Cruises are an important product for travel advisors. Indeed, Travel Weekly’s 2022 Travel Industry Survey found that ocean cruises were second only to all-inclusive resorts as the travel products advisors focus on.
The pandemic’s impact on the cruise industry was prolonged and painful. But here’s good news: First in Service’s (F1S) clientele is back on the water at prepandemic levels.
The New York-based agency said that in a recent survey of its advisors, 88.9% said cruise bookings were even or up compared with 2019. Overall, 44.4% said bookings were “up significantly.” Advisors also said bookings were up compared with last year.
Ocean cruises are the most popular style of cruise F1S advisors are booking for clients. In fact, 100% of respondents said they book ocean cruises.
Looking at the segment in more detail: 77.8% said they book small-ship cruising, followed by river cruising, at 55.6%; expedition at 44.4%; large ship, at 33.3%; yacht at 33.3%; and specialty cruising at 22.2%.
“Although many of our customers are taking to the sea on some of the latest, greatest megaships, a large cross-section is opting for the smaller, more intimate ships, whether for river or seafaring cruises,” F1S CEO Fernando Gonzalez said.
Where are cruisers headed?
F1S advisors reported the Mediterranean and Alaska are the most popular cruise destinations this year, followed by the Caribbean and the Greek islands. Hawaii, Mexico, Panama Canal and river cruises were also popular.
Most clients, the advisors said, are looking for pre- and post-cruise experiences in Europe.
Clients are also looking for longer itineraries of 8 to 14 nights on average, F1S found. The majority of survey participants, 66.7%, said their clients wanted longer itineraries. The rest said clients wanted cruises of seven nights or less.
F1S advisors had some additional trends to point out, as well. Advisor Stacy Weigant said her clients were starting to book luxury products further out; they are also booking multiple cruises in a year. Leah Winck said her cruisers were looking for luxury ships. They tend to be younger couples, and higher spenders, she added.
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