Nana: Finally, the current weak Yen is not favorable for the Japanese outbound travellers at the moment. I understand that you've been increasing different travel itineraries here in Japan and Southeast Asia. Can you tell me more about this?
Ben: Absolutely. There are challenges with weak currency, as seen in Australia, New Zealand, SE Asia and now Japan. However, this doesn't mean travel is off the table; it means finding better value options. Cruising offers unparalleled value, as it locks in an almost all-inclusive price with packages covering dining, beverages, shore excursions, and Wi-Fi. This way, travelers aren't affected by fluctuating exchange rates.
Booking with NCL allows you to lock in prices up to 12 months in advance, ensuring stability against currency fluctuations. Savvy holidaymakers recognize this benefit, leading to an increase in new and younger demographics considering cruises. Additionally, we are now presenting close-to-home itineraries for Japanese holidaymakers.
With three ships sailing across Asia Pacific between 2024 and 2026 and offering 80 diverse itineraries, Japanese travelers can experience the value of Norwegian Cruise Line without venturing too far. This offers the best of both worlds, combining unbeatable value and convenient travel options.
Nana: Sounds like exciting times for the cruise travel industry. Thank you for being here today.
[[ Editor’s Note… ]]
APAC Director of Sales, Damian joins Ben to share their personal experiences on land vs. cruise travel.
Nana: I have a very basic question... Is everything inclusive, or does it depend on the plan that you choose from?
Damian: Let me give you an example. I took my family of seven on a 17-day cruise, and my credit card billing was just AUD600. With our Free at Sea package, standard beverages are included. Premium options are available, for additional cost.
We have an equal number of included and specialty restaurants; the latter may charge extra, but some are indeed included in the Free at Sea package. Everything else on the ship, like boutique shops and the spa, is optional. You can have a relaxing, all-inclusive holiday or enhance it as you would at a resort.
Ben: Whereas Damian spent three weeks on a ship, I took my family back to the UK and traveled through Europe.
Every time we wanted to sit down, whether in a hotel lobby for a glass of wine or for a meal, it was charged to our room. The accumulated costs were staggering. I wasn't used to this since I'm accustomed to cruising with my family, where beverages and meals are inclusive.
Also, the time spent transiting between airports and hotels was such a waste. So, I was blown away by how inconvenient and lacking in value my land holiday was.
Nana: So essentially, cruise travel saves time and money - and hassle free!
Damian: I'll leave you with this final thought: only about 1% of global holidaymakers currently choose to cruise. Imagine if just another 1% decided to take a cruise; the industry would double in size. We're beginning to see more non-cruisers comparing cruise holidays with land holidays, often finding cruises more appealing. This potential for growth is incredibly exciting.
Ben: You're right about the reduced stress—organizing a land tour involves worrying about bills, traveling between points, dealing with traffic, and potential lost luggage. When you consider all that, cruising offers a much more relaxing and enjoyable holiday experience.
I've heard people question the cost of shore excursions before. Here’s a personal anecdote – one point where it really hit me. We were in Europe and within a week I think I took six taxis to and from airports, which each of those taxis cost about half of what a short excursion would cost on the cruise. You do have a lot of luggage having young kids, so a van with a driver is necessary.
With a cruise ship you don't have to worry about any of that. No stress, and just wait for a new destination to wake up to every single day.
And that's the job that we as an industry have. We've got to educate ourselves on the benefits of cruising. The mental part, too.
Nana: There's so much about the psyche part that I didn't think about previously.
Damian: As you can tell, we're very passionate about being at sea. You wouldn't believe what that does to your psyche. You’re just in a state of Zen being at sea. Having said this, I also enjoy staying on the ship when everyone else gets off. It’s a really nice feeling to have the ship to yourself.
Nana: I most certainly understand the unique advantages of cruise traveling. Thank you for joining me today.
https://www.ncl.com
Japanese edition
https://www.hoteresonline.com/articles/13466
