3 Day Cruse

Survey: More Americans planning to a take a cruise

The Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) has released results of its latest consumer study. Among the highlights of the 2011 Cruise Market Profile:

• Based on responses to the survey, 36 million Americans (25 years+, $40K+ income) have an intention to cruise in the next three years, up from 33 million in the 2008 study and 31 million in 2006.

• Seventy-seven percent of past cruise vacationers expressed interest in a cruise vacation in the next three years and 50 percent of non-cruise vacationers expressed an interest in taking their first cruise within the next three years.

• Cruise vacation satisfaction remains high and is a driver of repeat cruise business. Overall satisfaction rates are 94 percent and, compared to other vacations, cruise vacations are among the leaders in “extreme satisfaction” (45 percent).

• People view all vacation categories as somewhat expensive but most people view cruise vacations as a superior value. Nearly twice as many (17 percent) equate cruising with very high value as land-based vacations (9 percent). Among past cruise vacationers, the gap swells (21 percent vs. 8 percent) as a result of past experience.

• Awareness of the cruise vacation experience is high and growing. Thirty-two percent of the study’s representative sample cites increased awareness of cruise vacations in the past year or two – four times as many who expressed decreased awareness (eight percent).

• Of respondents who provided information about their last cruise, 60 percent have cruised in the past and 40 percent claimed their last cruise was their first cruise, indicating that the cruise industry continues to attract new guests.

• The total study sample (cruisers and non-cruisers) ranked the following as “much better/somewhat better” for cruises compared to all other vacation categories: o Just getting away from it all (44 percent)

• While varying by cruise line and market segment, the top ten list of where consumers plan to take their next cruise vacation includes: 1. Caribbean, 2. Alaska, 3. Bahamas, 4. Hawaii, 5. Bermuda, 6. Mediterranean/Greek Isles, 7. Europe, 8. Panama Canal, 9. Canada/New England, 10. Mexico.

• The core target market for cruise vacations (adults 25+, household incomes $40,000+) represents 44 percent of the US population. Overall, almost one in four (24 percent) of the total US population has cruised at some point in their lives and 11 percent in the past three years (up from 20 percent total and 10 percent in the past three years in the 2008 study).

Halong bay Tours, Halong Bay Cruises, Halong Travel, Halong ...

Depart for Halong Bay in a air conditioned vehicle. Arrive in Halong around 12:30pm. The crew welcomes you on board the Classic Sail Junk, which is one of the more traditional varieties that sail through the magnificent UNESCO World Heritage Site and the 3, 000 spectacular limestone islands. enjoy welcome drink, check-in to your cabin. Lunch with fresh seafood is served at 1:00pm, start a 3.5 hours cruise into mystic Halong Bay to see the amazing karsts with different formations: Mat Qui (Monster’s face) islet, But Moc islet, Cap De islet, floating fishing village, with its unique way of life. Then head to Luon cave, enjoy swimming, sun bathing at Ti Top beach or climb the peak of the mountain for a breath-taking panorama view of Halong bay. There will be traditional games available for evening entertainment and an informal Vietnamese language lesson. Dinner and overnight aboard junk. Meals: Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast and an early morning swim, continue the cruise past rock formations named after their shape and stroll to visit Amazing Cave. Enjoy a trip to Van Gia floating village, take a short time in Van Gia Cultural Center. Continue cruising to Hang Ca, paddle through the tunnel and emerge into a crater lake, surrounded by impenetrable cliffs and gliding kites. The trip to this cave and to Ba Ham lake is dependent upon tidal conditions. Ba Ham or ‘Three Tunnel Lake’ is a shallow lagoon surrounded by steep limestone walls connected to the sea by three low ceiling tunnels that are only navigable by sampan at low tide. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Early risers can enjoy a morning view of bay’s landscape with a cup of tea or coffee with breakfast. Sitting on the upper deck, you can relax while taking in the breath-taking beauty of the rocky islands rising from the crystal-clear water of the bay. After breakfast, swim and relax at Soi Sim beach. At 9:30 boat starts cruising back to the jetty while brunch is served from 10:30 to 11:30. We continue cruising through the bay, along the way seeing more of the fascinating formations. Check out is at 11:45. Boat arrive at harbour by 12:00 for the drive back to Hanoi.

Cruise Travel

Cruise Travel

Cruise Travel

Black Enterprise

Frommer's Greek Islands