Pearl Seas Cruises announced St. John will be on the itinerary of several luxury cruises scheduled to begin in July of 2008. The company said it has commissioned construction of two small luxury
ships to offer cruises to the Caribbean in the winter and the Canadian
Maritimes in the summer. Pearl Seas has posted prices ranging from $3,200 to $5,600 a person for the week-long sail.
The web site for the cruise, however, suggests the company needs to do some additional research. The page for St. John describes St. Thomas’ Mahogany Run golf course as a highlight.
The 300-foot-long ships are part of a new niche in the travel business that was prominent at this week’s Seatrade cruise industry conference in Miami. (Remember that yacht off St. John last month … belonging to the chairman of Oracle … it was more than 400 feet long.)
"The luxury sector is booming, said Frank del Rio of Oceania Cruises. The pent up demand for upscale cruising is staggering." Greg Michel, CEO of Crystal Cruises, added, "Luxury is space per guest. It’s personalized service." One of Pearl Seas’ ships is planned to accommodate 165 passengers. "Exquisite cuisine will be enjoyed in the spacious, glass lined dining salon and relaxing time will be spent in one of the many comfortable lounges," the company said on its Web site.