Analysis

Analysis 3 mins read

‘We need to keep pace’: cruise leaders on the challenges facing growth

• The cruise sector must continue to evolve if it is to keep pace with its ambitious growth targets.
• MSC Cruises' Antonio Paradiso predicted the disruption caused by the Strait of Hormuz closure could continue for another "six to nine months"
• Key to keeping up with supply is ensuring consumers are being matched with the right product, said Hurtigruten's Iain Powell.

Analysis 7 mins read

AI vs travel agents: what does the future of cruise retail look like?

• The number of people using AI for holiday inspiration has doubled year-on-year, with 43 per cent now confident to some degree in letting AI plan their holiday
• Agents are increasingly acting as “curators and translators”, helping customers navigate a cruise market spanning ocean, river, expedition, ultra-luxury and yacht-style sailings
• Industry leaders believe AI will take on more research and administration, freeing the trade to spend more time building relationships

Analysis 4 mins read

'How do I maximise the value of a cruise booking?'

• The cruise sector continues to defy trends as consumers prioritise spending on getting away from it all
• Agents must ask their client questions they can get exactly what their customers want from their sailing
• Encouraging customers to book while on board can add value to their sailing

Analysis 4 mins read

What does Mexico's latest cruise tax hike mean for UK agents?

Last week, the Mexican government announced plans to quadruple its cruise passenger tax by 2028.

Analysis 6 mins read

Private islands: Is cruise creating a tourism bubble?

Some of the world’s largest cruise lines are using private islands to bolster their itineraries and keep customers in their grasps.

Analysis 2 mins read

Are cruise booking habits finally returning to normal?

Consumer browsing behaviour is gradually returning to normal, but a continued appetite for last-minute cruise bookings shows old habits are hard to shake

Analysis 5 mins read

'How do I convince an anti-cruiser to take their first sailing?'

In the latest edition of our Question Time series, Paramount Cruises apprentice Josh Harris asks how he can turn cruise sceptics into avid sailors

Analysis 3 mins read

CTN Annual Report 2026: young travellers eye river, but price stalls growth

Younger travellers are identifying river cruising as a unique way to see the world, but perceptions around cost continue to dampen appetite, according to Cruise Trade News' 2026 Annual Report

Analysis 4 mins read

'Which destinations should I pitch in 2026, and why?'

In the latest edition of our Question Time series, travel consultant apprentice for Ocean World Travel, Emily Babey asks the experts which destinations she should champion in 2026 to entice new customers