Cruise Lines Lure Travelers as Airfares Surge

As rising fuel costs push airfares higher, cruise operators are positioning themselves as a more affordable summer travel option, according to Kerry Hannon for Yahoo Finance.

Survey data from The Conference Board shows declining travel intentions among US consumers. Fewer than 17% plan to travel internationally in the next six months, while only 22% expect to take road trips, both near multi-year lows.

With gasoline prices above $4 per gallon and airfare costs rising sharply, cruises are gaining appeal.

According to AAA, the industry is on track for a record year, with strong demand and relatively stable pricing.

Travel platform Kayak found that the average cost of an international flight rose to $998 by late March, up from $774 just over a month earlier.