By
Rebecca Gibson |
Around 70% of millennials will book a cruise this year – a rise from 63% in 2017 – according to a new report from Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA).
The Cruise Travel Report: Attitudes, Behaviors and Travel Preferences of Cruisers and Non-Cruisers report found that millennials are looking for luxury cruises, with 24% of respondents saying they had sailed on a luxury vessel in the past three years. This group also see cruising as a ‘great way’ to sample different destinations so that they can return for a longer holiday in future.
More than half (58%) of survey respondents said cruising is the best type of holiday option. The highest satisfaction rates were for river cruises (81%) and ocean cruises (73%), followed by land-based hotels and resorts (62%). Nine out of ten said they would ‘probably or definitely’ cruise again in future. In addition, travellers taking cruises are up to 40% more likely to travel with friends, partners/companions or children than land-based peers.
CLIA’s survey also found that people from almost every income bracket are now enjoying cruises. Two thirds of people from households earning less than US$100,000 annually said they would prefer to cruise over taking a land-based holiday, and 70% of those earning more than US$200,000 said the same.
When it comes to choosing their cruise ship, 41% of travellers said they look for childcare services – including babysitting and onboard programmes for children and teenagers – but only 13% reported actually using these services. Meanwhile, 32% said they considered onboard entertainment as a key factor when booking a cruise, but 70% attend musicals, theatre performances, comedy and other entertainment events once onboard.
“Industry research efforts, like the 2018 Cruise Travel Report, offer valuable insight to how and why cruise vacations are on the rise and becoming the vacation choice for millions by charting changes in the preferences and behaviours of both cruisers and non-cruisers,” said Cindy D’Aoust, president and CEO of CLIA. “The study confirms, cruise travel continues to break down income and generational barriers proving that today there is a cruise for every travel preference, style and budget.”