Press Release
For Immediate Release
Trends That Will Change How & Where You Travel via Cruise Ship in 2016
Avid Cruisers’ Wish List Granted, 14 Million Consumer Requests Give Us Insight
DETROIT (Dec. 30, 2015) – What are the trends in cruising for 2016 and what can we expect from the industry? CruiseCompete has insider knowledge about emerging travel trends, thanks to countless hours of research and to the thousands of consumers who provide feedback on their cruise travel experiences and desires.
With this information, plus their expert knowledge of the industry, the cruise specialists at CruiseCompete, (who provide on average a million quotes a year,) are able provide insight on cruising trends. Below are the trends the cruise specialists at CruiseCompete are seeing:
1. USA (and Europe) river cruising steams (and cruises) ahead.
American Queen Steamboat ships and American Cruise Lines’ small-ship cruising along the inland waterways and rivers of the United States will be more popular than ever. Beginning in 2017, Viking Cruises will operate two ships on the Mississippi River and its tributaries, joining American Cruise Lines and American Queen Steamboat Company. These two new Viking ships are the first of six Viking plans to roll out on the Mississippi over a three-year period – a monumental deployment by any standard. A list of the new river ships many be found here https://allthingscruise.com/newest-ships/
2. The hottest destination? Cuba, Cuba and Cuba!
Since the U.S. and Cuba have restored diplomatic relations, many people are booking cruises to Cuba based on pent up demand. Largely unchanged since the Cuban Revolution in the late 1950s, and under strict embargo by the U.S. since, a visit to Cuba shows a world largely without commercial advertising, where classic cars are the most popular means of transport. A number of lines are now including Cuba on their itineraries, including:
Star Clippers: 7 Night Cuba roundtrip from Cienfuegos
Crystal Cruises: 7 Nights - 7301 - Yucatan Discovery
3. Less is NOT more, more is more: All-Inclusive is becoming the industry standard.
Across the board, cruise lines are going more and more all-inclusive. Although this trend began with the Ultra-Luxury sector, due to consumer demand more and more of the lines are following suit. It’s time to bid adieu to out-of-pocket expenses. An all-inclusive cruise allows you to sail in style and leave your wallet in your cabin. To see what what’s included on each of the lines, please click here.
4. Family and multi-generational cruising make multi-room suites the hottest (and hardest to book) onboard accommodations. Cabins designed for families, such as Royal Caribbean’s Family Connected Junior Suite with Balcony and Norwegian Cruise Line’s The Haven 3-Bedroom Garden Villa are booked way in advance. What do these suites have to offer that make them so desirable for family travel?
- Royal Caribbean’s Family Connected Junior Suite with Balcony has special layout that has 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms and a balcony for all your family needs, sleeping 8 to 10 guests. This suite is 575 square feet with a balcony of 216 square feet.In the coming year, Royal Caribbean is also debuting their Royal Suite Class accommodations on Oasis Class and Quantum Class ships, starting May 2016. These Royal Suites will include expansive accommodations designed for a larger group of guests- and with plenty of included amenities. Learn more about Royal Caribbean.
| Royal Suite Class | Oasis Class Room Occupancy |
Quantum Class Room Occupancy |
| Suite Category | ||
| Royal Loft Suite | 6 | 6 |
| Owner’s Loft | 4 | 4 |
| Four-Bedroom Family Suite | 14 | - |
| Grand Loft | 4 | 4 |
| Sky Loft Suite | 4 | 4 |
| Two-Bedroom AquaTheater Suite | 8 | - |
- Norwegian Cruise Line’s The Haven 3-Bedroom Garden Villa luxury suite boasts three separate bedrooms and three full bathrooms plus a half bath. There is a private garden with hot tub, outdoor dining area with terrace, dedicated concierge service, and butler service 24 hours a day. The 3-Bedroom Garden Villa sleeps up to 8 and is up to 5750 square feet. Learn more about Norwegian Cruise Line.
CruiseCompete agents receive so many questions about family cruises that they have published the 2016 Family Friendly Cruise Travel Planner; see it at https://flippingbook.com/view/212374//
5. The world at your fingertips: an expansion of Internet and technological conveniences.
Royal Caribbean will roll out high-speed “Voom” service to all its Caribbean based ships by mid-2016. This service will allow passengers to surf the internet quickly and also use services like music streaming sites and Face Time. This trend is widespread, with more Wi-Fi and apps at sea across many of the lines.
6. Mysteries of the Orient: Asia cruises are in demand.
The mystery and beauty of Asia are calling. Public demand for these exotic cruises are on the rise. From the serenity of ancient temples, to the distinctive culinary flavors, to the thrill of shopping in the lively open-air markets, cruisers long for the combination of exotic sights, sounds, tastes and experiences. The cruise lines hear these requests and are responding. Royal Caribbean International, Princess Cruises and Star Cruises are putting new ships in Asia – and Asian river cruises are on the rise, too.
If you’d like more information about cruise trends or would like assistance planning your 2016 and beyond cruise vacation, please visit us at CruiseCompete.com or Cruise Compete Groups.
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Note to Editors About CruiseCompete
CruiseCompete has been the premier online cruise marketplace since 2003 (see media praises). Consumers come to CruiseCompete to research and book cruise vacations. Sailings quoted are 14 million since 2003. Consumers compare offers from trusted travel agents, can see consumer reviews of agents and agencies responding, and then contact travel agents directly for more information and to book cruises.
CruiseCompete is a member of the Family Travel Association, the leading authority and resource for family travel information.
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's “Top 60 Best Apps and Websites for Travelers” with an honorable mention. The Wall Street Journal praised CruiseCompete as “Best Cruise Travel Site,” The New York Timessays, “… independent travel agents compete to offer you the best deal," and follows similar praisefrom Travel + Leisure, Kiplinger and The Washington Post. The Street says, “Score luxury cruises at bargain prices.”
For more information, please visit CruiseCompete.comor Cruise Compete Groups
CruiseCompete is an Iowa limited liability company and is not a travel agency nor owned by a travel agency.
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