67% Indian travellers find multi-destination European cruising appealing: Royal Caribbean
Legend of the Seas
Italy leads their European wish list at 51%, followed by France at 48%, the United Kingdom at 45% and Spain at 30%.
As Indian travellers look for ways to experience more of Europe in a single vacation, new research commissioned by Royal Caribbean points to strong interest in multi-destination cruising. According to a YouGov survey conducted across India, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines, 67% of Indian respondents find exploring multiple European destinations through a cruise vacation appealing. The findings come as Legend of the Seas, Royal Caribbean’s newest Icon Class vacation, offers travellers new ways to discover the Mediterranean from Barcelona, Spain, and Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy.
For Indian travellers, the appeal of exploring Europe by cruise centres on making a multi-destination holiday easier to navigate. The ability to visit multiple destinations with ease is the leading perceived benefit, cited by 45%, followed by safety and comfort (42%), meals and entertainment being included (40%) and avoiding airport processes such as check-in, security and delays (39%). This preference comes against a broader regional backdrop of travel friction, with nearly nine in 10 respondents across the five markets surveyed, identifying at least one challenge when travelling between multiple European destinations.
“What stood out to us from the findings is how much travellers value making the most of their time when exploring Europe. Whether it is visiting iconic destinations, spending time with family, or simply enjoying the journey itself, travellers are increasingly looking for holidays that are seamless, enriching and full of adventure. We believe that is one of the reasons multi-destination cruising continues to resonate,” said Ben Bouldin, President, Greater China and Managing Director, Asia, Royal Caribbean.
Europe’s iconic destinations remain a significant draw for Indian travellers. Italy leads their European wish list at 51%, followed by France at 48%, the United Kingdom at 45% and Spain at 30%. With many of these sought-after destinations spread across different countries, the findings indicate an appetite for vacations that make it possible to experience more of Europe through a single journey.
Indian travellers also appear open to looking beyond conventional modes of travelling within Europe. Trains remain the preferred option at 25%, but cruises and short-haul flights follow closely at 24% each- placing cruising virtually alongside two of the most established ways of moving between European destinations. Private cars (18%) and buses or coaches (9%) rank lower.
Together with the finding that 67% of Indian respondents consider multi-destination European cruising appealing, the close split between trains, cruises and flights signals an opportunity for cruising to become part of how Indian travellers plan and experience a European holiday, not only as accommodation or transportation, but as a vacation experience in its own right.
The findings suggest that Indian vacationers are drawn not only to the convenience of having dining available onboard, but also to concepts that combine food with storytelling, entertainment and a sense of occasion.
