Cruising attracting record number of families
More than 75,000 under 18 year olds are expected to take a cruise holiday this year, a seven fold rise over the last decade.
The forecast came as part of the Passenger Shipping Association’s annual cruise review which found that one in ten package holidays booked is now a cruise – totalling 1.53 million last year and forecast to rise to 1.65 million in 2010. This figure is more than double the number of UK cruise passengers a decade ago and is predicted to rise to two million by 2014.
More than half of passengers (60 per cent) also take more than one cruise a year.
Dedicated features and entertainment that encourage "quality family time" is cited by almost two thirds of cruisers as the reason why they take holidays at sea.
Almost a quarter of 539 passengers polled said they would choose a cruise on value alone.
More than half feel that cruises offer better value for families than hotel packages, overseas beach holidays, adventure holidays and safaris.
Cruising was rated even better value when compared with ski holidays and theme park packages. Forty five per cent of respondents claimed that cruising was of equal value to independently booked travel and accommodation deals.
Nearly one in six (15.6 per cent) of people taking cruises travel with their children or other family members, according to the report.
But the vast majority (75 per cent) of British cruise passengers are couples.
PSA director Bill Gibbons said: "The survey shows that the amazing value and inclusive nature of a cruise holiday appeals strongly to families."
He added: "The success of UK cruising during one of the toughest economic periods the world has seen, can be attributed to the value and high standards.
"The all inclusive nature of cruising and exceptional standards of quality and service are the key to our continued growth, along with the huge choice of worldwide destinations and the wide range in styles of cruising."
*See linked story.
by Phil Davies
Phil Davies
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