Cruising Trends for 2020
Several popular cruise lines are making major changes to improve guest experiences.
- 2020 is the start of a fleetwide modernization by Celebrity Cruises, including Celebrity Millennium, Celebrity Summit and Celebrity Equinox. Six more ships are slated to be modernized by 2023.
- In February, Disney Cruise Line will have a ship based in Louisiana, with cruises to the Caribbean, Bahamas and Panama Canal.
- Princess Cruises’ newest ship, Sky Princess, debuts in the Mediterranean in October.
- Fresh from a complete renovation, Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas sails out of Cape Liberty, N.J., in May. It heads to the Bahamas in summer, visiting the CocoCay private island.
River Cruising Soars
River cruising has been booming the last few years. Though the interest is dominated by baby boomers and members of Generation X, millennials have the third-greatest growth in cruise bookings. U River Cruises is addressing this demand by giving younger guests a cruise line designed just for them. The U fleet consists of two 120-passenger ships sailing through Europe on the Rhine, Danube, Main and Seine rivers. U River offers longer stays in port, so guests can explore cities both during the day and at night. The line also offers high-adventure excursions and new ways for guests to socialize, including onboard parties and communal dining tables.
Regional Cruises
Regional cruises like those offered by Greek cruise line Celestyal Cruises provide travelers with an authentic experience at sea with itineraries focusing on its home destination. Among its offerings, the Iconic Aegean itineraries are Greek island-intensive. The Idyllic Aegean itinerary features enhanced time in four Greek island destinations, including two overnights in Mykonos and Santorini, plus a fifth stop in Kusadasi. Highlights include a Greek deli featuring locally sourced products, Greek wines, and a shopping area filled with goods from local artisans, while its onboard entertainment offerings are tinged with Greek mythology and history.