Taking a cruise holiday, current cruise trends and why more people cruise

Hello everyone. It appears next year is being forecast as a record year for the UK cruise industry.
 
According to a report from Cruise Critic, more British holidaymakers than ever before are expected to take a cruise in 2010.

I am not surprised by this due to the introduction of larger cruise ships, more destinations, a large number of deals, and a huge choice of cruising styles.
 
Also, don't forget, for the UK cruisers there is the introduction of the Celebrity Eclipse from Southampton in 2010 plus Princess Cruises UK growth, and Cunards addition of Queen Elizabeth. This is without mentioning the huge Independence of the Seas and the new P&O Cruises Azura.
 
I am sure we will see an increase on the 1.5 million UK cruisers in 2008, this year is pretty flat on capacity and we have had a recession to take into account, but next year (2010) I expect to see an increase yet again and the signs are already there.

People are now starting to see the true value in a cruise holiday, and this applies right across the spectrum - from tour operator cruises (Thomson) to Six star luxury (Regent) even across to River Cruising.

One of the most attractive aspects of taking a cruise holiday is the ability to plan your budget in advance and with many cruise lines offering Free onboard credit or shore excursions in the price, you can start to see why cruising is so appealing.

Each year, the diversity increases, both on onboard experience and in the choice of destinations and packages.
 
The one thing I will say is, make sure you tell our team here at The Cruise Village, what you want from your holiday. Include as much detail as possible and don't be afraid to ask questions. Tell us what destinations you really would like to visit and if you want to dress up or dress down or even a bit of both..!!
 
Below are some other trends cruise critic has reported...

 
·         Cruising will be big in 2010 -- Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas sweeps onto the scene to offer the biggest and greatest of everything (almost) at sea. Although the ship will not sail out of the UK, fly-cruise deals to Florida will be available for those eager to experience the first carousel at sea, explore neighborhoods like The Boardwalk and Central Park, shop and sup along the expansive Royal Promenade mall and enjoy a cocktail in the first levitating bar on a cruise ship. Oasis, which debuts in November 2009, will not be the only exciting ship to try in the coming year. There will also be P&O Cruises’ Azura (April), NCL's Epic (July) and Cunard's Queen Elizabeth (late 2010).
 
·         Deals will continue, but… -- the exceptional offers of recent months will eventually dry up as the economy improves, so holidaymakers are advised to book when they see a deal, rather than wait. The deals on offer will include high-end luxury cruises to exotic locations, as well as family deals for the big, fun ships. Refurbishments and upgrades will also add to the value of cruises, with new facilities and improved features on offer.
 
·         More celebs will take to the sea -- New Kids On The Block, Derren Brown and John Cleese all have at least one thing in common -- they have all appeared, or are due to appear, onboard a cruise ship this year. Theme cruises, often hosted by celebrity special guests, are immensely popular and draw a large number of first-time cruisers. 2010 sees a "Twilight" cruise for fans of the vampire flick, Terry Wogan will host a cruise to aid Children in Need, and Kid Rock will be participating in his own cruise.
 
·         Cruising will be healthier -- Cruise lines have made huge steps in shaking off the old image of overindulgence and now offer excellent fitness studios, spas and healthy, alternative dining options. Running tracks, lap pools, climbing walls and tennis courts can all be found, and there's a move toward prohibiting smoking onboard many vessels.
 
·         River cruising comes of age -- Several new boats and refurbishments, as well as an increase in capacity and number of destinations, are revolutionizing river cruising in Europe and Asia and on Egypt's Nile. No longer something you would ever call a "boat trip," river cruising now offers more choice, more comfortable accommodations and, depending on the ship, fine dining, spa offerings and even swimming pools. River cruising provides a multi-stop tour without the need to check in to a new hotel every night, and inclusive pricing -- which covers meals, transportation, accommodations and, typically, excursions -- can be an excellent value.
 
·         Extensive choice of cruises -- From tropical beaches, old-world Europe and Alaskan glaciers to the Far East or Down Under, there's something for every taste. Fly to a warm destination for a Caribbean cruise, or drive to your local port to tour the Med. Take the family on an activity-filled fun ship, or relax on an upscale, high-end vessel for a more sedate experience. There will be plenty to choose from, and cruisers are advised to do their homework and take advantage of independent cruise sites, such as CruiseCritic.co.uk, which help cruisers weigh their options.
 
·         Cruisers will be…young, old, couples, families, singles, new cruisers, well-travelled sea dogs -- The wide range of options offers something for everyone, leading to greater diversity onboard.

So as you can see, cruising will cover almost every aspect of a holiday and cater for almost every need in some shape or form.

If you would like to know more about taking a cruise for you holiday this year, please call my team at The Cruise Village on 01253 341014.

We are based in Blackpool and have a retail shop and a call centre. We always encourage our clients to call in for a cup of tea or coffee and a chat. (FY4 3JU - 298 - for Sat Nav)

This is a cruise blog entry by Phil