Where are the missing cruise ships?

Many shipyards are slipping off huge, beautiful ships at a rate one can hardly keep up with. These ships are equipped with modern technology such as forward and aft stabilisers and rotational props that make it possible for them to operate all year round.

However, these companies seem to be taking their business elsewhere, choosing cheaper ports of call with less bureaucracy. This is very evident in the winter months and probably even in the months to come. One does not have to travel far to see many cruise ships, that used to visit Malta, operating in winter with a full load of passengers. They visit ports like Civitavecchia, Tunis, Catania, Palermo and many other surrounding ones.

So why are we missing out on this lucrative trade? I am sure that there are many excuses thrown up by the authorities but, having spent 12 years with Royal Caribbean as an officer, I feel the real reason behind this shortfall can be clearly made public by the tour operators and shipping agents who are in constant and direct contact with the cruise line operators themselves.