Algorithmic Method for Efficient Cruise Program

Authors: Pelaez Verdet, Antonio, Loscertales Sanchez, Pilar

Abstract:

One of the mayor problems of programming a cruise circuit is to decide which destinations to include and which don-t. Thus a decision problem emerges, that might be solved using a linear and goal programming approach. The problem becomes more complex if several boats in the fleet must be programmed in a limited schedule, trying their capacity matches best a seasonal demand and also attempting to minimize the operation costs. Moreover, the programmer of the company should consider the time of the passenger as a limited asset, and would like to maximize its usage. The aim of this work is to design a method in which, using linear and goal programming techniques, a model to design circuits for the cruise company decision maker can achieve an optimal solution within the fleet schedule.

Keywords: Itinerary design, cruise programming, goalprogramming, linear programming

Digital Object Identifier (DOI): doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.1079622

References:

[1] K. Andriotis and G. Agiomirgianakis, "Cruise visitors' experience in a Mediterranean port of call," International Journal of Tourism Research, vol. 12, no. 4, pp. 390-404, 2010.
[2] H. Bezić and K. Vojvodić, "Towards Improving Destination Port Status," Tourism & Hospitality Management, pp. 17-32, 2010.
[3] T. Bieger, P. Beritelli and C. Laesser, "Size matters! Increasing DMO effectiveness and extending tourism destination boundaries," Tourism (13327461), vol. 57, no. 3, pp. 309-327, 2009.
[4] N. Biehn, "A cruise ship is not a floating hotel,". Journal of Revenue & Pricing Management, vol. 5, no. 2, pp. 135-142, 2006.
[5] B. Wie, "A dynamic game model of strategic capacity investment in the cruise line industry," Tourism Management, vol. 26, no. 2, pp. 203-217, 2005.
[6] Dev, S. Chekitan, "Carnival Cruise Lines: Charting a New Brand Course," Cornell Hotel & Restaurant Administration Quarterly, vol. 47, no. 3, pp. 301-308, 2006.
[7] T. Duman and A.S. Mattila, "A Logistic Regression Analysis of Discount Receiving Behavior in the Cruise Industry: Implications for Cruise Marketers," International Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Administration, vol 4, no. 4, pp. 45-57, 2003.
[8] M. Erkoc, E.T. Iakovou, and A.E. Spaulding, "Multi-stage onboard inventory management policies for food and beverage items in cruise liner operations," Journal of Food Engineering, vol. 70, no. 3, pp. 269- 279, 2005.
[9] P. Gibson and A. Papathanassis, "The cruise industry ÔÇö emerging issues, problems and solutions: review of the 2nd international cruise conference, Plymouth, UK, 18-20 February 2010". International Journal of Tourism Research, vol. 12, no. 4, pp. 405-407, 2010.
[10] Hsin-Hui, Hu, Zhao Jinlin, and Cheryl Carter, "Employee job satisfaction in major cruise lines," FIU Hospitality Review, vol. 21, no. 1, pp. 10, 2003.
[11] J. Huang, and C.H.C. Hsu, "Interaction among Fellow Cruise Passengers: Diverse Experiences and Impacts," Journal of Travel & Tourism Marketing, vol. 26, no. 5, pp. 547-567, 2009.
[12] K. Hung, and J.F. Petrick, "Developing a Measurement Scale for Constraints to Cruising," Annals of Tourism Research, vol. 37, no. 1, pp. 206-228, 2010.
[13] G.C.K., John, "Cruise tourism," Tourism Economics, vol. 9, no. 3, pp. 337, 2003.
[14] D.L. Kerstetter, I-Yin Yen and C.M. Yarnal, "Plowing Uncharted Waters: a Study of Percewed Constraints to Cruise Travel," Tourism Analysis, vol. 10, no. 2, pp. 137-150, 2005.
[15] R. J. Kwortnik JR., "Carnival Cruise Lines: Burnishing the Brand," Cornell Hotel & Restaurant Administration Quarterly, vol. 47, no. 3, pp. 207, 2006.
[16] A. Lemmetyinen,, "The Coordination of Cooperation in Strategic Business Networks - the Cruise Baltic Case," Scandinavian Journal of Hospitality & Tourism, vol. 9, no. 4, pp. 366-386, 2009.
[17] A.C. Lobo, "Enhancing Luxury Cruise Liner Operators' Competitive Advantage: a Study Aimed at Improving Customer Loyalty and Future Patronage," Journal of Travel & Tourism Marketing, vol. 25, no. 1, pp. 1-12, 2008.
[18] B. Maddah,, L. Moussawi-Haidar,, M. El-Taha, and H. Rida, "Dynamic cruise ship revenue management," European Journal of Operational Research, vol. 207, no. 1, pp. 445-455, 2010.
[19] A. Papathanassis, and P. Gibson, Cruise sector futures: Exploring growth-related opportunities and challenges, 1st International Cruise Conference, 26-27 September 2008, Bremerhaven, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2009.
[20] D. Perucic, "The Impact of Globalization on Supply and Demand in the Cruise Industry", Tourism & Hospitality Management, vol. 13, no. 3, pp. 665-680, 2007.
[21] J.F. Petrick, "Segmenting cruise passengers with price sensitivity," Tourism Management, vol. 26, no. 5, pp. 753-762, 2005.
[22] N. K. Prebensen, and J. KLEIVEN, "Determined Sun-Seekers and OthersÔÇöTravel Motives, Holiday Type, and Holiday Behavior Among Norwegian Charter Tourists," Journal of Hospitality & Leisure Marketing, vol. 14, no. 1, pp. 75-97, 2006.
[23] Raub, Steffen, and E. M. Streit, "Realistic recruitment: An empirical study of the cruise industry," International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, vol. 18, no. 4, pp. 278-289, 2006.
[24] R.A. Swain, and J.E. Barth, "An Analysis of Cruise Ship Rating Guides," International Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Administration, vol. 3, no. 4, pp. 43, 2002.
[25] M. R. Testa, "Predictors of Service Effort: An Investigation of Cruise Line Service Workers," Journal of Quality Assurance in Hospitality & Tourism, vol. 2, no. ›, pp. 11, 2001.
[26] R.S. Toh, M.J. Rivers, and T.W. Ling, "Room occupancies: cruise lines out-do the hotels," International Journal of Hospitality Management, vol. 24, no. 1, pp. 121-135, 2005.
[27] S. Véronneau, and J. Roy, "Global service supply chains: An empirical study of current practices and challenges of a cruise line corporation," Tourism Management, vol. 30, no. 1, pp. 128-139, 2009.
[28] D.L. Vina, and J. Ford, "Logistic Regression Analysis of Cruise Vacation Market Potential: Demographic and Trip Attribute Perception Factors," Journal of Travel Research, vol. 39, no. 4, pp. 406, 2001.
[29] M.P. Vogel, "The economics of US cruise companies' European brand strategies," Tourism Economics, vol. 15, no. 4, pp. 735-751, 2009.
[30] A. Weaver, "Spaces of Containment and Revenue Capture: ÔÇÿSuper- Sized- Cruise Ships as Mobile Tourism Enclaves," Tourism Geographies, vol. 7, no. 2, pp. 165-184, 2005.
[31] WTO: Global Tourism Results in 1998. World Tourism Organisation. 1999.
[32] Xiang (Robert) Li and J.F. Petrick, "Reexamining the Dimensionality of Brand Loyalty: a Case of the Cruise Industry," Journal of Travel & Tourism Marketing, vol. 25, no. 1, pp. 68-85, 2008.