Wednesday, August 21, 2024 Cruiseline.com and Shipmate have recently published the outcomes of their 2024 Member Survey, investigating the cruising intentions and booking preferences of participants for the upcoming year. The survey, drawing responses from over 7,000 travel enthusiasts, shows a strong commitment to cruising, with 96.
1% of respondents having cruises scheduled for 2024 or 2025. A minimal 3.1% remain undecided about cruising next year, while only 0.
8% express no interest in cruising. The data reveals that 57.1% of the respondents have planned multiple cruises for the next two years, whereas 42.
9% have booked a single cruise. Leading choices for cruise lines are Royal Caribbean, commanding 35.1% of bookings, followed closely by Carnival Cruise Line at 28.
9%, with Norwegian and Celebrity Cruises also being popular options. Most travelers, 63.9% to be exact, are setting sail for the Caribbean, with Europe and Alaska also being top picks.
In terms of cruise duration, a plurality, 46.7%, favor 7-night journeys, although there’s considerable interest in longer excursions ranging from ten to over fifteen nights. Notably, there’s a surge in bookings for shorter voyages of 3 days or less, jumping to 12.
6% from last year’s mere 0.9%. When it comes to future bookings for 2024-2025, 39.
9% of participants are looking to add more cruises to their plans, though 37.7% are still deciding. The booking window shows 46.
5% typically reserve their spots 7-12 months ahead, with the choice of destination being the most significant decision driver for 36.6% of the respondents. Direct online bookings with cruise lines are the preferred method for 50.
8%, though a substantial number still rely on travel agents. This survey underscores the seasoned nature of its respondents: 66.2% have embarked on eight or more cruises, predominantly with industry giants like Carnival and Royal Caribbean.
The Caribbean remains the most frequented destination, followed by Alaska and the Mediterranean..
