Booking.com Launches Cruises in the US, Further Expanding Choice and Ease for Travelers

NEW YORK, 9 November 2023 - Today, Booking.com, one of the world’s leading digital travel companies, announces the launch of Cruises as a new travel vertical for customers in the United States. The new offering meets traveler demand in the largest market for cruise bookings globally, representing 58% of the entire industry*, and becomes available through a partnership with leading cruise agency World Travel Holdings (WTH). Through the newly introduced product vertical, Booking.com is providing US customers with more travel options than ever before and added benefits across the cruise trip planning journey including:

• Breadth of choice: Travelers can immediately access more than 10,000 sailings on over 30 cruise lines, including the largest and best-in-class cruise lines in the world, from more than 55 departure ports across the globe. Whether a 3-night budget-friendly cruise to the Bahamas, 7-nights island hopping around the Caribbean, a river cruise through Europe or a 2-week luxury expedition sailing in Antarctica, Booking.com Cruises offers a voyage for every traveler.
   
• Always-on deals: Understanding the importance of competitive pricing and added value, customers will have access to always-on deals throughout the year, including up to $50, $100, $500 or even $1,000 to spend at sea via on-board credits depending on the total amount spent. In celebration of the launch of Cruises, and just ahead of Black Friday this November, Booking.com will be doubling the exclusive spend at sea reward. Additional exclusive spend at sea deals will also be offered on select cruise lines including Carnival Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruises, Norwegian, Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean International and several others**. 
   
• Greater ease: Cruise customers can also tap into Booking.com’s marketplace to arrange every element of their trip in one place whether that involves booking transportation to a departure port, reserving accommodations before or after the cruise, or organizing in-trip experiences at designated port locations. Customers also have the option to book their cruise online or via phone with the help of US-based cruise experts 24/7, and live chat is available to all cruise site visitors. A 110% Best Price Guarantee is also offered on every cruise booking, providing customers who find a lower price on another website within 48 hours of booking with Booking.com Cruises a 110% refund of the difference.
   

“At Booking.com, we are committed to making it easier for everyone to experience the world and with the United States being the largest market for cruises globally, it is important for us to meet and service this demand through our platform, said Ben Harrell, Managing Director, US at Booking.com.” “We are excited to roll out Booking.com Cruises, in partnership with World Travel Holdings, and further expand our offerings for travelers in the United States.”

Industry reports show that 85% of people who have cruised, will cruise again, marking a 6% increase compared to pre-pandemic seasons***. In fact, Booking.com’s Traveler Predictions 2024 revealed that 75% of US travelers agree that being close to water instantly makes them feel more relaxed, and over a third demonstrating interest in water-centric vacations for 2024. While the Caribbean, Europe and Alaska continue to be the top destination regions for sailings, travelers can tap into the vast inventory of cruises on Booking.com around the world and choose from more mainstream cruises on larger ships with varying itineraries, luxury cruises offering an upscale experience and river sailings on smaller ships for a more niche experience.

As of November 9, Cruises will become available to a growing percentage of Booking.com users in the United States over the coming weeks. US travelers will have access to the product offering via a dedicated page on Booking.com’s desktop and mobile versions. 

* CLIA, 2022 Global Market Report

**Black Friday 2023 deals will be available from November 16 to November 29, 2023. Select cruise line offers will be live from November 20 to November 30, 2023.

*** CLIA, 2023 State of the Cruise Industry Report

About World Travel Holdings:

World Travel Holdings is the nation’s largest cruise agency and award-winning leisure travel company with a portfolio of nearly 40 diverse brands. In addition to owning some of the largest brands distributing cruises, villas, resort vacations, car rentals, resort day passes and luxury travel services, World Travel Holdings has a vast portfolio of private-label partnerships comprised of top leisure travel providers, including almost every U.S. airline, leading hotel brands and prominent corporations. The company also operates a top-rated travel agency franchise and is consistently recognized as an industry leader in employee engagement and work-at-home employment. Its global presence includes operating multiple cruise brands in the United Kingdom. World Travel Holdings has offices in Wakefield, Mass.; Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.; and Chorley, England. For more information, visit WorldTravelHoldings.com.