In 2019, a total of 765,696 cruise passengers visited Malta, according to the National Statistics Office (NSO), giving a boost to various local establishments.

The number of passengers represented an increase of 21 per cent when compared with 2018.

There were 359 cruise liner calls in 2019, with an average 2,133 passengers per vessel, compared to 310 calls and an average 2,041 passengers per vessel in the 2018.

The industry took a significant hit as a result of COVID-19, and not just because of social distancing requirements and travel bans. Stories of passengers trapped on vessels with national ports refusing entry have been shared countless times online.

As far back as early February, outbreaks were detected on cruise ships. The Diamond Princess was quarantined in Japan on 4th February after an outbreak onboard which eventually claimed at least 10 lives.

Despite this, however, a Guardian analysis revealed that as of 9th April, there were around 6,000 passengers on board cruise ships.

Just last month, the Government had been mulling over how to intervene in the case of two Maltese residents on board a cruise ship that was refused entry to Malta.

In light of the negative PR the industry has recently received, WhosWho.mt spoke with Hugh von Brockdorff, a travel industry veteran with knowledge of the cruise sector.

Mr von Brockdorff is the CEO of A. von Brockdorff Services Ltd, managing an American Express global business travel franchise relationship and office.

The product mix includes outbound leisure, cruise travel, corporate travel, inbound tour operating, FIT, conference, conventions and meetings, incentive travel, event management and groups.

Asked about both the long and short term prospects for the industry, Mr von Brockdorff said:

“Spring Cruising is lost. This is the time senior citizens prefer to cruise and it is a substantial part of the cruise clientele, who have either had to cancel or reschedule.

“The virus has also hit a key period in the booking process for cruises for this summer and, even in 2021, and therefore numbers are down drastically.”

Taking an optimistic view, Mr von Brockdorff said the pandemic would be under control to a sufficient level in three months’ time, with the world opening up its ports in time to save some of 2020.

“Yes, for sure cruises will be cancelled and whole itineraries written off. Possibly some cruise companies may even fail, but the majority are deemed ‘too big to fail’,” he asserted.

Mr von Brockdorff went on to say that in his opinion, cruise companies are very customer focused and “should not take longer to recover than any other industry”.

“They will surely ensure that safety, hygiene and see that controls are stepped up,” he said.

Mr von Brockdorff conceded that it is likely companies will not be in a position to operate their entire fleet, however he added that many a potential client will take advantage of the value-for-money offers the situation will create.

“There are also those who have already accepted to reschedule their cancelled cruise with the benefit of an “Onboard Cruise Credit” surely looking forward to the eventual normality.

“My recommendation to cruise lovers is to keep abreast of the industry and look for very good offers that will undoubtedly appear. Cruising is a safe and wonderful pickup after the battle is won.”