Page 36 - North American & Caribbean Cruise Traveller

3.1.3 TRIP BOOKING
The most commonly used method of booking a cruise is through a travel booking website, such as Booking.com, Expedia or cruisedeals.com. Over half of younger travellers used this method, which is also significantly more popular amongst males compared to females.
Figure 7: Trip Booking Methods
Industry Insider:
North American & Caribbean Cruise Duty & Tax Free Retail 2015
METHODS OF BOOKING TRIP
Base: Trip bookers (789)
Travel agent/tour operator 24%
Someone else booked 3%
Travel package booking websites 39%
Cruise operator 34%
Around a third booked their cruise directly through the cruise operator, while a quarter used a travel agent/tour operator, a method especially popular amongst older travellers.
Amongst those who booked their cruise themselves, the highest proportion booked online using a laptop or PC, rising to two thirds in the case of younger travellers.
Females and older travellers are more likely to book their cruise over the phone, with 36% of over 40s choosing this method against only 1 in 10 younger travellers, who are more likely than older travellers to use a smartphone or mobile phone app to book their cruise (14% vs. 5% over 40).
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