Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida has accomplished an in depth survey of greater than 7,000 cruise company, stretching throughout a four-month interval and protecting each peak and non-peak cruising days.
A number of cruise traces had been included within the survey, and the outcomes present nice enthusiasm for cruising and for what vacationers are on the lookout for not solely in a cruise, but additionally what they need from the homeport.
Port Everglades Conducts Cruise Visitor Survey
From December 2022 by means of March 2023, Port Everglades – the third busiest passenger cruise port on this planet – carried out detailed surveys with post-cruise company, each throughout peak journey durations in addition to off-peak durations to make sure a radical sampling of visitor experiences and preferences.
A complete of seven,186 company accomplished the survey, with members from Superstar Cruises, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Royal Caribbean Worldwide, Silversea, and Viking Cruises.
Some vacationers utilizing the Baleária Caribbean ferry service, which runs between Fort Lauderdale and each Grand Bahama Island and Bimini, additionally participated within the survey. In complete, company from 25 completely different vessels had been surveyed.
“We actually need to know the way we are able to enhance the visitor expertise, and likewise how the port impacts the financial well-being of Broward County,” stated Jonathan Daniels, Port Everglades CEO and Port Director.
Daniels famous that the survey’s timing may need some impression on responses, since late 2022 and into 2023 was nonetheless within the post-pandemic restoration interval for cruise journey, however now the port anticipates three million vacationers for the fiscal 12 months, in comparison with the 1.9 million that had been forecast.
“We are able to confidently say ‘Cruising is Again’ and your opinion issues,” Daniels stated.
An analogous survey was carried out in 2015, however solely included responses from 1,800 vacationers and was solely carried out over an 8-day interval throughout the spring break season. Nonetheless, some comparability of the numbers does point out attention-grabbing development within the cruise business and adjustments in traveler dynamics.
Survey Outcomes
The in depth survey, carried out by Moffatt & Nichol and Dickey Consulting Companies (DCS), revealed some attention-grabbing key findings about passenger demographics in addition to port selections and journey plans.
Surveyed passengers ranged in age from underneath 18 to over 75, with the best proportion (18%) being age 55-64. Of the respondents, 22% had been first-time cruisers and 36% used a journey agent to e-book their cruise. Most vacationers (45%) had been touring in events of two, whereas 30% had been in teams of 3-4 and 20% had been touring in bigger teams of 5-20 passengers.
Of home (US resident) vacationers surveyed, 53% reside within the southeastern US, which is larger than the 38% reported in 2015. This means extra vacationers desire a cruise port near house, and that cruises could also be rising in recognition as a most well-liked trip possibility. Of these surveyed, 56% had sailed from Port Everglades previously, indicating a majority of vacationers as return guests.
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Fewer company, nonetheless, are arriving to the cruise port within the days previous their voyage. Within the current survey, 34% of respondents stayed in a lodge for not less than one evening pre-cruises, whereas in 2015, 51% loved lodge stays earlier than setting sail.
This may increasingly point out the higher availability now of shorter cruise itineraries, that are extra interesting to native vacationers extra more likely to drive to the port.
To succeed in the port, whereas 26% of vacationers drove their very own car, 35% used taxis or experience share providers and simply 4% used cruise line transfers.
How Does Port Everglades Price?
Various survey questions immediately addressed amenities at Port Everglades. An astonishing 94% of vacationers rated the port as Wonderful or Good for “Ease of Crusing” whereas 93% rated the general amenities as Wonderful or Good. Relating to cleanliness, 93% likewise rated the port as Wonderful or Good.
Various open-ended questions allowed company to make particular feedback in regards to the port amenities, notably the place enhancements can be welcome. Bettering the consolation and amount of seating, higher facilities, and higher Wi-Fi had been all listed as objects company would respect. Signage on the terminal was additionally famous as complicated or unclear.
Parking, visitors effectivity, and baggage help had been additionally famous as needing enchancment.
Native Influence
A part of the information the survey collected is with respect to the native financial system, lodge preferences, and customer spending.
In contributing to the native financial system, the common passenger surveyed reported spending $288 on lodging, $134 on meals and drinks, and $450 in different bills comparable to excursions, leisure, transportation, and souvenirs for every day they spent visiting South Florida.
Total, Port Everglades helps 2,575 direct native jobs and contributes $786 million to Broward County and the encompassing regional financial group.
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