One in four cruise customers would be willing to forgo an upscale purchase such as a designer handbag or watch to afford a luxury voyage, according to research by online agent cruise.co.uk
Its survey of more than 850 customers found that a further 17% would go without multiple short breaks to afford a luxury cruise.
A further 7% said they would put a home improvement project on hold, while 6% would give up dining out for a year.
The survey also found that travellers considering a luxury cruise are most influenced by value and inclusions.
All-inclusive benefits (20%), exclusive offers or upgrades (20%) and better value compared with luxury land-based holidays (19%) are the leading factors that would encourage respondents to book, it said.
Overall, one in four of those polled (26%) said they were open to taking a luxury cruise in the next two years.
Cruise.co.uk MD Tony Andrews said: “Luxury holidays are ultimately about priorities. Our research shows that many travellers are willing to rethink how they spend their leisure budget when they can take advantage of a genuinely memorable experience at sea.
“A high-end voyage offers something different: the opportunity to combine exceptional destinations, impeccable levels of service and a range of value-for-money inclusions.
“With more choice than ever before, travellers may be surprised by just how broad today’s luxury cruise market has become, with experiences to suit a wide range of tastes, destinations and budgets.”
Cruise.co.uk revealed the results of the survey as its parent company Hays Travel prepares to host six exclusive Oceania Cruises’ luxury charters next summer.
