MIDSIZE cruise ships – typically carrying 1,000 to 2,500 guests – generally rank as the most popular vessels, new research has found. Findings from British online travel agency Cruise.co.uk, cited in The Independent, showed 41% of respondents to a 700-person survey favoured midsized vessels for next year’s bookings. These ships...
MIDSIZE cruise ships – typically carrying 1,000 to 2,500 guests – generally rank as the most popular vessels, new research has found.
Findings from British online travel agency Cruise.co.uk, cited in The Independent, showed 41% of respondents to a 700-person survey favoured midsized vessels for next year’s bookings.
These ships are also the most on order around the world, representing 35-40% of vessels under construction.
A third favour large ships, which have a capacity between 2,500-4,000 guests, while around 15% prefer small vessels (below 1,000 pax).
Just 9% of cruisers favour ships that carry more than 4,000 passengers – the kind mostly built by Royal Caribbean, MSC Cruises, and now Norwegian Cruise Line.
Bookers are still mostly motivated by the ability to visit multiple destinations, cited by 39% of respondents.
A fifth are moved to book depending on the perceived value for money, while 10% considered onboard facilities and the opportunity to relax.
Lower entry-level fares or special offers would tempt 28% of passengers to book, while a further 24% said all-inclusive pricing would encourage them to commit.
