Cruiseline.com, Shipmate poll finds strong cruise demand, Europe uptick

More than 7,000 travelers responded, with 96.1% reporting they have a cruise booked in 2024 or 2025. Of those, 57.1% plan multiple cruises and 42.9% have only one booked.

Some 39.9% of survey respondents intend to book additional cruises in 2024 and 2025, 37.7% are unsure if they will and 22.4% don't plan additional cruises in this period.

'Cruise demand continues to be strong, with travelers overwhelmingly reporting that they have one or more cruises booked for 2024 or 2025. Many are also reporting they intend to make even more bookings for the coming year,' said Jamie Cash, general manager of Cruiseline.com and Shipmate.

'... While many of our community members intend to take longer cruises, the interest in shorter sailings is gaining traction as travelers seek quick getaways with lower costs,' Cash continued. 'The Caribbean remains the top destination choice for travelers, with rising interest in European cruises for the upcoming year as well.'

Royal Caribbean top pick

Some 35.1% of travelers intend to sail with Royal Caribbean, 28.9% with Carnival Cruise Line, 18% with Norwegian Cruise Line or Celebrity Cruises and 16.6% with Princess Cruises. MSC Cruises, Holland America Line, Viking, Virgin Voyages and Oceania Cruises came in just behind these.

Destinations

Leading destinations are the Caribbean/Bahamas (63.9%), Mediterranean (15.8%), Alaska (11.9%, Mexico's Pacific Coast (10%), Northern Europe (8.7%), trans-Atlantic (8.6%), Canada/New England (7.3%), Bermuda (6.4%), Hawaii (4.7%) and South America (4.3%).

In 2023, Cruiseline.com's survey reported 27.9% of respondents were booked to cruise in Europe (Mediterranean/Northern Europe/trans-Atlantic) which indicates an uptick in intent for European cruising for this year (at 33.1% combined). Last year, Alaska bookings accounted for 17.9% of intended booking destinations, compared to the 2024 survey's 11.9%.

Cruise length

Most travelers responding to the survey plan a seven-night cruise (46.7%), followed by 10 to 14 nights (31.4%), five to seven nights (30.1%), 15 nights or longer (16.5%) and three nights or less (12.6%).

Short cruises may still account for a small share, but their appeal is growing, likely due in part to splashy new ships like Utopia of the Seas offering short trips. Last year only 0.9% of survey respondents reported booking sailings of three nights or less, compared to 12.6% now.

Booking window

Most survey participants (46.5%) book cruises seven to 12 months in advance, with 26.5% booking 13 to 18 months ahead, 13.3% three to six months out, 11.4% more than 18 months before and 2.3% three months or less to departure.

Deciding factors

Destination remains the No. 1 deciding factor for choosing a cruise (36.6%), followed by getting a deal (26.4%), the cruise line (22.9%), the ship (8.1%) and cruise length (2.6%).

Booking direct

Some 50.8% of Cruiseline.com/Shipmate respondents prefer to book directly with the cruise line online, 32.8% with a travel advisor (in person/phone) and 12.6% via travel agency website. The remaining percent reported other preferred methods, such as booking a future cruise while on the ship. 

Profile of those surveyed

Of the more than 7,000 survey respondents, 66.2% reported they have taken eight or more cruises, 14.9% five to seven cruises and 11.9% two to four cruises. Some 3.2% had taken at least one cruise, and 3.8% haven't cruised.

The top lines previously sailed by respondents include Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, NCL, Princess and Celebrity Cruises.

Some 89.4% of participants previously cruised in the Caribbean, with other top destinations including Alaska (45.7%), Mexico's Pacific Coast (38.2%) and the Mediterranean (37.5%)