News from the world of travel

Cruising appeals to the younger set

AUSTRALIA’S summer cruise season, which began in October and runs until April, has got off to a strong start with thousands of passengers visiting ports around the country, New Zealand and the Pacific.

The season will see more than 60 cruise ships from popular lines including Azamara, Carnival, Celebrity, Crystal, Cunard, Disney, Holland America, NCL, Oceana, Princess, Regent, Silversea, Seabourne and Royal Caribbean.

The popularity of cruise holidays among Gen-X (born 1965-80) and millennials (born 1981-96) continues to grow worldwide, according Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) managing director in Australasia Joel Katz.

“Internationally, the average age of a cruise guest is now just 46.5 years and more than a third of cruisers are aged under 40,” he said.