TIM eMagazine Volume 1 Issue 11 | Page 19

TIM TIM eMagazine Vol Vol . 1 . Issue 1 115 opposed to half of non-cruisers who book land-based vacations less than three months before . Cruisers also dive deep into planning relying on numerous sources of information , including travel agents , multiple websites , word of mouth , travel guides and magazines , social media and various travel apps .

Kid-Friendly Cruising – Families looking to travel together often look to the water for a vacation with 46 percent bringing children along , compared to 29 percent of land-based travelers . The typical cruise travel group has an average of more than two children and almost half ( 42 percent ) of cruise parties have children under the age of 18 .
Destined for Destinations – In terms of vacation choices , the vast majority of cruisers ( 68 percent ) and noncruisers ( 56 percent ) alike identify the vacation destination as the most important factor . This is followed closely by cost and value , with more non-cruisers ( 37 percent ) citing it as the second most important factor versus cruisers ( 24 percent ).
A Party of Planners – When it comes to planning vacations , most report the planning is typically left to themselves and their spouses / partners . When children , other family members , and / or travel agents participate in the vacation planning process , the likeliness to take a cruise over a land-based getaway increases . When parents include children over the age of 18 in travel decisions , travelers report it has a positive impact on overall cruise enjoyment .
Agent Allegiance – Travel agents play a vital role in cruise vacation planning with 82 percent of cruisers stating they tend to work with a travel agent when booking a cruise compared to 40 percent of non-cruisers .
Cruise Loyalty – Across all generations an overwhelming number of those who cruise are loyal to cruise travel . More than six out of ten ( 63 percent ) of Generation Y / Millennial cruisers will definitely take another cruise , almost seven out of ten ( 69 percent ) of Generation X cruisers will take a repeat cruise , and half of Boomers will go on to take another cruise trip .
A Matter of Time – It may only be a matter of time before non-cruisers try out a cruise . When asked about the best type of vacation a substantial number ( 13 percent ) of non-cruisers named an ocean cruise as their vacation of choice .

19