Favourite Cruise Ports
Phil: I picked this article up from the PSA Passenger SHipping Association and it makes interesting reading. Especially as I was asked recently by Princess Cruises Dean Brown, what my favourite cruise destination was. I replied New York...here's the article.
Two of the world's iconic cruise destinations, Sydney and New York, are revealed as this year's favourite cruise ports in a new "Greatest Journey" survey, published to mark National Cruise Week (Sept 15-23).
The YouGov survey, commissioned by the Passenger Shipping Association, showed these top two cruise destinations favourites, with 13% of the vote each, edging out the perennially popular Venice into third place favourite (10%), with Rome and Singapore next, also tied at 6% each, narrowly beating Barcelona at 5%, and Cape Town at 4%.
Greatest Journeys
The survey asked in depth about respondents' ideas of what defines a "great journey", and why they would like to embark on one. A round the world trip was voted as the favoured destination for a "great journey", with over two in five GB adults (42%) selecting it. The same percentage (42%) thought that "stress-free travel" would define a "great journey" - with 37% opting for "luxury all the way"
After a round-the-world trip, specific destinations or travel itineraries that featured strongly in peoples' ideas of their great journey included experiencing the Northern Lights (40%); visiting exotic beaches (31%); seeing remote islands (28%); visiting the Galapagos Islands (24%); journeying to Antarctica (18%) and going through the Panama Canal (12%).
Reasons for going on your Greatest Journey
In a fascinating insight into the reasons behind us wanting to go on a great journey, nearly two thirds of GB adults (63%) said it was to "create unforgettable memories", with nearly one in two (48%) of respondents travelling "to escape day-to-day life". Having "a life changing experience" was a reason given by 45%, while 42% selected "spending quality time with friends and family", matching a similar 42% who would embark to "experience the unexpected". Also up there as reasons for great journeys is the chance to be "immersed in new cultures" (39%), to "meet new people" (27%), and even to "learn a new skill" (9%).
Favourite holiday views
The survey also delved into our favourite holiday views - all of which are possible to experience as a grandstand view from the deck of either an ocean-going or river cruise ship. Top of the poll came "deserted beaches", voted for by 32% of GB adults, with a tie for second place (21%) between "country landscapes" and "sun setting behind mountains". Next were city skylines (7%), ships on the horizon, (6%), and cool rivers (4%).
Cruise main attractions
If you choose to take your idea of a greatest journey on board a cruise ship, what would you regard as a cruise holiday's main attractions? The survey found that, for nearly one in two GB adults (48%), it would be the chance to visit multiple destinations in one trip, followed closely (45%) by the very practical benefit to "multi-visit" destinations while only having to unpack once. Third at 34% was the all-inclusive nature and value of a cruise holiday, with "waking up in a new port every day" next at 33%, followed by "the food" (24%), voted for by nearly one in four of GB adults. Onboard cruise entertainment shows scored 16%, just pipping the opportunity to meet people from a wide range of cultures and nationalities (15%). The welcoming cruise crews were mentioned by one in ten (10%), while 8% thought the main attraction of a cruise holiday was its better value for money compared to other all-inclusive holidays.
......but is it the end of the celebrity culture on board?
When it comes down to it, however, to dreaming about with whom you would most like to share your cabin, one in two GB adults (50%) would much prefer to share with our partner or family member, according to the survey. Even Johnny Depp could only muster 5% of votes (though one has to say this rose to 9% of females), the same as Cheryl Cole (though this did double to 10% among men) .Other celebs like Scarlet Johansson and Angelina Jolie followed with 4%, with Brad Pitt, Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore registering just 2% on our lists of fantasy cabin partners. Better, it seems on your greatest journey, the devil you know...... and love.
"The survey shows that "greatest journeys" means to most a mixture of fabulous and fascinating destinations, but matched by the full excitement of the "getting there", with a level of luxury and service in a stress-free environment, coupled with practical advantages such as value for money and seeing as many places as possible on one unpacked suitcase" said Bill Gibbons, director of the Passenger Shipping Association, "On all these fronts, cruising scores highly, and as National Cruise Week gets under way, a warm welcome awaits for passengers planning their own greatest journey, particularly those who have not cruised before."
This is a cruise news blog entry by Phil.
Phil Nuttall
DirectorThe Cruise Village
View our fantastic cruises and cruise holidays online at The Cruise Village
