Future cruise trends include new booking incentives
The cruise business has been buffeted by tough economic times but is positioned to do well this year with these predicted trends, according to surveys by CLIA (Cruise Line International Association):
• The anticipated top cruise destinations for 2010, by volume of sales, are: The Caribbean/Bahamas, including eastern Mexico, Alaska, Mediterranean and Greek Islands/Turkey, Europe, Hawaii, Panama Canal, West Coast of Mexico, Bermuda, European rivers and Canada/New England.
• Couples dominate cruise demographics although there’s continued growth in families, extended families, and friends traveling together as well. Seniors also continue to be a growing segment.
• Contemporary cruising remains the most popular followed by premium cruise lines and destination. River cruising is on the cruise.
• The popularity of theme cruises is on the rise — notably music, food and wine cruises.
• Some lines are increasing their line-up of onboard speakers for enhanced enrichment programs.
• Cruise lines expect baby boomers and repeat cruisers to be their biggest future growth markets.
• Historical and cultural shore excursions tend to be the most popular.
• Shipboard spas continue to attract cruisers, with some lines reporting use by 40-50 percent of passengers.
• Cruising continues to rank number one among consumers for perceived value, vacation interest and, for travel agents, ease in selling.
• Cruise lines are expanding and diversifying shore excursions, including private excursions.
• Lines are coming up with new incentives to book in advance, such as gratuity packages and discounts.
• With about 30 domestic ports of embarkation, half the residents of the US are now within driving distance of cruises sailing to all parts of the world, eliminating the need to fly to ports.
"CLIA’s member lines and travel agents responded amazingly well to the economic crisis and have put themselves in a very strong position to succeed in 2010," said Terry L. Dale, CLIA’s president and CEO. "In many important ways, if you have to have these challenges, cruising is the industry to be in.”
By David Wilkening
David
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