Are UK cruisers seeking more time at sea for their holidays?
UK cruisers seek more holiday time at sea as bookings for longer sailings surpass 2019 levels
Bookings for longer cruises, totalling at least 21 nights at sea, are outstripping pre-pandemic travel levels for UK guests.
Cruise specialist cruise.co.uk has seen demand for extended sailings increase by 10% this year compared to 2019. Voyages of three weeks and over travel to destinations across the world and often include hotel stays and tours either side of sailing, to allow guests to make the most of their time away.
Sailings from Sydney to Pacific Islands such as Bora Bora, Tahiti and Hawaii have seen the biggest percentage spike in popularity. Other, more extensive, itineraries proving popular with UK guests include a 30-night tour of the far east including Singapore and Tokyo; 27 nights in Australia and New Zealand; and a 37-night ‘Pacific Paradise’ sailing to Fiji, Vanuatu and Hong Kong. All are in late 2022 and 2023.
Longer cruises can include a greater variety of port calls as there’s more time to reach different destinations, plus larger ships with a greater range of facilities.
Cruise lines will often offer additional incentives to long-term cruisers such as free drinks, complimentary wi-fi, a door-to-door luggage service, valet laundry and inclusive tips.
Tony Andrews, deputy managing director of cruise.co.uk, said: “Guests are increasingly booking for longer periods of time away to really make the most of their holiday after so much time indoors. It’s clear there is a real appetite for extended cruises, in part because our opportunities to travel have been so limited for nearly 18 months now.
“Extended cruises are a fantastic holiday option; not only will you enjoy a wonderful time onboard and at the various stops your ship calls at, but there’s also the opportunity to explore your destination on land both before and after sailing.”
For more information go to cruise.co.uk
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