Rising flight prices shows value of cruise holidays, say industry experts

Agents urged to book 'sooner rather than later' to avoid higher costs

Rising flight prices will show the value of taking a cruise instead of a land-based holiday, industry experts have said.

Ben Bouldin, Royal Caribbean International vice-president for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, has argued the value of a cruise is “incredible” when comparing the price with that of flights, accommodation, food and drink during a land-based holiday.

He urged travel agents to emphasise that value to those customers who are considering booking a land-based holiday, and to break down the cost and show them what they can get for their money on a cruise.

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Bouldin, who is also the chair of Clia, said: “The inherent value of a cruise holiday is clear: for what we offer, it is incredibly good value for money. This year, we will likely see flight prices increase – and if you look at the cost of going overseas on a land-based holiday, you’ll see cruise will fare well against it.”

Chief executive of Cosmos and Avalon Waterways UK, Giles Hawke said: “If you pay US$770 for a return flight to a destination, but can do a fly-cruise for only slightly more, then people will really see the value of the cruise.”