What's Worrying Cruise Ship Passengers?

[Ed Wetschler]

Travel Guard North America hired Ruf Strategic Solutions to conduct a poll to find out. 43% of cruisers polled say their biggest concern surrounding cruising is the potential that weather-related flight cancellations or delays will cause them to miss their ship’s departure. Only 25% feared missing their cruise because of an illness or injury.

Are you as surprised by that last one as I am?

There's more: Despite highly publicized incidents occurring while ships were at sea or in port, only 20% of respondents were worried about getting sick once on the ship, just 10% of respondents were concerned about safety while in port, and less than 1% of respondents were concerned about potential mechanical issues on board. 

The survey also addressed the growing trend of megaships, finding that less than 4% of those polled considered the size of a ship as its most attractive quality.

Again, do you find that as surprising as I do? 

[Susan Schaefer]

I'm not surprised at all that missing the ship would be the biggest fear ... that can single-handedly ruin a vacation altogether.  On the rest, I don't think they honestly think about how illness or injury could prevent them from traveling, or about getting sick onboard, etc.

[Donna Hull]

I'm not surprised, either. These days, I try to come in at least a day early before boarding a cruise. When airlines have routing or weather issues, there's no slack in the inventory. Who knows how long it will take to be placed on another flight?

However, I'm in the 4% that does consider the size of a ship its most attractive quality. I go for the small ones.

[Ed Wetschler]

I'd better clarify. It wasn't the 43% who worry about weather-related problems, but the (mere) 25% who feared missing a cruise because of an illness or injury that surprised me. 

 

That 4% number is, for me, the other surprise -- especially when, as you've shown, even that 4% isn't necessarily pro-megaship. 

[Donna Hull]

I'd be curious as to how many in the 25% who worry about missing a cruise due to illness or injury purchase trip insurance. Maybe this is more applicable to expensive itineraries, but I would never book that type of cruise, or land trip, without purchasing travel insurance that covers pre-exisiting conditions for myself and extended family. Of course I'm a boomer traveler with elderly parents, so I have to consider their health when I plan my travel.