Andrew Sheivachman

Hotels have long placed lower rates on channels more advantageous to driving revenue. That some travel agents are finally wising up to the lack of rate parity is unlikely to change that.

A deluge of new ships will make it cheaper for cruise lines to operate. They can also charge higher fares for new product and attract valuable first-time cruisers to the industry.

Cruise lines are building deep partnerships to tailor onboard experiences to the expectations of the Chinese cruiser. But North America and Europe still remain the key global source markets for cruise passengers.

Carnival Corporation is eager to start sending ships to Cuba. But it still remains to be seen whether Cuban authorities are keen to welcome thousands of Carnival cruisers each week.

Royal Caribbean needs to homeport its giant new ships in Florida, and PortMiami is its best option.

The travel agency of the future will combine the knowledge of experienced travel agents with the ease of online booking.

People who can afford river cruises are generally older and richer. As river cruise lines build more ships, they need to reach more appropriate prospective customers.

It's no surprise that business travelers want a premium experience while on the road, and it looks like more companies are splurging on pricy flights and hotels.

With so many photos and videos of cruise ships already out there, it's hard to believe that more multimedia can help sell cruises. Word of mouth is still the most powerful marketing for cruise lines.

Travel agencies are actively seeking to become more relevant to travelers looking for more complex and diverse vacations.