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Up-to-the-Minute Travel Insights from Travel GuardSurvey: Cruises more satisfying than land-based vacations Stevens Point, WI (August 6, 2009) – Leisure travelers who recently chose cruises over land-based vacations say cruise travel is “more satisfying” because of the high value today’s cruise vacations provide, according to the results of a recent poll of more than 200 North American travelers by Travel Guard (http://www.travelguard.com/), a leading travel insurance plan provider. The survey, conducted for Travel Guard by Ruf Strategic Solutions, asked clients who recently completed seagoing voyages to rank the most important factors in their decision to cruise. The majority of respondents (47 percent) said cruises offer a “more satisfying experience compared with traditional vacations” with “more activities and destinations to see in a short time versus traditional vacations.” Another 23 percent said cruise vacations offer the advantage of “seeing multiple destinations without having to pack and unpack several times.” Also ranking high among determining factors was cruise pricing, considered to be “comparable to or better than most other vacation options,” (20 percent of survey respondents). “Cruise vacations offer travelers a great number of activities and destination choices,” said Dan McGinnity, Vice President of Travel Guard. “Cruise vacations are also easy to budget, because most of your expenses for food, lodging and entertainment are paid up front. Convenience is another big benefit for most travelers. You check your luggage when you board the ship, and you don’t have to worry about it until the end of your cruise, regardless of how many ports you visit.” The survey also found that a majority of respondents (30 percent) cited “potential loss of deposit due to unforeseen conflict (loss of job, family emergency, etc.)” as their primary concern when booking a cruise. Also ranking high among concerns were “missing [the] ship’s departure due to a missed flight/connection,” (22 percent of respondents) and “luggage lost by airline does not make the ship in time” (21 percent). An overwhelming majority of those surveyed - 97 percent – said they purchase travel insurance as part of any voyage. “Our clients recognize that unforeseen circumstances can impact their cruise,” explains McGinnity. “From airline delays and missed connections to loss of employment, travel insurance plan can provide complete insurance protection if you must cancel or interrupt your cruise due to a covered reason.” The complete family of travel insurance and assistance service plans available through Travel Guard can be purchased online at http://www.travelguard.com/, through Travel Guard’s 24-hour World Service Center (800-826-1300), or from one of the more than 12,000 travel agencies who offer the travel insurance plans available through Travel Guard.
Travel Guard Group, Inc. (“Travel Guard”) (http//:www.travelguard.com) is one of America's leading providers of travel insurance plans for more than 6 million travelers each year. Travel insurance plans through Travel Guard are distributed by more than 12,000 travel agents across the United States. Travel insurance plans through Travel Guard may include coverage for trip cancellation, travel interruptions and delays, emergency medical expenses, medical evacuation expenses, and lost or delayed baggage. Most plans also include 24-hour travel assistance services* for emergency medical assistance, last-minute or emergency travel changes, lost luggage tracking, pre-trip travel advice, and more. The travel insurance offered through Travel Guard is underwritten by National Union Fire Insurance Company of Pittsburgh, Pa., a Pennsylvania Insurance Company (NAIC# 19445) with its principal place of business at 70 Pine Street, New York, NY10270. The policy will contain reductions, limitations, exclusions, and termination provisions. All coverages may not available in all states. *Assistance services provided by Travel Guard Assist.
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