Fear of flying could be a boon for cruise lines

  • Friday, September 28, 2001 9:00pm
  • Business

Associated Press

SEATTLE — Hoping to ease travel fears and appeal to vacationers on tighter budgets, Holland America Line said Friday it will increase the number of shorter cruises leaving from Seattle and other U.S. ports.

A $100 million marketing campaign will tout shipboard travel as safe, easy, and a way to see the world without getting on an airplane.

"We recognize that some people may be hesitant to travel overseas or take long flights now," said David Giersdorf, senior vice president for the Seattle-based cruise line.

In a conference call to journalists, he said 90 percent of the company’s cruises — or about 360 sailings — will leave next year from U.S. and Canadian ports ranging from New York City to San Diego, Seattle to Florida.

The company will promote trips for those seeking vacations closer to home, Giersdorf said, adding that most cruises will leave from within a half-day’s drive of 40 percent of American households.

The hijacking terrorist attacks Sept. 11 have jolted the travel industry. Fear of flying combined with a reluctance to spend in a weakening economy are keeping people off airplanes and, in turn, out of hotels, restaurants, amusement parks and cruise ships.

The three major U.S. cruise companies, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., P&O Princess Cruises PLC and Holland America’s parent company, Carnival Corp., have lost millions of dollars since the attacks.

Giersdorf said Holland America had about 40 percent fewer bookings this week than in the same week last year.

Holland America previously announced it will begin cruising to Alaska from Seattle next summer. Nearly all Alaska cruises begin or end in Vancouver, British Columbia, but the company says its flagship Amsterdam has the speed to originate farther south. Holland America will offer 19 new weekly round trips from here, and 115 Alaska cruises total next year.

Holland America also will have a new weekly round-trip cruise from San Diego to Mexico, increase the options for shorter trips, and have more cruises leaving from Florida, a key customer base.

The company is converting some one-way cruises into round trips, hoping to save vacationers money on air fare and avoid airplane travel.

A cruise to the Panama Canal that used to require a one-way flight, for example, will be changed to a round-trip cruise leaving from and returning to Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Trips originally scheduled to stop in parts of the Middle East that are now considered risky will be rerouted. The company’s 100-day Grand World Voyage will substitute planned stops in Israel and the Middle East for stops in South Africa and South America, for example.

Mike Driscoll, editor of the industry newsletter Cruise Week, said other cruise lines will likely follow suit.

While that’s likely to boost competition, Driscoll said Holland America is probably making the right decision.

"I think it’s the best move given the circumstances," he said. "While it’s not an ideal solution, it’s probably the best."

Copyright ©2001 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Business

A closing sign hangs above the entrance of the Big Lots at Evergreen and Madison on Monday, July 22, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Big Lots announces it will shutter Everett and Lynnwood stores

The Marysville store will remain open for now. The retailer reported declining sales in the first quarter of the year.

George Montemor poses for a photo in front of his office in Lynnwood, Washington on Tuesday, July 30, 2024.  (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Despite high mortgage rates, Snohomish County home market still competitive

Snohomish County homes priced from $550K to $850K are pulling in multiple offers and selling quickly.

Henry M. Jackson High School’s robotic team, Jack in the Bot, shake hands at the 2024 Indiana Robotics Invitational.(Henry M. Jackson High School)
Mill Creek robotics team — Jack in the Bot — wins big

Henry M. Jackson High School students took first place at the Indiana Robotic Invitational for the second year in a row.

The computer science and robotics and artificial intelligence department faculty includes (left to right) faculty department head Allison Obourn; Dean Carey Schroyer; Ishaani Priyadarshini; ROBAI department head Sirine Maalej and Charlene Lugli. PHOTO: Arutyun Sargsyan / Edmonds College.
Edmonds College to offer 2 new four-year degree programs

The college is accepting applications for bachelor programs in computer science as well as robotics and artificial intelligence.

FILE — Boeing 737 MAX8 airplanes on the assembly line at the Boeing plant in Renton, Wash., on March 27, 2019. Boeing said on Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2024, that it was shaking up the leadership in its commercial airplanes unit after a harrowing incident last month during which a piece fell off a 737 Max 9 jet in flight. (Ruth Fremson/The New York Times)
Federal judge rejects Boeing’s guilty plea related to 737 Max crashes

The plea agreement included a fine of up to $487 million and three years of probation.

Neetha Hsu practices a command with Marley, left, and Andie Holsten practices with Oshie, right, during a puppy training class at The Everett Zoom Room in Everett, Washington on Wednesday, July 3, 2024. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Tricks of the trade: New Everett dog training gym is a people-pleaser

Everett Zoom Room offers training for puppies, dogs and their owners: “We don’t train dogs, we train the people who love them.”

Andy Bronson/ The Herald 

Everett mayor Ray Stephenson looks over the city on Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2015 in Everett, Wa. Stephanson sees  Utah’s “housing first” model – dealing with homelessness first before tackling related issues – is one Everett and Snohomish County should adopt.

Local:issuesStephanson

Shot on: 1/5/16
Economic Alliance taps former Everett mayor as CEO

Ray Stephanson will serve as the interim leader of the Snohomish County group.

Molbak's Garden + Home in Woodinville, Washington will close on Jan. 28. (Photo courtesy of Molbak's)
After tumultuous year, Molbak’s is being demolished in Woodinville

The beloved garden store closed in January. And a fundraising initiative to revitalize the space fell short.

Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin, Advanced Manufacturing Skills Center executive director Larry Cluphf, Boeing Director of manufacturing and safety Cameron Myers, Edmonds College President Amit Singh, U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen, and Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers participate in a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Tuesday, July 2 celebrating the opening of a new fuselage training lab at Paine Field. Credit: Arutyun Sargsyan / Edmonds College
‘Magic happens’: Paine Field aerospace center dedicates new hands-on lab

Last month, Edmonds College officials cut the ribbon on a new training lab — a section of a 12-ton Boeing 767 tanker.

Gov. Jay Inslee presents CEO Fredrik Hellstrom with the Swedish flag during a grand opening ceremony for Sweden-based Echandia on Tuesday, July 30, 2024, in Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Swedish battery maker opens first U.S. facility in Marysville

Echandia’s marine battery systems power everything from tug boats to passenger and car ferries.

Helion Energy CEO and co-founder David Kirtley talks to Governor Jay Inslee about Trenta, Helion’s 6th fusion prototype, during a tour of their facility on Tuesday, July 9, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
State grants Everett-based Helion a fusion energy license

The permit allows Helion to use radioactive materials to operate the company’s fusion generator.

People walk past the new J.sweets storefront in Alderwood Mall on Thursday, July 25, 2024, in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
New Japanese-style sweets shop to open in Lynnwood

J. Sweets, offering traditional Japanese and western style treats opens, could open by early August at the Alderwood mall.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.