No sooner had Regent Seven Seas Cruises announced a 48% increase in bookings so far this year, with May setting a new bookings-in-one-month record, than Silversea came out with news that on May 26 it took more calls in one day than ever in its 15-year history.
The record-breaking day occurred during a three-week period where bookings surged nearly 150% compared to May 2008. Average call volume last month was up almost 40% against April 2009.
Green shoots or just a sign that people will book if the price is right?
Whichever, it has to be good news for Silversea, which is launching the new 540-passenger Silver Spirit at the end of this year. It needs bookings, bookings and more bookings to fill that and its four existing vessels.
As with Regent, the bookings are being spurred by some very lucrative incentives - hefty discounts on selected cruises, free or discounted flights and $1,000 per stateroom on-board credit.
Interestingly, a few weeks ago Silversea sent me a chart they had put together comparing their prices with those of a mass-market cruise ship, a luxury ocean liner (I wonder who that could be?) and a luxury resort.
They took the basic cruise-only price of a 10/11-night holiday in the Caribbean, deducted any discounts then on offer and added a notional amount for drinks and gratuities, and also for food at the resort as the price was just for bed and breakfast.
Result? Silversea's six-star service was more expensive than the mass-market ship, which is not surprising, but almost £400 cheaper than the liner and incredibly almost £5,000 cheaper than the resort.
Remember, on Silversea there is nothing to pay for drinks and gratuities are included in the price, and with the on-board credit as well, you can also have free shore excursions. In fact, you might as well leave your wallet at home.
No wonder the cruiseline is having such a record-smashing time.
Jane Archer
