“I don’t know how long a typical ocean-going ship with 30 restaurants and 4,000 passengers cruising will actually last,” said Joshua Smith, founder and travel designer of . Earth Citizen Journey, Travel agency targeting millennials. “More and more companies are introducing niche cruises targeting younger millennial audiences, such as Groove Cruise music festivals and smaller boutique cruises.
River cruises are offered on much smaller vessels, usually holding less than 200 guests, and are particularly popular, especially in Europe, among first-timers who want to escape the crowds during peak travel seasons. Kristin Chambers, 42, a book editor in Boston, booked an eight-day appointment. Uniworld In June, we took a river cruise to Burgundy and Provence to celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary.
“We’ve traveled all over Europe by plane and train, but wanted to try something different, off the beaten track,” said Chambers. “I would never want to be on that huge ship with thousands of people, but I’ve always wanted to try a river cruise. It seems more elegant and peaceful.”
The couple splurge on a luxurious stateroom with balcony for $14,000, which includes food, beverages and an excursion. “I don’t spend that much money on a week-long vacation, but I’m making up for the years I couldn’t travel because of the pandemic,” she said.
Nora Hope, 20, took an even bigger cruise to Greece with her family last year, sailing on one of Royal Caribbean’s newest ships, the Odyssey of the Seas, which carries more than 4,000 passengers. . Her parents were desperate for her family vacation after two years of restrictions due to the pandemic. After researching options on various Greek islands, we decided that a cruise would be the best value and hassle-free. They spent a total of about $4,300 on her one-week all-inclusive vacation, staying in her two ocean-view rooms.
