Australians and New Zealanders are flocking to Europe in record numbers to join a Cunard cruise, according to the cruise line.
The luxury line revealed that bookings for its 2017 Europe program are up almost 60 percent on the same time last year.
With Cunard’s £90 million remastering of Queen Mary 2 representing one of the biggest investments in luxury travel, and Queen Victoria undergoing her own refurbishment prior to the European summer, Cunard Senior Vice President Simon Palethorpe said there was an expectation that 2017 would be a bumper year.
“We knew 2017 would be big, but European bookings have already exceeded our expectations.”
Simon Palethorpe, Cunard Senior Vice President
“We couldn’t be more thrilled with the response from Australian and New Zealand guests wanting to discover the grandeur of Europe with Cunard.”
Image: James Morgan
Mr Palethorpe said that the Mediterranean program was as popular as ever, with 2017 bookings up 26 percent on the overall number for 2016. Meanwhile Northern Europe 2017 sailings booked to date have already exceeded the overall number of bookings for the region last year.
Mr Palethorpe said Australian and New Zealand forward bookings on Cunard’s iconic Transatlantic crossings were up 72 percent compared to the same time last year, with 2017 bookings surpassing the overall number booked for 2016.
Demand for world voyages remained strong with Australia holding onto its position as the second largest passenger source market, behind the UK, for the fifth year running.
Mr Palethorpe said it was clear that holidaymakers were eager to experience the remastered Queen Mary 2 and indulge in some luxury on a grand scale in the new year.
“Australians have had an affinity for Queen Mary 2 since she first visited Australia in 2007 and brought Sydney to a standstill during her spectacular rendezvous with QE2,” Mr Palethorpe said.
“It was a magnificent event that cemented the relationship between Cunard and Australia and we’ve seen the effect it has had on bookings ever since.
“We know Australians are eagerly awaiting our flagship’s arrival early next year, along with an encore rendezvous almost 10 years to the day, with sister ship Queen Elizabeth.”
To ensure Cunard is evolving, while still maintaining the tradition at the heart of the British brand, the luxury line recently surveyed Australian guests about its dress codes. With 25 percent saying they were more likely to book a cruise with two formal nights over seven days, Mr Palethorpe said the allure of the golden era of ocean travel still appealed to Australians.
“The feedback we get is that Australians love the elegance, glamour and heritage of a voyage with Cunard as well as the luxury and modernity of our liners,” Mr Palethorpe said.
