Cruise ship industry is an integral part of the tourism industry as a whole. Cruise liners are water hotels that provide the same range of services as the usual hotels, but at the same time you enjoy views of the seas and oceans, and you have the opportunity to visit other countries, if the type of cruise you choose includes it.
Amanda Graham is an insider of the cruise industry, who is working for the Windstar Cruises company as a director of social media and public relations, knows how to make guests feel comfortable. According to Graham’s insider data, 95 percent of the industry is controlled by large companies, while the remaining 5 per cent belong to small companies, which own small tonnage ships, which can accommodate up to 500 people at a time and have a number of advantages over the large cruise companies. Consequently, this industry has a “huge potential” for development because in 2014 there were only 410 ships, which could accommodate almost 468 thousand guests. Despite the fact that work in the cruise industry is a great experience, this sphere faces many challenges on a daily basis. One striking example, according to Austin, who writes for Bussinesinsider, is the challenge faced by the Carnival company on board of the Triumph. Because of “the engine fire”, ship stood motionless for a whole week, while the passengers were forced to “survive on limited food and water” and sanitary water systems were disabled (2013).
Cruise industry companies differ from one to another and types of cruises differ to. Some of them offer short-term cruises with an all inclusive service provided on board with limited time spent at the destination place while other companies main feature is letting people discover places of destination for as long as possible providing same service.
Cruise industry has a huge potential for development no matter what. Creation of new jobs, development of new routes and destinations, establishment of new relations and creation of a whole community of cruise lovers are only a few challenges which the industry will have to face again and again in the future.
After completing an analysis of the opinion of Graham, the speaker, and opinion of Austin, the author of the article, it becomes clear that the author agrees with the speaker.
Works Citied
Austin, Ch. (2013) DISASTER TIMELINE: How Carnival Went From 'Fun Ship' To
'Poop Cruise' . Businessinsider.com. Retrieved from:
http://www.businessinsider.com/how-carnival-went-from-fun-ship-to-poop-
cruise-2013-2
Colorado State's Master of Tourism Management (2014). NRRT679 Amanda Graham,
Windstar Cruises 10-30-14. Retrieved from:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lYzDgUjFm4w
