The most in-demand themed cruises for 2024
12th Jan 2024 Travel
4 min read
From Blues to crochet, themed cruises are increasing in popularity. Here are the most in-demand themed cruises for 2024, and some tips for your first cruise
Themed cruises are more popular
than ever, with global interest recently skyrocketing by 24 per cent. From floating
festivals celebrating your favourite music genres to action-packed sporting
extravaganzas, the cruise industry offers travellers an array of themed
adventures on the high seas. But which of the countless concept-inspired trips
are the most popular of all?
The cruise travel insurance
experts at PayingTooMuch
have carried out research to find out, using Google search data to reveal which
themed cruises are the most popular, and which have seen the biggest surge in
global demand over the last year.
The most popular themed cruises worldwide
1. Disney
Coming in at a whopping 9.9
million yearly Google searches, Disney-themed cruises take the crown for the
world’s most popular themed cruise. There are six different Disney
cruise ships to choose from, each inspired by classic Disney and Pixar stories.
Plus, they depart from all over the world, so there’s bound to be a port near
you!
Disney-themed cruises are the most popular, with 9.9 million yearly Google searches (credit: Jonathan Palombo (Wikimedia Commons))
Whether you’re an adult feeling
nostalgic for some childhood joy, or a family with Disney-obsessed kids, these
cruises are a great fit for all ages.
2. Singles
Singles-themed cruises come in
second place, seeing around 794,400 yearly searches on Google.
"Singles cruises offer solo travellers the chance to meet new people"
This type of cruise offers solo
travellers the chance to meet new people. They’ve become a beacon for those
seeking connection, adventure, and maybe even romance on the open water.
3. Blues
Rounding out the top three are
Blues-themed cruises, with 101,040 yearly searches. Some of the most popular
blues-inspired trips include the Keeping
the Blues Alive at Sea cruise and The
Legendary Rhythm & Blues cruise.
The top trending themed cruises worldwide
PayingTooMuch also revealed which
type of themed cruises have seen the biggest increase in demand, based on
year-on-year changes in search volume.
1. Crochet
Crochet ranks as the trendiest
theme for cruises, with an impressive 556 per cent increase in worldwide search demand
since 2022.
"Searches for crochet cruises have increased by 556 per cent"
A cruise themed around your
favourite hobby is a fantastic way to meet people with the same passion as you,
as well as an opportunity to see and meet experts you could learn from. If you’re interested, Craft
Cruises has plenty of upcoming trips in 2024, designed with all sorts of
hobbies in mind, including knitting and beading.
2. Impractical
Jokers
Cruises inspired by hidden camera
reality show Impractical Jokers are
the second most trending type of trip, seeing a 238 per cent increase in global
searches
Cruises inspired by the hidden camera show Impractical Jokers have seen a 238 per cent increase in global searches (credit: Leo Guerrero (Wikimedia Commons))
The guys from Impractical Jokers have teamed up with
Eric Andre to host a cruise from Miami to the Bahamas in January 2024. It’s
packed with stand-up sets, music, and plenty of activities, so it’s sure to be
a riot!
3. Golf
Golf-inspired trips round off the
top three most trending themed cruises worldwide, with a 190 per cent increase in
popularity. This type of cruise gives golf enthusiasts a chance to visit some
of the world’s best golf courses as they dock at various destinations.
"Golf-cruises give enthusiasts a chance to visit some of the best golf courses in the world"
Perry Golf has golf-cruises
heading all around the globe in 2024, from South Africa and Norway, to New
Zealand and Japan.
5 Top tips for travellers embarking on their first cruise
PayingTooMuch also spoke with
travel writer Melody Moser, and UK cruise blogger Laura Pedlar, who have shared their top tips for first-time cruise passengers to make the
most out of their trip.
From packing to cruise cover, follow these tips to ensure your first cruise holiday goes swimmingly (credit: Leonardo Yip (Unsplash))
- Keep an eye out for discounts between January and March. Melody says, “It will depend on when and where you want to go, but if you can be flexible, you can often find some great deals and promotions during the shoulder seasons of your chosen destination. ‘Wave season’ is typically from January to March and lots of cruise lines offer discounts to attract travellers then too.”
- Arrive early to avoid disappointment. Melody advises, “My top tip is to arrive a day early. If you're flying to the cruise departure city, there could be travel delays, and you don’t want to watch your ship sail away without you.”
- Do your research before you arrive. Laura suggests, “Learn about the places you're visiting before you go. There may be a landmark or activity that needs to be booked in advance, and you don't want to get to a port and be disappointed if you are unable to do something you were looking forward to.”
- Pack accordingly. Packing for a themed cruise can be a unique experience. Melody explains, “In addition to the usual cruise essentials, you'll want to bring items that align with the cruise's specific theme. Whether it’s a Star Trek uniform or a yoga mat and workout attire, find out what you’ll need to bring along ahead of time.”
- Take out cruise cover. No matter where you’re heading on your cruise, it’s important that you’re fully covered with the right travel insurance. Adding cruise cover to your existing policy means you’ll be protected for things like onboard medical emergencies, missed departures, and port changes.
Banner photo: The most in-demand themed cruises for 2024 (credit: Matthew Barra (Pexels))
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