“Understanding the psychographic … of our current and future guests is the key – acknowledging and realising what they want from a holiday and then providing it for them.”
That’s a quote from P&O Cruises senior vice president Paul Ludlow talking about the thinking behind the design of the company’s newest ship.
The missing words were “the mindset”, explaining what psychographic means. In simple words, they are trying to understand what their passengers want.
And what P&O UK passengers — mainly Britons departing from British and European ports — want, is different to what most passengers on Costa, Aida or Carnival want.
But there is an area where all cruise companies intersect: passengers like me who are not going to go for the “comfort brand” experience but want to sample a little of everything, and don’t mind being among those who speak other languages and eat different food.
And that’s where it keeps a little challenging — as is the fact that these ships cost so much, and take so long to build, that you have to b something of a mind reader to know what tomorrow’s requirements will be.
For the record, bookings for the new P&O vessel will go on sale in mid-2018. It will carry 5.200 guests and will feature an all-weather clear dome over the outside entertainment area.
At night, the dome will be used for aerial performances, ceiling projections and “immersive shows”, whatever they may be. The ship will also feature a 360-degree promenade deck.
Here’s a video focusing on the entertainment and food offerings:
