As reported in USA Today, Kevin Sheehan, Norwegian Cruise Line CEO, said, “Nothing this industry has experience in the past could prepare us for what came barreling down the pipe in 2008 and 2009…it was big and it was scary.” But he summed up the opinion of many executives by following up with “we’re seeing solid signs of a recovery, albeit one that will play out over the next two to three years.” Sheehan cited “one of the strongest Wave Seasons in recent memory” and a longer booking window as positive indicators.

In response, Norwegian announced that it would raise prices by seven percent early this month, while Carnival said it would increase prices by five percent. Gerry Cahill, Carnival’s CEO, noted that ticket prices had dropped as much as 20 percent in 2009 and said, “We’re all pushing to rebuild that price.” And, Celebrity Cruises CEO Dan Hanrahan observed that even pre-recession pricing was well below 2006-2007 levels so the industry still has a way to go. Nevertheless, “consumers are starting to open their wallets again,” Hanrahan said, reflecting the optimism of most of the executives, including Stein Kruse, Holland America Line’s CEO, who was quoted as saying, “One must never under-estimate the power of the American consumer.

In another sign of rebound, industry executives noted the resumption of new ship orders, albeit at a slower pace than at times in the past. Carnival’s Cahill, whose company expects to accept delivery of two or three ships a year among its 11 brands, said the slower pace would give the industry a chance to get pricing up. Whatever the pace, Rick Sasso, CEO of MSC Cruises and CLIA’s marketing committee chair, applauded the growth. “Supply has driven the success of this business over decades; we need more ships,” he said. Cautioning that “There are still clouds that hang over this country and others,” Adam Goldstein, Royal Caribbean CEO, pointed to another bright spot – the globalization of cruising. “All the major regions of the world are catching on to cruising,” he said, noting growing demand in Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Latin America. “Ultimately, Asia may be the largest opportunity in cruising, maybe in all of travel,” he said.

As CLIA Today went to press, there was a possibility that Alaska’s cruise passenger head tax would be lowered by more than 50 percent; CLIA and its members support the move. Stay tuned for the latest details when the Alaska legislature decides by April 18.

Surrounded by water and towering mountains – remember the 2010 Winter Olympics? – Vancouver is one of North America’s most beautiful cities and most popular vacation destinations. For very good reasons. This is a city of coastlines, coves and inlets, parks and gardens, where residents travel as often by water as they do public transportation. It is a city of world-famous museums, like the architecturally spectacular Museum of Anthropology, with its extraordinary collection of First Nations art and culture. It is a city of restaurants serving cuisines from around the world, arts festivals, ethnic neighborhoods, and fun. Especially appealing to active vacationers, Vancouver offers everything from biking, rollerblading and mountain climbing to golf, kayaking, sea safaris and whale watching.

When they are not in seminars or general sessions, delegates to cruise3sixty – June 2-6 – will be treated to an eclectic assortment of sightseeing tours and excursions that highlight many of Vancouver’s most appealing landmarks and attractions and which, for the most part, are available to all visitors depending on the time of year. There are fully narrated harbor cruises providing unparalleled perspectives on the city; city tours featuring Chinatown, Gastown and the world-famous Stanley Park by motorcoach; even horse-and-buggy tours of Stanley Park itself. While there, the Vancouver Aquarium – one of the world’s best and where the cruise3sixty welcome reception takes place – is an absolute must.

Other “top of the list” visitor activities include the Capilano Suspension Bridge, 230 feet above Vancouver’s own rainforest, and Grouse Mountain, the “peak of Vancouver,” with its Skyride, one of North America’s longest aerial trams. In the heart of the city is Granville Island, a culinary, artistic and shopping neighborhood famous for street performers, a public market and trendy boutiques. And, reflecting Vancouver’s large Asian population, the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden is a highlight of the Vancouver Lookout Tour by Vancouver Trolley. The Lookout, 450 feet above sea level, provides a 360 degree panoramic view of the city, its islands, bays and parks.

These and many other tours and attractions are easily enjoyed by cruise passengers during the Alaska season, which runs from May to September, with Vancouver serving as a gracious and friendly embarkation port or port of call. Seven CLIA member lines this year – Carnival Cruise Lines, Celebrity Cruises, Holland American Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Royal Caribbean International and Silversea Cruises – will offer Alaska itineraries from numerous home ports ranging from San Diego to cities in Alaska. For the first time ever, Carnival will operate a schedule of seven-day Alaska cruises round-trip from Seattle onboard the Carnival Spirit. Three Celebrity ships – Celebrity Infinity, Celebrity Mercury, and Celebrity Millennium – will offer a total of 58 Alaska sailings from six home ports: Vancouver, Seward, Seattle, Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco. Holland America, with eight ships in the region, is introducing a new 14-day Alaskan Adventurer from Seattle itinerary in addition to its seven-day trips. Norwegian will have two ships – Norwegian Pearl and Norwegian Star – making seven-day Glacier Bay or Sawyer Bay sailings from Seattle. The Princess fleet will offer a total of 112 Alaska sailings on seven ships featuring cruisetours that can extend the vacation by as many as eight nights. Royal Caribbean’s two vessels – Radiance of the Seas and Rhapsody of the Seas – will offer 37 Alaska sailings, including seven- and 14-night itineraries from San Diego, Seattle, Seward, or Vancouver. Silversea’s 382-guest, all-suite Silver Shadow will make 12 Alaska cruises ranging from seven to 12 day, including round-trip or open-jaw departures from Los Angeles, Seward and Vancouver. (Many of these ships will be in Vancouver and available to inspection during cruise3sixty)

For those planning ahead, Crystal Cruises has announced that it will return to Alaska next year for the first time since 2005 with nine 12-day cruises from San Francisco, with stops in Vancouver and Victoria as well as ports in Alaska. And, if the Alaska head tax is lowered, agents may find 2011 in Alaska bigger and better than ever.

In the meantime, guests on Alaska cruises can look forward to the trip of a lifetime. Depending on the cruise line and itinerary, the highlights of an Alaskan voyage can include the cities of Sitka, Skagway, Juneau, Ketchikan and the magnificent Sawyer Glacier, Hubbard Glacier, Icy Strait Point, Glacier Bay National Park, Denali National Park, and Tracy Arm Fjord. It is even possible this year to visit Anchorage, Alaska’ major city, by cruise ship. Many lines also offer multi-day excursions on glass-domed railcars or the world-famous narrow-gauge White Pass and Yukon Route Railroad, and trips to destinations as far afield as Banff and the Canadian Rockies. And, if sightseeing is not enough, there are culinary adventures featuring wild Alaska salmon and other local seafood, wine cruises to Alaska, and opportunities to go whale watching, zip-lining on the longest zip line in the world, hiking, biking, flight-seeing and more. Alaska may be America’s last frontier but, for guests on CLIA member cruise lines, it will be an exciting adventure in style and absolute comfort.