| Are Baby Boomers that much different from | | | | Speaking of spas, cruise ships have witnessed a |
| other cruise passengers? According to many | | | | transformation from a small sauna and one |
| cruise line executives this one group of guests | | | | massage table to elaborate complexes that offer |
| has probably created more changes in cruise ship | | | | everything from Thalassotherapy pools to hot |
| programming than any other travelers since | | | | stone massages. On board gyms have followed |
| Noah's Ark. The same group that made cell | | | | that trend with most ships now dedicating |
| phones, BMW's and flat screen TV's a cultural | | | | thousands of square feet and coveted ocean |
| phenomena is having a strong impact of how | | | | view space to their exercise facilities. |
| cruise lines go to market. | | | | Ashore, Boomers seek excursions that are more |
| At a recent industry conference sponsored by | | | | action-oriented although soft adventure is the key |
| Cruise Lines International Association, Marketing | | | | here. They want adventure but in a comfortable |
| Chairman Dan Hanrahan (who is also president of | | | | environment. Cruise lines call it Culture in Comfort. |
| Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Cruises) pointed | | | | Forget the tours buses, today's cruisers are more |
| out that the lifestyle and interests of baby | | | | likely to be found river rafting in a cave or cycling |
| boomers has led to some unique new experiences | | | | down a volcano than buying t-shirts at a local |
| on board for all passengers. | | | | shop. |
| Baby Boomers, he said, tend to collect | | | | Cruise ship casinos have evolved from |
| experiences as they get older versus physical | | | | afterthoughts to carefully planned and important |
| possessions. So computer classes are often more | | | | centers of revenue. The rule of thumb is the |
| popular than Bingo. | | | | larger the ship, the more extensive the casino. |
| While at home, busy boomers dine out more | | | | The notable exceptions are Disney Cruise lines (a |
| often and therefore seek a wider variety of | | | | corporate choice) and NCL America (Hawaiian law) |
| dining experiences on board a cruise ship. This has | | | | ships that offer no casinos at all. But on the rest, |
| led to a movement from one or two main dining | | | | you can find everything from the most popular |
| rooms with fixed seating times to more flexible | | | | slots to Texas Hold em poker. |
| alternative restaurants approximating the feel of a | | | | Of course, Boomers need to stay connected, so |
| good bistro at home. Flexibility of dining times has | | | | internet cafes on the ships are an important asset |
| led to a change in the old first and second seating | | | | to them. And while some of us don't especially like |
| system that has been around for 40 years. One | | | | this idea, cell phones are beginning to work at sea |
| cruise line, NCL threw out the concept completely | | | | as well as in ports where there is service. Busy |
| when it introduced Freestyle Cruising a few years | | | | boomers are used to instant gratification in their |
| back and its new ships boast up to 10 restaurants | | | | communications world and expect this to carry |
| touting an eat-when-and with-whom-you-choose | | | | over to cruise vacations. |
| option. Most other contemporary cruise lines offer | | | | And last but not least are the musical proclivities |
| a more limited version of this concept ranging | | | | of the boomer generation. They grew up on jazz, |
| from Princess Cruises Anytime Dining to Holland | | | | blue grass and rock and roll. The cruise lines keep |
| America' recently announced As You Wish open | | | | this in mind when planning and selecting musical |
| seating program in a section of their main dining | | | | groups and live shows. In the mind of these |
| rooms. Along with the dining hours and options, | | | | travelers the only rap they are interested in is |
| healthy lifestyle selections on cruise ship menus | | | | probably a sea weed wrap at the spa! |
| including spa cuisine has been a steadily growing | | | | See you on board. |
| trend. | | | | |