Cruises are "becoming more mainstream"

Cruises are becoming more mainstream and taking on a wider appeal with the general public, one industry expert has said.

According to the Passenger Shipping Association, cruises are no longer something people only consider when they get retired or married, they have evolved to be a regular holiday choice.

Bill Gibbons, director of the Passenger Shipping Association, said that there are some very good value prices out there and advised holidaymakers that now is a good time to book a cruise.

He explained that the price of a cruise has come down with the economic situation, encouraging more and more cruise-seeking holidaymakers to spend their cash with major cruise companies.

"One thing we find is, in times of great economic recession, people are not giving up their holiday and, of course, cruising has now become a lot more mainstream and people can take a cruise as their main holiday,” added the cruise expert.

“People used to take a cruise when they retired or got married; now it is more mainstream and we are well placed for that because we can offer good value for your holiday."

There are a range of all-inclusive cruises which has have been launched in recent years, that may help holidaymakers budget better.

For example, MSC Cruises has launched two unlimited beverage packages for guests. The first package includes unlimited wine, beer, soft drinks and mineral water and costs £98 per person for a seven-night cruise, while the second package, which costs £49 per person for a seven-night cruise, includes all soft drinks and mineral water.

According to the Passenger Shipping Association’s annual UK cruise industry figures, published in March 2009, the cruise industry is growing.

It found that 1.5 million passengers took a cruise in 2008 – an 11 per cent increase on 2007 – and noted a 23 per cent increase in the number of people joining their cruise in a UK port.

Furthermore, the Mediterranean and Northern Europe, including the UK, are the most popular destinations, seeing increases of 17 per cent and 24 per cent respectively year-on-year.

Mr Gibbons concluded: “Generally, it's only the top end-cruise lines who include the price of drinks in the fare and obviously the onboard revenue generated by the bar is an important part of their revenue mix."