KUALA LUMPUR — Seven in 10 Malaysians are interested in exploring Europe through a multi-destination cruise, according to a YouGov survey commissioned by Royal Caribbean.
The survey found that 70 per cent of Malaysian respondents were interested in experiencing multiple European destinations on a single cruise holiday, highlighting the appeal of combining travel between destinations with accommodation, dining and entertainment.
For Malaysians planning a multi-destination European holiday, travelling between destinations can be one of the more challenging aspects of the journey, with 88 per cent saying they found at least one aspect of such travel tiring or stressful.
Flight delays and cancellations were the biggest concern, cited by 57 per cent of respondents, followed by airport security screening (36 per cent), managing luggage between countries (35 per cent) and long layovers (34 per cent).
Cruising was seen as an alternative that could reduce some of these travel-related hassles, with the top perceived benefits including meals and entertainment being included (47 per cent), the ability to visit multiple destinations with ease (41 per cent), family-friendly activities (39 per cent), and avoiding airport processes such as check-in, security screening and delays (37 per cent).
Italy and the United Kingdom were the top European destinations Malaysian respondents wanted to visit, at 45 per cent each, followed by France (34 per cent), Spain (30 per cent) and Greece (28 per cent).
Royal Caribbean President of Greater China and Managing Director of Asia Ben Bouldin said a holiday to Europe was a bucket-list experience for many Malaysians, with travellers increasingly seeking more convenient ways to explore multiple destinations.
“They want holidays that feel effortless, allowing them to spend more time discovering new places and creating meaningful moments with family and loved ones.
“That is where we see increasing interest in multi-destination cruising,” he said.
The findings also showed strong potential for multi-destination European cruises among Malaysian travellers, with 80 per cent of those who had previously travelled in Europe saying they would consider such a cruise.
The figure was slightly higher among parents with children under 18, at 81 per cent.
However, the survey’s Malaysia-specific results showed that trains remained the most preferred mode of intra-European transport at 26 per cent, followed by private cars (24 per cent), cruises and short-haul flights (20 per cent each), and buses or coaches (10 per cent).
Among the main benefits of exploring Europe by cruise, 47 per cent cited included meals and entertainment, while 41 per cent valued the ability to visit multiple destinations with ease.
Other benefits included family activities (39 per cent), avoiding airport processes (37 per cent), safety and comfort (36 per cent), and not having to pack and unpack between destinations (32 per cent).
The survey also found that Malaysians were most interested in visiting the Leaning Tower of Pisa in Florence (45 per cent), relaxing on Mallorca’s Mediterranean beaches (40 per cent), and exploring Piazza Navona and the Trevi Fountain in Rome (37 per cent).
Other experiences included touring the Picasso Museum in Malaga (36 per cent), authentic Neapolitan pizza-making in Naples (30 per cent), and visiting Gaudí landmarks such as the Sagrada Família in Barcelona (23 per cent).
The survey was conducted online by YouGov among 6,223 respondents aged 18 and above in Singapore, Malaysia, India, Indonesia and the Philippines from May 28 to June 8, 2026.
The sample was designed to ensure representation across gender, age groups and geographic distribution within each market.
Note: Average time spent on aspects of a typical journey was based on derived estimates using midpoint calculations for time ranges, rather than exact times reported directly in the survey.
—Bernama
