The Caribbean remains a top destination among cruisers, according to a new survey by the Cruise Lines International Association. Other trends:
v More cruisers are bringing their children along.
v In response to rising fuel costs, cruise lines are inclined to increase surcharges.
v For the same reason, cruise lines are changing itineraries, which is hurting Aruba, which is being shunned at times because of the extra fuel it takes to get there.
v Other destinations requiring a lot of sea time are also starting to lose out.
v Consumer interest in cruising remains strong, according to the association, with 55 percent of vacationers who have never taken a cruise intending to do so in the next three years.
v But cruisers are cutting back on onboard spending and short excursions. That means the Caribbean is rebounding and the Mediterranean is losing out.
v Overall satisfaction ratings are high with 95% of all cruisers rate their experience as satisfying and more than three-fourths of past cruisers saying they plan another cruise within three years.
Report by David Wilkening
