Disha Shah Ghosh - Mumbai Set to make its debut in Asia next year with Disney Adventure, Disney Cruise Line is confident of growing the family luxury cruise market, and bringing in first-time cruisers on board from India.
Talking to TravelBiz Monitor during her recent visit to Mumbai, Sarah Fox, VP & Regional GM, Asia, Disney Cruise Line, said, “India is incredibly important and we are super excited. Having Disney Adventure in Singapore, the gateway to Asia, and the proximity to enjoy Disney products is closer to home than ever before. The outbound numbers from India are growing exponentially, and Singapore has been a strong destination to benefit from that.”
She went on to add, “We are excited about welcoming Indian guests on board. We did focus group visits from India, and it turned out that 97% of them know Disney, and their touchpoints can be Disney Plus, Disney Movies, Disney Parks and the experiences. Indians have a trust factor in Disney, and expect a certain quality from the brand. It is extremely validating for us, since today’s generation has grown up on Disney entertainment, and we will bring family luxury cruisers from India in the marketplace. Years ago, when we launched Disney Cruise Line in the US, we brought first-time family cruisers on board.”
Talking about the difference in the product offering, Lloyd Machado, Director of Hotel, New Build & Dry Dock Operations, Disney Cruise Line, stated, “Multi-day cruising is growing and that is good for the entire cruise industry. Through Disney Adventure, we are experimenting by investing so much of our intellectual property with adventure and entertainment experiences. Guests will love their days at sea because it will allow them to explore the depth of offerings.”
Disney Adventure will offer three to four-night sailings on the high seas of Singapore, allowing guests to explore and indulge in the 7 themes onboard Disney Adventure. The experiences will range from entertainment, stage shows, adventure, attractions, dining to themed spaces of the favourite Disney characters, a big pull for the young segment of travellers.
With regards to the competition in the cruise space, Fox is of the view that the Disney offering will complement its peers, bringing in new cruisers. “It is fantastic for the industry at large and now with the Disney brand. Many of kids will witness their first large scale theatrical experience onboard which and can be very impactful. Therefore, Disney Adventure is purposefully designed for 3-4 days at seas with 7 themes that are rich in content and story-telling.”
Sharing about their plans of working with the travel trade, Fox said that travel agents are imperative and they are developing relationships with the community in India. “We want to make sure we provide the right level of information and training. We want to make sure that there is full comprehension and understanding of the ship and its offerings. We will provide tools and resources for them engage with their clients.”
