Who's Ready to Cruise Post Covid-19?
Depending on when you are reading this, the world continues to address challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic. In a perfect world, Covid-19 is in the rear view mirror and we are all getting on with our lives. At the very least, people's perception of normalcy will not be the same as it was before this virus held us all hostage.
So where does cruise travel fit into these "uncharted waters"? How does the cruise industry respond? What is the mindset of cruise lovers?
In September 2020, Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), which represents 95% of global-ocean going cruise capacity, published research focused on these questions:
Cruisers are loyal.
• 75% of cruisers still want to cruise compared to 80% pre-COVID-19.
• 55% on non-cruisers are still likely to cruise.
• 77% of cruisers are very likely or likely to take a cruise in the next two years compared to 78% pre-COVID-19.
Cruisers are ready to go.
*As of June 2020, one out of three cruisers is likely to cruise again and would cruise within the next six months.
*Nearly one out of two (46%) would cruise within a year.
*Cruisers want to experience the full cruise experience, but are willing to compromise once they are ready to cruise.
Most likely cruises to be selected are:
* “Traditional” seven to 10-day cruise options with multiple destinations.
*Second most popular are short cruises with limited port calls for initial resumption of operations.
The protocols that cruisers expect:
* Are fully aligned with what cruise lines are implementing.
* Are also associated with enhancing existing processes cruise lines had in place prior to COVID-19.
Top choices among cruisers that would make them feel it's safe to cruise include:
• Increased sanitation and cleaning protocols (45%)
• Upgraded air filtration (39%)
• Expanded shipboard medical resources (38%)
• Shore excursions that follow stringent health protocols (36%)
• Limited passenger capacity to facilitate social distancing (36%)
• COVID-19 testing for passengers and crew before boarding (36%)
Cruisers are not waiting for a vaccine before committing to cruising.
*The percentage of cruisers who say "It will be safe to cruise only once a vaccine becomes available" scores at the lowest level of all protocols expected (27%).
Cruisers are disciplined and are willing to follow the protocols.
. • 93% are willing to wear a mask
• 92% will follow a social distancing
• 88% will take a COVID-19 test prior to embarking
• 87% support daily temperature checks
CLIA RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS BASED ON RESEARCH COVERING EIGHT COUNTRIES AND 500 INTERNATIONAL VACATIONERS PER COUNTRY 21 September 2020 Source: CLIA
In addition to this CLIA research, your luxury cruise professional is your best source for information on how to plan, prepare and protect you, your family and your cruise experiences.
About the writer:
Nancy Holmes Ploener is a Luxury Cruise Advisor with Suite Dream Cruises, LLC, an affiliate of Gifted Travel Network- a Virtuoso member agency. She works one-on-one with clients who want to enjoy the journey as much as the destination. Her specialty is helping her clients see the world from the vantage of luxury cruising.