Deep dive into luxury cruising, Laura Hodges Bethge profiled, Northern Europe in depth

According to an analysis by Oxford Economics for Seatrade Cruise Review, luxury cruise capacity will balloon at a compound annual rate of 9% from 2002 to 2028, nearly three times the overall industry's 3.3% CAGR.

Is this over-exuberance? Will demand keep up? And what do all the additional berths mean for pricing? The cover story gets the views of luxury cruise leaders, retail partners and analysts to find out if there's room at the top.

Laura Hodges Bethge profiled

A gusto for learning distinguishes Hodges Bethge, who held about a dozen roles — from sales to investor relations to heading China market development to customer experience and, ultimately, EVP shared services operations for Royal Caribbean Group — before becoming Celebrity Cruises president in May.

Over years, Hodges Bethge has 'risen to every challenge and rolled up her sleeves wherever she could be of the most impact,' said her boss, Jason Liberty, president/CEO, Royal Caribbean Group.

Northern Europe in depth

A full and detailed 17-page report covers the diversity of the North European cruise sector on the eve of the Seatrade Europe Cruise & River Cruise Convention in Hamburg, Sept. 6-8.

Plus, the rebuilding of Asia cruising post-pandemic, what new European Union travel rules mean for cruise lines and a commentary by chef/restaurateur Rudi Scholdis, who urges fresh thinking on the culinary front, from chef pay to menu planning.

Reports from gatherings in Corfu and Québec

Readers will find a report from the MedCruise general assembly in Corfu and highlights of the Canada/New England Cruise Symposium in Québec City where Canada's first winter cruises were announced.

Among other features are the significance of MSC Euribia’s carbon neutral sailing as a turning point, and how Barbara Cobas founded Ship2Shore Employ on a mission to match former crew members with virtual cruise line jobs so their skills aren't lost.

Access the digital version of the latest Seatrade Cruise Review here.