Substantial Cruise Savings Remain in Caribbean and Mediterranean
2012 Cruise Trends Survey Also Names Celebrity Reflection as
Most Anticipated Ship of 2012
Minneapolis, MN (January 4, 2012)—Cruise prices remain in consumers’ favor going into 2012, according to the Cruise Holidays 2012 Cruise Trends survey, with prices to the Caribbean and the Mediterranean still averaging lower than they were in 2008, 2009 and 2010. However, prices to these destinations have actually risen slightly since 2011, which is seen as a positive trend overall by the cruise industry because it demonstrates increased demand for travel. Additionally, it appears that cruisers' tastes are becoming more sophisticated: Celebrity Cruises – a "premium” cruise line – boasts the most popular new ships for both 2011 and 2012, according to Cruise Holidays cruise experts across North America.
These are just two of the more noteworthy trends coming out of the Cruise Holidays 2012 Cruise Trends survey, which is based on actual bookings from Cruise Holidays’ proprietary booking system, as well as from a supplementary opinion survey* taken by top Cruise Holidays owners and agents. The bookings include any staterooms booked by Cruise Holidays from January 1, 2011, to December 21, 2011, for any cruises slated to begin in 2012.
Most Popular Ships:
Celebrity’s "Solstice” Class & New European River Ships Capture Cruisers’ Hearts
Price is only one factor that contributes to cruisers' vacation decisions. The ship itself along with the itinerary are just as important, which is why fans of premium cruise lines like Celebrity Cruises have another reason to celebrate. In this year's survey, Cruise Holidays experts selected the Celebrity Silhouette as their favorite ship to debut in the past calendar year. They voted the fifth and final Solstice-class ship, Celebrity Reflection, as the ship they are most anticipating for 2012. Reflection will sport an additional deck compared to previous Solstice-class ships, with three new types of suites, and more than 50 international craft beers in its enhanced "Michael's Club." Reflection will do a short series of European itineraries when it debuts in October, then will cross the Atlantic to begin cruising the Eastern Caribbean.
"Most of our Cruise Holidays owners and agents have sailed aboard the Solstice class since Celebrity's development of the game-changing Solstice in late 2008,” said Mark Schiffner, Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Cruise Holidays. "This class of ship has since become one of the most celebrated in the industry – known for its innovative stateroom design and industry firsts such as the Lawn Club. There’s an element of style and sophistication that oozes from every corner of the Solstice-class ships,” stated Schiffner.
Another remarkable development – perhaps reflecting the evolving tastes of cruisers – is that the second most popular ship expected in 2012 is an upscale river cruise ship: AmaWaterways’ Amacerto. The Amacerto is a 164-passenger ship that will sail itineraries on the Danube, Rhine, Main and Mosel Rivers. It features extra-spacious suites, deluxe hotel-style bedding, and a heated sun deck swimming pool. River cruising allows passengers to explore Europe's greatest treasures from the middle of the action – the ships often dock right in the heart of historic cities and provide vacationers with instant, convenient access to explore Europe the way it was meant to be seen. The AmaCerto will mark its inaugural cruise with a "Tulip Time” cruise through Holland and Belgium this April. Thereafter, it will sail some of AmaWaterways’ most popular itineraries, with frequent visits to Prague, Nuremburg, Budapest, Vienna and more.
Rounding out the top five in the survey of most popular ships for 2012 are the Disney Fantasy, Oceania Cruises’ Riviera and Viking River Cruises’ Freya, also a river-cruise ship.
Popular Cruise Destinations
Alaska and Europe continue to battle it out in the destination race. While Caribbean cruises are the perennial and overwhelming favorite, early bookings to Europe continue to outpace those to Alaska, for the second year in a row. Highlighting cruisers’ continuing love affair with Europe, cruises to the Baltic and Scandinavia increased, further cementing Europe's second-place ranking. A shift in cruise capacity away from the Mexican Riviera, and ports such as Acapulco and Puerto Vallarta, means this region is down to seventh place after being as high as 3rd place in 2006, 2007 and 2008. Here is the complete list of the most popular cruise destinations for 2012:
|
2012 Top Cruise Destinations |
% of Bookings |
‘11 Rank |
‘10 Rank
|
|
1. Caribbean (includes Bahamas) |
59.88% |
1 |
1 |
|
2. Europe (includes Med, Baltic, Scandinavia & Greek Isles |
11.47% |
2 |
4 (tie) |
|
3. Alaska |
6.7% |
3 |
2 |
|
4. Bermuda |
4.7% |
4 |
7 |
|
5. Hawaii |
2.78% |
7 |
8 |
|
6. Panama Canal |
2.48% |
8 |
6 |
|
7. Mexican Riviera |
2.26% |
5 |
4 (tie) |
|
8. Trans-Atlantic |
2.03% |
9 |
N/A |
|
9. Canada/New England |
2.0% |
N/A |
N/A |
|
10. South Pacific |
1.52% |
N/A |
N/A |
The above totals do not add to 100% because additional destinations each earned a small percentage of votes.
If the Caribbean is broken down into three regions, Western Caribbean cruises are the most popular cruise destination overall, followed by Eastern Caribbean cruises and then Southern Caribbean cruises.
Value in Caribbean & Europe
Cruise Holidays experts predict the best cruise values will also remain in the Caribbean and Europe. "These two regions are the clear-cut leaders when it comes to the bang for the buck that a cruise vacation can provide,” stated Schiffner. "On the flip side, with fewer cruisers turning to the Mexican Riviera as a top vacation choice, its value proposition is increasing. Mexico’s famed Gold Coast is pulling out all the stops to showcase its world-class beach communities, which depend on tourism for their livelihood,” added Schiffner. The top five "cruise value leaders” are as follows:
|
Destination |
2012 |
2011 Ranking |
|
1. (tie) Caribbean |
36.4% |
1 |
|
1. (tie) Europe |
36.4% |
2 |
|
3. Alaska/Pacific Northwest |
8.5% |
3 |
|
4. Mexican Riviera |
6.8% |
5 |
|
5. Other** |
6.6% |
4 |
|
6. Trans-Atlantic |
5.1% |
6 |
**Other responses included Hawaii, Bermuda, Asia, South America and Dubai.
Booking Window Continues to Increase
A look back at bookings made in 2011 shows that the average length of the booking window (the time between when a cruise is booked and its actual sail date) continues to lengthen. In 2011, about 52% of cruises were booked more than six months prior to the cruise. In 2010, that number was 48.5%. The number was even lower – 40.5% – in 2009.
However, the number of travelers capitalizing on last minute deals is also growing. More than seven percent (7%) of cruises were booked less than one month before the sail date in 2011, which is up compared to the previous two years. "Last minute booking incentives along with very early booking incentives continue to be an attractive way to lock in deals,” said Schiffner.
Average length of the booking window for cruises booked 1/1/11 – 12/21/11 (time between 2011 booking date and actual sail date):
|
Booking Window |
2011 |
2010 |
2009 |
|
Less than 1 month |
7.15% |
5.9% |
6.2% |
|
1-3 months |
21.24% |
26.1% |
33.9% |
|
4-5 months |
19.22% |
19.7% |
19.4% |
|
6-8 months |
22.57% |
22.5% |
19.7% |
|
9-11 months |
15.2% |
14.2% |
8.8% |
|
More than 11 months |
14.22% |
11.8% |
12.0% |
Cruise Experts Extremely Encouraged Looking Forward
Looking ahead to the first three months of 2012, otherwise known as "Wave Season” in the cruise industry, the level of optimism is at a three-year high for Cruise Holidays experts. More than 73% of respondents say they are very optimistic or somewhat optimistic about Wave Season, with an additional 25% feeling neutral. That level of optimism demonstrates an excitement that bookings will be strong in the first quarter of 2012. "Considering the vast amount of trend information at our cruise experts’ fingertips, including their knowledge of pricing, destinations and even the best time to book, Cruise Holidays consultants expect their current clients along with new clients will be turning to them as their personal cruise experts throughout 2012,” stated Schiffner.
For continuing cruise trends information, please visit our media room throughout the year.
*118 Cruise Holidays cruise consultants were surveyed between December 21, 2011 and January 4, 2012.
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Cruise Holidays is the most successful cruise-specialty retail franchise in North America, with stores and virtual offices in both the United States and Canada. Cruise Holidays is also a distinguished provider of land tour vacation packages. Founded in 1984, Cruise Holidays is part of Travel Leaders Group. With approximately 30% of all travel agencies in the U.S. and Canada under its umbrella, Travel Leaders Group serves millions of individual leisure travelers, as well as select corporate clients and destinations.