Four in 10 of us would spend Christmas on a holiday at sea, a survey of 900 people has revealed. Cruise specialist cruise.co.uk found that of those, 90% would prefer their festive sailing on the ocean and 10% on a river.
For ocean enthusiasts, the most popular yuletide destination is the Caribbean, at 42%. The Canary Islands were next on 21%, followed by the Norwegian Fjords on 9%.
For river fans, the Danube came top at 53%. The Rhine scored 28% and the Seine 19%.
The main appeal of a Christmas voyage is having meals, events and activities laid on by the cruise line, according to 39% of respondents. 28% prefer the idea of escaping the usual holiday routine, while 9% were enticed by the celebratory atmosphere on a ship.
The findings come as cruise.co.uk has announced an overall 32% increase in year-on year Christmas market cruise bookings.
Tony Andrews, managing director of cruise.co.uk, said: “Our findings show just how enticing a Christmas cruise can be. Whether it’s the allure of a warm Caribbean breeze or the charm of European riverside markets, there’s a wonderful range of options for everyone looking to mark the festive period in style. In addition, the convenience and value-for-money of a cruise means that passengers really can eat, drink and be merry when they’re onboard.”
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