Webjet launches 4,000 cruises, including Princess Cruises, P&O, Royal Caribbean and Carnival

With a growing demand for cruises in the Australian and New Zealand market, travel booking website Webjet has decided to come to the party by launching 4,000 cruises - including Princess Cruises, P&O, Royal Caribbean and Carnival - on its Australian and New Zealand websites.

Webjet Managing Director John Guscic said, “we’re delighted to offer customers such an extensive range of cruise options that can be seamlessly booked online.”

The news comes as InsureandGo recently launched an Australian online first tailoring travel insurance specifically for cruises. Mozo advises Australians embarking on a cruise to always get their travel insurance organised before they board, by searching the travel insurance market.

According to Roy Morgan the number of Australians taking a cruise holiday has grown by almost 41% since 2011 and in the year to June 2014, as more Aussies stayed aboard a cruise ship on their last long holiday than in a campervan, B & B, caravan or youth hostel/backpackers.

Roy Morgan account director Angela Smith advised to forget the 80s kitsch of The Love Boat, as cruise holidays have come a long way since then. “Whether you’re looking for total relaxation, an action-packed itinerary or a solo adventure, there’s a cruise holiday to suit. No wonder more Australians are hitting the high seas than ever.”

However, it seems younger Australians are yet to embrace the cruise vacay, as Smith explained while cruise operators offer activities aimed at more youthful travellers, this market has yet to really “get on board”, as the proportion of under-50s taking long cruise holidays has fallen since 2011.

“On the other hand, the over-50s market is booming. Over the past few years, there has been extremely healthy growth in the proportion of Australians aged 50-64 and 65+ taking cruise holidays, and this trend shows no sign of abating. After all, we have an ageing population,” said Smith.