Travelers are increasingly choosing suites on larger ships
and sailings on luxury small-ship lines and river cruise lines, according to
AAA Travel.
After analyzing its cruise bookings for the past 12 months,
AAA Travel said sales "increased substantially in the last year, while
bookings of suites on large cruise ships and sailings on small, luxury cruise
lines have exploded, by high double-digit percentages in some cases."
Bill Sutherland, senior vice president of AAA Travel,
attributed the interest in smaller luxury lines to a growing desire among
travelers for "an intimate experience." He said that is leading to "tremendous
interest" in the likes of After analyzing its cruise bookings for the past
12 months, AAA Travel has found that Seabourn, Azamara Club Cruises, AmaWaterways,
Viking River Cruises, Uniworld and others.
Sutherland said travelers are increasingly attracted to
suites on larger ships because they "are not shying away from paying for
premium experiences."
AAA also identified trends around cruising destinations.
While Europe, Alaska, the Caribbean and Hawaii are the most popular, bookings
to Hawaii and Europe are "growing substantially compared to other popular
destinations," AAA said. Following years of growth, Alaska bookings appear
to have leveled off.