In a bid to further investigate the holiday habits of British cruisers, an independent cruise comparison website conducted a study to discover how much alcohol the average cruiser consumes onboard, compared to those holidaying on dry land.

As part of ongoing research into the habits of British cruisers, an independent cruise comparison website conducted a study of 1,198 cruisers, each of whom had also been on a beach holiday in the past 3 years, to discover how much alcohol they consumed when on different types of holidays. 

The study, conducted by www.CruiseCompare.co.uk, initially asked respondents the multiple choice question ‘How many alcoholic drinks do you consume each day when on a cruise holiday?’ According to the results, the majority, 44%, consumed 5-8 alcoholic beverages per day on a cruise.

A further 13% of the respondents admitted to drinking 8+ alcoholic drinks each day that they were onboard a cruise liner; whilst 43% of the respondents stated that they consumed 0-4 alcoholic drinks per day whilst they were on a cruising holiday.

The respondents were then asked if they drank more alcoholic drinks on a cruising holiday compared to when holidaying on dry land; more than three quarters, 76%, answered ‘yes’ compared to 13% who claimed that they consumed ‘the same amount of alcohol’ when on any type of holiday.

When asked to explain their reasons for consuming more alcohol on a cruise liner, a third, 34%, said it was because they ‘felt safer’ when on a cruising holiday.

A further tenth, 11%, of the respondents who admitted to consuming more alcohol when on a cruise holiday, said that they did so because their cruise was ‘all inclusive;’ meaning there was no limit as to how much alcohol they could consume.

According to the research, the most popular drink consumed by cruisers was cocktails, with 31% admitting they were the type of alcoholic drink they mostly had whilst onboard. Following cocktails was champagne, with a quarter, 24%, stating that they drank the French delicacy more so than any other alcohol on a cruise ship.

Danielle Fear, Managing Director of CruiseCompare.co.uk, said the following,

“As long as the holidaymakers are careful and drink responsibly, then there is no harm in having a few alcoholic drinks when on holiday. However, it is a little concerning that some of the respondents drink as many as 8 or more alcoholic drinks each day!”

She continued,
“Part of the excitement of a holiday is letting go of inhibitions and enjoying things that you don’t on an average day. However, with this being said, consuming too much alcohol can be dangerous, especially when on a cruise liner in the middle of an ocean.  Plus, who wants to wake up on holiday with a hangover?!”