Club Cruise Reports 27% Surge in December Bookings as Holiday Travel Demand Shifts Toward Experiences

Preliminary data from Club Cruise shows a 27% increase in December booking inquiries compared with the same period last year, signaling a strong rebound in cruise and curated vacation interest as travelers shift their holiday spending from gifts to experiences. According to Club Cruise's internal tracking, the surge began with post-Black Friday Travel Tuesday momentum and has accelerated as families and couples seek bucket-list vacations for 2026 and 2027. Amanda Huber, CEO of Club Cruise, stated that the increase represents real people seriously planning their next journey rather than window-shopping, reflecting a consumer trend toward trading physical gifts for memories.

This weekend's Travel Tuesday resurgence has helped reignite interest in meaningful, experience-based travel, with many inquirers explicitly referencing holiday gifting. Club Cruise reports that parents and grandparents are seeking summer 2026 multi-generational cruises, couples are looking for romantic Mediterranean sailings, friends are planning group river-cruises, and solo travelers want cultural itineraries. According to Club Cruise advisors, the top destinations and trip types fueling the current surge include European river cruises on the Danube, Rhine, and Douro; luxury small-ship cruises in the South Pacific and Tahiti; Alaska cruisetours for multi-generational family groups; Mediterranean cultural voyages and guided land tours in Italy, Greece, and Ireland; and all-inclusive curated vacations combining cruise, hotel, transfers, and expert planning.

Huber emphasized that early planning is essential for savvy travelers, as prime cabins and best itineraries are already booking up fast. The company's legacy matters now more than ever as online discount platforms flood the market, with Club Cruise standing out by delivering expert planning and insider knowledge including personalized itineraries, air-hotel-transfer coordination, upgrades, and optional add-ons. The company maintains deep relationships with major cruise lines, tour operators, and global suppliers, along with a consistent reputation for reliability, trust, and programmatic excellence built over decades since its founding in 1991. Despite being headquartered in Lincoln, California, Club Cruise serves clients across the United States seeking once-in-a-lifetime vacations through its national reach.

Huber noted that this 27% uptick reflects decades of brand value rather than just post-holiday promotions, with people trusting the Club Cruise name to deliver when it matters. In light of the strong Travel Tuesday response and holiday-gifting shift, Club Cruise is offering free, no-obligation 20-minute travel consultations this week to help clients plan 2026–2027 vacations. Travelers can call 1-800-CLUB-SEA or visit https://www.ClubCruise.com to explore cruise options, compare promotions, and secure early reservations before cabins and air availability tighten. With a proven brand, decades of experience, and the current increase in inquiries, Club Cruise is positioned to help more travelers turn holiday inspiration into real journeys.