It was the standard joke but it’s changing and we can now say goodbye to newly wed, overfed and nearly dead cruise cliches.
While our cruising days in our 13 years in our ancestral Irish home were in our early 50s that’s now higher than the average cruise age.
Cruise Lines International Association’s (CLIA) latest annual passenger study has revealed that Irish cruisers are getting younger.
With the average guest age dropping to 46.3 years in 2024 from 46.7 in 2023.
On the up
The finding comes as overall Irish cruise passenger numbers increased last year.
By 11.3% to 65,000, the highest total recorded.
The Mediterranean remains their destination of choice, with 61.3% of all voyages taken.
The Caribbean came in second at 17.7%, while northern Europe was at 6.1%.
The latter scored a 25% uplift in overall journeys taken.
Representing the highest growth among the main cruise itineraries.
With an average length of a sailing is 7.9 days.
Fjord fiesta
Presented with a choice by our pals at MSC to showcase Meraviglia we opted for a cruise around the fjords.
In preference to Europe, having sailed the Western Med, and the Persian Gulf.
While I’d opted to be a landlubber in the Caribbean, Barbados and Tobago.
Now My Little Mermaid soon befriended a Fortysomethings couple on our passage around Denmark and Norway.
And had them upgraded on our hospitality.
In exchange for a crash course in His hobby, tunnelling.
Forties’ forte
Fortysomethings, and I was one once, come in all shapes and sizes.
And they have all the moves as our cruise crew can testify.
Having partied everywhere from the Med to the English Channel and the Bahamas.
While we don’t even have to leave dry dock as we like to live it up whenever the boat comes in.
Whether Princess, a Royal, a Celebrity or a Swan.
Ship shape
And yes, we know that the first rule of cruising is to give Her the deference She deserves as a ship and not a boat.
Andy Harmer, CLIA UK & Ireland managing director, said: ‘Cruise is thriving among Ireland passengers.
‘The convenience and value-for-money a holiday at sea offers shining through.’
All of which means we can say goodbye to newly wed, overfed and nearly dead cruise cliches.
