Many people flock to cruise ships for their vacation because you get everything you want and need in one place: multiple ports of call, spas, pools, live entertainment and, of course, buffets.
For some, however, buffets are a deterrent, and many cruise ships are starting to realize they may not be what passengers want anymore.
The realization couldn’t come at a better time, as travelers are increasingly choosing cruise travel over land-based vacations, according to June 2024 research from JP Morgan, which noted that consumers are more and more “focused on value within discretionary categories, with the value spread between cruises and land-based alternatives standing at 25-30% today versus 10-15% pre-pandemic.”
As a result, cruise operators are overhauling their fleets and on-board offerings to appeal to these consumers.
In April 2024, Norwegian Cruise Line placed its largest ship order ever to meet rising demand. And Disney announced at its D23 fan event last August that it will expand its cruise fleet to 13 ships by 2031.
Cruise lines are also getting creative with their dining solutions to accommodate guests who favor a more selective experience in lieu of a massive standard buffet.
Aboard Princess Cruises’ Sun Princess, the latest ship added to the cruise line’s fleet, you’ll still find grandiose dining rooms and a buffet, however, guests are offered a served buffet rather than a serve-yourself concept. The cruise line has also teamed up with some of the top chefs from around the world to curate its unique dining experiences.
The ship boasts over 30 restaurants and bar venues with celebrity collaborators, including mixologist Rob Floyd, world-renowned artist Romero Brito, supermodel Tyra Banks, famed butcher Dario Cecchini and many others.
“We wanted to bring a new taste and flair to our guests,” said Sami Kohen, vice president of food and beverage operations for Princess Cruises. “The cruise line industry has been around since the early 1960s and the traditional dining room is part of our dining choices, but it’s not the primary one that we want to implement.”
A magician at Spellbound by Magic Castle captivates guests with spectacular magic tricks and delicious cocktails.
Brandon Lopez
Take Makoto Ocean, for example, an edomae-style sushi restaurant aboard the Sun Princess. Chef Makoto Okuwa, a famed Japanese chef known for his brick-and-mortar restaurant in Miami Beach, has brought his culinary talents to the high seas, serving his delicious sushi and specialty dishes to cruise guests.
Another unique addition to the Sun Princess is Spellbound by Magic Castle. The members-only concept — the original clubhouse is located in Los Angeles — is now giving passengers a sneak preview of its sumptuous dining, extravagant cocktails, and magical entertainment aboard the cruise ship, treating them to “incredible feats of magic from talented magicians, surprises in themed rooms and theatrical cocktails delivered by sleight-of-hand servers,” according to a press release.
Meanwhile aboard the Disney Treasure, Disney’s latest vessel and sister ship to the Disney Wish, the company is taking immersive experiences to a whole new level.
The Treasure’s Haunted Mansion bar is the first bar of its kind in the cruise line’s fleet. The ship is the first vessel to incorporate storylines found in Disney theme parks into new experiences found on-board. Unique light shows, spooky handcrafted cocktails, and even appearances from Madame Leota herself are just some of the sneaky surprises you can expect from this elevated, adults-only experience.
Over at Plaza de Coco, the Treasure is taking dinner and a show to a whole new level. Once you walk past a long corridor, you feel like you’re no longer aboard a ship and have been transported to a plaza en La Ciudad de México (Mexico City). With authentic Mexican cuisine and delicious handcrafted cocktails paired with an incredible mariachi show and entertainment from Disney and Pixar’s famous animated film “Coco,” you’ll surely be celebrating Dia de los Muertos with your newfound familia.
“When you think about the entertainment part of it, I haven’t been to a place where you can actually have live music and entertainment and have a menu like this where we are putting all these Mexican touches,” said Disney Cruise Lines food and beverage expert Isai Coca.
In addition to elevated dining experiences, travelers are also seeking greater flexibility. Many cruise lines are doing away with the concept of seated dinners and giving control back to passengers so they can plan their days accordingly, whether they’re looking to do a little remote work, spend an extra hour at the pool, or just head back to their cabin for a midday nap.
Carlos Justina, food and beverage director aboard the Sun Princess, says that giving control back to passengers when it comes to when they want to eat, plus the use of technology with the Princess App, actually helps the company to adequately prepare and deliver a stronger experience to guests.
If you’re moving on from the cruise vacations of yesteryear or are simply looking to embrace a fresh, experiential concept, cruise lines are listening — and chances are, you’ll find what you’re looking for.
Editor’s note: Disney Cruise Line is owned by the Walt Disney Company, the parent company of ABC News.
The Tennessee Titans will spend parts of the next 10 days on the road, logging a total of nine nights in Tampa and Atlanta on a preseason road trip for joint practices and preseason games against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Atlanta Falcons. It won’t be the busiest slate; the Titans will only practice three times with two games in between, meaning there will be four off days. But it’ll be a stretch spent together, and, crucially to coach Brian Callahan, it’ll be a stretch where opponents will be able to start forming their opinions about the Titans.
Advertisement
“One of the things I’m really looking for is what do those teams say about us when we leave?” Callahan asks rhetorically. “What do they say about how we played, the intensity we practiced with? Those are all things we get to go make an imprint of what our team can be this year.”
Callahan envisions this road trip as an opportunity for his players and coaches to get closer, continuing the ongoing trend of Callahan emphasizing connection and togetherness as team-building tacts. It’s also an opportunity to get ready for the long road trips the Titans will have to endure in the fall; the Titans travel to Phoenix, Denver, Las Vegas and San Francisco this season, with the Raiders and Cardinals trips coming in back-to-back weeks.
The players seem to be bought into the idea. Receiver Calvin Ridley says the trip will go a long way toward bringing the team together. Rookie tight end Gunnar Helm says he’s looking forward to getting closer with his teammates. And offensive tackle Dan Moore Jr., in his first year with the Titans, plans to take advantage of the closeness.
Advertisement
“I do think it’s a great time for us to bond us a team,” Moore said. “Spend some time on the road. Get to know each other a little bit better, spend a lot more time with each other and just come together.”
Practicing with the Buccaneers presents a long list of challenges. Coach Todd Bowles’ defense blitzes at one of the highest rates in the league, which should test quarterback Cam Ward and the offense’s readiness. Quarterback Baker Mayfield and the Bucs’ talented receiving corps, led by Mike Evans, will be a huge test for the secondary. And then there’s the Florida heat. The forecast calls for mid-90s temperatures and extreme heat with a “real feel” of 104 degrees by the time practice is going to be ending.
When asked if he has any advice for enduring the Florida summer heat, cornerback and Florida native Jarvis Brownlee Jr. said to keep hydrated. And then he repeated his advice four more times.
Another underrated element is these joint practices, and preseason games, will be the Titans’ first opportunities to experience unfriendly environments. Having enemy fans around isn’t high on the list of reasons to go on these trips, but it’s a factor.
Advertisement
“It’s gonna be us against everybody for the next 10 days,” Helm says.
A road trip is the best kind of liberation — you (and your loved ones, if you so choose) plus the open road and limitless possibilities. Still, to optimally embrace that freedom, some upfront planning is required. These practical tips will ensure the trip is all you hope it will be.
Plan food stops before you leave
Just because you can see those golden arches from the highway doesn’t mean you must stop at that McDonald’s. Much of the country’s tastiest food is located just off the road, in what can seem like unsuspecting locations. “Some of the best expressions of regional food flavors and unique culinary styles can be found in gas stations,” said Frank Beard, a traveling sales rep, to Condé Nast Traveler. “Just because a place has four walls and a gas pump doesn’t mean they can’t do something different.”
Drive no more than 5 hours a day
“If you are planning a trip where you are going to drive, say, 12 straight hours to your destination, just fly if at all possible,” said American Weekender.“It’s not worth wasting an entire day of your trip in the car when you don’t have time to explore.” Clichés exist for good reason, so remember: The journey is indeed the destination. Stop at the dinosaur park you saw from the road. Sleep in, if the mood strikes. And relish the chance to break up the drive with an overnight stop.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
SUBSCRIBE & SAVE
Sign up for The Week’s Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
“Stopping overnight in the middle has made my driving days infinitely better over the last half-decade,” said Ben Mesirow at Thrillist. “Every leg of the trip feels more manageable, and even if you have to sacrifice one night at the destination, it’s more than worth the trade-off to arrive calmer, happier and ready to enjoy your vacation.”
Prepare for possible roadside emergencies
One certainty of road trips — and driving in general — is that at some point, there is going to be a car malfunction. Two arguably essential tools to have stowed in your auto are a portable jump starter for a stalled engine and a portable air compressor for pumping tires. “If you’re driving alone or in remote areas where car trouble will really ruin your day,” these mechanisms are “game changers,” said frequent traveler Rachel Engen to Outside magazine.
Give your car the gift of a checkup
Auto maintenance either comes easily to you or it never crosses your mind until those pesky dashboard lights start blinking. If you’re the former, skip ahead. If you’re the latter, gather your strength and get all that maintenance done before you hit the road. “Check the oil, fluid levels, battery and tires,” said Lonely Planet. “Make sure you have air in your spare tire.” Obvious, yes. But obvious is best — especially if you follow through.
Download everything you might need before departure
Picture it: You’ve entered your destination into Google Maps, and the app is guiding you smoothly there. Then, poof: Out goes the cell service. Avoid the abject terror that results and save everything you might need for offline use. That includes “Google Maps, trails, campsites and itineraries,” said Julia, the creator behind Julia Takes a Hike, to Outside magazine. Screenshots of reservations so “you don’t struggle to dig through email without Wi-Fi” is a wise idea, said Engen to Outside. “Make sure your music or audiobooks are downloaded too.”
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
This article first appeared in the August edition of Powersports Business.
Summer vacation season has begun, and as Americans gear up for adventure, the high cost of air travel is fueling a road trip renaissance. According to a survey from GSTV, “83% of people said they plan to drive to their summer vacation destination, and 54% said they will drive instead of fly due to the rising cost of airfare.”
Powersports enthusiasts gearing up for summer road trips should ensure their vehicles are up to date on maintenance.
For powersports enthusiasts, a summer road trip may include trailering their ATVs and other on- and off-road vehicles to explore new trails, such as Iron Mountain Resort in Dahlonega, Georgia, Ride Royal Blue Resort in Pioneer, Tennessee, or Badlands Off-Road Park in Attica, Indiana. That is, of course, if their vehicles are up to the challenge.
Before hitting the dirt, riders need to ensure their vehicles are road-ready, and that can be costly. A rule of thumb in the powersports industry is that for frequent riders, an ATV should be tuned up every three to six months, and these costs can add up. For example, a tune-up for an ATV can cost between $100 and $400, while regular oil changes typically range from $30 to $55.
And let’s not forget those items not covered in a tune-up. For example, new tires, shocks, and batteries. According to ATVTires.com, some entry-level tires are priced from nearly $81 to $148 per tire, and for some high-performance tires, the prices go up to nearly $214 to $414 per tire. And remember to maintain those brakes. The price tag adds up quickly if you’re hitting the trails often and/or are covering the cost for the whole family. Keep in mind that maintenance and repair costs have surged in recent years, driven by rising prices across the economy.
For many, the upkeep costs may be too steep to handle without financing. The same applies to purchasing a new vehicle. According to the University of Michigan’s consumer sentiment index, anxiety about inflation, tariffs, and economic uncertainty is pushing consumer sentiment to its second-lowest level since the pandemic. Since January, sentiment has dropped by nearly 30 percent, with many Americans cutting back on discretionary spending.
But all hope of a powersports-filled summer isn’t lost. Like consumers, many dealerships may be feeling the squeeze as inflation rises and discretionary spending dips. However, many continue to be valuable resources for customers by showing them how, through financing, their services team can breathe new life into their existing vehicles. This includes financing everything from essential repairs and tune-ups to upgrades, new accessories, and even gas.
For small businesses that are not offering financing from companies such as Synchrony, this is the time to act. For businesses with existing programs, there is a good chance that many of your current and prospective customers are unaware that they can finance the upkeep of their vehicles. That means it’s time to begin promoting the full extent of these programs online and on-site in the dealership — in store windows, on the store floor, and more.
From there, educate your sales and services teams on the financing options. Make them your store’s financing experts, helping your customers understand how they can use these loans to maintain their current vehicles (and in doing so extend their lifespan) and upgrade accessories that may need replacement. For those riders with relatively new vehicles, be sure to educate them on the benefits of regular maintenance. For example, by financing more frequent tune-ups and replacing worn parts, riders can avoid more significant, and far more costly, repairs down the road. Financing can turn these proactive steps into easy-to-manage monthly payments, saving money and stress over the long haul.
This summer, powersports dealerships could be more than just a place to buy a new vehicle. They can become trusted partners in helping customers extend the life of the equipment they already own, allowing them to embark on their next getaway adventure and generate lasting memories.
Susan Medrano is the senior vice president and general manager at Synchrony Outdoors. With over 25 years of financial services experience, she leads Synchrony Outdoors within the Lifestyle platform. In this role, she provides general management and P&L accountability for Synchrony’s consumer business within the outdoors industries, including powersports and lawn and garden.
