Cruise & Cruise Line

New Survey Reveals Promising Outlook for Cruise Travel in 2021

Image: Cruise ship docked in Rhodes, Greece. (photo via titoslack/iStock Unreleased)
Image: Cruise ship docked in Rhodes, Greece. (photo via titoslack/iStock Unreleased)
Patrick Clarke
by Patrick Clarke
Last updated: 3:25 PM ET, Wed August 26, 2020

A majority of travelers who don't plan to travel this year are targeting international destinations for 2021, with at least one in five eyeing a cruise vacation, according to a recent Allianz Partners survey.

The study of more than 1,000 customers who purchased a policy through a travel advisor or other retail distribution partner between June 1, 2019, and February 29, 2020, found that 60 percent of customers who are putting off travel until next year due to the COVID-19 pandemic are considering taking a trip abroad in 2021, with at least 20 percent planning to get there on a cruise ship.

Cruising in the U.S. won't resume until this coming fall at the earliest; however, the industry is beginning to resume operations with enhanced health and safety measures in place in other parts of the world, including the Mediterranean.

Looking ahead to next year, only hotel and resort stays are more popular (50 percent) than cruising. Trailing cruise vacations are staying with friends and family (13 percent), vacation rentals (8 percent), a personal vacation home (4 percent) and RVs, tents or cabins (2 percent).

"Travel will continue to evolve in response to the unfolding of global events. Meanwhile, we are discovering that our customers are more open to taking trips to overseas destinations once again," said Joe Mason, Chief Marketing Officer at Allianz Partners, in a statement. "One area where we are expecting to see an increasing interest in the year ahead is in international cruise travel."


For the latest travel news, updates and deals, subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter.

Topics From This Article to Explore

More From TravelPulse

Patrick Clarke

Patrick Clarke

Senior Editor

A Maryland native and wanderer who has lived across the U.S. from North Carolina to SoCal, Patrick Clarke graduated from Towson University with a B.S. in journalism. He previously worked for Bleacher

Grow Your Travel Business With Certified Courses

Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Puerto Vallarta Specialist ProgramEnveloped in the beauty of a by-gone time, this colorful town on Mexico’s Pacific Coast is sure to win...
Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Korea Travel Specialist ProgramThis course will allow you to explore this fascinating country's incredible diversity of experiences...
Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Costa Rica Specialist ProgramCosta Rica Specialist Program academy ENROLL NOW Costa Rica offers golden shores, fish-filled waters,...
Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Puerto Vallarta Specialist ProgramEnveloped in the beauty of a by-gone time, this colorful town on Mexico’s Pacific Coast is sure to win...
Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Korea Travel Specialist ProgramThis course will allow you to explore this fascinating country's incredible diversity of experiences...
Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Costa Rica Specialist ProgramCosta Rica Specialist Program academy ENROLL NOW Costa Rica offers golden shores, fish-filled waters,...

Don't Miss These Travel Agent Events and Trainings

Upcoming Webinar
July AAT Kings WebinarTuesday, July 7, 2026
2:00pm Eastern
Save your spot for this upcoming webinar! Details coming soon!
Upcoming Webinar
A New Standard in Economy Travel: TAP Economy PrimeWednesday, July 8, 2026
2:00pm Eastern
Join us for an exclusive look at TAP Air Portugal's new Economy Prime cabin and discover how it can...
Upcoming Webinar
Worry-Free Access to the World - Part 1Monday, July 13, 2026
2:00pm Eastern
Join Travel Weekly, TravelAge West, and TravelPulse for Worry-Free Access to the World, a webinar...
Upcoming Webinar
July AAT Kings WebinarTuesday, July 7, 2026
2:00pm Eastern
Save your spot for this upcoming webinar! Details coming soon!
Upcoming Webinar
A New Standard in Economy Travel: TAP Economy PrimeWednesday, July 8, 2026
2:00pm Eastern
Join us for an exclusive look at TAP Air Portugal's new Economy Prime cabin and discover how it can...
Upcoming Webinar
Worry-Free Access to the World - Part 1Monday, July 13, 2026
2:00pm Eastern
Join Travel Weekly, TravelAge West, and TravelPulse for Worry-Free Access to the World, a webinar...