Let's start with a simple assertion; cruising is one of the most popular vacation types in the current market. This sector of the tourism and leisure industry has grown steadily and consistently since the great recession, with the average number of annual passengers rising from 17.8 million in 2008 to 23 million last year. This is despite the fact that other markets have faltered since the economic recovery began, so cruising is certainly proving to be a hit among travelers.
So why has such a niche travel market grown so exponentially over the course of the last eight years? One of the primary reasons is the proliferation of deals and available routes, which have emerged as the market has become more competitive and resources such as the-travel-franchise.com/ have empowered independent travel agents. With choice comes great responsibility, however, as travelers are faced with an increasingly difficult decision when booking a cruise.
3 of the Best Cruise routes and Destinations: Where should you book your next trip?
When appraising this choice, you will be guided primarily by your personal tastes and preferences. Despite this and the emergence of niche cruise destinations in Antarctica and the beautiful Norwegian Fjords, however, classic cruises in tropic and warm weather climates remain the most popular overall. With this in mind, here are three of the most popular routes and locations in the modern age: –
The Caribbean Islands and the Bahamas
Renowned for years as the archetypal cruise destination, the Caribbean Islands (including popular resorts such as Jamaica, the Bahamas and Antigua) retain a huge appeal among modern-day travelers. Typical cruise packages along this route take in the vast majority of nation islands, punctuating the journey with minimal stoppages between individual ports. These sun-kissed and idyllic resorts account for 35.5% of the global cruise market share, and this statistic underlines the popularity of the region as a whole.
If you are determining when to schedule your visit, it is important to note that December, January and February offer the best weather. In contrast, the period between mid-June and December is known as hurricane season and should be avoided at all costs.
The Mediterranean and non-Mediterranean Europe
In terms of market share, the Mediterranean and non-Mediterranean are the next biggest contributors (accounting for 19.5% and 10.6% of all activity). These regions are exceptionally diverse and ideal for those with an innate sense of adventure and the travelers spirit. From the French Riviera and the Greek Islands to the Spanish Costa del Sol and Italy's picturesque Ligurian Coast, these destinations are sun-kissed, exotic and blessed with some of the most famous landmarks in the world.
The warmest months in these regions are between May and September, so these are the best times to travel. In contrast, the winter months between November and March are less favourable as they are more likely to see rain and inclement weather.
The South Pacific (Including Australia, New Zealand and Southern Pacific Islands)
While the South Pacific may not command much of a market share in relative terms (cruises around Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific islands account for just 6% of all activity), the diversity and uniqueness of this market is worthy of attention. It also continues to attract visitors from all over the world, thanks to its lush tropical backdrop and the presence of tranquil paradises such as Bora Bora and Moorea in French Polynesia. This is tripped is to be recommended to anyone with a passion for adventurous travel, although the long, open-ocean journey's between specific destination may not be ideal for some visitors.
If you do decide to book a cruise around the South Pacific, you must be prepared to traverse long journey's that cover huge expanses of open water. The vast and diverse nature of the region means that it is impossible to determine the best time to travel, as this depends on the precise location that you intend to visit and the course that your operator takes. Please keep this in mind when booking your trip.
