Exclusive survey: Cruise passengers carry on cruising despite Middle East crisis

• Almost 1,000 of our readers have just responded to our latest sentiment survey – and the results show just how resilient the cruise market is.
• Aussie cruisers are booking, planning and trading up to luxury despite the cost of living crisis and turmoil in the Middle East.
• What’s changed is their bucket list, with Japan and Antarctica now the favourites.

Despite a world in turmoil and a cost of living crisis, our readers are booking cruises and eagerly accepting special offers to trade up to luxury, a new exclusive sentiment survey shows.

Our latest survey, conducted last week, reveals something the wider travel industry is only just beginning to understand: Cruise passengers are the most resilient travellers in the world right now, signing up for holidays and even trading up where special offers allow them to upgrade.

And a huge majority want all-inclusive holidays.

Headline numbers

• 52% have already booked at least one cruise this year –  37% of them overseas.
• Another 35%, are actively looking to book right now.
• Only 12 per cent are hesitant because of current circumstances.

More than a third told us they take two to five cruises a year.

And our readers are booking further out, with almost 50% booking 12 months ahead, and 35% booking four to nine months in advance.

Cruising feels like value in uncertain times

We asked how the current economic climate is affecting travel decisions. While some are adjusting budgets – 17 per cent said they were seeking more wallet-friendly options than usual – others said:

• Cruising offers better value than land-based holidays
• Most (37%) are booking regardless
• Some are even choosing luxury travel despite economic pressures – with 75% preferring all-inclusive holidays.
• Travel insurance is a must – 80% said it was a non-negotiable

The Bucket List is changing

Perhaps the biggest change is where our readers want to cruise. Europe remains a firm favourite, but travel ambitions are evolving.

Our readers told us their most desired destinations are now dominated by:

• Japan — one of the fastest-rising choices
• Antarctica and the Arctic — once niche, now mainstream bucket-list trips

This heralds an new era of experience-led cruising that many lines are now tapping into.

For the first time, we’re seeing a real change in booking behaviour, with travel agents outstripped by going direct to a cruise line. The margin is slim but significant. 

• 37% now book directly with cruise lines or suppliers
• 35% use travel agents

Travel agents remain crucial — but readers are increasingly taking control of their own bookings.

How do our readers find inspiration? No prizes for guessing Cruisepassenger.com.au and a few other travel sites are top of the list.

But mainstream newspapers supplements, once a mainstay, are falling away and AI searches are just starting to surface.

Here’s where the survey says our readers find inspiration:

• Cruise Passenger and other travel websites lead the way at 68%
• Advertising at eight per cent
• Newspaper 5%
• AI tools are emerging, now used by just over 2%

This is a digital-first audience, and one that trusts specialist travel voices like Cruisepassenger.com.au.

We’re travelling better, not cheaper

Most of our readers are cruising in the luxury and premium categories, and we’re seeing clear trends:

• Luxury cruising is growing.
• All-inclusive travel is strongly preferred.
• And when offered the choice, readers are prepared to spend extra to upgrade.

Cruising is only the start of a holiday

Those lines now offering pre and post tours and extensions are on the money. Another standout trend from our survey is how you travel beyond the ship.

Our readers told us they are:

• Booking extended stays before and after cruises
• Adding tours and land experiences
• Turning cruises into multi-week journeys

Responses show a clear shift toward experiential travel. Readers said they liked:

• Small group tours
• Cultural experiences, museums and galleries
• Food and wine journeys
• A mix of independent and curated travel