Luxury cruises cater to Asian tastes

RIVER CRUISING WAS once a relatively new concept for Asian travellers. But statistics from top luxury cruise company UniWorld show a significant rise in demand here for a comfortable stay in a floating hotel that takes you from one picturesque town to another, without the hassle of packing and unpacking at each destination.

The number of travellers from Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong hopping onboard a UniWorld ship grew by 15 percent annually in the last three years. Revenue from Singapore passengers also grew by 20 percent, suggesting they're spending more onboard than before. Meanwhile, travellers from Taiwan, Korea and the Philippines altogether contributed a whopping 40 percent growth of UniWorld's business in Asia in the past two years.

Ellen Bettridge, president and CEO of UniWorld, says: "The growth in interest in river cruising is partly due to active marketing efforts of ocean cruise liners promoting cruise holidays. However, the large ship concept does not appeal to everyone. Luxury travellers prefer more intimate travel experiences with personalisation. And this is where UniWorld comes in. The rise of Asian passengers over the past two years is testament to this new class of travellers seeking more luxury and intimate options for cruising."