Bert Hernandez, Senior VP International of Royal Caribbean, began the presentation of the shipping company's international event in Mexico City. We took the opportunity to talk with him about trends and the new Icon of the Seas cruise line.
We are in Mexico for the new ship that will leave Panama and for the new Icon line. How was it that you chose Panama as the destination from which the ships will depart?
They are cruises with tours of three, four and seven days. They have different itineraries. It is going to leave Panama and it is also going to have a season in Colombia. The reason is that we have been looking for a product to develop for a long time, which would be that we can adjust it a little to make it more specific for the Latin American market. The food is going to be a little different, the music, the entertainment. And another thing that it will have is that the alcoholic beverage will be included in the price, which is something different that is not done in any other.
The same ship is going to leave Panama and Cartagena at different times, right?
Yes, he is going to pick up some passengers in Panama, visit Cartagena and also pick up new passengers. For now we are the only company that is doing it because we saw an opportunity in this segment. We choose these destinations for the attractions and also for the infrastructure for the boats to enter. They have the necessary docks and they are also places that have an airlift and a hub.
How long have you been behind this issue? Well, more than 10 years because our biggest competition is not other brands, but Miami. It is often difficult to justify a product choice for a smaller market. But because we're a global brand and we attract people, we think it's going to be successful.
Thinking that it is made for Latin Americans, but as an international force you can attract people from all over, what happens in this case with the American market?
The itineraries are interesting and we see the demand. To begin with, there are many Latinos in the United States and we see that there is demand in the Hispanic market. For us it is discovery. But we are surprised at the response.
Returning to the Icon line, you are still working in the same line, but you understand that there are going to be other types of trends. No?
We know that trends are always changing and we have to have the flexibility within the boat to be able to take advantage. Look, the ship is the biggest ship in the world and it is the most expensive ship in the world ever made. It took so long, because we not only had to build the ship and plan the infrastructure in the ports, so I don't think this ship would be possible without having the private destinations that we have. So, that has been a very important thing.
What message do you have for travel agents when we are talking about the new Icon line?
Well, to begin with, it is the boat that is most in demand. If you do Google Search, the cruise term that comes up the most is Icon of the Seas. So, the passenger, the client will naturally ask for it. It's going to be pretty central to all the marketing we do. In addition, it is a product that is magnificent, that is going to be the best product that we have.