Cruise News

After two years of illness and bad press, the cruise industry is ripe for disruption, but Virgin's drawn-out entrance into the hotel sector suggests we won't see Branson at the helm of any ships for several years.

With norovirus outbreaks hitting the cruise industry relatively hard in the beginning of 2014, Costa Cruises, still in recovery mode from the Costa Concordia crash, didn't need a suspected measles outbreak among crew on one of its ships. Neither did the passengers who, according to reports, have so far not come down with the virus.

These voyages stand out for the particularly high percentages of ill passengers onboard, but the cases give no further insights into how to stop outbreaks from happening in the future.

The average virus outbreak occurs on a 12-day voyage and causes 6.6 percent of passengers to fall ill. Longer cruises give the virus more time to spread but the factors that lead to an outbreak are the same on every ship.

The cause of a norovirus, whether it's a single passenger or malfunctioning dishwasher, is almost impossible to pinpoint making it tough for the CDC or cruise lines to say when, if ever, the risk will be mitigated.

This is part of Carnival Corp.'s efforts to redeem itself after a series of incidents battered its brands' businesses last year. But the cruising giant now has to deliver an experience that rejuvenates customers and its forward-looking business.

Increased advertising, lowering cruise prices and trying to win back the hearts and minds of travel agents have been key to Carnival's brand-rebuilding efforts. Advanced bookings for 2014, even though they are on par with last year's lower pricing, have been sluggish, pointing to the challenges ahead for Carnival.

Viking is one of the few upcoming travel companies today that isn't chasing millennials or catering to gadget-happy jet-setters. A focus on its core older customer base keeps its marketing clear and product perfect for the demographic.

If you thought social travel and trip-planning were hard, just consider online cruise booking, where travel agents and the phone are still the predominant tools.

Carnival CEO Arnold Donald is likely asserting himself with these changes, as some of the old guard loses its grip and management gets a refresh. Although Buckelew isn't exactly an insurgent, having been at the top ranks of Princess for almost a decade.