The Caribbean has solidified its position as the dream destination for Spaniards looking to take a cruise, according to the third study, "Radiography of the Modern Traveler: Preferences and Their Relationship with Cruises," by MSC Cruises. This idyllic region leads the pack, ahead of other popular options such as Alaska, the United Arab Emirates, and the Red Sea.
Holiday procrastination is a growing phenomenon: 45.7% of those surveyed admit to having postponed their trips for various reasons during the last year, compared to 40% at the beginning of 2023. Among those who have decided to delay these experiences, 22.6% prefer to wait for a more opportune moment, while the main barriers continue to be economic (29.9%) and organizational (27.5%), especially the difficulty of coordinating schedules.
Even so, interest in cruises remains high, and most Spaniards experience this adventure at sea for the first time before the age of 50. The 36-50 age group (30.6%) and the 26-35 age group (29.4%) are the most common for first-time cruisers.
“With more and more Spaniards choosing cruises as their preferred vacation option, flexibility, comfort, and the possibility of exploring various destinations have become key factors that set us apart from other tourism options, and that's where we excel. The 'cruise' product includes everything you need for a dream vacation,” explained Fernando Pacheco, Managing Director of MSC Cruises in Spain.
Caribbean and cruise, the star combination for Spaniards in 2025
The Mediterranean was the most popular destination for Spaniards to take a cruise in 2024 (68.2%), but the Caribbean is emerging as the big dream for Spanish travelers in 2025.
The study reveals that young people between 25 and 39 years old are the most interested in taking a Caribbean cruise, with 77.7% expressing a predisposition for this experience. Although this interest in the Caribbean is widespread in Spain, some autonomous communities show particular enthusiasm for cruises in this region, notably La Rioja (77.8%), Castilla-La Mancha (76.1%), and Cantabria.
One of the most appealing aspects of a Caribbean cruise is the opportunity to discover several idyllic destinations on a single trip, with 68.1% of respondents mentioning this factor. Among the region's most popular destinations are Mexico (34.3%), the Dominican Republic (31.9%), and the Bahamas (32.6%), home to Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, MSC Cruises' private island and an exclusive stop for all the company's ships sailing the Caribbean.
For all these reasons and for the convenience of Spanish passengers, MSC Cruises has created a new vacation package that includes flights from Madrid or Barcelona, 1 to 4 nights in a hotel in Miami pre-cruise and a week-long cruise through the Caribbean.
Spring is solidifying its position as the favorite time to enjoy a Caribbean cruise, chosen by 35.2% of travelers, while many still opt for travel during off-peak months (34%). Saving money remains the main reason for choosing the low season, allowing for greater flexibility in vacation planning and prioritizing the experience and personal availability over other factors.
Spaniards who try a cruise are likely to return. While nearly 80% of travelers were expected to repeat their experience in 2024, this figure is projected to reach 86% by 2025. This increase in satisfaction is particularly noticeable in the autonomous communities with the highest influx of cruise passengers. The autonomous communities with the most cruise travelers are Andalusia (26.7%), Catalonia (26.3%), and Madrid (25.3%). In contrast, the communities with the fewest cruise passengers are Galicia (14.4%), Cantabria (16.7%), and Castile and León (17.8%)
At the beginning of this year, the possibility of visiting several destinations on a single trip remains the main attraction of cruises for Spaniards. In addition, other factors are gaining importance, such as the sailing experience (10%) and the convenience of having a wide variety of onboard services and activities (9.9%). MSC Cruises offers a comprehensive experience with themed restaurants, a spa, laundry service, multiple leisure options for all ages, and sports facilities such as a gym and volleyball court. These elements have become more significant, slightly displacing traditional motivations such as ease of operation and convenience for family trips.
During port calls, Spanish cruise passengers spend an average of between €50 and €100 in local shops and restaurants, the most common range, with 41% of respondents spending within this amount. 27.8% of travelers opt for spending between €10 and €50, while 20% spent more, ranging from €100 to €500. This data reflects the positive economic impact of cruises on local economies, especially in key destinations along the cruise route.
Follow cruise news at Cruisesnews.es
