Plans to cruise during the next 12 months rose to 18% of the wealthiest U.S. households, up from 15% last spring and 12% in the fall of 2010, according to a survey by the American Affluence Research Center.
According to the center, 11 million households qualify as affluent; 18% represents about 2 million households, meaning that about 4 million people from that category will cruise during the next 12 months.
The groups most likely to cruise are those with a net worth of more than $6 million (32%), those with income above $200,000 (21%), and those age 60 and older (20%).
Only 13% of the under-50 age group indicated plans to cruise, while 16% of the 50-59 age group plan to do so during the next 12 months.
The American Affluence Research Center has been conducting twice-yearly studies of the wealthiest 10% of U.S. households since 2002.
The latest report is based on 499 male and female survey participants who have an average annual household income of $282,000, an average net worth of $3.1 million, average investable assets of $1.7 million, and a primary residence with an average value of $1.1 million.
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