Spaniards who take cruises tend to do so again. This is according to a study conducted by IRN Research for the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) in various European countries, which indicates that 71% of Spanish cruise passengers have taken two or more cruises , and 58% have traveled on a cruise three or more times. The study also highlights that 15% have taken more than 10 cruises.
According to this study, more than half of Spanish cruise passengers (58%) believe they will take another cruise within a year , and one in three (32%) say they will do so within one to three years. The number of Spaniards opting for this type of vacation is steadily increasing. According to the latest CLIA data, in 2015, 466,000 Spaniards chose a cruise for their holidays, representing a growth of nearly 3% compared to the previous year.
“The high repeat booking rates indicate that we are on the right track,” explains Alfredo Serrano, National Director of CLIA Spain. “Year after year, airlines are innovating to offer new itineraries and destinations, as well as improvements in connectivity, activities, and onboard services to tailor their offerings almost to each traveler,” he adds.
Regarding the preferred destinations for Spanish cruise passengers, 62% chose the Western Mediterranean for their last cruise; 8% chose the Norwegian Fjords and Iceland and the Baltic Sea, respectively; 7% chose the Black Sea; and 3% chose Northwest Europe. It is also noteworthy that 75% of cruise passengers stayed seven nights on their last cruise.
So what do Spaniards look for when choosing one cruise line over another? Most, in this order, consider the itinerary and destinations, the value for money, whether drinks are included in the final price, the atmosphere, the onboard entertainment, and the amenities offered.
The cruise passenger profile: multigenerational and traveling with a companion
The profile of the Spanish cruise passenger is diverse.63% are under 50 years old , and when it comes to cruise travel, most prefer to travel with others, whether their partner, family, or friends. Specifically, 52% traveled on their last cruise with their spouse or partner; 19% with family, including children under 18; 10% with friends; 7% with family but without children; and 2% alone. Furthermore, 46% of cruise passengers traveled with two or more generations of family members.
Regarding the origin of Spanish cruise passengers, those from port cities predominate. According to this study, 21% of cruise passengers live in Catalonia; 20% in Andalusia; 15% in Valencia; 9% in Madrid; and 7% in the Canary Islands.
When booking their trip, most people prefer to do so through a travel agency. This was the case for over 90% of cruise passengers when booking their last cruise (73% in person, 13% online, and 5% by phone).
