Cruise market reports increase in bookings

Cruises have been a popular choice for holiday getaways for Dubai residents during the global financial crisis, said Mugnari. "People are more concerned about value for money and cruises are becoming an alternative holiday," she added. Meanwhile, major liners cut ticket prices by ten to 20 per cent in 2009 to attract consumers. That enticed holidaymakers aboard and filled the ships with 13.4 million passengers, up by 430,000 passengers from 2008, according to statistics from the Cruise Lines International Association.