Survey identifies concerns of cruise ‘virgins’
Nearly a third of cruise ‘virgins’ would be prompted by a special deal to take a cruise, according to a survey by Cruise Critic.
A poll by the online interactive consumer cruise site, which launched a UK dedicated portal this week, found 29% of people who had never taken a cruise would be tempted by a bargain.
Meanwhile, 16% of cruise virgins said they would book a cruise for a special milestone celebration and 13% when they can afford it.
When asked “what most puts you off, 21% noted that you “can’t escape people you might not like,” 19% were afraid of being “stuck on the ship with nothing to do,” and 16% cited the cost of a cruise holiday as too expensive.
Another 7.5% said they were put off most by “too many old people, and 1.8% said “too many young people”.
But the biggest worry among cruise virgins about taking a holiday on the high seas is the fear of sickness.
Most virgins (39%) would opt for a luxury ship, and the Caribbean and Mediterranean were the most popular itineraries (28 and 21% respectively).
A quarter of cruise virgins would like to take six to seven days and would expect to pay £500-1000 (49%) for a week-long cruise with full board in a standard cabin.
The new UK site, CruiseCritic.co.uk,features cruise reviews and ports of call recommendations written by both members and Cruise Critic’s editorial staff.
Cruise Critic was launched in October 1995 by The Independent Traveler, which was acquired by TripAdvisor in May 2007.
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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
Airbnb eyes a loyalty program but details remain under wraps
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season
Major rail disruptions around and in Berlin until early 2026