Cruising Gains Popularity for good reason

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Cruising Gains Popularity for good reason

Introduction

There are so many great things you can say about cruising.

It's the best vacation value.

It's the "hot" vacation - appealing to a wide range of tastes, lifestyles, pocketbooks and interests.

It's one of the fastest-growing segments of the travel industry.

Nine out of 10 people who cruise say they'll cruise again.

By sailing the seven seas, cruise ships visit - literally - all corners of the earth, calling at more than 1,800 ports worldwide.

More than 60 million people have enjoyed the safety, comfort and excitement of traveling on cruise ships over the past two decades.

According to the U.S. Coast Guard, cruise ships continue to be one of the safest forms of transportation.

Cruise lines are committed to protecting the ocean environment.

Cruise lines are investing substantial amounts of money and exercising worldwide leadership in developing state of the art waste treatment equipment and procedures, as well as educating passengers and crew in environmentally friendly practices.

Cruise companies contributed more than $17.9 billion to the U.S. economy in 2000.

Travel agents and the cruise industry have forged a strong partnership over the years, with nearly 95 percent of cruises sold through travel agents.

More and more people are getting onboard the cruise vacation bandwagon. And as cruising gains visibility and popularity, it is getting more attention…within the travel industry, in the business world and in the media.

Everyone's Dream VacationA recent study sponsored by Cruise Lines International Association found that more than 68 million Americans would like to take a cruise. Why do so many people find cruising so appealing?

A cruise offers all the things most people want in a vacation - romance, excitement, relaxation, adventure, escape, discovery, luxury; value and more - without the hassles nobody wants. It's no surprise, then, that most people who have taken a cruise rate cruising above any other vacation choice.

In a recent survey, well over 80 percent of cruisers said they were "extremely satisfied" or "very satisfied" with their cruise vacations. More than seven out of 10 first-time cruisers said the experience even exceeded their high expectations.

With nearly all the components (accommodations, fabulous meals, entertainment, first-rate facilities and services and more) included in the cost of a vacation at sea, cruising ranks extremely high in affordability and value.

Each year, roughly 40 percent of cruise vacationers are first-timers.

The average cruiser is married; 50 years old and has a household income of $79,000. Surprisingly, though, almost one-fourth of cruisers are singles; 30 percent are age 39 or younger (not counting an estimated half-million children who cruise each year); and almost half earn less than $60,000 annually.

The overwhelming majority of people who cruise, whether first-timers or regulars, cite the freedom to do as much or as little as they want, the fun and the value as the best qualities of a cruise vacation.
Many ships today offer vacationers luxurious, full-service spas and health club facilities; specialty restaurants and dining options to satisfy any taste; professionally staffed children's facilities; sports activities from golf to rock climbing; Internet centers; and a host of other features designed to cater to vacationers of all ages.
Today's cruise ships utilize technological innovations in power and propulsion systems, waste treatment and communications that make them more efficient, more environmentally friendly and safer than ever.

Cruises allow travelers to sample sun-drenched islands, historic cities, remote wild places in every part of the world - safely, securely and comfortably.
The cruise industry's investment in educating and supporting travel agents provides quality professional support to help consumers select and buy cruises that fit their individual lifestyles, tastes and budgets.
To meet the expected consumer demand, cruise lines will add more than 50 new ships to their fleets during the first half of this decade. These new vessels promise to offer all the things that have made cruising the world's fastest-growing dream vacation.