What Age Group Goes on Cruises the Most? – CruiseBooking.com (2024)

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Cruises are one of the most exciting forms of holidays for all ages. Children can have an exciting summer vacation on cruises during holidays, and parents can also have fun with their families. Couples can get away from the busy and tiring routines of their everyday lives and be together. Independent travelers embark on the sea to seek new experiences to satisfy their souls. Thus, in their constant search for novelty, elderly people travel on cruises to find comfort and leisure during the journey and to visit distant countries. To add some flavor to the trip, one looks for companionship from other travelers. Knowing the age range of most travelers helps one to estimate the company on board.

How Old Are People Who Travel on Cruise Ships?

Cruises do not discriminate against the age of the passengers. People of all ages are allowed to board the cruise ships. It also provides a list of fun activities that people of all ages can engage in to make their vacation exciting. However, the average age of passengers who travel on cruise ships is 47 years. A survey conducted by CLIA (Cruise Lines International Association) revealed that 15% of the total population of the vessel falls under this age bracket. This may differ under several conditions, such as the size of the ship, the port of destination, and the season.

The average age of the oldest passengers on a cruise is 62. This suggests that cruises are one of the best ways for the elderly to spend a leisurely vacation. To address this crowd, cruises introduce specific routes and offers that can be considered packages for middle-aged and elderly people.

Is There a Variation in the Cruise Passenger Demographics?

There can also be a variation in the demography of the people on each of the cruise ships based on several factors. As it is understood, the more distant the destination is, the more time will be required to reach that destination. As a result, families with kids and many members do not take such cruises. The best time for this demographic to travel is during the summer holidays when they are out of school, but they can only afford to travel for 2-3 weeks.

• Long-distance cruising has a clear target market of elderly travelers, particularly those who are 50 years old or older. They are free to explore the world as they do not have the same responsibilities as younger people. Other challenging locations, such as the Southern Pacific Islands, can also be costly and, therefore, attract many elderly people.
• Small and mid-sized cruises also have the largest share of elderly people among all the customers. This is because this group of people is not quite interested in onboard activities. The scenario is quite the opposite for the larger cruises. These have many onboard activities that can accommodate families, couples, and single travelers.

Family Cruises: Entertainment for Young and Old

As for themed cruises, they are created for everyone in the family, starting with children and ending with grandparents. These cruises usually have facilities that cater to children, adolescents, and families with children, where parents and children can have fun together and engage in age-appropriate activities. Many cruise lines, such as Disney, Royal Caribbean, and Carnival Cruise Line, have elaborate programs for children and teenagers, which makes them very attractive to families in search of an entertaining vacation.

Best Cruise Lines for Young Adults

Since you have identified the age group that takes cruises most often, you may be interested in knowing the most appropriate cruises for young people. Young adults are the expanding market for cruise tourism. Contrary to the elderly population, they prefer short trips up to a few days for a short distance. Cruises also tend to have special sales during the spring break season to appeal to college students.

The cruises that target the young people as their market have many activities planned for the guests on board. These are art exhibitions, music shows, fine dining, nightclubbing, and water activities, such as snorkeling and diving. Here are some of the popular cruise lines for young adults:

1. Norwegian Cruise Line:

It is famous for its energetic nightlife, variety of restaurants, and exciting opportunities, and it is preferred by young people. Norwegian Cruise Line has adopted the Freestyle Cruising concept, which enables passengers to have flexible timetables and many activities.

2. Carnival Cruise Line:

Carnival’s ‘Fun Ships’ are targeted at young adults and include facilities, such as water parks, sports courts, nightclubs, and live entertainment. Carnival Cruise Line is relatively cheap and has short trips that are preferred by college students and young professionals.

3. Virgin Voyages:

Virgin Voyages is a relatively new player in the cruise industry and is known for its contemporary and stylish service. It is an adults-only cruise line that focuses on dining, wellness, and entertainment facilities and services. The cruise line's focus on sustainability and unique design is important to note, as it is attractive to young people who are concerned about the environment.

4. MSC Cruises:

MSC Cruises hasits origins in the Mediterranean and modern vessels, which makes it popular among young people seeking leisure and excitement. The cruise line offers many cruise options, including the Caribbean and Mediterranean, and there are many activities on the ship and off for children.

Conclusion

Cruises are a very diverse type of vacation that can be suitable for people of all ages. Whether you are a family who wants to have fun and explore new places, a couple who wants to spend romantic moments together, a single traveler who wants to have new experiences, or an elderly person who wants to have a quiet and peaceful vacation, there is a cruise for you. Knowing the target market of cruise passengers will assist you in selecting the cruise line and destination that will meet your expectations and give you the best experience.

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