A greater number of Australian
travellers in their 50s and 60s
are recognising the value and
affordability of luxury cruises.
JAMES Patrick, managing director of
Wiltrans, which represents Crystal Cruises,
Regent Seven Seas and Paul Gauguin Cruises, is
upbeat about the luxury cruising market.
“It’s been a tough year but it’s settling down;
2013 is looking good,” he said.
Speaking to Cruise Weekly yesterday on
board Crystal Symphony, en route to Auckland,
Patrick said Australia remained the top-selling
market outside the United States and Canada.
And it’s not all about Crystal Cruises’ recent
switch to all-inclusive pricing.
“Most people are more interested in the high
quality of the product, rather than the
included drinks and gratuities,” he said.
But the luxury cruise market is changing,
according to Patrick.
“The younger demographic is getting
stronger and stronger all the time,” he said.
One theory is that parents, who used to put
aside money for their children, are now
spending it on their own holidays.
“So we see more guests in their 50s and 60s
replacing the older guests,” Patrick said.
They are also booking more spontaneously,
he observed.
“I think it has something to do with the focus
on work-life balance.
“Younger people are more likely to say ‘let’s
go on holidays’ and book almost on a whim.”
Older travellers tend to book as far out as 16
to 18 months.
Younger passengers are also more
adventurous, Patrick said, which has led to an
upsurge in different destinations such as South
America, as well as the perennial favourite, the
Mediterranean.
The continuing strength of the Australian
dollar, along with the “softening” American
market, has pulled down fares for many highend
lines priced in USD.
“People don’t realise how cheap the luxury
segment is,” said Patrick.
“But as the US market picks up, prices will go
up.”
The trick is to book now for 2013, 2014 and
even 2015, while fares are lower for
Australians, compared to the days when AUD
was 85 cents (or worse) to the US dollar.
“Some people pay in instalments, watching
the exchange rate for the best time to pay
another $1000 or $5000,” Patrick said.
For details, see wiltrans.com.au.
