CruiseCompete, an independent organization specializing in cruise services comparisons to help cruisers find the best deals, released their most recent CruiseTrends report.
For this study, CruiseCompete considered over 25,000 cruise quotes requested by consumers in the United States and their most recent data. The analysis shares relevant information, especially for travelers interested in sailing in the upcoming months.
According to the report, customers are currently interested in cruising by the end of the year. December 2022, October 2022, and November 2022 are the most requested months for travel.
Most American travelers prefer itineraries for a week or less and the top destinations are the Bahamas, Mexico, the US, the Virgin Islands (US), and the Netherlands Antilles. The most popular cruise departure ports in theUS are Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Port Canaveral, Los Angeles, and Galveston. From these coastal locations, passengers embark on their open seas adventures.
The analysis has also highlighted the most important cruise companies in the market. Regarding the most popular cruise lines, these were the most requested:
5. Princess Cruises
The American cruise line —owned by Carnival Corporation & plc— has recently announced 47 itineraries for 2023 and 2024, and added interesting and new routes to Hawaii and exotic Islands in the Pacific like Fiji and Tahiti. The company has also added a new ship, Sun Princess—powered by Liquified Natural Gas (LNG)— that will start serving guests in 2024. Princess Cruises is currently selling itineraries to Alaska and the Caribbean in 2022, Japan in 2023, and Australia and New Zealand in 2024.
4. Carnival Cruise Line
The international cruise line based in Florida ranked among the most requested services. This cruise line announced the addition of three new ships to its fleet and resumed operations in every US port. As demand increases, this company has been expanding services and providing great itineraries for travelers. Carnival Cruise offers itineraries to great destinations in the Caribbean, Europe, North America, and the South Pacific.
3. Norwegian Cruise Line
The American cruise line popularly known as Norwegian, has been providing services since 1966 and is currently among the most requested cruise lines. They have recently dropped vaccination requirements and have also eased testing rules, adapting to the market’s updates and trends. Norwegian offers itineraries in Alaska, across the Mediterranean Sea, and the Caribbean.
2. Celebrity Cruises
This cruise line recently drew attention because a few days ago they announced that one of their cruise ships, the Celebrity Beyond, will be offering Elon Musk’s Starlink internet. This company has also been adapting to the high internet speed for digital nomads, remote workers, and travelers willing to cruise and work or just enjoy the advantages of great internet speed on open seas.
1. Royal Caribbean International
The Royal Caribbean Group has the most interesting cruise offers in the market, especially now that the cruise line’s COVID-19-related measures and requirements have been eased. CruiseCompete has also highlighted that the six most popular cruise ships are from this company: Oasis of the Seas, Allure of the Seas, Harmony of the Seas, Symphony of the Seas, Wonder of the Seas, and Odyssey of the Seas.
The Most Popular Luxury Cruise lines
The ranking has also considered the most popular luxury cruises and these were the top 5 in the ranking:
- Fifth place: Silversea Cruises
- Fourth place: Seabourn
- Third place: Azamara
- Second place: Cunard Line
- First place: Oceania Cruises
Luxury cruises are usually smaller ships with special amenities or services and usually serve the most popular destinations as well as more exotic routes.
Oceania cruises, the first one on the list, offers travelers exclusive culinary experiences and itineraries around the world. The British cruise line Cunard includes in their services special services like spa treatments, boutique shopping, and Champagne Afternoon Tea. Azamara, the cruise company based in Miami, offers immersive cultural experiences embracing slow travel as well as luxurious cabins and great comfort.
