More robots, fewer buffet lines: You will cruise again, but it will look very different

That could spell new demand for smaller operators that can weather the storm, such as expeditions and river cruises, according to CruiseTipsTV’s Griffiths. Indeed, Steve Ebsworth, co-founder and CEO of luxury yacht operator Rascal Voyages, thinks the pandemic could accelerate a wider industry shift toward “more considered,” smaller-scale travel. 

“People will want to be closer to nature, closer to the beach, closer to animals. I think the winners will be any experience that leans heavily towards that,” he said. 

That level of exclusivity comes at a cost, however, which few wallets may be able to justify in a post-coronavirus landscape. While Rascal Voyages has seen a surge in inquiries for late 2020 and early 2021, notably from U.S. and U.K. customers, Ebsworth said his will be among the many firms offering discounts to coax travelers back out to sea when it is once again safe to travel. 

“We’ll be trying to entice people to get back out to Southeast Asia when this passes,” said Ebsworth. “So we will be offering deals.”