Oceania Cruises issued a press release to announce that the 2023 Around the World in 180 Days voyage sold out in less than one day when it went on sale late last month. Insignia has a capacity of 694 passengers with prices starting from around $45,999 per person.
This is no small indicator and this is no small cruise.
Leaving Miami in December 2022, the six-month journey sails Around the World in 180 Days, calling on 96 ports in 33 countries to 60 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, across four continents, and three days cruising in Antarctica.
Loyal repeat guests are the bread-and-butter bookings for such cruises, although this one attracted more than one-third from first time, new-to-brand guests. In addition, 20% of the world cruise guests opted to extend their voyage up to a total of 218 days from around $49,999 pp.
Commenting further on pent-up demand, Oceania says, “The line has seen exceptionally strong demand for 2022 Europe and North America collection of voyages with bookings on longer, grand voyages that span multiple weeks or months going from strength to strength.”
Longwoods International‘s media release about the latest National American Traveler Sentiment survey (enthusiastically) reports:
“We may finally be heading towards the tipping point we have been seeking! While one week does not a trend make…the trending from key indicators over the past couple of waves of this survey, combined with the major highlights this week show that the growing optimism around vaccine accessibility and lower daily case numbers among traveling Americans is translating into positive sentiment and action!
Key Findings: With optimism around vaccine accessibility increasing and new case numbers down, U.S. trip planning is starting to grow significantly!
- 81% of American travelers report they plan to travel within the next six months (up from 65% in mid-January, the highest level we have measured since last March)!
- Only 40% of American travelers indicated the coronavirus is greatly impacting their decision to travel in the next six months (the lowest level since March 2020)!
- 63% of American travelers say the pandemic is causing them to change travel plans, down 5% since mid-January (The lowest level since March 2020)!
- 49% of Americans say they feel safe traveling outside their communities, back up to the levels seen late last summer!
- 35% of American travelers say they will wait until they are vaccinated to travel, but 37% say the vaccine has no impact on their travel plans at all!
This latest wave of insights and all previous highlights may also be found on this special section of our website.”
technology, travel, tourism, hike and people concept – happy family with backpacks taking selfie by smartphone and hiking
Destination Analysts reports its positive update on American Travel in the Period of Coronavirus—Week of February 8th:
“How are we feeling now? As it so happens, this was a good week to ask.
Although financial worries remain elevated, Americans’ anxiety about contracting the coronavirus is down. For the first time ever, optimism about the course the pandemic will take in the United States over the next month significantly outweighs pessimism. This week, 37.9% of American travelers feel the situation will get better in the next month, while just 27.0% believe it will get worse—a record low.
Key Findings to Know:
- Although financial worries remain elevated, Americans’ anxiety about contracting the coronavirus is down. For the first time ever, optimism about the course the pandemic will take in the United States over the next month significantly outweighs pessimism.
- Staying safe from infection remains a top priority for Americans as they consider their lifestyle over the next 6 months, although close behind are finding joy and happiness, emotional well-being and relaxation. Compared to the early period of the pandemic last spring, more Americans say they will prioritize having new experiences, as well.
- These lifestyle priorities may be in response to negative aspects weighing on mental wellness during this ongoing pandemic.
- American travelers rate their daily stress levels at 5.6 on a 10-point scale on average. Nearly half of Americans report feeling symptoms of burn out at least half the time in the last month, and an even greater number—53.1%–say they have as frequently felt cabin fever.
- American travelers’ primary motivations for taking their next trip are far and away to relax and escape stress and spend time with family.Americans remain in a state of openness to travel inspiration that is greater than any other period in the last 11 months (6.0/10).In total, 39.0% of American travelers say they saw one or more ads for travel destinations in the past month, up from 31.1% in December and 17.8% last May.
- In terms of other types of travel advertising, one-in-five American travelers recall seeing a hotel or resort ad in the last month, and a similar proportion recall seeing an airline ad. Americans continue to be increasingly comfortable with advertisements of their own communities for tourism.
- The imperative role of COVID-19 vaccines in travel industry recovery continues to be reiterated. Emphasizing the relationship between vaccination rollout and travel volume, over half (53.0%) of American travelers agree they will avoid travel until vaccines are made available.
- In addition, over a third (36.1%) of parents with school-age children say they will skip the family vacation this summer if their kids are not vaccinated. Nevertheless, the availability of the vaccines continues to be a source of hope and optimism, as well as inspiration to plan and book travel.
- As of this week, 81.2% of American travelers report they have at least tentative trip plans right now, and 60% have taken some action in the planning tasks for their next trip.
- About half of Americans anticipate taking at least one leisure trip within the next 3 months. In looking at the accommodations they expect to stay in on these upcoming trips, hotels are most common.
A complimentary report of these key findings is available for you to download and share.“
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