The latest millennial travel trend may surprise you

Thought cruises were just for families and old people? Well, according to this new data, you’d be dead wrong.

Gather round, millennials! A cruise could be your next holiday.

We know, given the average cruising age in Australia is 49, cruises aren’t exactly a holiday staple for millennials.

But new data from Allianz Travel Insurance suggests otherwise – that cruising is becoming the holiday of choice for more and more millennials.

So forget overcrowded hostels and heavy backpacks, because 18-35 year-olds are increasingly choosing cruising for it’s ease and affordability.

According to this new research, the number of Aussies embarking on cruises has grown dramatically in recent years – but particularly within the millennial demographic, which has seen a staggering increase of 118 percent between 2015 and 2017.

Whilst many young Aussies are jetting off for the European summer, 21-year-old Isabella Johnson said that cruising around Europe is just as good – if not better.

“My friends and I love cruising! Having the opportunity to see so many new places all while on the same ship means you’re never bored.”

“My most recent cruise went to Rome, Pompeii, Barcelona, Istanbul, Ephesus and Mykonos, all without the worry of getting between each stop and carrying heavy luggage in and out of hostels.”

“We also had the opportunity to meet so many new people while travelling who I still keep in contact with even today,” she said.

Designations closer to home, like The Pacific, Vanuatu and New Caledonia have been the destinations of choice for Aussie travellers for years and remain popular.

But in the past year, millennials have increasingly opted for cruises around Australia, with the homeland overtaking the Pacific as one of the top three cruising destinations for millennials in 2017 and so far for 2018.

Brendon Dyer, General Manager Direct & Retail, Allianz Travel Insurance said that while cruising requires less planning than a backpacking trip, it still requires travel insurance.

“While backpacking and staying in hostels is still appealing for young Aussie travellers, millennials are increasingly recognising the benefits of cruising so they can spend less time planning and more time to enjoy their holiday.

“We encourage all travellers to ensure they have adequate travel insurance to cover issues that may arise more commonly on cruises such as illness or injury at sea, loss of luggage, delayed flights or missed connections.

With the rising popularity of Australian-based cruises, travellers should also be aware that travel on internationally registered cruise ships, even within domestic waters, is still classed as an international trip and therefore not covered by Medicare,” he said.

Advertise with us

Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au

allianz Allianz Travel Insurance millennial travel trends