What better message for agents to take into Cruise Week than that cruising is cheaper than 10 years ago? Especially now that everyone is reportedly looking a little closer at the pennies.
According to P&O Cruises, a two-week cruise in an ocean-view cabin this summer would have cost £1,579 per person. Ten years ago it would have cost £2,520.
But there's more. P&O's managing director Nigel Esdale has been doing some tantalising number crunching.
"The cumulative inflation rate between May 1998 and May 2008 is 32% [Office of National Statistics], so if cruise holidays had increased accordingly, then our prices should be more than double those in this summer's brochure. In actual fact, this year's prices are more than £900 cheaper per person, almost £2,000 cheaper for a couple than 10 years ago."
Everyone loves a deal and no one wants to miss out on having a holiday - especially in the UK's wet new world of global warming. With bargains like that, cruises should be flying off the shelves next week.
Jane Archer
