USA. A high-class speaker line-up from across the cruise ‘Trinity’ led a strong first day of retail sessions at Seatrade Cruise Global in Miami on Tuesday (8 April).
The Retail Days – a series of conference sessions dedicated to retail at sea – run over 8-9 April at the Miami Beach Convention Center, co-organised by The Moodie Davitt Report. Seatrade Cruise Global is the premier annual gathering of the cruise industry worldwide and runs from 7-10 April, with around 10,000 delegates in attendance in the event’s 40th year.
Senior leaders addressed the uncertainty in the market prompted by the US government’s move to introduce tariffs on trading partners around the world. Most highlighted the short-term impact on consumer confidence and potential for market disruption while noting that cruise remains a resilient and robust sector, one that has emerged stronger from previous crises.
Underlining that message, Cruise Lines International Association revealed that 37 million cruise guests are expected to sail in 2025, compared to 34.6 million in 2024, with 42 million the projection by 2028.
In the retail sessions, key themes addressed over the two days include trends in shopper types, needs and behaviours; the outlook for cruise retail’s cornerstone product categories; how the rising appeal of cruise to a new generation translates into the retail offer; the role of technology; plus the cruise port retail opportunity.
On Tuesday, the event was led by an energetic one-to-one conversation between Azamara Cruises Chief Executive Officer Dondra Ritzenthaler and The Moodie Davitt Report President Dermot Davitt about the role that retail plays for the luxury cruiseline.
She highlighted how the company (with retail partner Starboard) seeks to curate bespoke experiences onboard with the offer tailored to the destination and made as immersive as possible for the guest.
A cruise retail leaders’ panel followed, with contributions from Starboard Group President & CEO Lisa Bauer, Harding+ CEO Chris Matthews and MSC Cruises SVP Onboard Revenue Stefano Menegotto in a discussion about the traveller insights that are informing retailers’ strategies today.
They each highlighted the importance of family groups in cruise, the next generation of travellers and the critical role of staff.
The session that followed addressed the theme, ‘Where next for cruise retail’s key categories?’. Speakers included Effy Jewelry Executive Vice President Jennifer Patience, Heinemann Americas Managing Director Nicolas Hoeborn, Starboard Group Director, Merchandising Karla Nedeski and Norwegian Cruise Line VP Onboard Revenue Craig Steyn. They reinforced the vital continuing role of luxury, tailored to each audience and showcased via experiences, the importance of bringing beauty to life with newness and the challenges but also the opportunities for liquor.
Platinum Partners for the event are Effy Jewelry, Starboard Group, Harding+ and Diamonds International, with Global Ports Holding a Gold Partner.
The retail sessions conclude later today. We will bring you a full event report with further images soon. ✈
