Cruise 360 ​​Brazil: Global panel presents new company and strong expansion of major cruise lines

The event took place on March 14th and 15th at the Santos Convention Center in Santos (SP), and was organized by the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA). The Global Panel was coordinated by journalist André Coutinho.

The arrival of a new company on the market.

One of the new developments presented at the panel was the entry of a new brand into the international cruise market. Àlex Busquets, Vice President of Sales at Corazul Cruceros, explained that the company was created with the aim of offering an experience inspired by the Mediterranean lifestyle.

According to the executive, the company was created after studies identified opportunities in markets that have lost part of their cruise supply in recent years.

“We designed a product focused on the Mediterranean lifestyle. It’s a way of living, eating, having fun, and traveling that resonates very well with the Brazilian public,” he stated.

The company's goal is to offer passengers a relaxed atmosphere, inspired by the cultural and gastronomic traditions of Spain, Italy, and Portugal. The project includes new ships, unique itineraries, and ports that are still relatively unexplored in different regions.

Busquets also highlighted that the demand for cruises has grown consistently in recent years, especially after the pandemic, driven by the work of travel agents.

Emotional experiences at the heart of Costa's strategy.

For Dario Rustico, CEO of Costa Cruises for the Americas, the company's great differentiator lies in creating experiences that generate emotion and lasting memories for passengers.

According to him, the work of the industry and travel agents goes far beyond selling a ticket or an itinerary. The goal is to create unique moments in the lives of travelers.

“We are investing heavily in the product and the destinations to create emotions. We are not just selling a trip. We are helping to create the happiest moment of the year for many people, vacations with friends, parents and children. These are unique moments that people remember 20 or 30 years later,” he stated.

To reinforce this proposition, Costa has been working on developing exclusive experiences within its itineraries. Examples include special breakfasts in front of Capri's famous Faraglioni, prepared with ambiance and typical local cuisine, as well as stops at remote points in the Mediterranean for stargazing with the ship in complete darkness.

The company also created new experiences in strategic destinations, including special stops at beaches and islands in the Mediterranean, as well as exclusive events during the voyage, such as parties near iconic destinations like Ibiza.

Innovation and new commercial policy at Norwegian

Norwegian Cruise Line's new offerings were presented by Estela Farina, the company's General Manager in Brazil. The executive announced important changes to how cruise prices are presented, which should bring direct benefits to travel agents.

"In practice, this means that your revenue has automatically increased. That's great news," he stated.

The company is also continuing to expand its fleet and is betting on innovation as one of the pillars of the brand. Among the launches is a new ship in the Prima class, which promises to enhance onboard experiences and reinforce the focus on differentiated destinations and activities.

Estela also mentioned that the group includes two other luxury brands, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises, expanding the portfolio of experiences available for different types of travelers.

Another highlight was the announcement that the company will resume operations in Latin America in a future season, expanding opportunities for the Brazilian market.

The executive also highlighted itineraries developed by Regent Seven Seas Cruises to observe solar eclipses at sea, positioning ships in strategic locations for direct observation of the phenomenon on board.

Disney's fleet expansion and immersive experiences

The expansion of Disney Cruise Line was presented by Alexander Haim, Senior Manager Park Sales for The Walt Disney Company in Latin America.

According to the executive, the company is experiencing a historic moment of growth. The fleet, which had four ships in operation in 2020, has already doubled in size and should reach 13 vessels by 2031.

"We are in a process of expansion and growth of our fleet that is unprecedented in history," he stated.

Among the unique aspects of the Disney experience are the exclusive terminals in Florida, where boarding begins with a themed setting, as well as private destinations in the Caribbean, where the characters are part of the activities offered to passengers.

The company has also invested in training for travel agents in Latin America, expanding access to information about available products and experiences.

MSC's expansion reinforces opportunities in the cruise market.

Closing the panel, Adrian Ursilli, General Director of MSC Cruises in Brazil, highlighted the company's current period of strong growth and the importance of professional development to keep pace with this expansion.

"It's a great satisfaction to see this room full on Saturday and Sunday, with professionals investing in training, development, and knowledge," he stated.

MSC continues to expand its fleet with new generations of ships, including the World class, known for its large size and diverse onboard experiences.

In total, there will be eight ships of this class, two of which are already in operation and others will enter service in the coming years. The company also announced the development of a new generation of vessels called New Frontier, which will further expand the fleet's capacity.

Furthermore, the company is also betting on the growth of the luxury segment with the MSC Yacht Club and the Explora Journeys brand, dedicated to premium experiences.

According to Ursilli, the growth of the industry demands increasingly better preparation from tourism professionals.

"Those who already sell cruises have a great opportunity. And those who don't yet sell need to study, get to know the ships, and explore all the possibilities that this market offers," he concluded.

Reporting and photo: Mary de Aquino.