Why the average cruising age is dropping, and other trends making waves
Cruises are also getting longer.
They're getting longer
Travellers want more than a seven-day float-and-flop holiday, sometimes a lot more. Longer, more in-depth itineraries are trending, including months-long world cruises on Royal Caribbean and Crystal. When Avalon Waterways distributed a Wish List survey to past cruisers, more than half of respondents said they'd like to cruise for at least two weeks, while another 10 per cent said they're looking at three-week options. "The pent-up desire for long-haul travel, combined with an increased interest in garnering more mileage out of air costs, as well as the rise in remote work are contributing factors to this post-pandemic travel trend," said Pam Hoffee of Avalon Waterways. More time at sea means increased interest in immersive itineraries, including expeditions to Antarctica and the Arctic.
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The average age is going down
Call it the TikTok effect. The cruise generation is no longer defined by retirement status. There is a clear generational change among cruise guests, with ships attracting younger travellers. "For a long time, cruising has been very focussed on couples and an older demographic, but there is growing demand from the younger generations and singles, and we expect to see more of them travel in 2025," says Genevieve Thompson, tour and cruise manager at Flat Beds Tour + Cruise. The average age of an Australian cruise passenger is now just 48.4 years, down from 50.4 in 2019. More than a third of Australian cruise passengers (34 per cent) are aged under 40, and this portion has been increasing. A quarter (25 per cent) are aged under 30.
Overnight stays in port are up
No more rushing back to the ship in time for sail-away. More cruise lines are heeding the call for overnight stays in ports of call so that guests can take their time. Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), for example, is expanding its presence in Asia-Pacific, with more than 30 new itineraries on three new ships, featuring 36 overnight stays in ports like Osaka, Hong Kong, Bangkok and Melbourne. "Ships are spending longer in port and clients are using this time to visit local restaurants, attractions and discover the destination's secrets," says Anna McMurtrie, managing director of Wentworth Travel. "This is definitely a welcome trend. Clients want immersive experiences to explore the destination." Regent Seven Seas Cruises, self-billed as the world's most luxurious fleet, says its six ships will sail more than 100 voyages in upcoming seasons, including more overnight calls in favourite ports than ever before. "For a lot of cruise travellers, time spent on shore is just as important as time spent on board," says Joel Katz of Cruise Lines International Association.
Sustainability is in focus
Cruise lines and destinations are taking action to protect the environment. The Norwegian government, for example, has adopted new regulations to limit shore landings, ban drones and restrict access to protected areas. HX (formerly Hurtigruten Expeditions) says operating smaller ships and innovative vessels like its battery-powered, hybrid-electric expedition ships will be vital. Mein Schiff 7, the first cruise ship designed to operate on methanol (and eventually green methanol), was delivered in June to Germany's TUI Cruises.
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