22 CRUISE SPECIAL


February 2018 Travel News


are now cruising Seventy per cent use an agent C


All income groups


RUISE Lines International Association (CLIA), the world's largest cruise industry trade association, has released the 2018 Cruise Travel Report, which reveals that almost all income brackets are now cruising.


The comprehensive analysis of cruisers and non- cruisers provides an annual overview of attitudes, behaviours and travel preferences. This year, key highlights of the study found almost all income brackets are cruising.


Thomson/TUI cruise ship, now Marella Cruises, in the Greek Islands Offering ultimate Oceania experience


OCEANIA, the world’s leading culinary and destination-focused cruise line, is offering guests the chance to enjoy the ‘OLife Ultimate’ package in the Caribbean with excursions, shipboard credit, a beverage package, internet and gratuities, all included as part of the cruise fare. The line has also revealed spectacular added-value offerings on selected world-wide cruises and unlimited free shore excursions in Alaska.


“We wanted to give our loyal travel partners the tools needed to maximise their business at this important time of the year and are delighted to announce these targeted offers on a range of different destinations,” said Bernard Carter, Senior Vice President & Managing Director, EMEA, Oceania Cruises. “Once their customers experience Oceania Cruises’ upper premium, on board offering of the


Finest Cuisine at Sea, elegant casual ambience and personalised service – along with the fantastic amenities afforded by our three Wave offers - they will be a customer for life.”


Sailing the Caribbean throughout February and March this year, the stylish Riviera is offering the ultimate Oceania Cruises experience with complimentary amenities of six shore excursions, a house beverage package, $600 shipboard credit, internet and gratuities per stateroom. All included as part of the cruise fare, the amenities offer guests an unparalleled cruise experience while taking in the best that the Eastern and Western Caribbean has to offer on three, 10-day voyages. Sailing round-trip Miami, ports of call include Castries, St Lucia and St John’s, Antigua in the East; and Costa Maya, Mexico and Roatan, Honduras in the West.


A third (33 per cent) of cruisers surveyed have a household income less than $80k, while 50 percent have a household income of at least $100k or more. The report also reveals a new generation of luxury travellers has emerged. Millennials are seeking out luxury cruises at a record pace with almost a quarter surveyed (24 per cent) having sailed on a luxury cruise line within the past three years.


“Industry research efforts, like the 2018 Cruise Travel Report, offer valuable insight to how and why cruise vacations are on the rise and becoming the vacation choice for millions by charting changes in the preferences and behaviors of both cruisers and non- cruisers,” said Cindy D’Aoust, president and CEO, CLIA. “The study confirms, cruise travel continues to break down income and generational barriers proving that today there is a cruise for every travel preference, style and budget.”


Findings of travel behaviours of cruisers and non- cruisers from Cruise Travel Report: Attitudes, Behaviors and Travel Preferences of Cruisers and Non-Cruisers report include:


MILLENIALS RAISE THE SAILS: The per cent of Millennials who “definitely will” book a cruise for their next trip increased from 63 per cent last year to 70 per cent this year. FRIENDSHIP: Last year marked the Year of FriendSHIP for cruisers, who enjoy travelling in groups. In fact, travellers who take a cruise are 40 per cent more likely to travel with friends, partners/companions or children than land-based peers. In 2017, more travelers took vacations to spend time with family than they did in 2016. CRUISING ACROSS INCOMES: Income plays


little role when choosing cruising as the better of the two vacation options - 66 per cent of people making less than $100K name cruises as a preference over land- based options, as did 70 per cent of those making more than $200K.


HIGH SATISFACTION - LOYAL CRUISERS: Cruisers are loyal to cruising. In fact, more than half of cruisers (58 per cent) believe a cruise is the best type of vacation, a per ception that remains consistent. They find high satisfaction in river cruises (81 percent) and ocean cruises (73 per cent), followed by land-based hotels and resorts (62 per cent). Nine out of 10 say they “probably or definitely will” cruise again.


KIDS ARE JUST THE HOOK: On average, about 41 per cent of cruisers say they are interested in childcare services, including babysitting, and programs for children and teens. But only 13 per cent are reporting that they use these services. In contrast, only 32 percent say they want onboard entertainment while more than twice that many (70 per cent) attend once onboard. Overall, entertainment, including shows, musicals and comedy, is the most used feature on cruises.


DESTINATION SNACKING: Cruisers see cruising as a great way to sample different destinations and cities for future vacations. Millennials are inherent samplers and love to try new things before committing. They are increasingly likely to return to destinations visited first via a cruise. Indeed, all ages (except Gen X) show a greater likelihood of returning to a destination visited on a cruise than reported last year. AGENTS PROPEL CRUISERS: Travel agents are the most likely influencers of vacation-planning and decision-making for cruisers, who are twice as likely (70 per cent) to use a travel agent when booking a vacation than non-cruisers (37 percent).


Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) is the world’s largest cruise industry trade association, providing a unified voice and leading authority of the global cruise community.


The association has 15 offices globally with representation in North and South America, Europe, Asia and Australasia.


Star lineup for Princess Cruises...


PRINCESS Cruises has revealed its second round of celebrities who will speak on Southampton-based ship Sapphire Princess this year. The 2,670-guest vessel will head to northern Europe and the Mediterranean from May to October.


Further to the first round of celebrities who were announced in late 2017, the second group includes Coronation Street actor William Roache (Ken Barlow in the series) who will speak on a 14-night Baltic Heritage cruise which departs on June 2. His son, Linus Roache, (actor, Michael Cutter in Law & Order), will also be onboard and fill a separate speaker slot.


Valerie Singleton, the radio and TV presenter formerly on Blue Peter and Radio 4 will speak on a 12- night Canary Island cruise, departing on October 9, while Ann Widdecombe, the former Conservative Party politician, who


has appeared on Big Brother and Strictly Come Dancing will be the featured guest on a 12-night Canary Island cruise, also departing on October 9


Terry Butcher, the former football manager and England international will be the speaker on a 14-night Baltic Heritage cruise, departing on July 7 with Rosemary Shrager, chef, star of This Morning, The Real Marigold Hotel, Ladette to Lady, and Soapstar Superchef) will be speaking on a 14-night Mediterranean Interlude cruise, which departs on September 22 Denny Seiwell, the drummer and founding member of Wings, will be featured on a 14-night Land of the Midnight Sun cruise, which departs on August 18 while Allan Dennis Rich, the songwriter, former Oscar, Grammy and Golden Globe nominee will be the 14-night Mediterranean Adventurer cruise, leaving on May 12.


A SECOND next-generation cruise ship has been confirmed for P&O Cruises. A shipbuilding contract signed by P&O Cruises parent Carnival Corporation and plc with shipbuilders Meyer Werft will see the new ship delivered in 2022.


Similar to a sister ship due for delivery in 2020, this second new-build will be the largest cruise ship to be built specifically for the British market. Both new ships will be registered in the UK. The new ship will accommodate approximately 5,200 guests.


Former Blue Peter presenter Valerie Singleton


Next generation cruise ship on the way


The ship will be built by Meyer Werft at its shipyard in Papenburg, Germany and feature the company's exclusive 'green cruising' design as one of the first generation of cruise ships to be powered by Liquefied Natural Gas, shipping's most advanced fuel technology, which significantly reduce air emissions. Carnival UK president Josh Weinstein said: "These two next generation ships for delivery in the next four years are real and tangible evidence of our absolute optimism for future growth."


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