They look for comfort and relaxation, even putting their hand in their wallet. They prefer sea view holidays and are in a hurry to leave even if alone. These are the new cruise passengers, photographed by the Ticketcrociere Observatory, an Italian brand of Taoticket Srl, an online travel agency specializing in the cruise segment which in 2019 recorded almost 20 thousand bookings, for a turnover of 18 million. The average spending increased by 6%, based on bookings for the 2021/2022 winter season, compared to the data for the 2019/2020 winter (pre Covid). Those who have remained stationary for a long time do not hesitate to use a larger budget in order to allow themselves the much-desired vacation, with the panorama gaining central importance in the choice.
Average expenditure of € 3,554
Equally important is the possibility of enjoying outdoor spaces, provided they are for exclusive use, which guarantee relaxation, intimacy and distancing, as the pandemic has taught us. And so, if 3,341 euros per cabin were spent in the season prior to the pandemic, today the “investment” rises to 3,554 euros. “The habits of travelers in the post-pandemic have changed,” says Nicola Lorusso, CEO of Ticketcrociere. «The cruise passenger prefers privacy and a few more luxuries, ready to spend in order to indulge in their own reserved outdoor space. Today the choices of outside cabins with balconies are increasing by 10%. And the companies adapt, with ad hoc offers and promotions that respond to the new needs of the tourist ».
Growing demand for external parties
In the choice of the cabin, the preference for external ones with balcony rises from 32 to 42%, while the other percentages drop: internal cabins from 46 to 42%; external cabins with portholes from 15 to 11%; suites from 7 to 5 percent. Another difference between the pre-pandemic and the reservations made today for the next few months is in the “status” of the traveler: the number of solitary tourists is increasing, going from 4 to 7%. Today there are more singles who choose to spend their holidays on a cruise, also taking advantage of the possibility of smartworking on board. However, the queen of the market remains couples (slightly down, from 55 to 54%) and families (from 41 to 39%).
Mediterranean at the center of the choices
As for destinations, the Mediterranean is consolidated – the absolute protagonist of the restart of cruises already in 2020 – with 70% of preferences. Outside Europe, Dubai is oriented for 6% of the total and requests are starting to arrive for the new cruise destination of the year, the Red Sea (5%). All while waiting for the response of customers to the reopening – scheduled for November 8 – of the United States to vaccinated travelers, which for cruises means above all Miami and the Caribbean.