Recession benefits cruise companies

While many people have been cutting back on what they spend on holidays, or even cutting out a holiday altogether in favour of a stay-cation, it’s not all bad news, especially for cruise takers.

The World Travel Market fair in London has been looking into the future and sees discounting of fares and prices continuing well into 2010, so holiday prices will be lower, although increased luggage fees on airlines may cut into those great deals. This is why cruises starting from a UK home-port are proving to be even more popular with British travellers. A report predicts that global travel bookings will fall 8% this year overall, while it will be tougher still for hotels who can expect to see worldwide hotel bookings drop by 16%. On the other hand, the Caribbean island nation of St Kitts and Nevis, says that visitor numbers have risen impressively this year and the cruise line sector has also continued to perform strongly, especially in the longer established firms such as Fred Olsen who are coping extremely well. This may be because they have a loyal customer base that simply won’t give up its annual cruise or because its older passenger demographic means that people who take cruises with the company don’t want to miss a year as illness or failing capacity could mean that 12 months later they weren’t able to enjoy a cruise or perhaps would have to scale back their activities – or it could be that if you’re savings are earning you nothing, you’d rather spend them on some fun!