager France. Everything you need to meet the needs of a corporate clientele.
