Pack your bags! Cruising is back with a bang

Cruises are set for a resurgence with bookings flowing in fast after a tough year for the travel industry.

The majority of cruise companies were forced to cancel their 2020 trips due to the coronavirus pandemic, but according to cruise operator Carnival Corporation, which owns Cunard, P&O Cruises and Princess Cruises among others, that hasn’t impacted future bookings, with cruise-lovers eager to get back onboard for another ocean experience.

Speaking to Travel Weekly recently, the company said spots are filling up fast on cruises for the second half of 2021 and into 2022. And incredibly, the cumulative advanced bookings for the first half of 2022 are ahead of 2019 figures.

“We are seeing good demand in all of the various cruise markets, whether it be Caribbean itineraries, Europe itineraries, there is good demand for Australia, world cruises,” Chief Financial Officer David Bernstein said. “It’s broad-based and across all the brands.”

This high influx of bookings has been witnessed by travel agents, including the Travel at 60 team, which specialises in securing Baby Boomers their ideal holidays around the world. The agency has already sold many spots for the 2021 cruise season, with most travellers choosing to stick to Australian-based departures this year, but also for international cruises in 2022, with hopes borders will be open by then.

Travel at 60 Chief Commercial Officer Wendy Harch said as travel restrictions ease across parts of the country, enquiries have started to amp up for bookings in late 2021 and early 2022.

“A lot of our clients are locking in future holidays while they can still make the most of the great deals we have on offer and the flexible booking conditions that make securing a holiday less stressful in the current climate,” she said. “Many people are also making use of the bonus future cruise credits they had received to boost their holiday experience, including upgrading to a balcony or balcony suite. It has given them something to look forward to after a challenging year.”

Wendy said cruising near home continues to be a popular choice, with Australian, New Zealand and South Pacific cruise options garnering a lot of attention. And it’s no surprise given it’s the iconic Queen Elizabeth ship they’ll be calling home on many of these adventures, including the Australia Day cruise from Sydney to Melbourne in 2022.

This short but sweet trip takes passengers between the two capital cities over the course of two nights, all the while keeping them entertained with performances and their bellies full with daily breakfast, lunch and dinner. It’s a chance to celebrate the country in grand-old style.

Meanwhile, for those in the market for a longer voyage, the Queen Elizabeth is travelling to New Zealand over Christmas and New Years in 2021/2022 on a roundtrip from Sydney. This delightful 14-night adventure will see you glide through New Zealand’s spectacular Fiordland National Park to five of the country’s most captivating cities –  Dunedin, Christchurch, Auckland, Picton and Tauranga.

But while the experience on land is sure to leave you with lasting memories and help ease the travel bug that’s been itching away at you, the time onboard the ship will be just as memorable.

As the name suggests, the Queen Elizabeth is a regal ship with evocative art deco elegance that exudes style and creates the perfect atmosphere for a truly remarkable voyage. From the gleaming chandeliers overhead to the luxurious rooms and array of dining choices to tickle your tastebuds, you’ll feel utterly spoilt as soon as you step onboard.

The ship’s sophisticated restaurants offer deliciously imaginative menus with meals such as salmon gravlax with poaches quail’s egg, followed by a rich bitter chocolate soufflé that’s sure to delight; and the incredible line-up of performers will keep you entertained with a new act, such as royal court singers and dancers, West End style productions and illusionists, taking to the stage every night.

It’s an all-encompassing experience that will leave you feeling relaxed, revived and content in the knowledge you’ve taken some down time and explored another part of the country (or world) from a different viewpoint. For more information about the incredible cruises on offer in 2021 and 2022, click here.