20 November 2008

Carry on cruising ââ¬' few prepared to forgo voyages

Only a minority of people will forgo a cruise in the coming year because they cannot afford to, according to a new survey.

Just 13% of 2,000 cruise travellers said that they will not be cruising due to financial pressures, while almost a quarter (23%) said their cruise plans were unaffected.

But people are looking at ways to reduce the cost of their cruise, according to the worldwide poll by cruise news and review site, CruiseCritic.co.uk.

The most popular measure was to avoid flying and sail from their closest homeport (32%), while more than a quarter (26%) said that they would be waiting to book until the last minute in the hope of getting a cheap deal.

Otherwise 23% of respondents pinned their hopes on a drastic reduction of onboard spending.

CruiseCritic editor in chief Carolyn Spencer Brown said: ââ¬ÅâœCruise travellers are a determined lot and will go without and seek out all kinds of economies before losing their annual fix on the high seas.  

ââ¬ÅâœOf course, the inclusive nature of cruise travel means that it compares very favourably with a land based holiday with a cruise fare typically including accommodation, meals, gratuities, entertainment, transport from port to port, and, in some cases, even air fare. 

ââ¬ÅâœIt will be easier than ever for UK cruise travellers to avoid air fares with a huge increase in home cruise options available for 2009. 

ââ¬ÅâœThere are some great deals to be had and weââ¬â¢re seeing some that are as low as Ã&#pound;50 a dayââ¬~

She added: ââ¬ÅâœOn board spending is where travellers have the greatest spending flexibility.

ââ¬ÅâœThe most frequent money saving recommendations among Cruise Critic members have been about excursions, drinks and gambling.

ââ¬ÅâœThe top tip is for travellers to arrange their own excursions and not take those organised by the ship.

ââ¬ÅâœSuggestions for reducing bar bills (charges for alcohol, water and soft drinks) include taking advantage of the ââ¬Ëœdrink of the day specialsââ¬â¢ and buying all-you-can-drink soft drink or soda cards.

ââ¬ÅâœThe recommendation for gambling is ââ¬' ââ¬Åâœdonââ¬â¢tââ¬~.ââ¬~    

by Phil Davies 

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