Cruises 'sailing to better value seas'

Cruise customers may be pleased to know that ocean liners these days are sailing to better value seas, according to one expert.

Researched conducted by P&O Cruises has revealed that the average cruise holiday now costs £2,000 less per couple that ten years ago – making this type of break especially appealing during the credit crunch.

According to the firm, a two-week cruise this summer complete with an ocean-view cabin typically would have set a holidaymaker back £1,579.

Just a decade ago the same break would have left them with a £2,520-shaped hole in their wallets.

P&O Cruises managing director Nigel Esdale told news provider Travel Mole: "The cumulative inflation rate between May 1998 and May 2008 is 32 per cent, so if cruise holidays had increased accordingly, then our prices should be more than double those in this summer's brochure."

The expert added: "In actual fact, this year's prices are more than £900 cheaper per person, almost £2,000 cheaper for a couple than ten years ago."

Virgin Holidays Cruises managing director Robin Deller backed up P&O's findings, confirming that it has seen a "significant increase" in bookings for 2008.

His company puts this down to the realisation by budgeting Brits that taking to the high seas will allow their cash to flow further in these economically-challenging waters.

Furthermore, the increasingly innovative nature of cruise ships were also praised for attracting a new, younger clientele? to the market, as well as families.

Earlier this month, Complete Cruise Solution told Travel Weekly that tour operators selling this kind of break were not "overly concerned" about the credit crunch as it seemed to not be affecting this industry.

Head of sales Mark Pilkington told the publication: "If we look ahead at the next few months, we have to ask: credit crunch, what credit crunch?"

It has to be noted, however, that a 40 per cent hike in cruise capacity and dramatic price cuts for destinations such as the Caribbean have been made by the industry to keep it afloat.

­Marketing director of Fred Olsen Cruise Line, Nigel ­Lingard, admitted that increased capacity and "all-time low" prices are a cause of concern for the industry.

He told the website: "Europe in winter is becoming a battlefield. The Caribbean is already price sensitive - the clear indication from airlines is they don't want to sign fixed-price contracts."