Knyaz Vladimir cruise liner ends 2017 navigation
The Knyaz Vladimir cruise liner returned to the home port of Sochi on October 14, 2017. FSUE Rosmorport says the week-long voyage became the last one in 2017. During the navigation, the ship made 18 voyages. The route started in Sochi. The route also included one-day calls at the seaports of Novorossiysk and Sevastopol, the two-day stay in Yalta and the return to Sochi.
Regular cruise service has been opened to carry out the instruction given by Russian President Vladimir Putin. LLC Black Sea Cruises that has been founded by FSUE “Rosmorport” was the operator of the project.
The Knyaz Vladimir went on its first voyage on June 11, 2017. During the navigation, the ship carried over 5.000 passengers. Total loading of the ship has made up to 48%. This is a good figure for the first navigation.
Every Sunday the liner started from the seaport of Sochi. The possibility to start and end cruise voyages in Novorossiysk, Yalta and Sevastopol became highly sought among passengers: over 60% of passengers set off on journey from Sochi, a total of 20% of passengers chose Novorossiysk as the starting point. The rest making up to 20% of passengers went making a journey from Yalta or Sevastopol.
This year most of passengers of the Knyaz Vladimir are senior aged couples traveling with grandchildren, and sea- and river-lovers leading an active lifestyle. There were about 60% of women among travelers.
Summing up the results of the first navigation, the company's management is planning to expand the core audience in 2018 by introducing a flexible discount system and entertainments aboard the ship and at the ports at call. Due to passengers' desires the route is expected to be changed next season. The stay in Sevastopol will be increased; it will last for two days by reducing the time of passage from Sevastopol to Sochi.
The cruise's organizers note increasing interest for the new tourist product from consumers. They also note the high potential of developing routes along the Black Sea coast.