It’s estimated that every 240 people worldwide who go on a cruise support 10 full-time jobs, and among those who have been working flat out recently are travel agents helping to get cruising enthusiasts on board.
“The very latest trend in cruising is higher-end experiences, and expedition cruising is booming,” says Travel Associates general manager Rachel Kingswell. “As the planet warms, the sense of urgency can’t be ignored and we’ve been seeing new expedition ships and itineraries being launched consistently over the past six months.”
Demand for trips to the Arctic and Antarctic has almost doubled, she says, and unlike the pre-COVID days “clients are no longer waiting for the ‘right time’ to book a milestone or celebration holiday. It’s now, or it may be never. Clients are saying, ‘Why wait, we deserve this trip!’
“Aside from polar journeys, there’s
