Cruise Booking Growth Especially Strong for Non-Traditional Itineraries
OYSTER BAY, NY – As 2024’s wave season draws to a close, the networks of leading travel company American Marketing Group report double-digit cruise sales increases from last year across every category.
Savers and Nest state that the biggest increase during the first quarter of this year was for premium cruise line sales, which rose 25 percent year over year. Contemporary cruise bookings were up 15 percent, expedition cruises increased by 14 percent and luxury cruises grew by 13.5 percent.
“There’s an enormous appetite for cruising right now, and the abundance of appealing offers during this year’s wave season offers is inspiring travelers to book,” said Chief Marketing Officer Nicole Mazza. “People are realizing that cruising provides exceptional value for their vacation dollar. Special offers, shipboard credits and other inclusions are encouraging large numbers of consumers to convert into cruisers.”
While sales to popular cruise destinations such as the Caribbean, Alaska and Europe are growing, the strongest increases are for less typical itineraries. For premium cruise bookings, Asia is up 123 percent, Canada/New England has risen by 93 percent and South America is 90 percent higher than 2023. Asia is also up 65 percent for luxury cruise sales.
Early indications are that 2025 sales will also be robust. Travelsavers and Nest statistics show bookings for next year’s sailings are already experiencing a 30 percent increase over 2024.
A recent survey of Travelsavers – and Nest-affiliated advisors placed river and ocean cruising in the top five travel trends for this year. “With so much variety, there’s a cruise for every budget and taste,” Mazza said. “Cruises represent great value for consumers and offer a hassle-free vacation for passengers.”
AMG networks including Travelsavers, Nest and The Affluent Traveler Collection offer affiliate agencies and advisors value-added incentives and savings for cruise sailings year-round through the Value Incentive Program (VIP). This highly sought-after program includes over fifteen preferred cruise lines with hundreds of sailings offering affiliates exclusive client perks to attract and close sales.
Vicky is the co-founder of TravelDailyNews Media Network where she is the Editor-in Chief. She is also responsible for the daily operation and the financial policy. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Tourism Business Administration from the Technical University of Athens and a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Wales.
She has many years of both academic and industrial experience within the travel industry. She has written/edited numerous articles in various tourism magazines.
