It's never too early to sail the world
Once the realm of wealthy seniors, global cruises are now being embraced by boomers and even Gen-Xers.
By Mary Lu Abbott
Los Angeles Sunday Times, Cruise News
The round-the-world cruise scene is taking on a more youthful look. Once the domain of wealthy retirees, such cruises are now attracting younger travelers.
Like Cheryl McCormick. The Manhattan Beach resident signed up for a 100-day sailing on Crystal Cruises' Symphony in 2002.
"My financial planner didn't think it was a good idea," she said. "But it was one of the best decisions I ever made. It was worth every minute and dime I spent."
She had worked hard, saving for two years to take a sabbatical. Then in her late 30s, she wanted an unforgettable adventure.
And McCormick got one: She swam with sea lions in the Galápagos Islands of Ecuador, went parasailing in New Zealand and explored the jungles of Cambodia and Vietnam.
At one time, the typical world cruiser was "someone who was older and wanted to sit in a deck chair and read a book for 106 days," says Bill Smith, senior vice president of sales and marketing for Los Angeles-based Crystal Cruises, a leader in the luxury field.
"Now, it's a mix of younger and more mature people," Smith says. "They're taking the cruise to visit exotic destinations and participate in a full complement of activities."
Global sailings traditionally depart in January. This month, four world cruises are planned from North America, including Crystal Serenity's 106-day sailing Wednesday from Los Angeles, the line's 11th world cruise. Next January, a record seven ships will depart on such odysseys, two on maiden world voyages.
It's a commitment of time and money; the lowest-priced cabins begin at $18,000. Still, "there's an increased demand from the consumer for longer cruises and the lifestyle of the world cruise," says Eric Maryanov, owner of All-Travel, which has several offices in Los Angeles and a specialty division called Luxury World Cruises, at (866) 721-3419 or http://www.luxuryworldcruises.com . "It's a unique experience."
Cabins book up early, and the big-ticket suites often go first. Itineraries for 2007 were announced last summer and fall, and by January, many cabins had already been reserved.
Many world cruisers return year after year, often to the same line, Maryanov says. But now he's seeing increased interest from first-timers, including travelers in their 30s.
McCormick decided to take advantage of her single status and do something rarely possible when married with kids.
A self-employed management consultant, she worked 65-hour weeks to save for the trip. She first took a seven-day "practice" cruise on the Symphony and scoped out cabins to find the lowest-priced one with the best location.
"This [world cruise] was a significant investment for me, and I didn't want to find out on Day 1 of the 100 days that I was not happy," she says.
She spent about $35,000 for her own cabin and $15,000 for excursions. Her budget, including ongoing costs at home, was about $65,000.
She brought aboard a table for her computer and printers, and collapsible shelves for books and videos she had collected for the trip. "It was like having a little apartment that moved around the world," McCormick says.
Except for some adults traveling with their parents, she was the youngest aboard the ship. But she felt a camaraderie with the other passengers, who were mostly in their 60s and 70s. "They were the most active, exciting people. I was not conscious of their age," she says.
Holland America Line, which has been offering world cruises for 42 years, is seeing "a broader age range," says Richard Meadows, senior vice president of marketing and sales. "The average is in the low 60s now on a world cruise, but we will get younger couples on segments and maybe people in their 50s on the full cruise."
Meadows sees a strong future for world cruises, noting that baby boomers begin turning 60 this year and that many already are avid cruise passengers. Also, because Internet access on ships allows travelers to stay connected with business and family, more people can consider leaving home for three to four months at a time.
Although world cruises reportedly sail close to full, not everyone signs on for the entire voyage. About one-third to two-thirds of the passengers sail the full route, and others book segments from 14 to 70 nights.
Meadows says most world cruisers fall into four types: the once-in-a-lifetime passengers celebrating a special life event, such as retirement or a wedding anniversary; the country collectors who have a list of must-see destinations; the status seekers who enjoy the onboard pampering; and those who consider the ship their winter home.
All-Travel's Maryanov says a world cruise ship is like a second home for many repeat passengers, who find a community among friends and staff members they come to know.
Lines add special programming and rewards for everyone. The luxury ships woo travelers who go the entire cruise with extra benefits, such as first-class airfare to the ship, up to $2,000 in onboard credits, special events and some free shore excursions.
Itineraries and activities are increasingly important, says Smith of Crystal Cruises. Crystal's world cruise planners spend months lining up onboard speakers, shore-side dinners and shows and extensive overland excursions, including safaris of two to five nights in Africa.
The itinerary is important for world cruisers such as George and Kay Macomber of Lakeland, Fla., who are in their early 70s.
"I like to go places we haven't seen," says George. The Macombers did a world cruise in 2002 and have booked in 2007 with Silversea Cruises for a 126-day odyssey, the first circumnavigation for the luxury line.
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