Club Cruise Reports 27% December Booking Surge as Holiday Gifting Shifts to 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.

"As more consumers trade physical gifts for memories, we're seeing a clear spike in interest — not just window-shopping," said Amanda Huber, CEO of Club Cruise. "Those 27% more calls and quote-requests represent real people seriously planning their next journey." This weekend's Travel Tuesday resurgence has helped reignite interest in meaningful, experience-based travel. Club Cruise reports that many inquirers are explicitly referencing holiday gifting: parents and grandparents seeking summer 2026 multi-generational cruises; couples looking for romantic Mediterranean sailings; friends planning group river-cruises; and solo travelers wanting cultural itineraries.

According to Club Cruise advisors, the top five destinations and trip types fueling the current surge are European river cruises on the Danube, Rhine, and Douro; luxury small-ship cruises in the South Pacific and Tahiti; Alaska cruisetours especially 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 adds, "Many callers say they want to give loved ones memories, not more stuff. And for savvy travelers, early planning is essential — prime cabins and best itineraries are already booking up fast."

Club Cruise was founded in 1991 and has upheld a unique brand identity, continuous presence, and national reputation for more than 30 years. From its early beginnings as a national cruise-only agency accessible via 1-800-CLUB-SEA to its evolution into a full-service, concierge-level luxury travel planner, Club Cruise has always focused on personalized service, value, and expertise. That legacy matters now more than ever. As online discount platforms flood the market, Club Cruise stands out by delivering expert planning and insider knowledge including personalized itineraries, air-hotel-transfer coordination, upgrades, and optional add-ons; deep relationships with major cruise lines, tour operators, and global suppliers; and a consistent reputation for reliability, trust, and programmatic excellence built over decades.

National reach despite being headquartered in Lincoln, California, Club Cruise serves clients across the United States seeking once-in-a-lifetime vacations. "This 27% uptick isn't just about post-holiday promotions," Huber notes. "It reflects decades of brand value — people who trust the name Club Cruise 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 a 27% increase in inquiries already, Club Cruise is poised to help more travelers turn holiday inspiration into real journeys.