Halfway through the year, travel agents cite optimism about selling cruises in 2012, according to a new survey of members of Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA). 

Over 50 per cent of respondents report they are already selling more vacations at sea than in 2011 and 64 per cent expect cruise booking volume over the course of 2012 to increase over last year.

The online survey of over 300 CLIA-member agents, conducted in early July, measured several major aspects of the cruise industry from the agent perspective, including consumer confidence and attitudes toward cruising, popular cruise destinations, passenger demographics, and booking patterns.

“As the primary distribution channel for cruises, our member agents have an extremely important perspective and represent a valuable barometer of the attitudes and opinions that shape and drive the industry’s success,” said Christine Duffy, CLIA’s president. 

“In this survey, agents express strong optimism for cruise sales going forward and reaffirm that the industry’s core reason for success is its continuing ability to provide outstanding choice and value for cruise vacations all over the world. 

“In terms of consumer interest, according to our agent partners, cruising, once again, ranks number one compared to other types of vacations.”