Royal Caribbean is attracting younger cruise guests, according to research

Most of the adults sailing with the line are around 13 years younger than the industry average 

Royal Caribbean is attracting younger cruise guests, according to research
Growth from the new-to-cruise customers is predicted to remain strong for 2017 (Image: Royal Caribbean)

By Elizabeth Robinson |


Royal Caribbean International’s UK-based cruise ships are now welcoming first-time adult cruise passengers with an average age of 42 – 13 years younger than the industry average – according to new research. Two million UK passengers are set to cruise in 2017, while more than 10% of travellers are planning a cruise in the next year. Although the average age of British passengers taking cruise holidays has dropped to 55 years old – the lowest in six years – Royal Caribbean believes it’s the ‘Generation Thrill and Chill’ families who are leading this growth. Families now represent a quarter of Royal Caribbean guests.

“Over 1.9 million UK holiday makers took a cruise in 2016, and figures indicate similar growth in 2017,” said Ben Bouldin, managing director for Royal Caribbean International. “There appears to be three main triggers for why younger, new-to-cruise families are booking cruise holidays with us: the ability to visit multiple destinations, while also being able to relax and chill, and experience fun and adventure along the way. We call them ‘Generation Thrill-and-Chill’ and they now make up a quarter of all our guests in the UK.”

Royal Caribbean figures also show that in 2016, bookings for groups of friends and family accounted for 20% of the total number of passengers onboard and almost a third of those were first-time cruisers.

Growth from the new-to-cruise customers is predicted to remain strong for 2017 with nearly half of non-cruisers expressing interest in taking an ocean cruise.

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