Top 10: Cruise trends

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Cruise trends for 2023

Cruising wll be king in 2023 with long-haul sailings and all-inclusive offerings tempting clients. Jessica Pook looks at the top trends

On-shore excursions are key

Cruisers are looking for more immersive and experiential excursions for 2023. With this in mind, Celestyal has reimagined its shore excursion programme and created a destinationrich programme exclusively for smaller groups. These Authentic Encounters allow guests to pursue personal passions such as food and wine, art and archaeology, and culture and active adventure. The shore excursions are offered in ports in Greece and Turkey. celestyal.com

Return of long haul

With long-haul favourites such as Australia and Japan open once more, it’s predicted that travellers will swap shorter holidays for bigger blowout cruises. Resilient Lady, the latest addition to Virgin Voyages’ four-ship fleet, will make her way Down Under via a 44-night transcontinental voyage in October 2023, sailing from Athens to Sydney. Passengers will stop in Santorini and Rhodes before visiting Cairo and the Great Pyramid of Giza. From Dubai they will sail to Singapore via Mumbai and Goa and then to Sydney, with an overnight in Bali. virginvoyages.com

Something for the explorers

Seeing the polar regions is a top bucket list experience for cruisers. With additional highlights including alpine heli-trekking, alpine kayaking, ice sheet landings and more, Quark Expeditions offers a 21-night Epic Antarctica cruise on the new polar adventure ship, Ultramarine. The cruise visits the Falkland Islands and South Georgia. A helicopter flight will give a birdseye perspective of the Antarctic Peninsula. quarkexpeditions.com

The ultimate add-on

Extending European stays are trending with river cruise customers looking to make the most of their experience by adding on a bucket list experience such as a ride on the Glacier Express or a tour of the Italian Lakes, for example. Fred. Holidays has launched a new 11-night trip which combines a three-night stay in Lake Garda, a seven-night Rhine cruise followed by a stint on the Bernina Express through northern Italy and into Switzerland. fredholidays.co.uk

Keeping well

Wellness is a key trend postpandemic and cruises have developed dedicated wellness programmes to encourage passengers to slow down. Explora Journeys has created an ‘Ocean Wellness’ concept with experiences, programmes and spaces designed to enhance sleep, relaxation, mindfulness, energy and immunity boosting. explorajourneys.com

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All the single ladies (and men)

Solo travellers are praising cruise lines that have scrapped the single supplement charge on double cabins. Tauck and Windstar are two cruise lines that have waived or reduced this charge on select 2023 cruises. Tauck has eliminated its single supplement on its Category 1 European riverboat cabins whilst Windstar has done the same on select 2023 sailings to destinations that include the Mediterranean, Australasia and the South Pacific. windstar.cruiselines.com; tauck.co.uk

Doing it for the kids

ABTA’s Holiday Habits 2022 found an increase in families cruised this year and 64% of those asked are keen to go again. While typically aimed at the over-50’s market, Ambassador Cruise Line has scheduled two multi-generational cruises for the 2023 summer holidays, to give families the opportunity to experience cruising together. Families can join the seven-night Summertime Fjordland cruise departing August 2023. The cruise line has a special launch offer where kids go for £99. ambassadorcruiseline.com

River cruise converts

Riviera Travel is continuing to see a rise in river cruise first-timers with more guests converting from ocean to river. Inspired by smaller ships and fewer passengers, many loyal ocean cruisers are choosing to do their first river cruise in 2023 with short spring itineraries – with Amsterdam, Kinderdijk and the Dutch Bulbfields popular among newcomers. rivieratravel.co.uk

King of the swing

Azamara is capitalizing on the Covidinspired golf surge with 15 golf-specific cruises available in 2024. A highlight is Azamara Quest’s nine-night Argentina, Uruguay and Brazil voyage. Beginning in Buenos Aires and ending with a night in Rio De Janeiro, this sailing includes a round of golf at the Olympic Golf Course in Rio. Cruisers can also add on a post-voyage land programme to Iguazu Falls from both the Argentine and Brazilian sides. azamara.co.uk

The whole package

With the rising cost of living at the top of clients’ minds, all-inclusive packages offer piece of mind as there are no hidden costs. Scenic has introduced its Truly All-Inclusive offering onboard its Scenic Space-ship, which cruises Europe’s rivers. The package includes up to five dining options, butler service, premium beverages, all gratuities, transfers and onshore experiences including a concert in an 18th century palace in Germany. scenic.co.uk