The cruise market in the Benelux and especially in the Netherlands is developing well, but has much more potential. This was stated by Marcel von Rotz, Senior Sales Manager of Regent Seven Seas Cruises, on Tuesday evening at a presentation at Kasteel de Wittenburg in Wassenaar. It was the third evening of a four-day roadshow by the Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings shipping companies through Belgium and the Netherlands. In addition to an extensive dinner, more than 20 travel agents were given an explanation of the plans and novelties of sister companies Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises (RSSC). The three cruise lines are each players in the champions league in their own segment, said Alessandra Cabella, Senior Business Development Manager at Oceania Cruises. Sustainability is of paramount importance to the three shipping companies. This involves not only looking at its own footprint, but that of the entire chain of partners with whom we work. Through greater efficiency, innovation and collaboration, the ‘net zero’ point must be reached by 2050. In a handy presentation, visitors were presented with practical information between courses. For example, Norwegian Cruise Line does not have one type of customer, but that customer is very diverse. It can be a lover of good cuisine (foodie), a family, but also a solo traveler. NCL was the first cruise line to offer cabins for solo travelers in 2010, said Jennifer Pichl, Business Development Manager at NCL. These are not only inside cabins, but also outside cabins. “We are seeing more and more solo travelers on board our ships. We also have many types of cabins and for every budget.’ Oceania Oceania Cruises is known for its culinary cruises.
Or as Alessandra Cabella summed it up: ‘We have the best cuisine at sea.’ Oceania’s fleet currently consists of seven ships. The latest, the Vista, entered service last spring. The ship can accommodate up to 1,200 guests and 800 crew members, a ratio of two (crew members) to three (guests). Number eight, the Allura, will enter service in 2025 and, like sister ship Vista, will also accommodate 1,200 passengers and 800 crew members. Regent Regent Seven Seas Cruises serves the top end of the spectrum of the three cruise lines, according to Marcel von Rotz.
‘I’m not going to say the best, because that’s up to the customer. The best is the shipping company that best suits the customer.’ A few points from the luxury cruise line: excursions are included at Regent Seven Seas. ‘It’s not free, because you’re paying for it. But for many shipping companies, excursions are a revenue model,’ says Von Rotz. In terms of food and drinks on board, Regent Seven Seas has learned a lot from Oceania, Von Rotz said sportingly. Nevertheless, Regens has developed its own concept. “If you sail with us for a month, you can still eat something different every night.” According to Von Rotz, there is still a lot of potential in the cruise market in the Netherlands. He looked past the tables with guests. “Everyone has a Regent customer.” Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings will close its roadshow on Wednesday evening in Zeist. Pictured: Jennifer Pichl (NCL), Marcel von Rotz (Regent Seven Seas Cruises) and Alessandra Cabella (Oceania Cruises).
