What’s driving the boom in small-ship cruising?

What’s driving the boom in small-ship cruising?

It doesn’t take an expert to see that the cruise industry is in rude health. After several years of back-to-back growth, the prospect of a holiday at sea is more appealing than ever. However, within the wider cruise landscape, one sector is on a particularly steep growth trajectory… According to research carried out by digital travel marketing agency Adido and luxury operator Unforgettable Croatia, search demand for small-ship cruise brands has increased by 71 per cent in the past two years. According to Unforgettable Croatia’s CEO Graham Carter, “That’s not an anomaly; that’s sustained growth.” Both Carter and Adido CEO Andy Headington join us on today’s episode of the Cruise Corner Podcast to examine the factors that are driving the growth in small-ship cruising and to discuss what this trend tells us about travellers’ holiday priorities in 2026.

The future of cruise discussed

The evolution of luxury, the strength of the lates market and the power of cruise industry collaboration were just some of the key takeaways from Cruise Trade News' inaugural Retreat. In this week's podcast episode, we hear feedback from attendees at last month's Retreat held at the Chewton Glen Hotel & Spa in Hampshire, which bought key stakeholders together for a day of networking and data-led insights.

How to sell HX Expeditions

Is there a hotter ticket in travel right now than expedition cruise? Fuelled by a desire for unique experiences and the possibility of exploring remote destinations, travellers are increasingly turning to expedition holidays for its mix of safari-style exploration and luxury onboard experiences. In the next instalment of the Cruise Corner Podcast’s new ‘How to sell’ series, Mark Walter, sales director UK & Northern Europe for HX Expeditions shares the three key selling tips all agents need to know to boost their business with the UK expedition line.

Inside the expedition evolution

We explore the surging world of expedition cruising with HX Expeditions' Mark Walter and Dr. Verena Meraldi. We discuss the growing trend of younger travellers entering the sector and how HX’s science and education programme engages guests in meaningful research. Before that, co-hosts Jack Carter and Will Payne welcome Cruise Trade News and World of Cruising senior partnerships manager Abbie Downes to discuss CTN's first-ever Retreat at Chewton Glen Hotel and Spa, which brought together senior industry leaders to discuss critical challenges facing the cruise industry.

The secret to writing a winning Wave Awards entry

With just over a month to go until the deadline for this year's Wave Awards entries, co-host Will Payne and Real Response Media COO Lee Hayhurst reveal exactly what judges are looking for when reviewing submissions, and how you can make yours stand out.