TravelMole
Cruise

Outlook for cruises? Try more

Thursday, 19 May 20113 min read

When it comes to cruises, it’s more across the board.

More traffic, for example.

More than 15 million people cruised last year and the number is expected to grow to 16 million this year, according to the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA).

Number of ships: CLIA reports 22 new ones will be in the water by next year.

“New onboard trends are identified as more specialty restaurants, more activities, more themed cruises, more destinations, a focus on fitness and the evolution of the spa,” says hoteliermiddleeast.

The Caribbean, Alaska and the Mediterranean remain top choices, but cruise lines have nominated Northern Europe and South America as ‘hot’ regions while the Middle East and Africa are coming on stronger.

The primary reason for growth:

“Value for or money is a prime motivator as more people get the message that an often seemingly high daily rate includes all food, entertainment and often drinks and tips too, as well as travel between destinations,” says hoteliermiddleeast.

By David Wilkening