According to one of the world’s leading travel advisors’ organization, Virtuouso, more cruisers are looking for the unique in 2020. The network just revealed its top cruise trends for the year, and January through March is prime booking season, so let’s get started.
6. The More Unusual and Faraway, the Better
“In 2020, cruisers are choosing itineraries based on destinations and the more unusual and faraway, the better,” said Beth Butzlaff, VP of cruise sales at Virtuoso.
More travelers are beginning to see cruises less as passive, “floating vacations,” and more like dynamic destinations. Time in the port and excursions onshore (and off!) are equally of valuable.
“Passengers want to enjoy the essence of these places through interactions with local people and culture.”
No longer just focused on the Caribbean or Mediterranean, cruise ships visit ports as diverse as Muscat, Oman; Manta, Ecuador and Rarotonga in the Cook Islands.
5. Cruisers are Looking for the Immersion
This means stays in port, pre nights and post nights, shore excursions that take you to meet local people and cultures. All capped off with complimentary evening performances in port. Seabourn for instance, offers cultural, culinary, adventure and mindful-living shore excursions that go the extra mile.
Halfway through our top cruise trends for 2020! Keep reading for even more inspiration.
3. Conscious Travel
Mindful travel is more important than ever. Cruise lines are responding to cruisers’ growing appreciation of their cruise line being environmentally friendly and designed to give back to the community they visit.
By 2030, the cruise industry is hoping to reduce its fleet-wide rate of CO² emissions by 40 percent. Hurtigruten, Lindblad Expeditions, Aqua Expeditions and Royal Caribbean International are leading the way on conscious cruising.
2. Micro-Cruises
In this day and age, sometimes people just can’t find the time off from their jobs. Enter micro-trips, short jaunts for people to enjoy quick 2-5-night cruises. There are dozens of options for weekend Caribbean trips, sailing from Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Tampa, New Orleans, and Galveston — even for the luxury cruising folks.
1. Americana
Yes, far-flung is in, but that’s not to say those tides closer to home are forgotten. Cruises closer to home–the Mississippi, Pacific Northwest’s Columbia, and St. Lawrence Rivers are all flourishing. Itineraries are offered regularly by American Queen, American Cruise Line and UnCruise.
And that’s it! All 6 of the top cruise trends for 2020. Ready to book one yourself?
Call our excellent cruise experts at 503-224-0180 or send us a message through our Contact Page
