2023 84% OF THE TRAVEL ADVISORS WHO PARTICIPATED IN THE SURVEY HAVE SOLD OCEAN CRUISES IN THE PAST AND 76% plan to sell them in the next 12-18 months. REPEAT CRUISE CUSTOMERS TEND TO CHOOSE PREMIUM (85%) AND LUXURY (80%) SEGMENTS. FIRST-TIME CRUISERS ARE MORE LIKELY TO GO FOR THE CONTEMPORARY SEGMENT (70%). COUPLES, SENIORS AND EMPTY NESTERS ARE THE TOP THREE customer categories most likely to buy a cruise vacation. THE CARIBBEAN AND THE BAHAMAS (89%), EUROPE (83%) AND ALASKA (83%) will be the trending cruise destinations for 2023. Top motivators for taking a cruise vacation are CELEBRATING PERSONAL OCCASIONS (77%), TICKING OFF THE BUCKET LIST (76%), AND SPENDING TIME WITH FAMILY (75%). PRICE, DESTINATION, AMENITIES INCLUDED ON BOARD AND RECOMMENDATION OF THE ADVISOR are the top factors in selecting cruise vacations. MORE THAN 7 IN 10 ADVISORS said that their clients preferred an all-inclusive cruise product. NEARLY 9 IN 10 ADVISORS SAID WI-FI IS AN IMPORTANT AMENITY THAT CLIENTS WANT IN AN ALL-INCLUSIVE CRUISE PRODUCT. On-board entertainment and an open bar are other sought- after inclusions. DRINKS AND BEVERAGES ARE THE MOST FAVORED FREE ADD-ONS, WITH 79% OF ADVISORS saying their inclusion helps boost sales. More advisors are embracing social media, an interesting development considering this has been a segment defined by baby boomers and empty nesters. ONE IN TWO ADVISORS SAID SOCIAL MEDIA HELPS IN TRIP INSPIRATION, PLANNING AND SHOPPING, AND 25% FELT THAT IT LED TO DIRECT LEAD GENERATION. With the pandemic behind us, clients are looking forward to travelling without fear. 67% OF THE ADVISORS SAID THEIR CLIENTS ARE NOT HESITANT TO TAKE A CRUISE VACATION DUE TO HEALTH CONCERNS. COST OF THE VACATION (45%) AND SCHEDULE/ ITINERARY (39%) REMAINED THE TOP CHALLENGES in selling cruise vacations. NEARLY THREE IN FOUR ADVISORS SAID THAT THE REPUTATION AND EXPERIENCE OF THE CRUISE LINE are the top factors while choosing a cruise line. INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS REPRESENT 60% of the sample indicating a rise in entrepreneurship in the industry. The industry retains its experienced talent with nearly 60% OF THE ADVISORS WITH OVER 10 YEARS IN THE BUSINESS. THE OUTLOOK FOR 2023 CRUISE SALES IS BULLISH WITH 89% OF U.S. ADVISORS AND 94% OF CANADIAN ADVISORS LOOKING FORWARD TO SOLID GROWTH COMPARED TO 2022. Nearly one in three U.S. advisors projected growth of 51% or more, and nearly four in 10 Canadian advisors projected growth of 51% or more. KEY FINDINGS