Alternative cruising: Offering travelers a chance to experience more

Northwestern Financial Review, Sep 1, 2001 by Crews, Jennifer Goepfert

Offering travelers a chance to experience more

These days, vacationers want more from their cruise than a chance to get a good suntan. Today's travelers are looking for unique experiences, destinations and sights. The traditional ocean liner cruises to the Caribbean are giving way to smaller, more tailored adventure and theme cruises as energetic seniors and baby boomers are asking for more from their vacations. The industry of cruising is indeed changing as more active travelers and even families take to the water in search of adventure.

In fact, according to Cruise Lines International Association, nearly twothirds of the cruise lines available today are offering adventure and theme cruises, up 33 percent in the last 10 years. The rise in alternative cruising can be attributed to the fact that the baby boomer generation now makes up 60 percent of the cruising population.

"They are asking for more flexibility and options," said Jeff Behrens, owner and operator of Fantasy Cruises, Inc. "Baby Boomers are asking for kayaking and float planes around the islands."

"The average baby boomer has done the Bahamas and Mexico," added Sheryl Gatto, American Classic Voyages. "They have done three- and four-day cruises and even seven-day Caribbean tours. They are looking for something more educational and more intellectually stimulating."

While the amount of smaller cruise lines is on the rise, large cruise ships are still getting larger. According to Behrens there are nearly 15 mega-cruise ships scheduled to come online within the next five years-- ships that carry 2,000 or more passengers.

"Unfortunately the cruising companies are building bigger ships because it is a better bottom line," said Behrens. "They are building faster ships so that they can say they see more territory."

The problem with this type of cruising is that ships are speeding through the night and are packing too much in. Further, traveling with 2,000 other people means waiting in line when you reach a destination.

This is good news for the smaller ships. Travelers are coming in droves to the small adventure and theme cruises to get a better, more personalized experience. And while adventure and theme cruises might seem tailor-made to the baby boomer, these types of cruises are attracting active seniors as well. The smaller ship offers a better experience for all travelers.

The smaller ship is ideal for a bank travel club that wants an exclusive trip with a lot of personal attention. Behrens' company, Fantasy Cruises offers unique trips tailored to the traveler who wants more from their vacation.

Fantasy Cruises

Jeff Behrens, or Captain Jeff, has been in the cruising industry for 11 years. He has operated a licensed vessel in the Puget Sound region since 1988. Behrens is in command of every aspect of the cruise from planning to guiding the trip. This level of service ensures attention to detail. There are no questions that Behrens can't answer and any special decisions can be made immediately.

His latest vessel, the "MV Island Spirit," is 125 feet long and is licensed for 149 passengers. The ship is the only small ship of its kind that actually turns off the generators at night and runs fully on battery power in the evening. The result is completely quiet evenings at anchor.

A typical cruise aboard the Island Spirit begins in the port of Seattle. The ship heads north to the town of LaConner on the Swimomish Channel where passengers can enjoy time to shop and relax. The cruise continues through the scenic San Juan Islands. Behrens points out natural sights among the 175 islands such as porpoise, eagles, harbor seals and killer whales. After exploring the San Juan Islands, the ship heads to Canada where it crosses the International Boundary and anchors off Sidney Island, British Columbia. Passengers enjoy a crab feed as they watch the sun set over the Gulf Islands. Then it is on to Victoria, B.C., where a full day of site seeing and touring the city is waiting. The tour makes one more stop in Port Townsend where travelers take a tour of a historic fort and take in the spectacular view of Mt. Baker.

In response to requests for more exclusivity, Behrens has converted the ship for private trips. With only 16 passenger cabins, 32 people can travel comfortably and get a high level of personalized service. In

addition, Behrens can tailor itineraries to fit the requests of the group. For example, if a group is interested in a golf theme, several golf outings can be added to the itinerary.

Fantasy Cruises also offers longer five-, seven- and eight-day cruises highlighting the Pacific Northwest, and optional tour extensions can be added for those who want more time on land.

The unique personal service that Fantasy Cruises offers is ideal for a bank travel club that wants a custom-made cruising experience.