Gap years are no longer the preserve of the young, as nearly four in ten (37%) in their golden years have decided to seize the moment and book a life-changing trip. Cruises (38%), city breaks (43%), beach holidays (40%) and luxury trips (37%) are among the top types of holidays planned.
According to research released today by Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) – the leading innovator in global cruise travel – over a third (37%) of Baby Boomers admit they have a new lease of life when it comes to travelling. In the near future, Britain will see a rise in the golden gap year, with nearly a fifth (19%) of Boomers admitting they’re more likely to travel than five years ago. One fifth (20%) are planning to throw caution to the wind and go away for a year, while nine months is the ideal trip length for Boomers.
Following two years of travel restrictions, one fifth (21%) regret not taking a gap year in their teens or early twenties, with nearly one in three (32%) realising how much more of the world they want to explore, while they still can. 27% admit waiting their whole lives to enjoy their retirement, with nearly half (41%) agreeing it’s worthwhile spending their hard-earned cash by travelling during your golden years. 32% admit travelling by sea is more convenient and fun than travelling by air, as one fifth (20%) intend to cruise in the next two years.
Eamonn Ferrin, Vice President of International Business at NCL said: “While globetrotting has long been associated with the young and carefree, our research suggests more Baby Boomers are travelling than ever before. Whilst golden gap year travel is becoming a trend – at NCL we’ve seen a surge in all generations prioritising travel, taking more frequent trips to long-haul destinations.”
Over half (57%) of adventurous Baby Boomers would like to travel somewhere they have never been before, compared to just 42% of Gen Zs. Boomers have been dreaming of far-flung destinations, with Australia (38%), New Zealand (37%) and Canada (31%) among the places to visit. Also on the bucket list is Italy (29%), the United States (29%), the Maldives (23%), Hawaii (23%) and Iceland (22%).
Many Brits (43%) are embracing staying young at heart in their later years, with nearly a third (30%) claiming 60 is the new 16. One in ten (14%) Boomers are ready to step outside their comfort zone, with a third (34%) constantly adding to their ultimate list of bucket destinations to travel to. The research reveals that the ultimate golden gap year should include a trip to the Northern Lights (55%), walking through the wild countryside of New Zealand (33%) and eating pasta on the Amalfi coast (31%).
The Top Ten Golden Gap Year Experiences
- Trip to the Northern Lights, Iceland 55%
- Walking through the wild countryside of New Zealand 33%
- Eating pasta on the Amalfi coast 31%
- Drinking rum on the beach in the Caribbean 26%
- Island hopping in Greece 27%
- Going on safari 22%
- Visiting a rainforest 17%
- Finding and eating the best burger in New York 14%
- Volcano hiking in Iceland 14%
- Seeing the Golden Triangle in Thailand 12%
For those planning their dream adventure, bucket list destinations and cutting-edge amenities await on an NCL cruise. The first of two ships in its brand-new Prima Class, Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva, offer guests multiple brand and industry firsts. In May 2023, Norwegian Prima will depart on an awe-inspiring 11-day transatlantic journey from New York, USA; to Reykjavik, Iceland. Guests seeking longer, one-of-a-kind port-rich voyages can explore Extraordinary Journeys, including immersive sailings to South Pacific’s untouched islands on Norwegian Spirit. The ship will also sail bucket list Australia and New Zealand itineraries from December 2022. What’s more, NCL recently announced the deployment of Norwegian Sun in the Canary Islands from November 2022. The 10 to 14-day itineraries combine the Canaries with visits to Portugal, Spain, and Morocco and offer embarkations in Lisbon, Malaga and Santa Cruz de Tenerife.
“No matter your age, travel has no limit”, adds Eamonn Ferrin. “Cruising is a unique, comfortable and inspiring way to explore the world, enabling travellers to easily visit multiple destinations in a single trip. NCL offers an extensive range of itineraries, traveling to over 400 beloved ports of call, as well as unrivalled guest experiences and exhilarating activities. We encourage everyone to book their next trip and reconnect with the world again with NCL.”
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