Complicated products, expensive and considered purchases by consumers - just some of the elements in the cruise sector that are hard to shift to a digital-led future.
Cruise lines have to deal with these alongside regulatory issues and the enormous amount of investment required in assets and infrastructure.
It's no wonder that for some operators it would be easy to enjoy the status quo and not push forward any significant technological improvements around the in-guest experience and, to a lesser extent, online distribution of their products.
Change is happening though, as our theme month devoted to Cruise earlier this year illustrated.
One such brand is Costa Crociere, which brought in ex-Disney Corporation and KLM exec Norbert Stiekema in 2011, initially in a sales and marketing position but more recently to oversee strategy and digital.
Stiekema appeared at Phocuswright Europe 2019, talking to Phocusright's senior vice president for research and business operations, Lorraine Sileo.
Watch the full interview here.
Executive Interview: Costa Crociere - Phocuswright Europe 2019