STUDY: Cruises cheaper than backpacking for Aussie Millennials

cheerful couple taking photo of themselves on cruise ship

Cruises could surpass backpacking among young Aussies, with new research revealing a trip across the seas can be up to 37 per cent cheaper.

According to a study by Travel Insurance Direct (TID), young travellers could save $685 on an eight-night round-trip to Fiji by opting for a cruise rather than a backpacking holiday, and as much as $439 for a 14-night trip to South East Asia, starting in Singapore and including Bali.

Across both trips, TID found that cruisers could save up to 38 hours that they would otherwise spend in airports, planes or buses to free up more time for activities and sunbathing.

Travel Insurance Direct study

The study follows the Cruise Lines International Association’s annual travel report for 2018,  which found that around one in four Millennials have sailed on a cruise in the last three years.

The percentage of Millennials who said they would definitely book a cruise for their next trip increased from 63 per cent in 2017 to 70 per cent in 2018.

What’s more, a CLIA market report revealed that younger audiences are now favouring trips with shorter one or two-week itineraries, which is the usual length of a cruise holiday.

Joel Katz, managing director of CLIA for Australasia, said: “Young people are discovering the modern cruise experience has changed considerably from that of the past and many cruise lines now appeal to a much greater age range.

“A lot of cruise lines have put a greater focus on things like contemporary design, modern food and craft beverages, more advanced on-board experiences and more engaging excursions on shore, which have been very successful in attracting younger passengers.”

Latest News

  • Technology

Booking.com launches AI Trip Planner in Australia and New Zealand

Booking.com has announced its AI Trip Planner (Beta) is now available for travellers in Australia and New Zealand, the first markets to launch in Asia Pacific. Until now, AI Trip Planner was only available for US and UK travellers after it was launched in the Booking.com app in June last year. Built using Booking.com’s existing […]

  • Products

Embrace the journey: Traversing the world with the Shokz OpenRun

If you’ve been on the wrong side of a final call in the airport, or missed the stop on rail journey, it might be time to invest in a pair of Shokz OpenRun headphones. Originally marketed as headphones for fitness fanatics, runners or cyclists with a keen to steer clear of a prang with a car, […]

  • Tour Operators
  • Tourism

TTC: Deals are driving up demand for September trips

The latest market research from TTC Tour Brands shows interest in international leisure travel remains high for 2024, with 77 per cent of Australians over 18 still planning trips this year. Notably, 28 per cent of those travellers are eyeing September for their journeys. Europe continues to be the most popular destination, with 68 per […]

  • Aviation

Qantas ‘working urgently’ to fix app data leak

Qantas is looking into customer reports that passengers have this morning been able to access other passengers’ personal information on the airlines app. X user Lachlan posted that he was able log into different accounts every time he opened the app. My @Qantas app logs me in to a different person each time I open […]

  • Hotels

Revamped Wailoaloa Beach hotel opens as Crowne Plaza Fiji Nadi Bay Resort & Spa

Crowne Plaza Fiji Nadi Bay Resort & Spa is open and ready for bookings after the first phase of a multi-million-dollar transformation. Part of IHG Hotels & Resorts’ premium collection, the transformation has seen the completion of 106 guestrooms showcasing contemporary interiors reflective of the premium Crowne Plaza brand and is a first for the […]

  • Luxury
  • News

Kamalaya Koh Samui clinches clutch of wellness awards

Kamalaya Wellness Sanctuary & Holistic Spa has so far clinched five prestigious awards in 2024, including being inducted into the ‘Hall of Fame’ at the World Spa & Wellness Awards in London. Founders of the Koh Samui sanctuary and spa John and Karina Stewart expressed their heartfelt gratitude for the awards. “We are profoundly honoured […]