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Travel Toolbox: Cruise Trends

 

Shorter Itineraries

Baby boomers, the target market for most luxury cruise lines, have shown a clear preference for shorter vacations, and cruise lines are accommodating them by shortening the durations of some of their most popular cruises. While short Caribbean sailings have traditionally been known for their party atmospheres and older vessels, lines such as Celebrity, Princess and Royal Caribbean have committed larger, newer ships to operate four- and five-night cruises from ports around Florida into the destinations of the Caribbean. Expect to see more of these itineraries in 2015 if they prove popular this year.

 

River Cruising

River cruising continues its dominance as the fastest-growing segment of the cruise industry, as discerning travelers turn from the large oceangoing ships to smaller vessels for intimate explorations of destinations around the world. There are 36 new vessels scheduled to debut on the rivers of Asia, Europe and the United States this year, some with luxurious touches such as all-suite staterooms and floor-to-ceiling windows. Companies also continue to add to the list of included amenities with upgraded beverage selections and free Wi-Fi on board.