Making Sense of CLIA’s 2018 Cruise Travel Report | TravelPulse

Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) has now revealed its 2018 Cruise Travel Report, indicating industry attitudes, behaviors and travel preferences among those who cruise and even those who do not.

“Industry research efforts, like the 2018 Cruise Travel Report, offer valuable insight to how and why cruise vacations are on the rise and becoming the vacation choice for millions by charting changes in the preferences and behaviors of both cruisers and non-cruisers,” said Cindy D’Aoust, president and CEO, CLIA, in a press release.

“The study confirms, cruise travel continues to break down income and generational barriers proving that today there is a cruise for every travel preference, style and budget.”

The biggest revelation is that nearly all income brackets are taking to cruise travel. Specifically, 33 percent of cruisers surveyed have a household income under $80K, and 50 percent have at least $100K or more.

Also significant is an emergence of millennials going on luxury cruises, with 24 percent of those surveyed having taken one in the last three years. There are those among younger generations with good taste and the means to afford it.

Other findings of the report are as follows:

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Millennials Raise the Sails

Beyond the luxury segment alone, there are now 70 percent of millennials this year who say they “definitely will” reserve a cruise as their next vacation, up from 63 percent in 2017. That is congruent with millennials being neck and neck with boomers as the most-cruised demographic, and that balance may shift to more youth in short time.

Friendship

Cruising is also great for friends journeying togethe—or at least with partners, companions, children or other family members. Cruisers are 40 percent more likely to travel as such groups than shoreside travelers, and more did so last year with family than in 2016. It makes sense really given travels are better shared than enjoyed alone.

READ MORE: Fresh 2018 Cruise Trends

Cruising Across Incomes

Regardless of how much money a person makes, they are more likely to choose a cruise over a land vacation.

Of those making less than $100K, 66 percent preferred cruises; and of those earning over $200K, 70 percent felt the same. This goes to show that cruise brands are well differentiated and cater to all walks of life as well as pocketbooks.

High Satisfaction = Loyal Cruisers

Once someone becomes a pleased cruise traveler, they are very likely to remain one. 58 percent of cruisers consider a cruise the best type of vacation, and 81 percent are highly satisfied with river cruises while 73 percent are with ocean cruises. Overall, nine out of ten say they “probably or definitely will” take a cruise again.

Of course, the challenge is getting those who have not gone on a cruise to first test the waters, and that’s where the current and future power of travel agents comes in.

Kids Are Just the Hook

It might be that bringing the kids along is one of the most enticing reasons to go on a cruise. After all, 41 percent of cruisers claim childcare services like babysitting and programs for children and teens interest them. However, in reality, only 13 percent actually report using such services.

Inversely, 32 percent say they desire onboard entertainment, while 70 percent end up attending once on the ship. In fact, the feature most taken advantage of on cruises is entertainment like shows, musicals and comedy.

READ MORE: Revisiting the Cruise Gratuity Bundle Debate

Destination Snacking

One of the classic benefits of cruising continues to resonate: Sailings are a perfect introductory sampler of a destination before returning at a later date.

Millennials especially love to dabble in a variety of new things, and all ages—with the exception of Gen X—are likelier to return to an area seen on a cruise than claimed last year.

Agents Propel Cruisers

The proof is in the pudding because travel professionals are the greatest cruise planning influencers. Statistically, cruise travelers (70 percent) are nearly twice as likely to use a travel agent than non-cruisers (37 percent).

Top 10 Cruise States

Lastly, Floridians account for 17 percent, with Californians coming in second (11 percent), Texans in third (9 percent) and New Yorkers in fourth (6 percent). Runners-up are those from Georgia (4 percent) and North Carolina, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio and Illinois (all 3 percent).

For more information, the full report can be viewed at https://www.cruising.org/docs/default-source/research/clia-2018-consumer-research.pdf?sfvrsn=0.