54% of Spaniards over 55 show intention to embark on a cruise in the near future, while 41% prefer to travel in low season, compared to 48% who still bet on the summer months. This data comes from the "IV Radiography of the current traveler: preferences and their relationship with cruises," prepared by MSC Cruises.
The report highlights the growing interest of this age group in getaways outside of high season and in proposals that allow visiting several destinations within the same organized trip.
Furthermore, 82% of those over 55 who have already enjoyed a cruise say they would do it again, despite the fact that, for now, only two out of ten have experienced this type of vacation.
Among the reasons that explain the appeal of cruises, 60% believe it is an experience that must be lived at least once in a lifetime, while 40% emphasize the advantage of visiting different destinations during a single getaway.
Regarding the way of traveling, 55% of respondents over 55 prefer to do so as a couple and 34% choose to travel with their family. Trips with friends also carry weight, with 26% of the responses. Additionally, one in two participants claims to have spent more than 2,000 euros on their last trip.
The option to visit various places in a single journey consolidates as the main attraction of cruises for this segment, indicated by 35% of those surveyed. Not having to pack and unpack continuously and enjoying an exclusive experience on board are among the other strong points mentioned, both at 11%.
The study also reflects a tendency towards extended stays: 60% lean towards trips of a week or more. Among the favorite destinations are the Norwegian fjords, the eastern and western Mediterranean, the Caribbean, and the Canary Islands.
Within the Canary archipelago, Lanzarote is the island that arouses the most interest, with 45% of mentions, followed by Tenerife, with 41%, and Las Palmas, with 31%.
The general director of MSC Cruises and Explora Journeys in Spain, Fernando Pacheco, has highlighted that the growing interest of the senior public in cruises is explained by comfort, the possibility of visiting different destinations, and the freedom to travel at any time of the year.
From the company it is emphasized that off-season trips allow enjoying the ports of call with greater calm and taking advantage of the available offer on board, which includes gastronomic proposals, leisure activities, wellness services, and organized excursions.