Cruise Critic has released the findings of its latest consumer sentiment survey that was sent to the site’s subscriber audience in early September. The results, based on more than 5,000 responses, demonstrate continued consumer confidence in the cruise industry’s handling of health and safety protocols, with average booking trends remaining steady despite the ongoing pandemic and uncertainty around the Delta variant.
The intention to cruise remains high among survey respondents. Two-thirds (66 percent) indicated they currently have a cruise booked, with 65 percent planning to sail within the next six months. One-third (34 percent) said they do not have a cruise booked at this time, with 4 percent of those respondents saying their cruise had been canceled by the cruise line, while another 4 percent said they chose to cancel their cruise.
Half (49 percent) of respondents said their next booked cruise is to the Caribbean, Bahamas or Bermuda originating in the U.S., while 15 percent are planning an ocean cruise in Europe. Another 13 percent are taking a North American cruise to Hawaii, Alaska, coastal Canada or a river cruise. About 5 percent are planning a Europe river cruise, with the same percentage opting for a South American, Central American or Panama Canal itinerary. Only 4 percent are considering a transatlantic or Mexican Riviera cruise, and only 3 percent are looking at an Australia or South Pacific cruise.
When asked about the length of the next cruise the respondents were likely to book, 42 percent said they were looking at itineraries in the six- to nine-day range; however, 38 percent are considering a longer, 10- to 14-day sailing, while 17 percent want to go for 15 days or more. Only 4 percent said they were choosing a short three- to five-day cruise.
Key considerations for those planning a cruise involved the destination, price and cancellation policy. More than 67 percent said the destination was their primary consideration, followed closely by 62 percent who said their main consideration was price. In a major change from earlier surveys, 54 percent said that an important factor for them was the cruise line’s cancellation policy and how flexible it is.
About a third of the respondents said they were carefully considering their departure port and would likely opt for one they can drive to rather than fly. Also, ship size is a serious consideration with 28 percent looking to sail on a smaller ship and just 10 percent preferring a larger ship.
Uncertainty surrounding the Delta variant is causing cruisers to take more of a wait-and-see approach, with 19 percent booking further out, and just under 6 percent saying they are looking to cruise as soon as possible. About 18 percent of those surveyed said they had no special considerations and would book their cruise as they normally would.
Note: The survey results regarding the cruise-booking method of choice are likely reflective of the fact that Cruise Critic’s readers and community are mostly avid or experienced cruisers who feel they need less guidance in booking a cruise.
As a result, a third said they will book online directly with the cruise line, while 14 percent plan to book online with a local travel advisor, and 7 percent plan to book with an online travel agency like Expedia. Those who prefer to have guidance in the booking via phone plan to call the cruise line (15 percent), their local travel advisor (15 percent) or an OTA like Expedia (6 percent). Those who want face-to-face interaction will visit their travel agent (7 percent) or plan to book in-person while on-board a cruise (7 percent).
The Cruise Critic Sentiment Survey was conducted between September 4-28, 2021, and received responses from 5,345 members of Cruise Critic’s online community. The survey is accessible on the website and is also sent to rotating cohorts of Cruise Critic’s email subscribers on a monthly basis.
Source: Cruise Critic
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