What You Need to Know about Millennials Taking Cruise Vacations

Millennials who travel are heavily influenced by their friends and social media.

When they go on vacation, they stay connected by sharing photos and videos on their social networks.  Cruise lines understand this; most ensure fast connectivity with WiFi and other technologies.

Cruise line itineraries must include immersive experiences. For example, an optional excursion may be to eat a meal with a host family. Millennials connect with residents and learn about their culture over an incredible dinner. They also get to know locals on a deeper level.

In 10 years, millennials will be the largest consumers within the hospitality industry. Cruise lines that offer new ships with sleek designs and accommodations, WiFi, immersive experiences, onboard entertainment, fine dining, and more will have no problem attracting them.

Top Reasons Why Millennials Are Choosing Cruise Vacations

Discounts and Specials for Solo Travelers

Cruise lines like Norwegian offer discounts and specials for solo travelers. Why? Because millennials embrace independent travel – sometimes they’re the odd person out in a group or prefer to have their own room when traveling with a friend. It’s why Norwegian built staterooms and common areas are specifically for the single cruiser. Studios are perfect for the solo cruise! And, you get plenty of opportunities to mix and mingle with fellow passengers through singles meet-ups and in the Studios Lounge.

Fun and Entertaining Onboard Activities

How would you like to try indoor skydiving? You can on Royal Caribbean’s Quantum of the Seas®. You’ll experience the thrill of flying in an air machine in a safe, controlled environment. You’ll also enjoy bumper cars and North StarSM, a jewel-shaped capsule that ascends over 300 feet above sea level. You get breathtaking 360° views of the sea and your destination!

Sail with Carnival Cruise Lines and you can enjoy The Carnival Live! concert series that brings well-known artists onboard to perform at select ports. The shipboard scene includes waterslides, ropes courses, Guy Fieri burgers, themed bars, adults-only sunning areas, Dr. Seuss characters (great for millennial families), top-rate comedians and experienced DJs.

Gastronomic Experiences That Tantalize Your Taste Buds

Millennials who sail on Royal Caribbean’s Quantum of the Seas® will be amazed when they see robot bartenders (industrial robots programmed to make drinks) making their favorite cocktails. They also eliminated the “main” dining room in favor of restaurants – make reservations via an app on your smartphone or by tapping a radio frequency ship wristband at locations around the ship.

For a more nostalgic, classic experience, sail with Cunard on the Queen Mary 2 where you can experience the elegance of Kings Court and dine on cuisine from around the world (Asian, Indian, Italian, and American) at four intimate venues.

Immersive Experiences That Connect You with Locals

Most cruise lines offer immersive experiences that connect you with locals. For example, Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy are fun ships that offer island excursions during the day.

Sail on Disney Dream, and you can experience Nassau, Bahamas. Imagine climbing the Queen’s staircase, a 102 foot climb up 65 steps carved from solid limestone by slaves in the 18th century. At the end of the staircase you’ll see Fort Fincastle, with its famous visage shaped like a ship’s bow.

Cruise with Disney Fantasy and explore Grand Cayman in the Cayman Islands. See and experience Pedro St. James Historic Site, the birthplace of democracy in the Cayman Islands. It was once known as Pedro Castle and built in 1780. Sadly, the structure burned to the ground in 1989, but has been restored and declared a national landmark.

Millennials: Are You Ready for a Cruise Vacation?

Imagine you and a group of friends taking a cruise vacation on a hip, newly designed ship.

Not only do you discover fun onboard activities like a giant waterslide, but the entertainment is pretty hip, ranging from nightclubs to concerts. You quickly realize that your cruise experience will be different from your grandparents.

Picture yourself exploring your destination with a local tour guide. Maybe you tour local restaurants and nosh on cuisine that you’ve only imagined tasting. To enhance your experience, you chat with locals and get to know them and their culture.

Sound good? Yes, it does!

If you thought cruise vacations were for your parents and grandparents, think again. The industry has changed throughout the years. You can expect authentic and experiential experiences aboard stylish ships.

Contact your Travel Planners International agent today and ask about cruise vacations for millennials. Bon voyage!