Are the Cruise lines about to open up the western coast of the USA to the same level of cruise activity as we have here on the east coast? Is NCL the first to be positioned to take advantage of such an expansion?

The open hostility to things American in Europe coupled with the increasing menace of terrorism over that way makes Alaska, Hawaii, Aussieland, NZ, Japan and China tempting attraction. Some nice ships, competative rates and competent cruise expertise would give us Americans a less hostile cruising experience. Most Americans, who can and do travel, have done Europe, the Med and the Caribbean scene.

There are some problems to overcome, one being the short vacation time Americans have compared to other industrialized countries.

Also the length of time to go coast to coast to catch a cruise. But these are issues that can be resolved.

Let's hope we can soon experience a cruise from Seattle, San Francisco, SanDiego to a more open cruise market in the Pacific.

The open hostility to things American in Europe coupled with the increasing menace of terrorism over that way makes Alaska, Hawaii, Aussieland, NZ, Japan and China tempting attraction.

Only a small part of Europe is strongly anti-American. As for terrorism all of Europe’s cruise itineraries are perfectly safe, or should I say as safe as anywhere can be in the modern world.

The Mediterranean offers sunshine and excellent port-cities (not saturated like the Carib’s islands), the Norwegian Fjords offer unspoilt scenery (unlike over commercialised Alaska) and the Baltic offers fascinating cites.

Most Americans, who can and do travel, have done Europe, the Med and the Caribbean scene.

Europe is a big place. Even those American’s that have been on a European cruise are unlikely to have seen very much of it. There are many different itineraries to choose from.

An interesting post, but I must challenge several things you have said:
The open hostility to things American in Europe coupled with the increasing menace of terrorism over that way makes Alaska, Hawaii, Aussieland, NZ, Japan and China tempting attraction.

Only a small part of Europe is strongly anti-American. As for terrorism all of Europe’s cruise itineraries are perfectly safe, or should I say as safe as anywhere can be in the modern world.

*****
...You must remember we are dealing here with perceptions on the part of Americans. What they see and hear from the media is what they tend to act upon...

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Most Americans, who can and do travel, have done Europe, the Med and the Caribbean scene.

Europe is a big place. Even those American’s that have been on a European cruise are unlikely to have seen very much of it. There are many different itineraries to choose from.

*****
...I should have been more precise, in that most Americans who tour Europe, the Scandanavia and other points of interest do so with land tours, flying to and fro. European cruises are excellent but would not IMHO be used to tour inland attractions.

My point was to ascertain if Asia and other areas of the Pacific are about to be opened to increased tourist traffic. There always a new supply of first time cruisers to do Europe, et al.

My second point was to point out that terrorism and anti-American sentiments are, to us Yanks, very intimidating. A major influence in our cruise choices.
We crave to be loved and just don't understand why anyone hates us, not just our govmnt, but us avg gum chewing, perhaps paranoid commoners...

*****

...KenH...

[ 05-22-2005: Message edited by: Kenneth ]

[ 05-22-2005: Message edited by: Kenneth ]

Okay there are Europeans that do not approve of American policies, but that is just the same amount as American citizens who do not either approve of America’s own policies. There are also European courtiers who were and still are helping the Americans in their war against terrorism.

As for terrorism, Europe has had it’s fair share of terrorism from all sorts of parties, terrorism is not something new and not something that only happens in the USA. The countries you named as “safe” alternatives also have had their moments of terrorism maybe not al by Al-Qaida, but no matter were you are acts of terorism can always happen (that is the point of the darn thing)

Thinking that Europe would not be safe is also ignorant, I think Europe (especially concerning the cruise world) has done even more then what is necessary to accommodate the whishes of countries who have opened the war against terrorism. In my opinion at a high cost as well, constant fear and freely giving up our freedom for security is just what any terrorist dreams of, just as fleeing to other cruise companies out of fear for terrorism.

As Malcolm said, Europe is a big place, I can drive 2 hours from my home and experience different countries, cultures and lifestyles. No one can say “bin there, don that” about the whole Europe.

Forget about terrorism and anti-Americanism. What is the future for cruises from the West USA coast? Is the Pacific going to witness an expansion?

Let's focus on the cruise aspect not the politics of globalisation.

quote:

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Originally posted by Kenneth:
You guys sure read a lot into what are plain vanilla comments.

Forget about terrorism and anti-Americanism. What is the future for cruises from the West USA coast? Is the Pacific going to witness an expansion?

Let's focus on the cruise aspect not the politics of globalisation.

...KenH

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One factor out of many might be the Panama canal - it is "difficult" to bring the big ships to the Pacific / American west coast region. Building a ship "there" might be an option (like Princess did), and maybe "smaller" ships will be deployed in this region.
(considering what I personally call "small" this statement is quite crazy )

P.S.: Don´t forget that Alaska is already a quite big market.

[ 05-22-2005: Message edited by: Ernst ]

OK, starting with Vancouver there are 5 major cruise ports of origin, perhaps more. That compares favorably to the US East Coast, and possibly even including the Gulf Coast. There are far more ships bound for north destinations, from Pacific ports, namely Alaska, than there are for NE Canada from NYC, Boston, and other East coast ports.