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Fred River Cruises: Destination prime reason for choice of river cruise

cruise travel advice Amadeus, river cruise, Fred River Cruises, Budapest

Research conducted by Fred River Cruises has found that destination remains the primary reason why travellers choose one river cruise over another.

A total of 79 per cent of respondents stated that where the cruise goes is the number one priority, with 93 per cent including this is in their top three considerations.

After destination, the second and third reasons are the overall price and the availability of pre and post stays, which were listed in the top three by 76 per cent and 50 per cent, respectively. This backs up data released by CLIA in its State Of The Cruise 2020 Industry report, which highlighted cruise and stay as one of the foremost trends. CLIA’s report found that 65 per cent of passengers spend a few extra days at embarkation or debarkation ports.

In addition, the classic European waterways remain at the forefront of travellers’ minds for 2020 and beyond. Topping the list of rivers that cruisers were most excited to explore next were the Douro (42 per cent), Danube (37 per cent), Rhine (29 per cent) and Rhone/Saône (21 per cent).

Specific destinations that guests want to visit include Budapest, Vienna and Strasbourg.

The survey also demonstrated that 60 per cent guests rate exploring ashore as their favourite thing to do while on a river cruise, while 68 per cent stated that they wanted at least some moderate activity during their cruise, preferably by exploring a destination rather than spending time in an on-board gym.

Fred River Cruises head of river cruise Sukie Rapal said: “Active excursions have become a big part of the itineraries that cruise operators offer.

“Our research shows that customers not only value these as a way of diversifying the activities available but also as a way of varying the pace of their holiday.”

Fred River Cruises currently has a Danube itinerary, priced from £2,059pp, calling at Vienna, Bratislava, Budapest and Belgrade. Departing 28 October 2020.

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