Luxury cruise boss says ‘confidence is returning’
Thursday, 22 May, 2009
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The boss of SeaDream Yacht Club has said he “could not be more happy” not having new ships on order to arrive in the current economic climate.
The company, which runs two ultra-luxury boutique-style vessels, is seeing bookings return following a drop from last September and October as the economic squeeze hit.
President Bob Lepisto said 2008 was a record for the company with “extraordinary” revenue growth.
But the downturn led to a squeeze on business and incentive charters for the ships as it became “socially unacceptable” for big companies to sign for anything that might appear frivolous, he said.
However, Lepisto said the mood was changing as stock markets recover and SeaDream has recently signed deals with a luxury car firm and a technology company for whole-ship charters.
He admitted that 2010 would be “challenging” for the cruise industry in general, and said SeaDream had no imminent plans to increase capacity – unlike rivals lines in the luxury sector.
“We are very happy with our two little babies and pleased we did not make investments in new tonnage to arrive in the current climate,” he said.
Lepisto said price slashing wes not in the best interests of the company and it was instead providing tactical offers on longer Mediterranean voyages in late summer this year.
“As confidence returns the likelihood of closer in bookings is greater and greater,” he said.
by Phil Davies
Phil Davies
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