Cruise Industry Overview 2008

12.6 Million passengers (worldwide) took a cruise in 2007 with 12.8 Million passengers estimated for 2008

Cruise Industry is the fastest growing category in the travel industry with an annual passenger growth rate of 8% p.a.

The average length of a cruise is 7 days

Utilization is constantly over 100%

35 new state of the art ships are contracted or planned to be added through 2012. This is an investment of a staggering USD 21 Billion

Cruises are no longer the domain of the newly-wed, overfed and nearly dead! Average age is 50 years with families being the fastest growing target group

Consumer Interest in cruising continues to be strong, despite the economy and fuel cost: 77% of past cruisers and 55% of those who have yet to take a cruise will take a cruise within the next three years

Cruisers take 40% more holidays p.a. compared to non-cruisers

Cruises are recognized as high value holidays

75% of cruisers travel in pairs and 25% with the family

Travelers believe that the best price on a cruise can be found on the web (53%) followed by calling the cruise line directly (26%) and travel agents (18%)

Cruise Holidays are booked an average of 5 months in advance

Internal sources dominate the major influence for cruises: