Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes: How a Cruise May Benefit Passengers' Health and Relationships
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abstract
Emerging research has revealed the importance of the benefits to travel, beyond that of a simple vacation getaway. Because the US remains one of the few developed countries without a formal vacation policy for working adults, research investigating the overall benefits of travel, from health to relationship and life satisfaction benefits, may serve as the justification needed to become more accepting using and granting vacation days. The current study utilized a post hoc pretest approach to survey 548 passengers at the end of a week-long Caribbean cruise to compare their perceived stress levels, overall health conditions, and relationship satisfaction pre- and postvacation. Additionally, passengers' repurchase and word-of-mouth (WOM) intentions, vacation satisfaction, and perceptions of value were investigated. The study showed positive changes in levels of stress, health, and relationship satisfaction following the week-long cruise. Reduction of stress for an individual was shown to be the most significant predictor of intention to cruise with the same cruise line again and the best indication of positive WOM following the cruise. Self-reported improvements in overall health and stress levels after the cruise were positive and significant indicators of an individual's perception of the value of the vacation. Finally, improvements in stress and relationship satisfaction were found positive significant predictors of overall cruise satisfaction. Managerial implications and suggestions for future research are provided.
