TravelManagers Australia reports that consumer interest in cruising holidays is higher than ever with several factors steering the stellar sales and bookings in 2023 and beyond.
The travel agent network reports an increase in the average value per booking with a 71 per cent rise and advance bookings for cruising holidays within a six- to 12-month booking window and beyond.
TravelManagers Cruise Product Manager Lia Malone said stateroom upgrades and all-inclusive options are driving an average booking value increase.
“An increasing number of clients are enhancing their cruise holiday experiences by upgrading their choice of stateroom and selecting all-inclusive pricing options with verandah or balcony staterooms currently our highest-selling category,” she said.
TravelManagers is also seeing a surge in demand for river cruising, particularly in Europe where the company’s year-on-year sales have doubled, which Ms Malone said is due to the category’s more intimate, all-inclusive experience.
Sales for Australia-based cruises have also increased, thanks to a rising number of ships homeported in the region for the first time.
Australia has already seen the return of Carnival Australia, P&O Cruises Australia, Princess, Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, Cunard, Viking, Azamara, Holland America Line and Norwegian Cruise Line.
New cruise lines on the horizon in 2023-2024 include Disney Cruise Line, Virgin Voyages and Windstar.
Ms Malone said another key factor contributing to TravelManagers’ boom in cruise bookings is new cruise customers resulting from referrals.
“We take this as a testament to the expertise of our personal travel managers who match each client with the ideal cruise experience,” she said.
Find out more at travelmanagers.com.au
