Cruising tops the wish list for family holidays

**Ally** · 01-24-2007, 09:09 AM

Cruises are the latest aspirational choice for families, with more than ever before choosing a holiday at sea, according to new research.

“The Cruise Report 2007” from Carnival UK, encompassing the brands of P&O Cruises, Princess Cruises, Ocean Village Holidays and Cunard Line, details trends and changes in the UK cruise market, the fastest growing sector of the UK travel industry.

Carnival UK, managing director, David Dingle, commenting on the findings of the report, published today, said:

“We have seen a 14 per cent increase in the number of families booking cruises with us last year. *

“Families are a critical part of the business, but probably one of the most discerning and so we, in turn, have made further enhancements to attract growing numbers of parents with young children who recognise that cruising is a holiday for the whole family and not a compromise for one or the other. We have also seen a growth in the numbers of single parents travelling with children, while one partners works or is unable to take a holiday.

“And cruises have once again proved their appeal across generations, as, despite a difficult year for the UK travel industry, cruise lines have sailed through to reach record passenger numbers with the promise of more growth to come over the next two years, defying industry trends.*

“Attracting first-timers is as important as maintaining the high level of repeat business in the growing market and cruise lines have responded to this by listening to the customer and enhancing the on board experience to cater for this younger, more savvy traveller.

“Also, while the cost of cruising has fallen in real terms, customer expectations have risen, and the cruise experience has had to evolve accordingly to provide unparalleled value for money. Our multi-million pound Elevation programme for P&O Cruises is evidence of that and we have invested heavily in the family element as well as in the key areas of cabins and dining. Evolution really is the key to success and in comparison to the majority of air travel, where the frills have been extracted, the cruise industry, as a whole, has seen a decade of on board investment and innovation.”

While 2006 saw an upsurge in the number of families cruising, there will be an even larger increase in 2008 when P&O Cruises introduces its most family-friendly ship to date, Ventura. Ventura’s family cabins and suites will have family funpacks with toys and games for younger children, MP3 players and speakers for teenagers. Noddy and friends will also make regular appearances on selected itineraries and there will be a partnership with the Early Learning Centre.

Princess Cruises, meanwhile, has introduced a Junior Chefs@Sea programme, Muppet-making, a junior health and beauty programme and re-vamped its older age-group activity clubs. Ocean Village has introduced a “dump the parents” programme of shore excursions and on its new ship, Queen Victoria, Cunard will have extensive children’s facilities.

Other findings in the report are as follows:

· Couples feel more amorous on a cruise than on any other holiday. Cruising was also voted the most romantic break, leaving beach, city, skiing, safari and camping holidays in its wake. More than half of people who have cruised rated it their most romantic holiday.

· Weddings at Sea, launched by P&O Cruises last year, has been so successful that the company has extended it to four out of the five ships in the fleet and to all those in the Princess Cruises fleet. It will also be available on Ventura.

· People’s horizons are widening, literally, as the number of UK passengers booking exotic cruises more than doubled since 2003, proving the insatiable demand for long haul travel and new destinations.

· Keeping up a fitness regime is top of the holiday objectives as passengers demand more active shore excursions such as mountain biking, zip wiring and pilates. Gone are the days of long coach tours – travellers want independence to explore. Favourite shore excursions last summer included cycling tours in Andalucia, scuba-diving off Rhodes and hiking in Cyprus.

· P&O Cruises has also introduced CruiseTone, a personal, tailored fitness programme.

· Celebrities are flocking to cruises as their holiday choice, giving passengers the chance to rub shoulders with the small screen stars. Recent cruisers include Carol Smillie, Tamzin Outhwaite, John Cleese and favourites from Emmerdale.

· “But I don’t want to give you that..” Favourite television shows are now part of a new style of on board entertainment. “Have I got Cruise for You” and “Strictly Dancing” are hot favourites, with the all-important audience participation element.

· The report highlights “authenticity” as key to the holiday experience and demand is high for local specialists relevant to the itinerary, for example, New Zealand artists and Indian chefs boarding in local ports.

*Bookings for P&O Cruises and Cunard Line – children under 16

For further details, for a copy of The Cruise Report 2007 or for a spokesperson, please contact Michele Andjel on 02380 65 6653 or 07730 732072

Media contacts:

P&O Cruises – michele.andjel@pocruises.co.uk 02380 65 6653
Princess Cruises – Halpern PR, michelle@halpern.co.uk 0207 349 2512
Cunard Line – eric.flounders@cunardmail.com 0207 940 5390
Ocean Village – Consolidated PR, oceanvillage@consol.co.uk 0207 287 2087

ENDS 24 January 2007

* The Passenger Shipping Association (PSA) confirmed that 2006 was the most successful year since 2003 for growth, with an increase of 17% and 1.25 million British holidaymakers taking a cruise. The cruise market is expected to grow by another 100,000 UK cruise passengers, taking the total number to 1.35 million and an increase of 8% in 2007