Holiday Makers Choosing to Cruise Reaches New Heights

So the results are in and more holiday makers are choosing to cruise than ever before. Figures released by the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) have confirmed that ocean cruise passengers hit 23.2 million last year and by the end of 2016 they expect the number of those ditching land based holidays in favour of cruising to rise to 24.2 million.

Speaking at the Cruise 360 Conference in Vancouver last week, Cindy D’Aoust, CLIA president and CEO said: “The success in 2015 demonstrates the cruise industry’s continued strength in the overall travel sector. This is a direct result of the amazing work and commitment of our community of Cruise Lines, Executive Partners and Travel Agencies and Agents. Plus, with the highest satisfaction rates among all leisure travel segments, it reflects that a cruise holiday is the holiday of choice for travelers around the world.”

Am I surprised? No not all. More and more first time cruise clients are taking the plunge, with some fantastic new mega liners hitting the waves there is much more choice available to entice the younger couples, the families and those that once upon a time felt that cruising would be boring, stuffy and claustrophobic. Thankfully the days of cruising being perceived as holidays for OAP’s or the richest in society are becoming a distance memory. Yes there are cruise lines suited more to the older market and yes there are the ultimate luxury cruises that come with a higher price tag, but there are a lot of cruise lines on the market who are ticking all the boxes when it comes to providing a cruise experience suitable for passengers of all ages at such fantastic value. Its no wonder cruising is becoming so popular.

I sailed my first cruise on the Celebrity Equinox back in 2009 at the age of 22 and I have been hooked ever since. With so much to offer on board and of course all of the amazing destinations you get to experience in one holiday….whats not to like?