Cruise searches rocket, but where do most people want to go?
The number of online searches for cruise holidays in August rose a staggering 66% on May levels, according to independent digital marketing agency, Greenlight.
Its latest report covering the sector also found queries for cruise excursions on the River Thames saw the biggest increase, up 71% on May, while searches for Nile cruises were also up, by 42%.
Greenlight’s second Cruise Sector Report revealed that UK consumers made a totalof 2.5 million searches on Google UK for cruises in August, compared to 1.5 million in May.
Cruises to specific destinations made up 12% (289,890) of overall queries.
The highest number of destination-related cruise queries were for the Caribbean (7%), followed by the Mediterranean (6%). In third place was the Nile, despite Egypt’s ongoing political upheaval and advice from the Foreign Office for tourists to stay away from much of the country, except the Red Sea resorts.
Independent cruise agent, Iglucruise.com, was the most visible site for destination-specific queries, attaining a 45% share of visibility in the organic (not paid for) listings, through ranking for 419 keywords. Thomascook.com, took second place with 44%.
Vivavoyage.co.uk was the most visible advertiser in the paid listings, achieving a 51% share of voice. Virginholidayscruises.co.uk followed with 37%.
For cruise-related searches overall, Iglucruise.com was also the most visible site in natural search, capturing a 62% share of visibility. In the paid listings, cruisecritic.co.uk dominated with 50%.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
TAP Air Portugal to operate 29 flights due to strike on December 11
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season
Major rail disruptions around and in Berlin until early 2026