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Age of UK cruise passengers down
The age of UK cruise passengers continues to fall as the sector broadens its appeal to families.
The average age last year was 54.1 years against 54.6 in 2003 and 56.5 a decade ago, according to the Passenger Shipping Association.
The details emerged as part of the PSA’s 2004 annual cruise review which showed that more than one million people took a cruise last year, as previously reported by TravelMole.
The shipping trade body predicts a further drop in the age profile of cruise passengers as more ships are introduced to appeal to families.
The PSA says 23 new vessels are to enter service in the next four years, almost all in the “mega-ship” size offering a wider range of dining and entertainment to appeal to a broader age group.
New informal and activity-based brands such as Island Cruises and Ocean Village, which are both expanding their fleets with second ships, are attracting younger people to cruising.
The report revealed that the average cruise price of £124 a day is still no higher in real terms than it was 10 years ago. The average cruise price last year was £1,205 but two thirds more cruises were sold for under £500 in 2004 than in 2003. The share of lower priced cruises rose from 11% to 18% of all cruises sold in the UK last year.
Travel agents account for 86% of all cruise bookings, rising to 90% for fly-cruises.
The report said: “Cruising’s growth and potential has been recognised by the retail sector hit by a loss of commission earnings from airlines. In addition there are a record number of cruise-only agents – including an increasing number of home-based agents – now operating across the UK.”
Report by Phil Davies
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