Cruising attracting younger, more affluent travelers

Cruise travelers have spent the past two years getting younger, richer, and better looking, says the biennial cruise market survey by Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA). Well, really, it only said the first two things, but we figure if you're richer and younger then you have to be better looking too.

Average household income of cruisers exceeded $100,000 for the first time, reaching $104,000. Meantime, the average age of cruise vacationers dropped to 49, its lowest level ever.

These numbers get the cruise lines' propellers spinning, since most of them, even formerly-stodgy Holland America, have been working for more than a decade to modernize their onboard product and shed the long-outdated image that cruising is for grandparents. And that work has paid off, with the addition of more onboard dining choices than ever, more activities and flexibility, family friendly features, and downright wild new onboard attractions and shore excursions.

The CLIA survey also determined that 51 million people, a mere 17% of the US population, has ever cruised, and that cruising ranks highest of any vacation choice in guest satisfaction.

CLIA Press Release: Growing cruise popularity reflects strong guest satisfaction...