Millennials embrace cruising
According to data from Allianz Global Assistance, Australian millennials, not traditionally a well-represented demographic within the cruise market, are embracing these trips.
The number of Australian travellers in general has risen in recent years, Allianz reports, but the numbers of millennials (defined in this case as those aged between 19 and 35) taking cruises has shown particularly notable growth, with a whopping 118-per-cent rise between 2015 and 2017.
The destinations of choice up until recently were the Pacific, New Caledonia and Vanuatu, although over the past 12 months, many young Australians have favoured cruising around Australia itself.
Despite the fact that many see cruising as a safer holiday option than the backpacking trips that young Australians are traditionally known to enjoy, Brendon Dyer, Allianz Travel Insurance’s General Manager Direct & Retail, warned that travel insurance is still a must, even onboard ship: “While backpacking and staying in hostels is still appealing for young Aussie travellers, millennials are increasingly recognising the benefits of cruising so they can spend less time planning and more time to enjoy their holiday. We encourage all travellers to ensure they have adequate travel insurance to cover issues that may arise more commonly on cruises such as illness or injury at sea, loss of luggage, delayed flights or missed connections.”