CRUISE consolidator Jebsen Travel & Tours Services has registered a 60-per cent year-on-year growth in demand from Malaysia for upper premium luxury cruise products.

The company’s managing director, Lim Chee Tong, attributed the trend to increasing maturity among local cruisers. “First time cruisers go for big and new ships. As they mature, travellers will not mind paying more for smaller cruises and more personalised services,” he said.

According to Lim, the most popular cruise programmes for Malaysians were those headed to the Mediterranean, while the average length of stay for the Malaysian luxury cruise segment had also increased from seven to 10 nights over the past three years.

Lim said that demand for cruises from corporate clients had also increased, with more companies wanting to reward outstanding sales staff with a cruise incentive holiday.

Corporate cruisers would often follow a fixed itinerary, with add-ons such as a meeting or presentation onboard, a themed dinner, or private activities, he added.