Top Trends in Cruise Travel

Cruise lines have their own distinct personalities and ships that reflect them, but there are some definite trends that are spreading across the fleets within the cruise industry.

More homeport cruising

Being able to drive to a cruise offers great convenience, not to mention tremendous cost savings by not having to buy airline tickets. All total, there are some 30 close-to-home departures in the United States and Canada. With so many ships in these close-in markets, in 2010 the competition for your cruise dollar will be fierce.

Bigger cruise ships

Cruise lines have gotten the message from travelers and they are delivering more for 2010 - more space, more options, and more fun on the largest cruise ships ever to hit the high seas. Larger ships mean a wider variety of features and amenities from which to choose.

Cruise ship makeovers

The refurbishment of the older ships makes sense for cruise lines, since most aren't investing huge sums of money to build newer vessels. By "remodeling" what they already own they can add all of the features of the new 'mega-builds', which many cruisers appreciate. Older ships are emerging from their new makeovers with new balconies, improved pool areas, updated children and teen areas, more dining venues, and larger spa facilities.

Greener cruise ships

Cruise lines are taking advantage of the latest environmental technology to reduce their carbon footprint. A number of lines have launched initiatives including advanced wastewater purification, shore power, LED lighting, solar power and products made from recycled materials.

More adults-only areas

A number of cruise lines are increasingly catering to passengers seeking al fresco tranquility with the introduction of quiet, adults-only areas on their ships. These areas are usually in quieter parts of the ship and offer relaxation with abundant plush loungers and access to spa treatments, Jacuzzis and bar service.

More enrichment

Cruise lines continue to offer more and more sophisticated programming. Many cruise lines offer informative shipboard talks by famous lecturers on a variety of topics. Additionally, a number of premium and luxury cruise lines also invite arts and culture specialists to lead educational programs. Lectures aside, there are abundant enrichment offerings onboard and the list of options keeps getting bigger. Cruise travelers can take classes in languages, cooking, Web design, advanced digital photography, art history, maritime history, calligraphy, even pottery. There are even active enrichment programs like dance classes and theater.

More theme cruises

Are you a baseball fanatic, into politics, crazy about rock or jazz music? Believe it or not, you can indulge these passions - and a host of others - on a cruise vacation. Theme cruises are growing in popularity as they provide an entertaining and enriching venue for guests sharing the same interests. Best of all, the shared exuberance fosters an easy spirit of camaraderie, making for a great cruise vacation and sometimes lifelong friendships.

More wellness options

Cruise lines are chasing the fitness trend and have incorporated more comprehensive fitness options into their shipboard offerings, including larger pools, and gyms with state-of-the-art equipment that offer popular workout programs like aerobics, Pilates, circuit training and yoga.

Of course all the activities are balanced by the total relaxation guests find in modern shipboard spas. New indulgences include such treatments as an bamboo massage, Thai poultice massage, exotic coconut rub, body wraps, and acupuncture, to name a few. These are just some of the many therapeutic options available should you wish to turn your cruise vacation into a complete health makeover at sea.

More epicurean delights

While the typical cruise ship remains a vessel of culinary indulgence fueled by 24/7 buffets, pizza stands, and ice cream parlors around every corner, many cruise lines have added more gourmet fare for the more sophisticated palate. Most lines offer alternative dining venues where, for an additional fee, guests can indulge in premium fare with many of the menus designed by famous chefs.

With all the new ships, new onboard amenities, educational, health, exercise, and epicurean offerings it's clear that cruise lines are working hard to make the cruise vacation experience the best it can be. And, that will surely make guests want to come back for more.

Top Travel Trends in 2010

The holidays next year will be to a great extent affected by the economic recession most countries suffered this year. That however does not mean that people will not go on holiday, but that instead they will be more careful with how and on what they spend their money. Holiday makers will spend more time searching for great deals, such as exploring new travel destinations to find the best bargains and joining Online Travel Agencies (OTA) to gain good discounts. Below are some of the predicted top travel trends for the year 2010.

1 - Looking for budget options

Economical holidays will the key deciding factor this year, with holiday makers searching out the best budget details and discounts. Make sure when you plan your holiday this year, not to just go for what looks like the best rate, but hunt deeper for complementary give-aways, such as a free night's stay on a multiple night stay, gift cards, spa credits, coupons and free dining etc.

2 - Eco Travel

Humans are slowly but steadily becoming more aware of their impact on nature. Think 'green' is the trend these days, with its effects being felt even by the travel industry. Most travelers look for eco friendly holiday options, holidays that cause minimum damage to nature. Eco travel was born out of this need and is a continuing trend for 2010.

3- Mixing business with pleasure

The world is always on the go, with most travelers finding it more economical and viable to mix business with pleasure. Nowadays business travelers look for accommodation options that cater to all their business needs while providing leisure activities as well, so they can enjoy the best of both worlds.

4 - Latin adventure

Latin America is finding itself growing more and more popular with travelers as a luxury travel destination.

5 - Train Travel

Rail travel in Europe has grown popular, as this is an economical way of traveling while enjoying the wonderful scenery on the way. This has become even more popular with the new high speed rail links into Spain and Italy.

6- Going Mobile

With the growth of mobile applications and capabilities, it is now even easier to plan your travels, such as tracking flight information and planning itineraries. Mobile phones now play a very important role for travelers in helping them with their travel planning. They are used to receive information from travel agents etc and are fast proving to be invaluable to travelers.

7 - One platform for travel plans

With the busy schedules most of us have, it is easier to have one central platform from which to plan your travel details. This way you can keep track of everything happening in the travel industry, be up to date on the latest happenings and not just make one off purchases. The Internet offers strong travel centric sites where such central services are offered, so that people can plan every aspect of their travels, from creating the trip, to searching for accommodation, getting advice about the intended trip, finding the best deals down to updating profiles so as to keep friends and family informed.

8 - Adventure Travel

The year 2010 will find people looking for holidays with more action. Most now look beyond the standard and look for adventure such as jumping out helicopters, skiing, safaris, bungee jumping as well as more personalized holidays with private tours of museums and art galleries. For the more adventurous a growing trend is to take a high-speed car tour around major cities!

9 - Seeking out new hotspots

As with everything in this world trends change. As travelers expand their travel horizons, China, India and the Gulf States find themselves growing into the latest hotspots. This trend will grow more in 2010 as travel to the ever popular European destinations at the moment for most, is not economical. So traveling to China, India and the Gulf States gives the traveler an exotic holiday while being easy on the purse, with favorable exchange rates and low travel costs.

Top Luxury Travel Trends For 2010

In a recent survey discerning travelers and travel professionals gave their predictions for luxury travel trends for 2010. Naming everything from niche luxury cruises to personalized adventure travel in undiscovered regions, industry professionals have contributed their ideas about the future of luxury travel.

Reflecting the current economic setting, many travel professionals commented on new bargains, noting that it's expected that value for money will be the top priority, with concept and branding taking a backseat in the coming years. Luxury hotel and tour operators will thrive if they can demonstrate why it's worth paying a bit more for an extraordinary experience.

Travelers are looking for an optimal price/quality balance when they are selecting their luxury vacation. Proficient travel advisors are expected to provide the best available services in the top vacation destinations around the world.

Travel professionals are noticing a growing pressure in the industry to provide exotic travel and customized, ultimate experiences. Travelers are seeking above-and-beyond adventures in exciting new destinations. Luxury adventure travel is on the rise and consumers can enjoy a growing selection of luxury safaris, heli-ski trips, niche boat cruises, personalized art tours, tailor-made culinary courses, and high-speed car tours in top vacation destinations like Cape Town, Provence, Tuscany and New York.

Although neither a newcomer nor a veteran, eco-luxury travel is definitely carving its place into the luxury travel market. 2010 will see a continued rise of intimate, sustainable villa resorts developing in eco-friendly destinations. Green travel promises exciting adventures and conscientious travel experiences.

Where are trendy travelers headed? Industry experts foresee Europe enjoying a rebound for the jetset crowd. It's a safe bet for the more conservative traveler but also offers new hotspots like Sardinia and Croatia and renewed interest in old favorites like Ibiza, Provence and Mykonos. The more adventurous luxury vacations will take discerning travelers to exotic destinations like Ecuador, Tanzania, Belize and the adventure capital, New Zealand.

Travel trends for 2010

Over the last ten years the travel industry has had to tackle terrorism, SARS, tsunamis, bird flu, swine flu, and the first ever true global recession. Through it all the industry has proven to be robust, resilient and dynamic, finding new ways to deal with adversity. 2010 brings with it fresh challenges and opportunities to which the industry must again adapt and react. The cyclical nature of the industry stems from the fact that it is inextricably linked to the health of the global economy. As you can imagine, then, in the next twelve months promise significant change in the travel industry. This article will focus in 2010 on new trends and hot spots and give an insight into what may be the same way and are expected by the operator associations of consumers.

'If our hotel bookings are anything to go, people are still determined to travel, but to decide how and where to spend the money, its much more accurate, "said Julia Kinsman,Editor-in-Chief of Mr. and Mrs. Smith. "The value will continue to be important, if these discounts by searching online for great offers creative, exploring new destinations, which offer exclusive benefits of currency or candidates, the travel club." Actually reflects the current economic situation, travel professionals have commented on many new opportunities, noting that it may be that price / performance ratio is the highest priority, with the concept and branding is a back seat inin the coming years. Travelers are looking for an optimal balance between price quality when choosing their luxury vacations.

In addition, travelers want more from their holiday - Gone are the days of a sun / Sand Combo simple - now is the demand for exotic travel experiences in combination with measurement, Ultimate. Travelers looking for above and beyond exciting adventures in new locations. Luxury travel adventure is growing and the consumer, you can create agrowing selection of luxury safaris, heli-ski tours, boat trips niche, visiting art custom-made and customized courses culinary tour car at high speed, top holiday destinations such as Cape Town, Provence, Tuscany and New York . In addition, travelers in search of adventure rather than adrenaline kicks, but healthy cultural missions, knowing where their fate and the environment. In fact, as alleged, the conduct of holiday travel Chanel '... more enriching experiencepreferred a luxurious lifestyle. "

Furthermore, although not a novice or a veteran, the trip is definitely eco carving his place in the travel market. Hotels are increasingly self-sufficient traveler a hotel with a much more environmentally impact. 2010 see below, Therefore, a continued rise in Villa Resort intimate development of sustainable eco-destinations. Two examples of this type are frigates, a private island inthe Seychelles, saving seabirds and makes its own wellness products and Vigilius Mountain Resort in South Tyrol in Italy, which use their natural energy. Green Travel promises exciting adventures and travel experiences of consciousness.

Technically not a trend but it is worth noting that 2010 will be a sporting year, and this trip has fueled a huge impact on where people choose. In the first line of the Olympics in Vancouver in FebruaryEvent that significantly affect the travel industry. The 17 days of the Olympic Games are expected to attract a global television audience of 3 billion, more than 80 countries and 6,850 athletes and officials are expected to participate according to the report "PRCO Travel industry trends and highlights for the year 2010. The opening ceremony will be held Feb. 12, and as a result of Vancouver is the city until 2010 visit to South Africa in the Western Hemisphere a.June will also be a hot spot of the trip with the FIFA World Cup 2010 kick-off until he gives in The event is expected to draw half a million fans in the country. Tourism in India will take place in the enjoyment of the sporting events with the Commonwealth Games in October.

Further targets for years to keep your eyes on this are China, India and the Gulf States, where industry experts expect the race to the stars during the next twelve months. Passengersbecoming more courageous with their travels and expanding their horizons. While the global economy is in the toilet, China and India continue to show signs of growth, offer favourable exchange rates and low travel expenses and therefore increasingly warrant visiting. As their respective tourism industries start to expand these countries are going to become top destinations for 2010 and beyond. According to sceneadvisor.com, between China and India alone it is expected that over 35,000 hotel rooms will have to be added to meet the impending demands.

On the other side of the planet, Latin America is set to see important growth as a luxury travel destination this year. Hotels such as Francis Ford Coppola's Blancaneaux Lodge in Belize, the Haciendas luxury hotel in the Yucatan, and other outposts in San Jose, Uayamon, Santa Rosa and Temozon (Mexico) are but a few examples of the growth of luxury hotels in the region. In the spotlight especially are Panama, Peru and Ecuador, which are focusing massively on promoting their respective exotic and exclusive services. In addition, Mexico is spending $3.6 million on improving its luxury infrastructure and Argentina is to see five new 5-star hotels open in the next two years (PRCo report).

Whilst Europe is by all means still a hub, especially with the new high-speed rail links into Spain and Italy, the focus for 2010 is definitely further afield where exchange rates are better and currency is cheaper, therefore offering the consumer much more for their money.