Save up to 50% on your next cruise holiday!

This summer Thomson has cruises from UK (departing from Harwich and Newcastle) as well as their usual range of fantastic itineraries in The Med and Egypt. With more UK departure airports on offer than any other cruise line as well as the option to enjoy a cruise and stay, Thomson cruises offer exceptional value for money on their five ships.

When you book online, direct with Thomson (Thomson.co.uk/cruise) you can save yourself an extra 10% off the basic cruise holiday cost (applies to summer 2013 cruises, discount does not apply to cabin upgrades).

Upto £600 £900 £1100 Savings on Thomson Cruises + Extra 10% Online Booking Discount

With fantastic itineraries on offer including Mediterranean, Baltic, Red Sea as well as a superb range of UK departure airports available, you’ll be spoilt for choice! Book a fly-cruise and the price you pay for your cruise will include return flights, coach transfers, 27kg luggage allowance (includes hand luggage), all tips and service charges, 24 hour dining, top class entertainment and port taxes.

There’s more: When you book online, direct with Thomson you can save between 9% (Summer 2013) and 10% (Winter 2013) in online booking discount.

Save upto £600 £800 £1000 per couple on Thomson Cruises

Below are some of the highlights of these special offers. Call a cruise specialist free (UK) 0800 016 3929 to find your perfect cruise.

Due to high demand phone lines are open until 10PM seven days a week, so call at your convenience with your requirements.

Special Offers Available Now

• Cunard Line – New Vantage Fares with price protection and prices from £80 per person per night.
• Brand new ship Carnival Sunshine – Cruises from £899 + up to $1000 per cabin on-board spend.
• Royal Caribbean SALE – Cruises starting from £599 – Cruise from Southampton or Harwich!
• P&O Cruises – Cruises starting from £599 + free on-board spending money.
• Celebrity Cruises from Southampton – Special Offers on balcony staterooms.

Please Call For More Details

Call free 0800 016 3929 with specific requirements or more general enquiries.

Lines are open from 9AM until 10PM seven days a week.

Please note, calls to 0800 016 3929 are free from BT landlines, other operators may charge.

Ending Soon – Get Discounts & Free Upgrades – Cunard, P&O, Celebrity, Carnival & Royal Caribbean! Call Free Today

If you like our latest Cruise Industry Infographic, you are more than welcome to embed it on your own website or blog and you can do so by simply copying and pasting the code below:

<a title="Cruise Holiday Facts & Figures Infographic" href="http://www.cruiseoffers.co.uk/2013/02/06/infographic-cruise-holiday-facts-figures/"><img src="http://www.cruiseoffers.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/cruiseoffers2.jpg" alt="infographic - how big is the cruise industry?" width="800" border="0" /></a><br /> Cruise holidays infographic from <a href="http://www.cruiseoffers.co.uk/">www.CruiseOffers.co.uk</a>

Cruising in Comfort: The New Wave of Recreation

A holiday is one of the most rewarding experiences to alleviate everyday stresses. The cruise industry is the fastest-growing category in the leisure travel market. Since 1980, the industry has experienced an average annual passenger growth rate of approximately 7.2% per annum. According to a recent Telegraph article, the number of holidaymakers who took a cruise in 2011 exceeded 20 million for the first time, an increase of 1.9 million or nearly 10% of the previous year.

Countries That Cruised in 2011

• 1.7 million British holidaymakers, a slight increase from 1.62 million in 2010.
• 4.5 million for the rest of Europe.
• 11.5 million North Americans.
• 2.9 million from the rest of the world.

Ships Ahoy!

The cruise industry averaged 17 million worldwide passengers in 2012, a 4% increase over 2011.

Since 1990, over 185 million passengers have taken a 2+ day cruise. Of this number, over 70% of the total passengers account for the last 10 years, and nearly 38% in the past 5 years.
Cruisers tend to book 3.3 months before the trip.
In 2012, potential cruisers sought cruises at a length of 7.5 days, exceeding the length of 6.7 days back in 2008.

Cruiser Characteristics

Of the target demographic, 73,121,000, or 55% of people have taken a cruise. Fewer than half

of those (32,838,000) have done so in the past three years. Based on a 2011 CLIA Market Profile Study, other

characteristics include:

• 50+ is the average median age of all cruise passengers.
• 79% of all cruisers are married.
• 86 % of first-time cruisers are recent college graduates.
• 44.6 % of all cruisers are 25 and older.
• In USD, the average cruiser income is $40,000+.
• 60% of all cruisers will repeat a cruise in the future.
• 80% of all cruisers travel with spouses.
• Only 2% of all cruisers travel alone.

Most Appealing Cruise Destinations

The industry’s growth is headlined by the Caribbean, accounting for 39.8% of all itineraries in 2011. Other sought-out destinations include:

• Caribbean – 45%
• Alaska – 24%
• Bahamas – 23%
• Hawaii – 15%
• Bermuda – 15%
• Mediterranean/Greek Islands/Turkey – 14%
• Europe- 13%
• Panama Canal – 8%
• West Coast of Mexico – 8%

Why Cruise?

>> When comparing the benefits of cruising to other holidays, the top 7 choices include:

• Travel Experience – 56%
• Pampering – 44%
• Fine Dining – 51%
• Relaxation – 44%
• Easy to Plan/Arrange – 53%
• Good Value for Money – 50%
• Reliable/Convenient – 44%

Cruiser Costs

Cruisers spend a considerable 25% more on holidays than non-cruisers, averaging $1,700 £1085 (to non-cruise spendings of $1,300 / £830).

• 49% of cruisers received a discount or used a promotional offer on their last cruise.
• 66% fly to the cruise origination point and pay an average of $376 (£250) each for the flight.
• Cruisers average between $171-$234 (£110-£150) in spending per day.

>> Furthermore, 48% of all cruisers believe that websites and online travel retailers provide the best prices on cruises, almost three times the rate of travel agents at 17%.<<

Cruises are literally making waves amongst holidaymakers, providing an entertaining and safe means of recreational travel. According to the Passenger Shipping Association, the number of Britons taking a holiday cruise was estimated to be 1.7 million in 2012. For those interested in these floatable getaways, please consider www.cruiseoffers.co.uk for cost-efficient cruise deals. Here you can find the widest range of tailor-made cruise options, spanning various lines and exotic destinations. Sea, sand and savings; sounds like the perfect combination to ensure your holiday is nothing but smooth sailing!

Data Sources

Source: http://cruisenewz.net/cruises-2012-fresh-ideas-facts-and-info-on-2012-cruises/
Source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/cruises/cruise-news/9540714/Cruise-holidays-grow-in-popularity.html
Source: http://www.statisticbrain.com/cruise-ship-industry-statistics/
Source: http://www.f-cca.com/downloads/2012-Cruise-Industry-Overview-Statistics.pdf

Infographic: Cruise Holiday Facts & Figures

Norwegian Breakaway

Norwegian Cruise Line is launching the Norwegian Breakaway this year, promising an experience like no other. With a range of stunning features, its most notable addition is Rock of Ages, live performances of the hit musical on board every cruise. You can also visit its Jazz and Blues Club for something a little more laid back. The Norwegian Breakaway will be sailing from Rotterdam to Southampton on 28th April 2013 and then from Southampton to New York (7 day cruise) on 30th April. Based in New York NCL will then offer itineraries from the Big Apple to The Bahamas, Florida, The Caribbean and Bermuda.

Carnival Sunshine

Not strictly a new ship, The Carnival Sunshine is the result of an eye watering $155’000’000 refit given to the Carnival Destiny. Boasting a stunning atrium, the Redfrog Pub (just one of the bars available) and the Cloud 9 Spa for true relaxation on the waves, the new 3’000 passenger ship is set to launch in April this year. And if the luxurious surroundings are a little too much for you to handle, you can get fit with their range of activities instead, including the ropes course and challenge. For Summer 2013 Carnival Sunshine will offer Med itineraries from Venice and Barcelona.

MSC Preziosa

Spring will see the luxurious MSC Preziosa launch into action, boasting an infinity pool, a futuristic disco and several themed bars. You can also look forward to enjoying the on board Aurea spa and opt to eat at the all day buffet if you don’t want to be constrained by time. The MSC Preziosa will offer an “adult only sanctuary” known as the Top 18 Exclusive Solarium which features premium deck space and stunning sea views, dedicated spa service, bar menu and complimentary fruit skewers.Those with children will love every feature of the aqua park designed especially with them in mind too. MSC Preziosa which has a passenger capacity of 3959 passengers offers Med cruises from Genoa.

AIDAStella

The new AIDA Stella is to be launched by AIDA Cruises in March this year. AIDA ships rank highly on sport and fitness facilities, as well as spa facilities, and they stand out for their eye catching smiles painted on the front of each ship. The stella is sure to be no different, and since it is brand new it is bound to exceed the expectations even of those who are familiar with the brand. MS AidaStella boasts 1097 cabins, 7 restaurants and 12 bars.

Which new ship are you looking forward to seeing most?

Now is the time to make your booking to sail on one of the forthcoming new cruise ships being launched this year. Don’t miss the opportunity to sample the luxury you are assured of in this situation – please call on 020 3589 7524 to find out about the latest cruise offers.

New Cruise Ships 2013

Below is a summary of this great new offer. More Details Here.

P&O Cruises Vantage Fares

• New reduced prices on 2013 cruises.
• Choose your specific cabin number.
• Choose 1 extra benefit from – on board spending money, free car parking at Southampton / selected airports, free coach travel to / from Southampton.
• Hundreds of cruises to choose from – Mediterranean, Baltics, Canaries, Caribbean and more.

P&O Cruises Price Promise

In an effort to give customers the confidence to book early, and choose their ideal cruise ship, itinerary and cabin, P&O Cruises has launched these new lower fares and price promise protection. What this means is that if P&O were to reduce the Vantage Fare for a holiday they would automatically apply the value of the reduction to all existing bookings in the form of complimentary on-board credit or a cabin upgrade.

One of the great features of the new Vantage Fares from P&O is that you don’t have to make a claim for your complimentary benefit  – confirmation of this will be sent to you before your cruise holiday departure date.

P&O Cruises – Lower Fares & Price Promise Protection

There’s a lot to like about River Cruises from Shearings Holidays.

Destinations / Itineraries available include waterways in France (The Seine), Germany (The Rhine, The Elbe, The Moselle), Holland, Italy (including Venice), Spain, Portugal and Central Europe (Danube).

A river cruise offers cruising on a more intimate scale with warm and inviting ships and a gentle pace of life.

European and Worldwide River Cruises

With a huge range of cruises on offer from leading cruise lines including Cunard, Holland America Line, P&O, Carnival, Costa and Princess there are deals for everyone.

Deals on offer include great incentives such as premium cabin upgrades and free hotel stays before and after your cruise.

To find your perfect cruise simply call 0800 016 3929 and talk to one of the cruise experts from Jetline Cruise who will let you know the top offers currently available. Lines are open until 10 P.M every day.

Amazing Cruise Deals With Free Hotel Stays & Cabin Upgrades!

With so much choice in the Cruise Industry today the Berlitz guide is the most authorative guide you can buy.

If you value impartial in depth research into cruise ships and cruise lines then this book comes highly recommended.

Over 250 cruise ships are profiled and rated on the Berlitz rating system which gives ships “points” out of a possible 2’000. There’s some superb analysis and insight throughout the book.

Click here to buy online or read customer reviews at Amazon.co.uk

Berlitz: Complete Guide to Cruising and Cruise Ships 2013