Travel Counsellors Ireland has confirmed key booking trends for 2026 among Irish travellers. Ocean cruise bookings have risen by 20pc year-on-year while river cruising has increased by 60pc.
Demand grows for cooler northern European destinations with Norway trips up 50pc. Families shift summer travel to earlier months with June and July bookings rising and August declining.
Long-haul destinations show growth in Japan, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam.
Cruising appeals due to value, all-inclusive options and no single supplements on many itineraries. Interest in slower-paced river travel and northern escapes reflects a preference for experience-led holidays.
- Spain remains the top European destination despite a 10pc drop in bookings.
- Italy has seen a 38pc increase driven by multi-centre trips.
- Cruise bookings surge with ocean up 20pc and river up 60pc
- Northern Europe gains traction with Norway trips up 50pc
- Families opt for earlier summer travel in June and July
- Long-haul favourites include Japan, Sri Lanka up 25pc and Thailand up 20pc
- Cooler destinations preferred over peak Mediterranean heat
Cathy Burke shared “river cruising has seen phenomenal growth.”
