A poll of 1,000 people carried out by cruise.co.uk found almost half (44%) of respondents describe destination as the “main factor” in their holiday decision-making process.
A quarter of respondents said the price tag was most influential, while a fifth indicated it was the cruise brand which swayed their choice. The specific ship and departure date were the lowest-ranking, with 5% of responses each.
The survey also revealed more than 50% of respondents had travelled on three or more cruise lines, and less than 20% stayed loyal to one brand, choosing instead to holiday based on destination and cost.
Tony Andrews, deputy managing director of cruise.co.uk, said: “Cruising is such a great way to see the world, so it’s easy to see why destination came up trumps in our survey.
“The ability to reach all corners of the globe from the comfort of a ship, combined with the value for money a holiday at sea offers, means we’re seeing customers coming back time and time again to discover new destinations or revisit firm favourites.”
HAL will deploy Westerdam to Japan early next year off the back of a stint in Australia and New Zealand; the ship will start its Asia season on 3rd February after a January dry dock in Singapore.
Japan lifted its curbs on cruising last month. Westerdam will sail roundtrip from Yokohama or Singapore, or between the two destinations.
Cruises range from 11 to 14 days and can be combined to create non-repeating Collectors’ Voyages. Across five itineraries, guests will be able to visit Japan, Taiwan, the Philippines, Thailand and Malaysia, with overnight calls in Singapore, Kobe, Osaka and Phuket.
The season will conclude with a 14-day North Pacific Crossing from Yokohama to Seattle departing on 24th April when Westerdam redeploys for its Alaska season.
“We’re grateful for the work that the Japanese authorities have done to allow for a return to cruising,” said HAL president Gus Antorcha.
“Holland America Line’s guests love longer voyages to unique parts of the world, and we’ll be sailing to some incredible locations as our season in Japan and the rest of Asia begins.”
HAL will provide details of any specific health protocols for each departure in advance via its voyage lookup tool.
MS Nieuw Amsterdam arriving in the port of Vancouver, Photo credit Spacejunkie2 (Flickr)
With its entire fleet in service again, Holland America Line is planning an expansive global deployment in 2023.
In addition to strong programs from its traditional homeports in the Caribbean, Alaska and Europe, the company is also returning to its long-haul, intercontinental itineraries during the year.
Other highlights of the year include a summer program in Canada and New England, as well as returns to South America, Asia, the Far East and more.
Here’s a look at the company’s planned homeports and their ships for 2023:
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Ships:
– Eurodam (January to April/October to December); – Nieuw Amsterdam (January to April/October to December); – Nieuw Statendam (January to April/November and December); – Rotterdam (January to March/October to December); – Volendam (January to April); – Zaandam (January to April/October to December); – Zuiderdam (January to May/October to December).
Seattle, Washington
Ships:
– Eurodam (April to September); – Westerdam (May to October).
San Diego, California
Ships:
– Koningsdam (January to March); – Volendam (October and November); – Zaandam (January to April).
Whittier, Alaska
Ships:
– Nieuw Amsterdam (May to September); – Noordam (May to September).
Boston, Massachusetts
Ships:
– Zaandam (May to September); – Zuiderdam (August and September).
Canada
Ships:
– Koningsdam: Vancouver (April to October); – Nieuw Amsterdam: Vancouver (April to September); – Noordam: Vancouver (May to September); – Volendam: Vancouver (May to September); – Zaandam: Montreal (April to September); – Zuiderdam: Quebec City (September).
Europe
Ships:
– Nieuw Statendam: Barcelona, Civitavecchia, Copenhagen, Piraeus and more (April to October); – Noordam: Barcelona, Lisbon, Trieste, Piraeus and more (April to October); – Rotterdam: Amsterdam and Rotterdam (April to September); – Zuiderdam: Rotterdam (May to July).
Australia and New Zealand
Ships:
– Noordam: Sydney and Auckland (January to April/October to December).
Asia and Pacific
Ships:
– Westerdam: Singapore, Yokohama and Hong Kong (January to April/October to December).
South America
Ships:
– Oosterdam: San Antonio and Buenos Aires (January to March/November and December).
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