This Week's Herman Trend Alert Cyberbullying---a Growing Problem

The Herman Trend Alert December 2, 2009 Future of Cruising A water park with three slides, two bowling alleys, a rock climbing wall, and Las Vegas-level entertainment. No, we are not describing a new Disney or Gaylord resort; we are describing new cruise ships, currently on the drawing boards. Never mind the ports of call, cruise ships are becoming destinations. Norwegian Cruise Line's megaship Epic, launching in July, will feature 20 dining options, as well as offering the highly acclaimed Blue Man Group on its main stage, and jazz and comedy clubs provide lots of entertainment. Royal Caribbean's equally impressive Oasis of the Seas, launched just this week, provides its 5000+ passengers with many amenities, including a rope zip line that diagonally spans nine-decks above the ship's open-air atrium. Moreover, the ship has a Las-Vegas-style Royal Promenade and six other themed "neighborhoods", providing the opportunity to find personally relevant experiences. With ships as destinations, the trend is towards reducing the number of ports visited. With more days at sea, the cruise lines' onboard spas and casinos will earn higher revenues---a positive effect on the bottom line. According to a recent survey from America's Vacation Center Affiliates, 79 percent of consumers are currently buying on price, while 14 percent are buying on destination, and only seven percent make their buying decisions by cruise line. The agents polled in the Cruise One/Cruises, Inc. survey reported similar results, though in their findings even more consumers are buying on price (83.6 percent). With a trend toward people being cautiously optimistic, we are seeing more stability in bookings, although people are currently either booking far out or closer in. New Zealand and The Baltic Region are particularly hot attractions in the coming year. For the affluent traveler, most cruise lines offer private areas surrounding suites, closed to public access, some with butler service. Then there is the trend towards adventure cruising. If you have unlimited funds, you might want to take Crystal Cruises' special excursion "Extreme Overnight Adventure in Antarctica" for a mere $9957/night. Or you might choose to take Holland America's Cruise to the World Cup, stopping in Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, and Durban. © Copyright 1998- by The Herman Group, Inc. -- reproduction for publication is encouraged, with the following attribution: From "The Herman Trend Alert," by Roger Herman and Joyce Gioia, Strategic Business Futurists. (800) 227-3566 or http://www.hermangroup.com. The Herman Trend Alert is a trademark of The Herman Group, Inc." DISCOVER WHAT’S REALLY GOING ON... in the hearts and minds of your employees. Our InnerViews interviewing service uses SPHRs and PHRs, certified human resource professionals to probe for the information you really need to know. Exit and Stay Interviews, as well as Why-Didn't-You-Take-Our-Offer Interviews. Call Rosalie Catalano at 937-416-7066, or read more at: http://www.hermangroup.com/retentionconnection/exit_interviews.html. MOM ALWAYS TAUGHT IT WAS GOOD TO SHARE You have probably subscribed to The Herman Trend Alert for a while now and you know how valuable it is to you. Why not suggest that your friends sign up at http://www.hermantrendalert.com? Join the thousands who subscribe in 87 countries around the globe. Are there particular topics you'd like to see covered? Let us know and we will research "The Future of. . .". And let us know how else we may serve you? E-mail: joyce@hermangroup.com. YOUR EMPLOYEES NEED THEIR LEADERS MORE THAN EVER Help your leaders to excel. Thousands have used our weekly Lessons in Leadership to help their supervisors and managers remember how to hold onto top talent. The 52-week subscription is only $47, a bargain when you think about the savings to your organization in reduced turnover. Quantity discounts available by emailing Carol at carol@hermangroup.com. Order today at: http://www.hermangroup.com/store/subscription_all.html#3. Herman Trend Alerts are produced by the Herman Group, strategic business futurists, Certified Management Consultants, authors, and professional speakers. New subscribers are welcome. There is no charge for this public service. The Herman Trend Alert is received by over 30,000 subscribers in 78 countries, in addition to other websites and printed magazines. Do you enjoy receiving this weekly e-mail update? Contact us about our co-branded Trend Alert service. Click here to sign up for the Herman Trend Alert. Subscribe or Unsubscribe to weekly Herman Trend Alert View this week's Herman Trend Alert Archived Weekly Herman Trend Alerts

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