With frigid weather across the U.S., cruise sales are hot
26.01.2024 - 18:41
/ travelweekly.com
The first measurable snowfall in New York City in nearly two years. Voters braving wind chills of minus-35 degrees at the Iowa caucuses. Texas, the Deep South and parts of the Southeast plunging into uncharacteristic below-freezing temperatures.
As more than 200 million people in the Lower 48 faced colder and snowier-than-normal conditions this month, travel advisors said their cruise business was heating up.
"While winter storms may not bring joy to many, those in the travel industry rejoice, as they often spark a surge in new cruise bookings from people who dream of escaping the cold to find solace in warm and tropical destinations," said Michelle Fee, founder and CEO of Cruise Planners (No. 20 on Travel Weekly's 2023 Power List).
Several travel advisors and leaders of large agencies said they have seen an increase in phone calls and emails asking about cruises as snow accumulated and temperatures plummeted.
"People here complain about the snow, but I love it because my phone starts to ring," said Ellen Overcast, a Dream Vacations franchise owner in Kutztown, Pa. "My phone has been ringing all day."
Overcast's business is up 10% from the same time last year, she said. This surge comes during Wave season, traditionally the top cruise booking time of year and awash in industry promotions. But she suspects the winter storms spur people to book for psychological reasons.
"It just makes you feel better to know that even though you're not leaving and you're still stuck in the cold weather … there's a warm time in your future," Overcast said.
Another Dream Vacations franchise owner, Edward Cicinato in Collingswood, N.J., said the mid-January storms have brought his business a 40% increase in cruise bookings and requests for quotes.
"The overriding request is 'send me any place that's warm,'" he said.
The correlation between cold winters and cruise bookings has some agents stepping up their social media presence during bad weather, including Carol Nunnery, owner of Nunnery Travels in Cape Girardeau, Mo.
"When people are stuck indoors, they have more time to dream about their next vacation," she said. Being more active on social media "inevitably leads to more interactions for clients and friends looking to escape the winter blues."
Alex Sharpe, CEO of Signature Travel Network, said the relationship between winter storms and higher travel bookings has increased as more travel advisors work from home. Previously, bad weather could prevent advisors from going to their offices.
"But now with everyone so comfy working from home full-time or as needed, the bookings have been great," Sharpe said.
Ads for adverse conditions
Sharpe said that weather has enough of an influence on cruise bookings that