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A new survey shows visiting multiple destinations in just one trip, tops the attractions of a cruise holiday

The 2011 National Cruise Week Survey also reveals:

• Katie  Price is the celebrity respondents would most like to see “walk the plank”
• Deserted beaches are our favourite holiday view
• Johnny Depp and Jennifer Aniston still top the poll of our fantasy celebrity cabin mates along with Angelina Jolie
• ……and the Mojito is named as the favourite holiday cocktail

London, September 16: After two years at the top*, Venice has given way to New York as Britain’s favourite  port in a new survey commissioned from YouGov by the Passenger Shipping Association (PSA), published to mark National Cruise Week (Sept 18-25).

Top of the Ports

Nearly one in five of GB adults (19%) named New York as their favourite cruise port with 13% voting for the perennially popular Venice. There was a three-way tie for third place between Barcelona, Rome and Singapore, each registering 7%. And New York could be set to keep its crown as Top of The Ports as it was voted a firm favourite by more than a quarter (26%) of the younger adult respondents aged between 18 and 34.

So what’s the attraction of cruising?

With a record 1.7million Brits expected go cruising this year according to the PSA, the survey looks at the main attractions of a cruise holiday and it is clear that  multi-destinations really excite. Well over half (57%) of respondents said the opportunity  to visit a number of destinations in one trip was a main attraction of a cruise holiday, and next, with 50%, came the convenience of having to unpack just once, although this figure was more important to women (53%) than men (46%).

The all-inclusive nature of cruising was one of the most attractive features amongst 36% of respondents, just beating yet another multi-destination cruise attraction of waking up in a new port nearly every day, voted for by 35%. Next in appeal was the renowned dining offered onboard cruise ships (27%), with this increasing to 33% amongst Welsh respondents. A main attraction of cruise  for nearly one in five (19%) is the opportunity to meet people from a wide range of cultures and nationalities, and again those from Wales  recorded the highest percentage (28%) of any of the home countries respondents’ for this particular attraction to cruise.

The on-board professionally produced entertainment shows were also mentioned by 17% of those surveyed, as were the special entertainment programmes for children (4%).

It’s the uniforms that appeal

We all know that every girl loves a sailor, but when those who go on holiday were asked which uniformed officers they are most attracted to on holiday, the survey reveals that ship’s officers, in their pristine white, pressed uniforms, along with police officers, are each second only in appeal to airline pilots with their wings. Pilots in uniform spotted on holiday top this particular head-turning poll at 12%, with ships’ officers and police gaining a 9% vote each. Closely behind, however, are soldiers in uniform at 8%, rather eclipsing roadside patrolmen officers (such as AA/RAC/Euro Assistance) whose uniform attractions only appealed to 1% of respondents.

Ship’s officers in uniform appeal much more to women (12%) than men (5%), and if you are 45 and over, then one in ten (10%) are attracted most by ship’s officers in dazzling white-giving a slight hint of a “cougar” effect.

Cruise celebrity fantasies – cabin sharing and “walking the plank”

When it comes to dreaming about who to share your cabin with, amongst the celebrities Johnny Depp again comes out top with last year’s female winner, Jennifer Aniston, sharing this year’s top spot with Angelina Jolie. However, there is little danger of marital rifts with an on overwhelming 55% saying they would prefer to cabin share with their partner or another family member.

Respondents were less inhibited when selecting the celebrity they would most like to see “walk the plank”. Over one in five (22%) chose Katie Price (alias Jordan); 17% opted for Jedward; 11% for James Murdoch and 10% for Gordon Brown – with Simon Cowell and Boris Johnson tying on 6%..

Your favourite holiday views

Deserted beaches (28%), sun sets behind mountains (21%), countryside landscapes (20%) and city skylines at night (11%) are the favourite views seen on holiday, according to the National Cruise Week survey – all of which can be viewed from the deck of a cruise ship. Cruise goers, however, might actually be part of the view for the next most popular holiday scene was that of a ship on the horizon (5%).

Packing blues

Given the appeal of only unpacking once on a cruise holiday, the survey even delved deep into the suitcase to explore which items of clothing holidaymakers always over-pack. Tops or shirts are the number one culprit, with 31% claiming to regularly over-pack these, followed by T-shirts (24%), shoes (18%), knickers or pants (17%), trousers (15%) and socks or tights (11%). Among female respondents, these percentages were significantly higher for tops (38%), shoes (26%) and knickers and T-shirts (23%).

… and your favourite cruise cocktail is….

Having selected your cruise and destination, unpacked your suitcase just once and hung up those shirts, and having checked out your favourite view, there is only one thing to do with your partner (who is unlikely to be a celebrity)…. and that is to go to the sun deck and order yourself a stunning , cool cocktail. And that is likely to be a Mojito, a classical mix of rum, mint, sugar, lime and club soda, according to those who drink cocktails on holiday. Mojitos were the favourite holiday cocktails among 8% of the respondents who go on holiday, closely followed by Pina Colada (7%), Sex on the Beach (4%) and Margarita, Cosmopolitan, Long Island Iced Tea and Tequila Sunrise (all 3%).

Regionally, however, the highest recorded favourite cocktail on holiday figure was actually 16% – for Pina Colada – by those survey respondents living in…Wales!

“The survey highlights why more cruise holidays are being taken by Brits than ever before – it’s an effortlessly way to visit many great destinations across the world while only unpacking once.” said Bill Gibbons, director of the Passenger Shipping Association. “There’s a wide choice in the style of cruising, views that range from New York’s skyline to deserted Pacific beaches, and the inclusive nature of a cruise holiday means it’s great value.”

The Discover Cruises website (www.discovercruises.co.uk) is a one stop shop for everything cruise, whether it’s for family travelling for the first time,  a couple looking for adventure, or a solo traveller in need of a relaxing spa break.  Offering ultra luxury, deluxe, river and specialist collections, Discover Cruises gives visitors access to the latest on destinations, what’s new on board and a wave of exciting and innovative excursions and activities.

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