By
Adam Lawrence |
Cruise prices remain in consumers’ favour going into 2012, according to the Cruise Holidays 2012 Cruise Trends survey.
The firm’s research shows that prices for Caribbean and the Mediterranean cruises remain lower than they were in 2008, 2009 and 2010. But prices have actually risen slightly since 2011.
The survey, based on bookings from Cruise Holidays’ system, as well as from a supplementary opinion survey taken by 118 Cruise Holidays owners and agents across North America, shows that Celebrity Cruises’ fifth and final Solstice-class ship, Celebrity Reflection, is the most anticipated new ship of 2012. Reflection will feature an additional deck compared to previous Solstice-class ships, with three new types of suites, and more than 50 international craft beers in its enhanced Michael's Club bar. Reflection will do a short series of European itineraries when it debuts in October, then will cross the Atlantic to cruise the Eastern Caribbean.
Cruise Holidays also predicts the best cruise values will also remain in the Caribbean and Europe. “These two regions are the clear-cut leaders when it comes to the bang for the buck that a cruise vacation can provide,” said vice president Mark Schiffner. “On the flip side, with fewer cruisers turning to the Mexican Riviera as a top vacation choice, its value proposition is increasing. Mexico’s famed Gold Coast is pulling out all the stops to showcase its world-class beach communities, which depend on tourism for their livelihood.”