The Great British Breakaway report 

For 41% of respondents, the appeal of visiting multiple destinations (without the hassle of repacking or switching hotels) is the standout reason to consider a cruise. A further 21% point to value for money, while 16% are drawn by the sense of adventure and discovery that cruise travel offers. 

Beyond the practical appeal, cruising is also  providing people with a new kind of confidence when it comes to exploring the world.  Over two-thirds (68%) of Brits say a cruise makes them more confident to travel to new places. This figure is highest among Gen Z (74%) and Millennials (74%), dismissing the age-old stereotype that cruises are just for the older generation. Instead, our study reveals that cruises are playing a powerful role in opening the world to youngsters who might otherwise feel daunted to travel to unfamiliar destinations. Gen X followed closely at 69%, while 66% of Baby Boomers agreed. 

Travel-related confidence levels are high across the country, but it's Sunderland that stands out most with 81% of people there saying a cruise makes them more confident to travel - the highest of any city surveyed. 

Lindsay continues, "It's heartening to see the confidence that people are gaining through cruise travel. So much of what holds people back from exploring new destinations, such as unfamiliar transport, language barriers, and not knowing how to get around, simply disappears on a cruise. Everything is taken care of, so you're free to just enjoy the discovery. To see Gen Z and Millennials leading the charge and feeling that confidence boost is resounding evidence that cruising isn't just for one type of traveller. Rather, it's for anyone who wants to see more of the world." 

How Our Holiday Habits Have Changed In The Past Five Years 

If recent years taught us anything, it's that life is too short to put off experiences. That lesson appears to have changed how Brits approach holiday planning, as almost three-fifths (59%) say they're more spontaneous than before the pandemic. 

Younger generations are leading this shift, with 71% of both Gen Z and Millennials describing themselves as spontaneous holiday planners, compared to 58% of Gen X and 55% of Baby Boomers, who tend to take a more thoughtful approach to a holiday.  

When asked what's driving this shift in attitude, just over a quarter (28%) said they value freedom and flexibility more than fixed itineraries - something felt most strongly among Gen X (32%). 

Meanwhile, 21% said that since Covid-19, they've become more determined to seek out life experiences, a motivation that resonates most with Baby Boomers (24%). 

How Long Does It Actually Take To Plan A Holiday? 

Despite the rise in spontaneity, most people still give themselves time to pull a holiday together.  

Men tend to plan a few weeks ahead (41% vs 38% among women), while women are more likely to plan 4 or more months in advance (20% vs 13% among men).  

Baby Boomers are the most likely to plan four or more months ahead (23%), reinforcing the idea that older travellers tend to prefer a more considered approach, while the younger generations of Gen Z (44%), Millennials (43%) and Gen X (42%) prefer to plan a few weeks in advance. 

The True Mental Health Cost of Not Taking a Holiday 

Taking a holiday isn't just a luxury. For most of us, it's a genuine necessity. With the pressures of modern life showing no signs of slowing down, the impact of stepping away from the everyday goes deeper than simply recharging our batteries. Our research reveals just how significant that impact really is, with 81% of Brits noticing a positive effect on their mental health when they travel. 

But what is it that makes getting away so good for us? When we asked people to pinpoint the benefits they notice most, the results were clear. 

Perhaps one of the more surprising findings is that the mental health benefits of travel don't always happen instantly. While just over a third (37%) of people say they switch off immediately on holiday, 40% say it takes one to two days before they truly unwind. A further 13%  require three to four days, 5% say they never fully switch off, and 4% admit it takes most of the holiday before they feel at ease. 

This pattern holds true across all generations and genders, with the one to two day window being the most common response regardless of age or background. 

So why does it take us so long to truly switch off? The demands of modern life don't simply disappear the moment we go on holiday. From lingering work anxieties to the habit of reaching for our phones, many of us carry our daily stressors with us long after we've left home. It often takes a day or two of new surroundings, a slower pace and the absence of routine before the mind finally begins to let go. 

To explore the psychological benefits of travel, Cruise118.com previously spoke with psychotherapist and author Eloise Skinner, who explained: “Many people underestimate the psychological toll of not taking proper breaks. When people don’t rest, stress hormones like cortisol remain elevated. Over time, this contributes to problems such as chronic fatigue, anxiety, irritability and difficulty concentrating. Constant busyness is often mistaken for productivity, but psychologically, it leads to emotional numbness and burnout. 

“Travel can offer more than a short escape from reality. Being in a new environment disrupts habitual thought patterns, creates psychological distance from everyday pressures and allows people to gain perspective. Many return feeling clearer, calmer and more capable of setting realistic goals. 

“New experiences also stimulate areas of the brain linked to dopamine and present-moment awareness. Over time, this can increase flexibility, confidence and emotional resilience. Travel also encourages physical movement, social connection and curiosity, all factors associated with healthy ageing and sustained mental wellbeing.” 

Popular Travel Months, Destinations and Bucket List Dreams 

It’s no surprise that the summer months are the most preferred travel months. June is the nation's favourite (19%), followed closely by August (17%) and July (16%), with the three summer months combined accounting for more than half of all responses (52%). May (12%) and September (11%) also perform strongly, suggesting that shoulder-season travel remains popular among those who prefer a quieter, more relaxed experience. 

The appeal of summer is fundamentally about the weather, with nearly half (45%) saying better conditions are their primary motivation for choosing a particular month.  

Where Do We Want To Go In 2026? 

Europe (18%) and the Caribbean (9%) sit as the top destinations for 2026 and are consistent preferences across all generations. Interestingly, Gen Z are also drawn to Hawaii (10%) and the Bahamas (10%), showing their appetite for visually striking, Instagram-worthy locations. 

The Ultimate Bucket List 

When it comes to once-in-a-lifetime travel dreams, the Northern Lights top the nation's bucket list, chosen by 28% of respondents across all generations and is especially aspirational for those living in Bristol (51%) and Belfast (42%). 

The Pyramids take second place, drawing strong interest from Gen Z (14%), Millennials (16%) and Gen X (14%), with Sunderland (24%) and Leeds (21%) showing the greatest appetite for a journey back through history. The Great Barrier Reef is most popular with Baby Boomers (13%), while the Statue of Liberty captures the imagination of those in Oxford (24%) and York (15%) the most. 

How We Like To Travel 

The events of the past five years haven’t just changed when and where we travel; they’ve also changed how we travel. The biggest shift has been a renewed appreciation for what's closer to home.  

More than a third of respondents (36%) say they've picked up a habit of exploring locally or domestically since the pandemic, discovering hidden gems on their doorstep rather than always looking further afield. This trend is strongest among Millennials (40%) and particularly prominent in Sunderland, where 57% say local exploration is now a key part of how they travel. 

Slower, more immersive travel is the second biggest trend (32%), with travellers taking more time to really explore a destination rather than rushing from sight to sight. This shift is felt most strongly among Baby Boomers (34%), and Plymouth (45%) and Newcastle upon Tyne (41%) are the cities most likely to embrace this more considered pace of travel. 

Outdoor-focused adventures are led by Millennials (28%), and Aberdeen tops the city rankings (33%). Then there's the rise of 'raw-dogging' - travelling with no entertainment, no distractions and no screen time. Interestingly, over-40s are slightly more likely to have tried it (10%) than Gen Z (7%), suggesting that the desire for a true digital detox grows with age. 

Connections on Holiday Are More Important Than Ever 

Surprisingly, our data found that what people value most from a holiday isn't a place, it's the people they share it with. 

Just under a quarter (23%) say spending quality time with family or loved ones is the thing they value most from a holiday - the top answer across all generations and genders. 

When asked who they'd most like to holiday with, 38% chose their partner, and 37% chose family, a near-even split that shows how central relationships are to the travel experience. Solo travel only attracts 13%, while 11% prefer to go with friends. 

Men are more likely to choose to holiday with their partner (42% vs 35% of women), while women are significantly more likely to prioritise family (44% vs 30% of men). 

Men are also twice as likely to prefer solo travel - 18% versus just 9% of women. This may show differing gender motivations for taking a break, with men tending to see holidays as a means of personal recharge, while women view them more as an opportunity for shared experience and connection. Safety considerations may also play a role as solo travel to unfamiliar destinations can feel less accessible for women, particularly in certain parts of the world. 

59% also say it's because they want to create special memories with the people they care about - the top response across all generations. Solo travellers, meanwhile, are driven primarily by a desire to push themselves out of their comfort zone (17%) or to simply enjoy their own company and recharge (11%). 

The Travel Rituals We’re All Guilty Of 

When it comes to holiday rituals, women tend to be more set in their ways than men. They are more likely to arrive at the airport too early (39% vs 36% among men), to check their passport repeatedly (40% vs 35%), and to stock up on snacks for the plane (34% vs 23%). Women also edge ahead when it comes to duty-free browsing (27% vs 23%), repeatedly weighing the suitcase (26% vs 19%), and indulging in a full English or a drink regardless of the time (22% vs 19%). The one area where men and women are perfectly aligned? Putting their out-of-office email on far earlier than necessary, with both coming in at 12%. 

Aberdeen (50%) and York (50%) were found to be the top cities of early airport arrivers, whereas Liverpool was top for passport-checking anxiety (44%). Norwich leads on duty-free indulgence (38%) and Sunderland is the city that enjoys a pre-travel full English and alcoholic beverage (33%). 

Lindsay adds: "It's clear that for most, the holiday experience starts long before you reach your destination with their own pre-holiday rituals, however irrational they might seem. They're a reminder of just how much we look forward to getting away and are all part of the excitement of travel.” 

What Do We Always Forget To Pack? 

Despite pre-holiday planning and rituals, most of us still end up leaving something behind.  

Gen Z (17%) and Millennials (19%) are most likely to forget a toothbrush (17%), while Gen X (23%) and Baby Boomers (25%) are most likely to forget an adapter. 

Men are more likely to forget adapters (21%) and toiletries (18%), whereas women are more likely to forget socks (13% vs 6% men). 

Conclusion: Your Next Adventure Awaits 

Our findings paint a picture of a nation that is not just travelling more, but travelling more meaningfully. From the mental health benefits that 81% of us notice when we take a break, to the confidence boost that cruising is giving to travellers of all ages, the data shows that travel matters, and we know it. 

For those considering a cruise in 2026, Lindsay shares her top tips for making the most of your holiday: "Cruising is one of the best-value holidays you can take when you look at everything that's included. Accommodation, meals, entertainment, and transport between destinations are bundled. To get the best deal, be flexible with your dates if you can: travelling in the shoulder season (May, early June, or September) can unlock significantly better prices while still giving you beautiful weather. Booking early gives you the widest choice of cabins and itineraries, but last-minute deals can also be great if you have flexibility.  

“Don't forget to look at what's included beyond the headline price too. Some lines include drinks packages, shore excursions or gratuities, which can make a significant difference to the overall value. And finally, speak to a specialist. A good cruise expert will know the ships, the routes and the deals, and can match you to an experience that suits exactly what you're looking for.” 

Methodology 

To better understand British attitudes towards travel, holidays and the rise of cruise interest, Cruise118.com commissioned a nationwide survey of 2,000 adults living in the UK. The survey was conducted in February 2026 and explored a wide range of topics, including motivations for travel, mental health benefits, destination preferences, booking habits and travel rituals. Responses were anonymised and analysed across demographic groups, including age, gender and city of residence, to identify trends and regional variations.