CruiseCompete Releases December 2012 CruiseTrends™ Report and 2012 Cruise Index™

DETROIT (December 4, 2012) – CruiseCompete has released its CruiseTrends™ and Cruise Index™ reports for the month of December 2012. This report is sponsored by © EyeforTravel Ltd.

The CruiseTrends™ report for December 2012 is detailed below. To see more topics and data, please visit CruiseCompete’s Press Room or click here to see the entire December 2012 report.

The CruiseCompete Cruise Index™ for December 2012 was 146, up one point from November 2012, and down two points from December of 2011. Regional pricing indices remained saw an increase in all regions, except the Alaska, Canada and the Northeast, and Europe, from November 2012.

The CruiseCompete Cruise Index ™ is calculated based on the average daily per-passenger (double occupancy) cost for the lowest-priced ocean view cabin category on a seven-night cruise on the six largest North American cruise lines. See details and indices by region and Monthly Historical Cruise Prices.

Most Popular Cruise Lines
(Based on the total number of quote requests for each cruise line in the given month)
1. Premium/Contemporary: Carnival Cruise Line
2. Luxury: Cunard (Changed from Oceania last month)
3. River Cruises: Viking River

In second place is Royal Caribbean International for premium/contemporary, Oceania for luxury and AmaWaterways for river cruises. More…

Most Popular Cruise Ships
(Based on the total number of quote requests for each ship)
1. Premium/Contemporary: Caribbean Princess (changed from Ruby Princess last month)
2. Luxury: Queen Mary 2
3. River: American Queen (changed from MS AmaDolce last month)

Next in popularity are the Ruby Princess for premium/contemporary, Queen Elizabeth for luxury, and the MS AmaCello for river. More…

Most Popular Cruise Regions
(Based on the total number of quote requests for each region)
1. Premium/Contemporary: Caribbean
2. Luxury: Caribbean (changed from Europe last month)
3. River: Europe

Next in popularity are North America for premium/contemporary, Europe for luxury, and Asia/Far East for river cruises. More…

Most Popular Cruise Departure Ports
(Based on the total number of quote requests for each departure port)
1. Premium/Contemporary: Fort Lauderdale, FL
2. Luxury: Southampton, U.K.
3. River: Amsterdam, Netherlands

Next in popularity are Miami, FL for premium/contemporary, Miami, FL for luxury and Budapest, Hungary for River. More…

Most Popular Cruise Ports Visited
(Based on the total number of quote requests for each port visited during cruise itineraries, excluding departure ports)
1. Premium/Contemporary: Nassau, Bahamas
2. Luxury: Gustavia, St. Barts
3. River: Vienna, Austria

Next in popularity are Cozumel, Mexico for premium/contemporary, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam for luxury, and Cologne, Germany for river cruises. More…

Most Popular Countries Visited
(Based on the total number of quote requests for each country visited during cruise itineraries, excluding countries of departure)
1. Premium/Contemporary: Bahamas
2. Luxury: United States (replacing Greece last month)
3. River: Germany

Second are Mexico for premium/contemporary, Greece for luxury, and France for river cruises. More…

Most Popular Cabin Types
(Based on the total number of quote requests for each cabin type)
1. Premium/Contemporary: Inside Cabin
2. Luxury: Balcony Cabin
3. River: Outside Cabin (changed from Balcony Cabin last month)
More…

Hottest Months for Cruising
(Based on the most requested months)
1. Premium/Contemporary: December 2012
2. Luxury: January 2013 (Changed from December 2012 last month)
3. River: September 2013
More…

Other data available at the December 2012 CruiseTrends™ report.
• Number of cabins requested
• Most popular cruise itinerary lengths
• Travel insurance requested
• Cruise line past passenger status requested
• Booking window of time

This cruise trend information is available monthly from CruiseCompete and can be insightful, especially for financial analysts and travel writers. To see 12-months’ of cruise trend data, please click here: Cruise Trends.

For purposes of the CruiseTrends™ report, cruise lines recognized as premium or contemporary are grouped together as premium/contemporary. The CruiseCompete CruiseTrends™ report is sponsored by EyeForTravel Ltd.

# # #

Note to Editors:

CruiseCompete has been the premier online cruise marketplace since 2003 (see media praises). Consumers compare competing offers from trusted travel agents, are able to see consumer reviews of agents and agencies responding, and then contact travel agents directly for more information and to book a cruise.

CruiseCompete CruiseTrends™ offers monthly stats for an inside look at consumer trends and what consumers want in cruise vacations.
CruiseCompete takes top honors in Travel + Leisure Magazine's “Top 60 Best Apps and Websites for Travelers” (September 2012) with an honorable mention. The Wall Street Journal praised CruiseCompete as “Best Cruise Travel Site,” The New York Times says, “… independent travel agents compete to offer you the best deal," and follows similar praise from Travel + Leisure, Kiplinger’s and The Washington Post. The Street says, “Score luxury cruises at bargain prices.”

For more information, please visit CruiseCompete.com orCruise Compete Groups.

CruiseCompete is an Iowa limited liability company and is not a travel agency nor owned by a travel agency.

CruiseCompete – Find us on Facebook! Follow us on Twitter!

Media Contact:
Heidi M. Allison
Allison and Taylor, Inc.
+1-248-651-4491 office
+1-248-935-3224 mobile

About EyeforTravel Ltd, Our Sponsor:

EyeforTravel is a leading global media company specialising in business intelligence for the travel and tourism industries. Founded in 1997, EyeforTravel produces world leading conferences, reports, webinars and daily news for senior executives of the online travel industry.

With its international focus, www.eyefortravel.com publish cutting-edge travel news stories, updated daily from around the globe and run weekly newsletters that cater to the needs and interests of all online travel industry executives.
EyeforTravel Limited, a registered company in England and Wales - Registered Number 06286442. 7-9 Fashion Street, London, E1 6PX, UK

Media Contact:
© EyeforTravel Ltd
+44 (0) 207 375 7500
rosie@eyefortravel.com
@eyefortravel on Twitter