Why Tour Guides Should Consider Cruise Ship Opportunities in 2021 & Beyond?

Tourism trends are for small groups, immersive experiences which involve meeting local people and communities and of course sustainability. The days of mass tourism may be over – is this a positive for the future?

What are the trends telling us?

2020 was supposed to be a bumper year for cruising. According to Forbes Magazine, 32 million cruise passengers were expected, almost double the figure of 10 years ago. The Cruise industry revenue had also doubled in the last decade and was estimated to reach 31.5 bill USD in 2020.  Nineteen new cruise ships were announced for 2020 to be added to an existing fleet of 278 ocean cruise ships. The 500 river cruise ships were also expected to do well. Around the world, the diaries of tourist guides were filling up with bookings.

During the pandemic, alarming headlines appeared in the cruise industry press. Fleet Monitor (www.fleetmon.com) reported that 6 [small] cruise lines went bankrupt, 34 cruise ships were sold or scrapped, ‘ … global shutdown is unlike something the industry has ever witnessed, easily dwarfing global events like 9/11 or stock market crashes.’ …  ‘Even Norwegian Cruise Line, one of the world’s biggest cruise lines, was on the verge of bankruptcy until a $2 billion loan came to their rescue.’ … In Sept 2020, Carnival Corporation announced plans to sell 18 “less efficient” cruise ships …, resulting in a 12% reduction of its overall fleet. Let’s also give a thought to the crew and colleagues who were stranded in far-flung corners of the world, unable to return to their families during the pandemic – a logistical nightmare.

Deep down the industry knew that the big players would survive and perhaps even emerge leaner and slimmer.

Beyond the gloomy headlines, like everywhere, efforts were going on for a recovery in some shape or form. Whilst cruise ships were ‘parked up’ in ports across the world port authorities and cruise companies started talking about the longer-term future of the cruise industry. Cruise lines were getting ready to set sail again as soon as the Centres for Disease Control would lift the no-sail-order. A cautious green light came with the ‘conditional sail order’ in October 2020, followed by a joint press release by UNWTO and the International Maritime Organisation in early November supporting a ‘safe resumption of cruise ship operations’. This coincided with the announcement that vaccination against COVID-19 would soon be possible. Cruising started in Singapore, the Bahamas and from Haifa Israel, by then having a high percentage of their population vaccinated. Meanwhile, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control introduced a traffic light system for travel and the cruise ship engines started running.

The cruise industry was ready with new advertising and sales campaigns. They had trained their sales force to ‘come into your living room’ online. ‘Virtual Cruise Shows’ appeared. Advance registration for cruises opened and start dates were set for May 2021 (Mediterranean) and July (UK).

The travel trends for small groups, friends and family trips, personal immersive experiences and an interest in finding out about the local destination and community will grow and develop,  This will affect the cruise industry too. There may be more smaller ships with specialised needs. 

What has been happening in Northern Ireland? 

Ships started cruising around the UK with fully vaccinated British guests on sea-cations but not calling at the ports. The Good News is that in Northern Ireland there has already been the start of a recovery in Cruise Ship Calls.  Up to the end of August 2021, 32 ships have called at Belfast with some calls also at Derry, Larne and Port Rush.  Members of the Northern Ireland Tourist Guides Association (NITGA) and Tour Guides Northern Ireland (TGNI) report that their members have already been busy with panoramic tours and visits to certain attractions. So far these tours have been in “bubbles” organised by SHOREX companies meaning that the guests have to stay with the group at all times, with coaches only being filled to 50% of normal capacity.  Guides and other providers must adhere to Covid-19 Guidelines and do appropriate risk assessments. Follow the link to watch a Welcome Video for guests arriving in Belfast.

It is hoped that more ships will call in for the rest of 2021 and that independent shore visits will be possible and then that 2022 will see the start of real recovery. For the latest information and updates see Cruise Belfast.

What did 2021 look like for tourist guides in other parts of the world?

What can tourist guides do to prepare and help?

• Be ready, prepared and knowledgeable and most of all HUMAN
• Be aware of the current Covid-19 regulations and tourist guide protocols and guidelines
• Check any special requirements for yourself e.g. proof of vaccination, negative tests, mask-wearing, group size
• Try to think of new destinations for guests – tour operators will need your help and they need it NOW – not 5 minutes or a week before the tour – they are planning so write to them and offer to help. They might not be able to pay you much if anything but it could benefit you too as they need guides – they will think of YOU for 2022 and beyond
  • Can you advise on ways to encourage community involvement or benefit?
  • Are there community groups you could work with?
  • Do you know some unusual or less visited places that would be good for small groups?
  • Could you work with craft makers and help them to recover too?
  • Do you know places where the guests could experience authentic food and drink?
• Are there new opportunities?
  • Tourists are now in “bubbles” (onboard and during excursions) - could you offer to be part of that “bubble” – for example on the ship – giving talks or manning a hospitality desk as well as guiding.
  • Do you have a special skill – craft demonstrations, music, story-telling – could you go onboard for the guests who prefer not to come ashore?