VOYAGES
CRUISE GUIDE 2023
Distinct Group Cruises from Partner Cruise Lines
Cruising is Back in a BIG WAY
CRUISES THAT FIT YOUR GROUP’S NEEDS
Voyages by U.S. Tours
First, let us start by saying, “CRUISING IS BACK!” And we want to welcome our guests back to cruising by releasing our 2023 Voyages Cruise Guide! And Voyages by U. S. Tours continues to build partnerships with many of the world’s leading cruise lines, making us Group Cruise Headquarters for members of the American Bus Association (ABA) and the Select Travel Market. We are focused exclusively on group cruises and are always looking for unique opportunities for our client base. If you are a tour planner and need help with a cruise, we are your one-call shop.
BENEFITS OF WORKING WITH VOYAGES:
▸ All group leaders will receive a balcony upgrade
▸ Customizable comp fares & flexible pricing
▸ Working with One Dedicated Cruise Agent
▸ 24-Hour on Call Emergency Assistance
▸ Professional Tour Escort if needed
ADDITIONAL SERVICES:
▸ We have our own in-house air department
▸ We offer pre-cruise packages with hotels, restaurants and tours
▸ We can confirm your private group excursions
▸ We provide complimentary luggage tags, document bags and name tags upon request
MARKETING ASSISTANCE:
▸ Sales Presentations to your customers
▸ Personalized flyers specific to your cruise
▸ Social media copy and images
▸ Dedicated booking website
We understand that each group has different needs. A cruise should fit the needs of the group – the group shouldn’t have to fit the cruise. We will customize your group cruise to fit the exact needs of your group. Our Voyages team is committed to making sure your group cruise is a success. We are ready to make your cruise a memorable event for all. Give us a call today at 304-485-8687 or visit us at ustoursvoyages.com.
Bon Voyage, Kim Marshall General Manager, U.S. Tours Stacy Hockenberry Cruise Department, U.S. Tours2 LETTER OF WELCOME
Stacy Hockenberry (left) and Kim Marshall
CRUISING
is Back in a Big Way
Fueled by a strong comeback, 2023 is shaping up to be a positive year for the cruise industry
For fans of cruising, it’s heartening to know that the industry is sailing toward a swift recovery. In fact, cruise bookings are breaking pre-pandemic travel records. To say there is pent-up demand would almost be an understatement.
After the COVID-19-caused shutdown that started in 2020 and lingered well into 2021, cruising began to return in 2022 and appears to be back to normal in 2023.
Kim Marshall, general manager of U.S. Tours, says, “2022 was a rather slow
cruise year because a lot of our groups were still concerned about COVID protocols and didn’t want to bother with the stress of making sure all were vaccinated or worrying about contracting it onboard. Since the cruise lines lifted these protocols, we’ve been seeing a large upswing in bookings for 2023.”
According to the 2023 State of the Cruise Industry Report issued by CLIA (Cruise Lines International Association), ocean-going cruise passenger volume this year is forecasted to reach 106
percent of 2019 levels, with 31.5 million passengers sailing. It’s predicted that number will rise to 39.5 million by 2027.
As a reflection of the segment’s strength, cruising is rebounding faster than international tourism arrivals, which are expected to be 80-95 percent of 2019 levels, according to the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).
Another positive note: The intent to cruise is higher than December 2019, continuing a trend that began in the last quarter of 2020. CLIA survey figures
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Photo courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Line
show that 85 percent of travelers who have cruised will cruise again, which is 6 percent higher than pre-pandemic.
Confirming the optimistic outlook, Marshall declares, “Cruising is back and better than ever. Europe cruises are really rebounding and getting a lot of focus from us for the future....We have several groups going to Hawaii in large numbers this year as well as a large group to Alaska. Next year is looking stronger with some of our groups already selling out of their group space for 2024 sailings.”
She adds, “I find it easier to sell cruises because the cruise lines release sail dates two years ahead of time, so it gives our groups more time to advertise and sell. Group leaders like having that extra time.”
According to Phocuswright’s U.S. Cruise Market Report 2022-2026, the cruise market will show a consistent double-digit growth. Revenue, it says, is expected to grow 90 percent over 2022, a year dogged by the Omicron variant
and COVID-era vaccination and testing requirements until cruise lines started dropping those regulations in August.
Says the Phocuswright report, “The industry is embracing a new normal as it moves forward with new ships, added destinations, increased marketing and a consumer base ready to travel.” (This year will see the debut of 19 new ships, with a total of 75 ships expected to be delivered through 2027).
Of new ships on the market, Marshall says Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva are showing strong demand. “I have heard a lot of great feedback about Carnival’s new ships as well.”
A key trend indicates that the future of cruising lies with the younger generations, with Millennials leading the way. The CLIA report reveals that 88 percent of Millennial and 86 percent of Gen-X travelers who have cruised say they will cruise again. And there’s more interest
than ever before among those two groups to take their first cruise, with 73 percent who have never cruised saying they will consider a cruise vacation.
Cruise vacations also are spurring multigenerational travel, another hot trend. According to CLIA, 73 percent of cruise travelers are sailing with family members that represent at least two generations. Other trends reflect the increasing number of options for solo travelers and those who need wheelchair-accessible facilities.
When it comes to top cruising destinations, CLIA reports the Caribbean/ Bahamas/Bermuda continues to lead the pack, based on passenger volume for 2019-2022. Ranking next are the Central and Western Mediterranean, Northern Europe, Alaska and the North American West Coast.
Miami, not surprisingly, is the mostvisited port, followed by Port Canaveral, Cozumel, Port Everglades and Nassau.
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Photo courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Line
NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE
Norwegian Cruise Line features a wide range of dining and entertainment options on its contemporary cruise ships.
▸ FLEET SIZE
Of the line’s 19 ships, the largest are in the Breakaway and Breakaway Plus classes, carrying approximately 4,000 passengers.
▸ DESTINATIONS
More than 350 destinations ranging from the Caribbean and Bahamas to Alaska, Bermuda, Asia, Australia, Canada/New England, Europe, Hawaii, Mexico and the Panama Canal. Cruises range between 3 and 14 days, with special voyages up to 24 days. Norwegian has the industry’s only American-flagged passenger ship (2,200 passengers) sailing weekly cruises around the Hawaiian Islands. Ports of call on Caribbean cruises include privateisland destinations in the Bahamas and Belize.
▸ DISCERNIBLE DIFFERENCES
A pioneer in freedom and flexibility, Norwegian Cruise Line is known for its Freestyle Cruising tagline. There are no fixed dining times or pre-
assigned seating, no schedules to follow. The wide variety of dining options has always been a signature feature.
▸ GROUP POLICIES
Group amenities include their Free at Sea amenities, $100 per stateroom onboard credit. No deposit under 30 staterooms to block space. One tour conductor credit is awarded for every 10 full-fare, lower-berth passengers.
▸ WHAT’S NEW
Norwegian introduced a new class in 2022, the Prima class, with the launching of the 3,100-passenger Norwegian Prima. Sister ship Norwegian Viva, after an August 2023 debut in the Mediterranean, will be christened in Miami in November and then move to its winter Caribbean home in San Juan, Puerto Rico in December. Four additional Prima-class ships will enter service through 2027.
▸ SUGGESTED VOYAGES
Our favorite! NCL created FreeStyle Cruising. They offer more open-air deck space, more choices in dining and entertainment including dance parties. Norwegian offers a wonderful world for you to see. From Hawaii and Alaska, New England and the Caribbean, Europe and the Med. Ask us about NCL’s many great promotions.
▸ AWARDS WON
From Cruise Critic, the line won the 2022 Best New Ship of the Year award (for the Norwegian Prima) and for Best Entertainment. In the 2022 World Travel Awards, Norwegian was recognized as the World’s Leading Cruise Line for the sixth year in a row. In Travel Weekly’s 2022 Readers’ Choice Awards, it won for Best Advisor Loyalty Program. The line was awarded for Best Wine Program and Best Adult Alcohol-Free Program at the 2023 Vibe Vista Awards, which distinguishes the top performers in chain and hotel beverage programs.
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PRINCESS CRUISES
Princess Cruises is a global premium cruise line focusing on destinations.
▸ FLEET SIZE
Princess has 15 cruise ships, each carrying between 2,000 and 3,660 passengers.
▸ DESTINATIONS
More than 330 destinations around the globe, including the Caribbean, Alaska, Panama Canal, Mexico, Europe, South America, Australia/New Zealand, the South Pacific, Hawaii, Asia and Canada/ New England.
▸ DISCERNIBLE DIFFERENCES
Princess offers a full range of onboard amenities, dining options, entertainment and unique programming created in partnership with Discovery & Animal Planet. It also features wellness programs and children’s activities. The line has long been connected to the original “Love Boat” television series, and its Celebration Ambassador today is Jill Whelan, the actress who played the captain’s daughter.
▸ GROUP POLICIES
Group programs for five or more cabins include low or no deposits to block space, combinable group fare discounts and a flexible amenity program. One tour conductor credit is awarded for every 12 full-fare, lower-berth passengers.
▸ WHAT’S NEW
Princess will launch its largest ship ever, the 4,330-passenger Sun Princess, in early 2024. Park19, a three-deck family and group activity space, will feature the first Rollglider at sea, an electric ride that runs on a track. Sister ship Star Princess will debut in 2025. The new ships will offer 29 restaurants and bars.
▸ AWARDS WON
All main dining rooms across the Princess fleet received the 2023 Restaurant Award from Wine
▸ SUGGESTED VOYAGES
You won’t know Alaska until you visit the interior. Voyages by U.S. Tours offers the Great Land’s glaciers, wildlife and national parks from Princess cruise ships, combined with the Alaska Railroad and Princess wilderness lodges. Come see stunning glaciers, explore beautiful port cities and trek through Alaska’s untamed beauty.
Spectator, the world’s leading authority on wine. Princess is an 18-time winner in Travel Weekly’s Best Cruise Line - Alaska category. The line has been awarded Best Cruise Itineraries 14 times by Recommend magazine.
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CARNIVAL CRUISE LINE
Carnival Cruise Line, one of America’s most popular cruise brands, provides a broad range of vacations at sea for fun-loving families and passengers of all ages.
▸ FLEET SIZE
Twenty-four ships, ranging in size from its newest, the 5,282-passenger Carnival Celebration, to Fantasy-class ships that accommodate around 2,000 passengers.
▸ DESTINATIONS
Cruises between 2 and 16 days departing from ports around the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico and internationally. Best known for Caribbean cruises, Carnival also sails to Mexico, Alaska, Canada/New England, The Bahamas, Panama Canal, Europe and Hawaii, and has ships sailing from Australia.
▸ DISCERNIBLE DIFFERENCES
Carnival focuses on providing fun with a wide variety of entertainment, dining, amusements and family programs. Nearly half of the cruises Carnival operates each year are short-duration trip. Because its ships are homeported in many U.S. cities, most
people live within a day’s drive of a Carnival cruise.
▸ GROUP POLICIES
Group programs consist of five or more cabins, $25 pp deposits to block space, combinable group fare discounts and a flexible amenity program. One tour conductor credit is awarded for every 16 full-fare, lower-berth passengers.
▸ WHAT’S NEW
The new Carnival Celebration started sailing from Miami in November 2022. She is part of the next-generation Excel class, which includes sister ships Carnival Mardi Gras (new in 2021) and Carnival Jubilee (to debut in Galveston in December 2023). The Carnival Venezia, formerly with Italianstyle sister brand Costa Cruises, started sailings from New York in June 2023. The Carnival Firenze, another Italian addition, will begin cruising from Long Beach in spring 2024.
▸ SUGGESTED VOYAGES
Carnival is proudly known as “America’s Cruise Line” as they have 24 ships—including the new and award winning Carnival Celebration. They also have 2 more ships on the way! Carnival sails from 14 convenient U.S. home ports, as well as home ports in Australia and Europe. With so many options, Carnival makes it easy and affordable to get to your cruise departure point.
▸ AWARDS WON
Carnival was recently voted Best Ocean Cruise Line in USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards. It is the recipient of Cruise Critic’s Best Value for Money award.
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