As CLIA’s Cruise Month kicks off this week, Karryon checks out the latest need-to-know industry trends and stats and why now is the time to jump onboard ocean cruising.
In perfect timing for cruise month, Carnival Splendor returned to Australia in September, fresh from an extensive refurb in Singapore and ready to sail year-round from Sydney.
Diamond Princess also arrived in Sydney last month – and some 60 more cruise ships will make their way Down Under for the summer cruise season.
Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) Managing Director Australasia, Joel Katz says the 2024-25 summer will be another busy season for cruising.
“Australia will host a total of 62 cruise ships over the 2024-25 summer season, which is among the busiest schedules we’ve seen in local waters,” says Katz.
He added that according to CLIA research, the intention to cruise remains strong among Australian travellers – great news for travel advisors, particularly those who are actively seeking new-to-cruise clients.
“Australia has always been one of the world’s most passionate cruise markets, and this enthusiasm continues. Of Australian travellers who have cruised previously, 77 per cent say they will cruise again. Even among travellers who have never sailed before, 70 per cent say they are open to taking their first cruise.”
How Cruise Month can boost your business
All the successful cruise travel advisors we meet stress the importance of keeping yourself and your clients informed about the latest stats and trends. As well as networking, attending industry events and organising client events.
LUXE by itravel and CLIA Master, Megan Catterall, says Cruise Month is a highlight of her calendar.
“The networking opportunities with CLIA cruise lines are unbelievable, and the offers and deals are fabulous value. I am also making the most of cruise lines’ bring-a-client events, they are very valuable to my business.
“This year I’ve switched things up a notch – I’m taking 65 clients on a seven-night ocean cruise in October and amazingly, 90 per cent are new clients. I will be showcasing departures in 2025 and 2026 with numerous CLIA cruise line members for my guests over a private cocktail party while we’re onboard.
“It’s a great opportunity for the cruise lines, for my clients and for me – it’s going to be a lot of fun,” says Catterall.
Cruise industry trends, stats and selling points
Recent data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics revealed that despite challenges such as the ongoing cost of living crisis, Australians are travelling even more than they did before the pandemic.
We took more than 11 million overseas trips in the year to June 2024, a 32 per cent increase over the previous year, and there’s no sign of a slowdown anytime soon.
Worldwide cruise stats paint a similarly optimistic picture.
According to CLIA’s 2024 State of the Cruise Industry report, cruise travel reached 107 per cent of 2019 levels in 2023, when 31.7 million passengers took a cruise.
Importantly, cruise is forecast to grow to nearly 40 million passengers by 2027. The report also showed there is continued demand for cruise holidays, noting intent to cruise at 82 per cent. The forecast for cruise capacity shows an increase of 10 per cent from 2024 through 2028.
Another figure that’s sure to please: 73 per cent of cruise travellers say that travel advisors have a meaningful influence on their decision to cruise.
Here are some more vital statistics to take onboard:
- There’s plenty of room for growth: cruise is currently only two per cent of the travel and tourism sector.
- 27 per cent of cruisers over the past two years are new-to-cruise, an increase of 12 per cent.
- The average age of a cruiser is 46, and 36 per cent are under the age of 40.
- Cruise is increasingly in demand for people with disabilities and many cruise lines are adapting facilities to accommodate them.
- Multi-generational cruise continues to grow, with more than 30 per cent of families cruising with at least two generations and 28 per cent of cruisers travelling with three to five generations.
For more information, visit CLIA Australasia.
