Renaissance Cruises, A Final Bon Voyage
9/25/01
It should come as no surprise to anyone that the events of September 11th are having a devastating impact on our economy. As the stock market moves down and up like a yo-yo, stunning news today revealed the first travel industry casualty of the terrorist attack on America.
Renaissance Cruises ceased all cruise operations on Tuesday, September 25, 2001.
Not only does this news dismay Renaissance's loyal past passengers, as well as many of us directly and indirectly related to the cruise industry, but its impact is far-reaching. International crews will return to their homelands with diminished prospects for employment. Travel agents have one less cruise option to offer their clients--not to mention one with a high percentage of repeat passengers.
The news gets even worse for the world-wide travel community. Tour operators around the globe have made increasing investments and commitments to the cruise industry in recent years. An entire network of independent tour operators has sprung up on the Internet offering their services. The cash outlay for vehicles alone is enormous. At least one country--Tahiti--has improved their tourism infrastructure based on the cruise industry.
And it doesn't end there. Airlines and airports and their employees will feel the effects, as will ports throughout the world. Credit card companies and travel insurers will be adversely impacted when claims begin pouring in. Advertising is the fuel that runs the Internet and Renaissance has been a major advertiser on numerous commercial web sites. There is also the loss of print advertising to consider. The trickle-down effect is disastrous.
As a past guest of Renaissance Cruises, this news saddens me deeply. I've enjoyed many happy days on board the R-Class vessels and consider scores of their former crew and staff members my friends. I bid them a heartfelt Bon Voyage and hope we meet again.
Current Cruise News
Please Note: CruiseDiva.com is a non-commercial web site in that it receives no advertising support from cruise lines or travel suppliers.
